I know that I said I was going to do scarves next, and although scarves are probably my favorite article of clothing after sweatshirts, at the request of my dear friend I am going to do a post on dresses.
Since I’m doing dresses, I might as well go on to do tights too! In the fall, I find that tights are a go to article underneath anything that isn’t, well… pants. So, here we go!
There are many many different types of dresses. Formal, semi-formal, casual, sundress, etc. Well, I’m going to do two types–casual and semi-formal. Let’s start with casual. Okay, so first of all, a trick with wearing a casual dress you want to be slimming is that usually dark colors are the more slimming ones, but they are also the more formal colors. For example, I have this black sleeveless dress that I wear a lot at the beach and it’s completely informal, and like literally makes me look 8 months pregnant, etc, but people think it’s really dressy because it’s black! Dumb. Anyway, a definite trick to less formal is the length. I would say go for the knee or a few inches above. Mini dresses are not flattering!! A few inches above the knee is fun, and slimming, but anything above a few inches is bad bad BAD. The knee I find is a good place because it doesn’t cut off your leg at all, and is still short enough to be considered casual. Usually material is another indicator of formal-ness. For slimming effect, don’t choose anything too tight that’s also too thin. Form fitting is always good. Do not choose things that are poofy because those make it loose. A lot of the time people think that loose is good, but actually it makes you look bigger than you are. I find that having a tighter waist that then flares is always slimming. Also, try to go for fabrics that aren’t clingy, because those show lines, etc that we don’t always want to show. Also, I find that if you have a dress that is way too flowy, a belt is a great way to fix that! I have one go to belt that I always use and it’s helped me with SO many outfits, so invest in one. It’ll pay off. So.. yeah! Now we can do pictures which I know is all we want to look at anyway.
Fall-casual dresses by autumnlavish featuring crochet dress
In between casual and semiformal I’ll do tights. So, tights are a great way to add something fun to an outfit. My tips are that tights should be in a dark color (white tights aren’t slimming, and while they’re fun, they don’t do anything great for the figure) and that patterns should be kept to a minimum. I have a few tights with plain pinstripes or zigzags, but if you want to wear tights that are extremely detailed be aware they draw attention to the legs, and usually to the thigh if your dress doesn’t cover there. Tights are great for wearing with fall outfits because you can wear shorter things without freezing. ALSO do not buy expensive tights. Tights rip easily. You will be sad when you buy tights for a lot of money and they rip on your toenail. Trust me.
Fall-Tights by autumnlavish featuring nylon leggings
Now on to semi-formal! Sooo formal wear I recommend going to the knee. I really think that that’s appropriate and makes it a little more formal. I also recommend darker colors, but patterns are fun, just not too outrageous. I love halters and halter like dresses because they emphasize the top and not the bottom. Also (and this is true with all tops) dresses that are v-necked or scoop necked, etc, show off the thinnest pat of your body and draw the attention up. Again, dresses are more slimming when you show off your waist! So make sure not to wear a mumu–that’s bad. Also, this is one of the most important: SLEEVES. NO CAP/BABYDOLL SLEEVES. They cut your arm at the fattest point and make your arms look HORRIBLE. Either do no sleeves, long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, or something in there but NOTHING CUT LIKE THAT. ALSO no ruffles. Ruffles are meant to make bigger, which is why small girls with no boobs wear lots of ruffles on their boobs because it covers the fact that they have none. If you do not need to look bigger, don’t wear ruffles. Okay, picture time! (This is everyone’s favorite part, right? I mean, it must be. It’s mine!).
Fall- semiformal dresses by autumnlavish featuring rayon dress
I haven’t mentioned that I have a show obsession have I? Hmm… just maybe. I definitely recommend investing in a pair of black and nude pumps. They go with everything, are simple and classic. A heel that tapers down is good, but stilettos are not! They make you look like you’re being held up by something that can’t handle you, and they emphasize that you are bigger than your heel. More on shoes later though… that’s a whole other million blog posts. Maybe I’ll do a post on some fall shoes…. boots!
Keep tuned in lovelies 🙂
Voluptuous & Marvelous 