Bright Bouclé {Plus My 2 Cents on Knowing Your Body and Dressing For it!}
Happy Hump Day! So, I haven’t quite figured out where I am going to take pictures in the new place. I braved my new neighbor’s confused stares last Thursday and took pictures right in the middle of the walkway, but the light wasn’t great, so I’m still looking. There is a nice area off our back patio to take pictures, but I haven’t figured out how to get back there yet. Lol! Stay tuned.
H&M Anorak (old, similar) | ASOS Boucle Knit Dress ($20, on sale!) | Xhileration Tights ($5, Target) | Zara Ankle Boots (sold out) | Leather Fingerless Opera Gloves via eBay (linked here)
So, let’s talk about this dress. I love the color…and I even love the bouclé knit, buuuuut you guys, this thang MUST be worn with a jacket. Body skimming sweater dresses are generally pretty flattering on me, but the combination of the crew neck, short hemline, and chunkier bouclé knit…all in a SHIFT silhouette is the complete opposite of flattering! I should have known better when I saw the word “shift.” Shift silhouettes don’t really work for my body…without a little creativity, that is. Because I am broad up top, slightly busty, and lacking in the hips department, shifts make me look like Spongebob…Spongebob wearing a tent, actually (LOL!!!). I need something to cinch in my waist a bit. You can’t really tell because I’ve added my handy dandy anorak, but this dress is pretty much straight up and down…it doesn’t cinch the waist at all…now close your eyes, and imagine what that looks like…
…A HOT MESS! LOL. A belt would also do the trick for curvier bodies, but not mine…my waist isn’t small enough, and I don’t really have hips…so in my opinion, a belt just exacerbates the issue. Lol. (Although belts look amazing on me with fit and flare silhouettes!). So, I lean heavily on jackets to do my waist cinching…a jacket and a belt, and I’m really doin’ the damn thing! Basically, a jacket can always be depended on to create the shape I want. Lol!
Let’s also talk about these shoes! So, I have short muscular legs…and y’all know I love my legs…they are my favorite feature, but because they are not long, I know that I have to be careful with ankle boots that come above the ankle bone…they can cut my legs off and make me look short and stumpy. Buuuuut, black ankle boots with black tights creates a continuous line visually that totally works, regardless of where the boots hit at the ankle.
So, the point of this little rant…just to remind you guys that it is so important to know your own body, and what works for you! You can read a million tips out there for various body types, but I guarantee that most of us don’t fit into a cookie cutter body type. Those tips are a good starting point, but nobody knows your body like you do…and you know best what looks good on you! And, whatever you do, stop telling yourself that you “can’t” wear something…instead, you should be saying, okay, “how can I make this work for my body?” (Read: I love this dress, so I’m keeping it, and I figured out how to wear it…and I wanna wear these ankle boots with skirts and dresses, so damn it, I figured out how to do that, too!)
By the way, I wore this outfit to The Chevy Boutique hosted by V103 and Georgia Best Chevy Dealers last week! In case you missed the memo, and I am the official face of your Georgia Best Chevy Girls on Facebook at facebook.com/georgiabestchevygirls and Twitter @ChevyAtlanta. Feel free to click on over and chat it up with me about all things Chevy, Atlanta, fashion, food, and fun random-ness. You can check out more pictures from the event here on Facebook, but I had to share this picture of me in the 2013 Chevy Malibu…omg! I want this car, y’all!
Thanks for stopping by!! XOXO.
You look great Eboni. I think you rocked the dress. And shift dress are really no ones friend til you find the brand that works for you on it. Lol The gloves look great with this look too. Super stylish as usual.
My recent post Fun At Ikea
I totally agree! A blazer/jacket/vest is my go to for when the dress isn't the most flattering. You look great!
My recent post shoe love: zara
You look great, and i would never know anything "short and stubby" looking about your legs. You're right they sure look long in the tights and boots. I like this dress! It looks good!
My recent post Blood Orange Season Part 2 of 4 (Blood Orange and Lemon Pound Cake with Blood Orange Glaze)
You definitely know how to make things work for your shape cause you always look cute!
I have the same body shape as you and I run into the same problems you mentioned. I actually just did a guest post on that. I usually wear a jacket to balance things out.
My recent post Dressing my Shape plus a Giveaway
You look so cute! Love the color combination, and I think that dress would look great on you with our without an outer layer
BTW the porch also looks like a great place to take your pictures too! At least you found one spot without getting strange looks from the neighbors, right? 
Have a great day,
Christy
Sunnywithasideof…
This post was excellent girl!!! I totally agree with you. I think we may have the same body type, LOL!! I'm gonna have to add your jacket method to some of my ill fitting items. The outfit looks cute!!!
7eventh Letter
My recent post Blogger Inspired Fashion Week 2013 Featuring: Trina – The Baby Shopaholic
ahhh so cute!!!!
My recent post Tonight on Bag Ladies Radio: Today Show’s Bobbie Thomas, Shopping Addictions, and Um, Vampire Facelifts?
You look so great in this outfit! The color of your dress is such a flattering shade! I completely understand what you're talking about with belts and jackets. I have some curves, but am a little more straight through the waist/hips area. I do wear belts to accentuate my waist, but cardigans and jackets are my flattering on me.
My recent post 100 Posts of Life and Style
Love this look, Eb! The anorak is super cute with the dress, and of course the gloves work with EVERYTHING!
Prissy
My recent post Trenched
As bloggers, I think we all brave the stares of strangers for the sake of our blogs!
Hope you have a wonderful day
Sheree
The Hartungs Blog
thehartungs.blogspot.ca
LOVE this look!!!!!
I hope you'll keep an eye out on my blog later today. I'll be featuring this as one of the looks I love today.
Terry
http://terrystwocents.tumblr.com
My recent post What I Wore Today: 3.13.13
I CANNOT with you: Spongebob…Spongebob wearing a tent, actually LOL!! Um, but Spongebob doesn't have your legs and I would gladly take those
My recent post Sequins to Remember Me By
You look amazing. I love your jacket. Your leather opera gloves are so fabulous.
Tracy @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights
My recent post Stylish For Less: Spring Round Up
You look really good in this dress and I love the way you styled it. I have a love hate relationship with shift dresses. Most of the time, they do nothing for me and look shapeless unless I wear a jacket or belt it.
I forgot to mention that I love love love those booties. Too cute!
My recent post 20 ways to be remarkably above average
I completely understand what you mean. For example, I love the style of those long, flowy high-low tops, and I want one SO bad, but every time I try them on, I feel (and look) like I'm wearing a tent. I am busty and hippy, and that combination just doesn't work in big, roomy pieces. I can't say I completely know everything that works, and doesn't on my body yet, but I'm getting there
Simply Hot. Love the bootie, the leather glove, the jacket, the red dress. all so cute.
My recent post Casual Look
I love this look on you!
My recent post Neon Flowers
I know exactly what you mean about having to wear something over a piece that's too form-fitting. I do it all the time. I always want to love shift dresses, but they never seem to work most of the time… I love your solution. This outfit is great, and so is the advice! Thanks for sharing!
Kaitlin
teaandsequin.blogspot.com
My recent post Happy St. Paddy's Day!