Ranting: Do you choose for your body shape?

I can't remember where I've come across it lately, but I was reading once again about body shapes. I know, many of us will be sick of what sometimes seems like stereotyping our bodies. But then I do have to say that I have a few friends who have a clearly different body shape than mine and thus look better in very different clothing styles.

Long story short, I decided to explore a little more online, as it would be nice to know what others look good in, not just how to dress myself. So to oust myself (wowee anyone with eyes can see on my outfit photos), that I am somewhere between a pear and hourglass, probably mainly due to my swimmer shoulders... Emphasis on the waist always looks good on me and with clenched teeth I admit it's mostly dresses that are the most flattering (so unpractical...). What about you?

I found three great websites, that take you through working out your body type, but then also give very specific dress styles for it.

Check it out and then please let me know what body shape you are:

Joy Wilson's Shape Guide

Shop your shape

The Chic Fashionista

What's your body shape?

Rants & Raves: Leggings as pants (please vote)

Now in its third installment (thanks everyone who has voted in the previous two!), in today's Rants & Raves, I want to discuss another trend of recent years which has been bothering me a lot:

Leggings worn without anything else. Leggings worns as pants!

Please tell me, since when is gym gear alright to wear in public places like shopping centres, schools, band gigs as a fashion item? Would you wear tights without anything too? Most likely not!

Why not? Because it's pretty much like walking around in your underpants. Or would you wear your bikini at the airport?

Apart from the pure inappropriateness (is this a word? I sure hope so) - cover your private parts please - wearing leggings by themselves makes an outfit look incomplete.

And to point out the obvious, it just isn't flattering for most body shapes.

I bet opinions will be split again as I can see on this chictopia discussion, but please let me know via voting button: do you wear leggings as pants yes or no?

Would you wear leggings as pants?

Rantings: Socks and Heels

Thus far, this blog has been an expression of everything we like in fashion and style. The other day however, when I was thinking about fashion trends that I am not so fond of, I decided that I’m gonna do it. Have a rant. About stuff that drives me crazy when it comes to fashion.

Ok, so here is a topic that I am supposedly very qualified in: socks and sandals. I am German you see. You know the jokes. The Canadians share my pain. But unlike so many fashionistas who have recently been seen wearing socks with open toed heels or sandals, I do not buy into this trend.

Why did designers start this? Is it about breaking the rules? Maybe - but just because no one else is doing it, it doesn’t make it look good. Sure, sometimes breaking the rules can start new ideas, but all too often there was a very good reason why people didn’t wear something to start with. Like track suit pants and ugg boots outside the house. Not a good idea. But back to the socks and sandals.

All I can think of is: “Do you want to look like a German tourist? Are you going to wear a bum bag with that?“ Of course not.

So it makes me wonder whether there could there be any possible excuse to ruin pretty heels and dresses with socks? Mh... NO.

I can't remember who said it, but "If in doubt, always take one thing off." - Of course refering to simplicity in attire (get your thoughts out of the gutter ladies!). So why would you add socks? I can honestly say that every single outfit I have seen with heels and socks would have looked better without them. My call is, that this trend will be one of those 'eighties hair' moments in years to come.

Ok, your turn. Vote ‘Yes’ for "I'd wear socks & heels" (I won’t hold it against you, hehe) and ‘No’ for "I would never wear socks and heels". Once you’ve voted, you’ll see the result of the poll so far.

Would you wear socks with heels?