From Monica's Closet: How to Dress as a Curvy Pear

Ok ladies, so we all have our unique body shapes. Recently here on Yours Truly three beautiful ladies guest starred to show us what they wear and why it works for their body types.  (Allie, Annie, Kinsey.) Yours Truly is now stepping up to share expertise on how to dress if you're a curvy pear. What is a curvy pear, you ask? Basically, it's a body type that falls into the standard category of having hips wider than the shoulders, but unlike the classic pear, has well-endowed bust and shoulders.  As a curvy pear Yours Truly attempts to create balanced outfits that give the equal-portioned look of an hourglass. 

Here's one of my favorite looks from my closet! I'm proud of all these pieces because they were all awesome bargains. 

The leopard print of this dress is classy but also just a wee bit sassy.  The pattern draws attention away from problem areas.  This dress is great for a pear because it's form-fitting on the top, where a pear is slimmest, but follows the natural curves of the hip without enlarging them visionally. This done by the oh-so-flatteirng black side panels: 

Isn't that just fantastic? As a curvy pear I really glory in a good dress that accents all the right curves without making me look like a bottom-heavy buoy. 

I added this open sweater for a light layer.  It adds dimension to the shoulders to balance out the wideness of my hips. 

I had such a nice hair day. I love those days. 

Ok, now on to these boots. I call them my Musketeer boots because they lace up in the back and have a equestrian-esque embellishments. And they're real suede! Here's the kicker: I found them at Plato's Closet, never worn, for $20. It was the find of a lifetime. 

They are an amazing pop of color and texture that adds whimsy to an outfit, but the color is subdued so they don't look like the leftovers of a pirate halloween costume. 

They are soft, warm, and the perfect heel height of 4 inches. Not too tall, but enough to give my 5'4 a boost. I'm totally in love. 

Where Yours Truly found the look:

// Dress (Lauren Conrad at T.J.Maxx, $25) // Sweater (Goodwill, $4) // Suede boots (Plato's Closet, $20) // 

As a curvy pear my advice is look for side paneled dresses. High-waisted dresses look amazing too, but if you're looking for that sleek, curvy, hourglass, body-con-dress type of look, side panels are the way to go. I love this dress because it's classy but has a definite flirtatious attitude. The boots add both edge and depth because of the suede texture. Always remember to go into thrift stores with an open mind. You never know what you might find. 

Yours Truly, 

Monica 

Women & their Wardrobes: With Kinsey

Meet Kinsey. She is a country music lover and blonde bombshell whose greatest hero is George Washington and whose secret ambition is to become a pilot. She is a multitalented woman who plays the piano, trains horses, rocks in powderpuff football and, oh yes, dresses like a boss. Kinsey's style is a mixture of cowgirl-meets-military, very classically feminine with a tomboyish edge. Today Kinsey shares two of her favorite looks from her wardrobe with Yours Truly: One denim-on-denim casual look and another, more formal, crochet dress and buckle-accented boots. For all those girls who love jeans and t-shirts, this one's for you. 

Body Type: Rodeo Queen

Height: 5’7

Spirit Animal: Red, white and blue eagle

Currently exploring: Message therapy

Favorite song: Made in America by Tobey Keith 

YT: Welcome to the blog, Kinsey! I love this denim-on-denim look. 

Can you tell us why you picked it?

Kinsey: I would live in denim if I could! Denim is the best. It’s durable and you can dress it up or down! 

YT: The embellishments on the collar are understated but add a pop to this otherwise simple outfit. 

Kinsey: I have a very long torso. Stripes look really good on me because they create the effect of a more proportionate torso. 

I love cowgirl boots, because they’re heavy-duty and you can wear them for anything… to work on a farm, or to church, or on a date. They're so versatile.

YT: Sleek t-shirts with jeans look great on tall girls with long torsos. 

 Kinsey: I made the headband. I'm a big believer in making things yourself versus. buying everything you want. GO AMERICA!

Where Kinsey found the look:

// Jeans (American Eagle clearance, $25) // Top (dressbarn, on sale, $18) // Headband (handmade) // Boots (Kohl's, on sale, $50) // 

YT: On to outfit two! I'm in awe of the beading and crochet pattern of this dress. 

Why does this work for your body shape?

Kinsey: It works because it hugs my long, smooth lines, making them look proportionate and sleek! 

YT: Very attractive. ;) 

Kinsey: It makes my hourglass shape shine without making me look too skinny.

I got the coat because it's classy and compliments almost everything in my wardrobe. 

The necklace is paua shell, from New Zealand. I got it at Hobby Lobby and made myself the necklace.

I practically live in boots! Equestrian-styled boots are flattering for long legs and they make excellent professional or date-night footwear. 

Where Kinsey got the look: 

// Dress (a gift) // Shrug (Kohl's, $3) // Boots (Famous Footwear, on sale, $35) // Necklace (handmade) // Coat (Plato's Closet, $12) // 

YT: Thank you, Kinsey, for being on the blog! Have a style tip for us before we end? 

Kinsey: Go to Dressbarn and Kohl’s if you’re looking for affordable clothing that works with an exceptionally long torso. They often have amazing stuff on clearance, so I always check there first. For taller ladies with a long torso, I suggest you smooth the hips and wear fancy stuff on top to accentuate your shoulders and chest.

This third installment of Women and their Wardrobes was such a pleasure. (Previous we spoke with Annie and Allie, all about rocking those curves.) Stay tuned for more real girl talk with Yours Truly about lifestyle wardrobes tailored to fit unique body shapes! 
Love,
Yours Truly 

How To Wash Silk Garments

Silk is a delicate fabric made by the silkworm's cocoon threads. It is soft, breathable and oh-so-elegant. However it is difficult to clean and most labels prescribe sending the garment to the dry cleaner's. But Yours Truly neither has time nor money to spend on such a service, so I decided on a DIY method. It's quick, cheap, and effective. So here's how to wash a silk top at home in seven steps. 

What you'll need: 

• Clean sink
• Shampoo
• 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
• Towel 
• Item to clean!

Do NOT wash your silk with anything other than a mild shampoo. Silk fibers are delicate, like hair, and it's the best soap to use. Also, silk has a tendency to leak color, so wash the item by itself. The vinegar helps to mitigate color bleeding but it will not prevent it entirely.

Ok, let's get started! 

1. Clean your sink. Make sure there is no soap residue, toothpaste, food scraps, etc as that will stain the fabric. Fill it with cold water; cold discourages color leakage. 

2. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar and a quarter-sized dollop of shampoo. 

3. Lower the garment gently in the water. Scrub lightly. Make sure you don't pull apart the fibers, it'll damage them beyond repair. Spot wash with shampoo. 

4. Rinse with cold water. 

5. Once rinsed, lay out to dry on a towel. Be careful not to stretch it out too much. 

6. Roll the garment up in the towel to wick away moisture. Let sit for 45 minutes. 

7. Unroll the towel and let the item dry overnight. 

Voila! 

Happy washing. 

Love,

Yours Truly 

Women & their Wardrobes: With Annie

Meet Annie. She works as a library supervisor but Yours Truly is pretty sure Annie is a secret superhero.  Annie is a violin-playing babe from the East Coast who loves big books, big heels and big hair. In between her crazy schedule she likes to drink coffee and listen to classical music. Annie is fun and practical, down-to-earth with a wild side and her fashion reflects her personality. Annie's style is a mixture of edgy and feminine: her wardrobe is populated by basic ladylike staples punctuated by leather jackets and boots.  Her color palate is rich and dark with a lot of jewel tones. Annie graciously took time to interview with Yours Truly to talk about how she dresses for her body shape in an affordable way. Needless to say, the photoshoot was a blast! 

Height: 5'9
Body Type: Amazonian Goddess
Spirit Animal: Cat
Currently Listening to: Flogging Molly, Fallout Boy, Meghan Trainor and classical violin. 

The first outfit was a leather and lace date night look. 

YT: First let me say thank you for doing this! Want to start off by explaining why this outfit works for your body? 

Annie: The maxi dress accentuates my long legs. Floor-length skirts look great with my height and the dress falls smoothly over my hips. Very flattering!

Jacket gives this outfit a cool edge. Lace is poetical and leather is practical, which really defines my style.

My hips are only about 2 inches bigger than my bust, making me semi-hourglass figure but with less waist definition, so I usually go for hip-smoothing and bust-accentuating outfits which make me look more hourglass. 

YT: Oh la la! 

Annie: The fitted jacket on top with the empire-waisted dress below makes me look more hourglass.

Where Annie got the look:
// Dress (T.J.Maxx, $25) // Jacket (in Italy, $45) // Shoes (Famous Footwear, $15) // Bangles (Charming Charlie's, 18 for $12) // Ring (a gift) // 

YT: I love this casual look for fall afternoons! The poncho is gorgeous. How does the outfit work for you? 

Annie: I wear many flowy things for two reasons. I like how it coordinates with my big hair. Also because I feel vulnerable wearing something tight. Not to say that I don't show off my curves! I just like to reveal my shape in a mysterious way.

My skin tone is cool winter so I like dark, vibrant reds and blues.

Where Annie got the look: 
// Jeans (Target, $20) // Poncho (a gift) // Boots (Target, $40) // Ring (also a gift) // Earrings (my mother's) // 

YT: Before we end, do you have a fashion tip for us? 

Annie: Wear what's comfortable! Then you can accessorize with a scarf or a necklace to add pizzaz. 

I want to thank Annie again for guest starring on Yours Truly. More interviews will be up next week! Stay tuned to hear from women talk about their real wardrobe choices. Fashion is a lifestyle. See how other people live it! Previous gorgeous ladies included Kinsey and Allie.  

Till next time…

Love,

Yours Truly