This is a Fashionista Event Opportunity, and is hosted by Still Blonde after all these YEARS and Modly Chic.
Clothes shopping can be very challenging. I was very lucky as a teenager; my father had an eye for clothing. He could look at me (or any woman for that matter) and know exactly what would suit me. He bought my clothes for years. No matter what size I was he always managed to bring home pieces that fit me perfectly and suited my body as it was at that given time. This was good and bad because it left me somewhat at a loss when he died and I suddenly had to start shopping for myself. What the heck did I want to wear – I had never really had to think about it.
It took me some time but I figured out a simple system of what looked good on me. I worked in a bank so my work clothes wardrobe was pretty simple anyway – suits and dresses. My current wardrobe has evolved into classic pieces that stand the test of time. The only thing that pushes the envelope is color. I love bright colors. I have to admit that I never really paid overmuch attention to my size – I just bought what fit.
My eyes have been opened recently – little did I know that there was a method to dress specifically for MY body shape! Monroe and Main has this really cool series of infographics – How to Dress Your Body Type . There are four of them and they walk you through four easy steps to finding clothes that fit your body perfectly. Follow along as I show you just how simple the process is.
I found my Monroe and Main measuring tape and got to work:
Step 1. I took my measurements per the instructions on the first infographic. (You will even find a video to help you along with this step.) They are 35, 26, 36 (shhhh – don’t tell anyone, k?). Now with this info in hand I go to:
Step 2. Finding my body type and here I found a BIG surprise. My body type is HOURGLASS.
Stop laughing.
Really – STOP LAUGHING!
Hourglass doesn’t necessarily mean Marilyn Monroe – it simply means my shape is balanced. My chest and my hip measurements are about even and there is a decent differential between them and my waist. Now that I know my type I can go to:
Step 3. Finding shapeware! No matter the body – we can all use a little help. Hooray for shapeware! I might look thin but all is not as it appears – I was once a lot heavier and as anyone who has lost a significant amount of weight (for me it was 80lbs) knows things don’t always sproing back to where they were. Especially as one gets older and gravity starts doing what gravity does best. So I for one, am very happy that comfortable shapeware exists. Since my stomach and hips are a titch flabby I picked a pair of shaping panty briefs to hold everything in and smooth it all out. (A lot to ask of a pair of panties but boy do they do the job!)
So now I am armed and ready to shop! I know my measurements, I know my shape and I have picked my shapewear. The fun really begins:
Step 4 – I am ready to Dress for My Body Type . The Hourglass shape suggests that I go with bold colors and prints to highlight my assets OR dress in monochromatic shades. Since my hourglass shape is less than ample I chose the second option – monochromatic. I found a very versatile denim vest and skirt set from Monroe and Main in a wonderful denim blue.
What I love about this set is how far it can go in a wardrobe. Both pieces can be worn separately with other items from my closet or they can be worn together with a complementary patterned shirt like the plaid button down from Foxcroft (thrifted) I’m sporting in the above photo. I also found the most amazingly comfortable shoes at Monroe and Main – the Bet On It Oxfords by Aerosoles. OMG! From the first step to the last one hours later I felt like I was walking on air.
On another day I matched the set with a short sleeved polo that I’ve had for ages. I believe this shows how easily these two pieces will take me through the seasons. I can easily add a jacket as the weather cools in the Fall. In these photos I’m wearing my favorite cowboy boots – not that you can see them through the weeds.
Erm, do pardon the weeds. I can’t call it a lawn. It wasn’t this bad until we had three days of rain. In a row. It either needs a mowing or we need more goats – I’d go with more goats, how about you? (That is little Jenn the goat. She isn’t quite two months old.)
Now you see just how easy it is to find the clothes that suit you perfectly. Monroe and Main is there to help you dress confidently for your body type no matter your age, size, and shape. I don’t think it took me 10 minutes to measure myself, study the infographics and determine the best shapeware for me. Monroe and Main has clothing to fit women from size 6 – 24/S – 3X so the sizes cover a wide range. Check out this Monroe and Main Pinterest Board for some great examples of how to #DressYourBodyType. The only thing that took some real time was the actual shopping. With all of the beautiful pieces available at Monroe and Main I had a hard time deciding what to choose. There were just so many that I wanted.
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