A New You....Tips for dressing the Petite Plus Apple Shape #1...The Skirt and Shirt Ensemble

  Did you ascertain your Body Shape using the link I provided? It's in this post here if you still need it.   It's important to do this before you take any further steps to revise your wardrobe, because knowing your Body Shape and Proportions is the key to dressing well every day. I promise.   I've learned that from Marie-Anne Lecouer, whose e-course The French Chic Academy, has transformed my ideas on not only French Chic, but my own wardrobe choices.   Just two months ago, I would have drooled over Caroline Herreras classic shirt-and-skirt-with-heels combo pictured top left, but I would have assumed that my Petite Plus sized Apple shape, could not possible carry off this look. Surely I'm too short, too fat, and too frumpy for that!   During my recent $57 thrift store shopping spree, pictured middle above, I sourced some really lovely classic pieces, that will form the basis of my new Petite Plus Apple shaped French Chic wardrobe. These included nude patent heels, black patent low wedges, a short and cute black blazer, a white pin striped shirt, tan leather bag and faux pearls (the real ones are coming for my birthday this month I'm told!).    But another item I sourced there, having consulted Marie-Anne Lecouer personally (yes personal consultations are part of the course!), was the A-line skirt, pictured above right. Marie-Anne's advice was that I truly could wear this beautiful look modelled by Ms Hererra herself and that this skirt could help me do that. I need to emphasise that the skirt needs dramatic shortening to work for me first and foremost, but read on and I'll tell you why.....    Rules for Petite Plus Sized Apple Shapes and Skirt Ensembles   1. The skirt should be A-Line so as not to add bulk to the waist and hips. Styles that feature a flat yoke, with the skirt fanning out from the hips gently, are another good style. Avoid gathered waists or anything with voluminous amounts of fabric between waist and hips, such as shirring, at all costs.   2. It should have some vertical features such as stripes, seams, buttons or piping as mine does, to trick the eye into thinking you are long and lean. In fact 'long and lean' should be your mantra when assessing any outfit.   3. The shirt should NOT be tucked in, but should either be a wrap around style that skims over the tummy but adds definition at the sides of the waist, or a style like my black one, that is simple, and likewise, does not cling, but rather skims the curves, maintaining a clean and lean silhouette.   4. The skirt should be no longer than knee length or just below. Showing a length of leg between knee and ankle, tricks the eye into imagining you taller and slimmer, and don't we all want that! I will have my skirt, pictured above right, shortened to the ideal length by a professional. I'm not really game to attempt that one as it's a lovely skirt and I do not want to ruin it!   5. Accessories should be simple and should also be of the slim-long-lean style. A long pendant, an opera length strand of pearls (faux or real), long pendant earrings (but not as well as a pendant...either one or the other), slim structured handbags. Say no to poufy tote bags or slouchy boho ones that add bulk to your silhouette.   6. Petite Plus Apples should never wear belts. This only accentuates the round tummy and should be avoided. This was music to my ears, as many 'experts' on the Apple shape, suggest a belt. No, no, no.   7. And finally, heels to lend a small frame height and length. Black patent high heeled pumps (court shoes) with some 'toe cleavage' will add additional length to the leg and foot, reimagining you tall and slim!   I am having my lovely skirt altered, and sourcing some black patent pumps with 'toe cleavage' and I hope to share an updated photo of my Caroline Hererra inspired outfit very soon.   I hope this is helpful!   Update on my Skirt & Shirt Ensemble.   I shortened my skirt, and have paired it with a few different accessories.  

 

Note the new length, and that this adds a longer, leaner look to the silhouette. Nude shoes help with this illusion as well.

 

 

Here is the power of a simple thing like a necklace. Above, the silk scarf, worn long as advised by Marie-Anne, and a look I have worn often, actually adds bulk to the silhouette. As does wearing the cardigan over the shoulders.

 

The simple change of swapping the silk scarf for a long strand of beads (long and lean, remember), and putting the cardigan ON, makes the silhouette much more slender.

   It's a great lesson.   Love, Mimi xxx