Lounging sweats are everywhere, but it’s not easy to find ones that are flattering, fun and hold up well in the wash. I am particularly fussy with loungewear because I will not settle for anything that’s drab, ill-fitting and badly made (remember ladies that we lounge with style). While fab yoga and athletic gear will also work, they’re not my choice for superb stay-at-home comfort.  I prefer baggy, wide-legged, ultra soft, 100% cotton terry cloth as opposed to anything remotely clingy and synthetic. Satisfying my comfort criteria is a tall order when you still want to feel attractive in your sweats.

This season, Victoria’s Secret did the trick with their “loungey, lazy and fit-tastic” sweatpants and hoodie-top options. The pants are low-ish in the rise but wide, long and luxurious all the same (good for those with long legs). If long sweats are too warm for your climate, try the shorts option instead. I have those too and highly recommend them. The hoodie-tops are loose yet tailored and the perfect length. These sweats come in an assortment of colours (e.g. navy, grey and yellow), so don’t be put off by the pink if that’s not your cup of tea. Think beyond buying  a matching set of sweats and mix up the colours a little for a more edgy ensemble.

I would never have thought to look for my loungewear at Victoria’s Secret, which just goes to show that you should never rule out a retailer. I’m delighted with my new sets of sweats and wear them every day.

Fit-tastic, loungey sweats from Victoria’s Secret.

The pear shape is the most represented female body type, so it’s no surprise that “The pretty pear” is still one of the most popular posts on youlookfab. Originally posted more than a year ago, however, the guidelines are due for an update. The key is still balancing the difference between the top and bottom part of your body. We can achieve this by drawing attention upward, de-emphasizing the bottom part of your body and elongating your legs.

Drawing attention upwards:

• Wear the best possible bra. Giving your bust line the shape and support it needs will define your waist and create curves in all the right places.
• Strive to create an “A-line” silhouette with your clothing. You look exceptional in dresses and should take advantage of this ultra-feminine look all year round.
• Always wear slim fitting tops, sweaters, cardigans and button down shirts. Choose styles that define your waist and show off your torso. Boxy trapeze jackets continue to be all the rage and you can absolutely wear them (despite the fact that this goes against the rules) if you keep them cropped, fitted snugly at the shoulders and matched with a longer and slim layer underneath.
• Wear V-neck tops and create V-neck shapes with your layers. V-shapes elongate your neck and draw attention to your slim midsection giving definition where you want it.
• Keep your shoulder line strong and refrain from wearing items with “a sloppy shoulder line”. It’s imperative that your clothing fits you properly on your shoulders because the eye is drawn to definition.
• Select tops, knitwear, jackets and coats with interest. Tops with wide cuffs, bell sleeves, ruffles, embellishment, rushing, vertical seaming detail, large collar/lapels, wraps and princess lines are good choices. These design features naturally deflect the eye upwards. The voluminous sleeve trend was made for you.
• The length of your tops should either catch you just below your hipbone or around the knee. Avoid lengths that finish straight over your bottom or straight across your thighs. You can sport the leggings look with the right A-line dress because this look is about the dress and not the leggings.
• Layer your garments. Pop longer length camisoles underneath your knitted tops and shirts. They should finish just above your crotch point. Pop a fitted shorter jacket or sweater as a third layer over these layers for the most flattering effect. The layers automatically create a visual balance between the top and bottom half of your body.
• Accessorize the top part of your body well, with necklaces, specs, earrings, hair clips (but not all together). Sport one statement accessory at a time.
• Consider wearing a waist belt over your tops for extra definition. Wear your belt a little lower if you’re short-waisted.

“De-emphasizing” the bottom and elongating your legs:

• Keep your bottom choices simple and structured, thereby saving all the visual interest for your tops. No cargo pockets, waistband details, side entry pockets, pleats, drawstrings, elastication or hip embellishments. Curvy women can wear skinnies, if you match them with A-line tunics, dresses and heels. Trust me, it’s a fab look!
• Keep the front part of your pants free of detail and your rise mid in length (not too high or low). Make sure that there is enough ease through the hip and thigh. Fabrics with stretch are your best bet.
• Keep the hems of your pants wide (boot cut or flared) if you’re not sporting “the skinnies and tunics” silhouette. Pants that skim along the contour of your thighs always work best.
• Keep walk shorts straight from the thigh down and knee-length (like a cullotte) and avoid lengths shorter than this.
• Don’t force yourself to wear pants and jeans if you look and feel fabulous in skirts and dresses. Knee length A-line skirts with vertical panel seaming are best. Stay clear of bias-cut skirts and pencil skirts. Ankle length A-line styles work particularly well for tall pear-shaped gals.
• Wear pointy-toed shoes (if you can) with pants that are wide at the hem to elongate the leg.
• Wearing some sort of heel (even if it’s just an inch) whenever you can will give you the height that automatically slims down curves. Simple rule: the curvier your bottom, the longer and wider you’ll need to wear your pants and the higher you’ll need to wear your heel to balance out your silhouette. This is especially effective if you sport the correct pants length (hems should skim the surface of the ground).
• Be mindful of shoes with ankle straps. They might break the long vertical line that you are trying to create.
• Wearing heeled knee high boots that are slim at the ankle with skirts or dresses in cooler weather is a great leg-flattering look.

There’s lots of glorious fashion ahead of us for Autumn and I’m looking forward to talking about how you can adopt each new look for your body type.

If you’re a ballet flat fan, then an ornate and sparkly version is your Autumn update. In line with all things glamorous, glossy, dramatic and eye-catching this season, this shoe is a must if your Summers are long and your Winters are mild. Say goodbye to basics and hello to oversized buckles, tactile quilting, piping, chain detailing, jumbo jewels and pretty bows. They’re perfect with jeans, slacks, skirts, dresses and leggings when you’re after a practical look that’s a touch more posh. These peds are particularly good with a dark pair of straight-leg jeans because it shows the shoe off at it’s best. Great for errands, shopping, running around and any other activity that requires an 8-hour shoe. Sensible style at it’s best.

An assortment of neutral and jewel-toned decorative ballet flats.

While it might seem odd to buy clothing to have altered, it’s a good idea. People who have perfectly fitting clothing do not necessarily have perfect bodies. They have competent tailors. I have most of my pants altered at the waist because it’s virtually impossible to get a waistband to fit when you have a slight sway back. Some alterations are absolutely worth the expense while others are not. Before you purchase a garment that doesn’t fit perfectly, be sure to weigh up the cost of the alteration against the price of the garment itself. Of course, prices will vary. But here are ball park estimates for common alteration jobs based on my experience in the United States:

• Seam repair $3 – $5
• Hems on pants, skirts and sleeves $12 – $15
• Hems on jeans $15 – $20
• Hems on pants with cuffs $15 – $18
• Hems on dresses $15 – $18
• Waist on pants $15 – $25
• Waist on un-lined jackets, blouses, shirts and tops $12 – $30
• Zipper replacement $12 – $15
• General tapering of garments at the side seams and sleeves and dress-strap adjustments $10 – $18

Alterations get expensive when lining is involved. Any adjustments in the shoulder line and armhole are achievable, but will cost a pretty penny because they are labour intensive. In my experience, this type of alteration on a women’s garment is not worth the expense. If the item doesn’t fit you properly on your shoulder line – don’t buy it. Men’s suiting is the exception because it’s standard to have a men’s suit altered for free when you make the purchase. Note that American stores like Banana Republic, Nordstrom and J. Crew will offer to hem regular priced merchandise for free. Most stores in Hong Kong are happy to do any alteration for free. It’s worth every penny if alterations are minor and affordable (like hem, sleeve and waist adjustments), because perfect fit is a crucial component of dressing well. When garments don’t fit perfectly straight off the rack, remember that it’s never our body type that’s the problem… it’s the clothing. Altering them is often the best way to go. In your experience, how does pricing compare with my estimates above?