For those of you over the age of 30, leggings will be an unforgettable blast from the past – perhaps a blast that you would rather forget! It was in the ‘80’s that we unquestioningly wore skin tight leggings with oversized shirts that we padded at the shoulder. We couldn’t have looked less lady like if we tried. Now that leggings are once again a fashion statement, it’s as if our nightmarish fashion days are back to haunt us. I must have seen at least 10 girls wear leggings yesterday, which is what prompted me to write this blog entry.

Yes, leggings are back – but you won’t necessarily need to wear them to be stylish, irrespective of how current you have chosen to be.

• Leggings are for the hipless, skinny and under 25. This very junior look is inappropriate for anyone older no matter how fabulous their body. At 33, Kate Moss gets away with wearing leggings because she is a fashion muse and supermodel.
• When fashion repeats itself, it’s always with an upgrade. Leggings aren’t worn the same way this season as they were back in their hay day. They’re being worn under micro mini skirts – more like footless tights then pants. When matched with pretty ballet flats and a few layered t-shirts, it’s a sweet look for the tiny teeny bopper. If 15 inch micro minis are going to be worn; they might as well be worn with leggings underneath them.

Embrace the new legging look if you are young enough to do so. If not – appreciate their novelty on someone else and continue to feel confident and current in your elegant boot cuts.

Leggings worn under micro minis like footless tights from Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Is white underwear best for a wedding dress?
Can you wear a black bra under a lime green t-shirt?
Will a lacy bra work underneath a knitted top?

The answers to all these questions is “no”. Wearing the correct colour underwear underneath your clothes is an important detail and easy to do:

• Flesh coloured bras under anything white – white underwear will show up underneath white or cream clothing whereas flesh will not. Choose a darker flesh tone or chocolate brown if you have dark skin.
• Lighter is better than darker – opt to wear a lighter shade of underwear under your clothing as opposed to a darker shade. This will prevent your underwear from showing through your clothes.
• Flesh and black for everyday – boring as it may sound, flesh and black bras are the most versatile investments. Chocolate brown is a good alternative but not easy to find. Venturing out into colours and patterns is fun but limiting. It’s lovely to colour match a beautiful lacy bra with a specific item of clothing. This can become costly though. If you’re on a budget, it’s therefore best to have an assortment of smooth, seamless, flesh and black bras that you can wear every day. 
• Any colour under jeans – there is little chance of any colour showing through denim – wear what tickles your fancy!
• Smooth bras for knit tops – this is more about fabric than colour but worth mentioning anyway. Lacy bras show through knit tops while smooth bras do not. Keep pretty lacy bras for woven shirts and tops that don’t cling as much to your body. Bras with extra smooth molded cups are especially good for t-shirts, pullovers and cardigans.

Flesh coloured bras might make you feel matronly – but the fact remains that they are best underneath clothing.

Smooth, seamless, everyday bras in flesh and black (Nordstrom).

Finding the correct clothing to further flatter a shapely bosom is sometimes a challenge. Looking top-heavy and tarty is too easy. However, if you do your best to abide by these guidelines you’ll find it easier to look proportioned:

• Invest in the best bras your budget allows – Get yourself professionally fitted. Different clothing items require different bras. Build up a collection of bra styles so that you have what’s best at hand.
• Avoid high necklines – cru necks, turtle necks and polo necks tend to make your chest look even larger. Showing a bit of skin between your neck and your cleavage will make your chest appear smaller.
• V-necks are best – this is the most flattering neckline for you. Lengthening your neckline will even the size of your boson out. The point of the “V” will also draw attention away from your chest and onto your waistline.
• Wear Scoop necks and Drape necks – necklines such as these also open up the neck area without showing too much cleavage. 
• Choose Knits over Wovens – Knitted tops tend to stretch over your bosom thereby preventing the gaping and pulling that woven tops with buttons tend to do.
• Create Structure – structured clothes effectively change the shape of your body. Clothes that hang will do little to help proportion your body. Always select clothes that give you a waistline.
• Keep your jackets simple – single breasted with small lapels, a high stance and lots of shape.
• Tailor your tops – go up a size if you need to in order for your tops to fit your bust line. Tailoring the shoulders and waistline for structure afterwards is easy to do – some department stores will even tailor for free!
• Keep your jacket open – you’ll often create a longer and leaner line by keeping your jacket un-buttoned.
• Avoid long necklaces – keep your necklace length short (above your cleavage). This will draw attention away from your chest and prevent longer lengths from moving about on your bosom.

Enjoy your shapely figure. Fill your cupboard with tops that flatter your curves and make you feel comfortable.

Left: V- and scoop-necks that lengthen the neck & deemphasize the chest (Avenue)
Right: A simple single breasted jacket with small lapels and high stance (Elisabeth)

The month of summer sales has begun:

• Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale (note: this is not the Anniversary sale) starts Wednesday 7 June and doors will open at 8.30am.
• Clarks (British shoe brand built for comfort) is having their annual 40% off summer sale.
• Urban Outfitters have started their summer sale. This is not a shop for the currently classic or contemporary among us – this is for the ultra trendy urbanite! If you do feel that the apparel is too hip, I thoroughly recommend their accessories.
• Ann Taylor Loft is giving 60% off most of their summer lines. Their petites department has been especially good this season. With the Gap having been disappointing over the last year this is a good place to get basics, especially for business casual attire. Their bottoms seem to be especially flattering for pretty pear shaped ladies.

Be mindful of what you buy on sale at this stage of the season, but have fun filling in the gaps of your summer wardrobe.