Posts with tag stripes

So if you've surrounded yourself with fashion week the way we have, you probably have tons of new trends to try floating around in your head like we do.

Though there will be many a "here today, gone tomorrow" type trend, one that we probably all have in our closets right now is stripes. Horizontal stripes were seen at nearly every show from Baby Phat to Marc Jacobs.

And, lucky for us, scientists have now proven that horizontal stripes are actually more slimming than vertical. Best news ever!

Been wondering whether or not you looked a little pudgy in your favorite striped shirt? Turns out, you do! At least, that's assuming the stripes are vertical.

A group of UK scientists decided to test the time-honored fashion adage that vertical stripes are slimming (while horizontal stripes are less flattering) -- and the results were truly bizarre. Apparently you can forget everything you thought you knew about dressing thin, because -- at least according to science -- the exact opposite is true.

The Psychology Department at the University of York showed study participants 200 sets of pictures, in which models wore dresses with both horizontal and vertical stripes. Researchers discovered that women wearing vertical stripes appeared to be a full six percent wider than their horizontally-clad counterparts.

But while you're hauling your vertically-striped shirts off to Goodwill this weekend, take heart -- it's not all bad news. This style standby has been proven false, but it turns out wearing black really does make you look more svelte. Phew!

Check out our gallery for more slimming tips.

This week we brought you five fabulous variations of the striped dress - and not one of them will make you look like Marcel Marceu, proving that stripes are no longer the exclusive province of mimes and Galouises smokers.

Instead we showed that stripes can look traditionally nautical or futuristic chic, it all depends on the accessories. In case you haven't noticed, that is a continuing theme here - that you should never deny yourself the pleasure of expressing yourself via fashion because you thought that some trend or look was "only" worn by a certain type. We aim to show you variations (five, to be precise) of any given theme and prove to you that they can work for anyone. It all depends on what you want to show the world, and of course, where you're going.

Many of us women out there suffer during the summer because we don't have stems like a supermodel. Unfortunately, you can't think your legs long but you can create the illusion that they're a mile long with the right clothes. So let's put an end to your suffering and take a look at some helpful hints to getting Rockette worthy gams.

Mixing and matching prints can be intimidating. Do it right, and you're a risktaker! With such fashion sense! However, do it wrong, and you'll look like you lost a bet. Fortunately, we found three tips at SheFinds.com that will help you mix up prints in style!

We're a little bit obsessed with stripes right now, even though we used to shy away from them big time, unless they were narrow and vertical.

In shoes, however, stripes will never make your feet look fat. In fact, Alexander McQueen's Striped Leather Pumps with a 5" heel (Net-a-Porter actually says 130mm, which is more than 5") will stretch your legs into long lean towers. There's a small platform rise at the peep-toe'd front to help with your balance.

Alexander McQueen's Striped Leather Pumps are $805 at Net-a-Porter.

Mother Nature is toying with us here in southern California. One day we're teased well beyond Spring into 90 degree summer weather. The next day, we're hurled back to the chill of early February.

It's really toying with our daily wardrobe choices.

INC's Striped V-neck Sweater Dress is perfect for these turbulent times. The bright pinks are a reminder that yes, we are, in fact, recognizing Spring, but the long sleeves will keep us warm through the 50 degree temperatures and sometimes rain. Because the dress is under $100, we won't feel bad that we'll only wear it for a couple of weeks during this temporary seasonal flux (we hope).

The dress is available from Amazon for $74.25.

Yes, it's still February so technically, Spring is a long way off, but it's always a good thing to prepare your wardrobe in advance!

In fact, the Stripes Pink Madras dress from French designer Manoush is almost a summer piece made of 100% cotton madras. The ultra girly minidress has 100% silk trim and embroidered flowers on the hem. The dress would be perfect with a tiny little pink or white cardigan and a pair of white patent Mary Janes.

Available from Revolve Clothing for $253.

This dress isn't for the faint of heart, nor for the thick of waist. Young Fabulous and Broke takes just about the most feared design elements known to dresses and puts them into the Striped Shirt Dress.

As if wide, horizontal stripes weren't enough, the stripes are ever so eye-catching in a deep brick color and high contrast cream. With viscose and Lurex, the material will show every - ahem - curve on your body. The sleeves are bracelet length, which make them easier to wear for work, but the shortened sleeves will make short arms looks shorter. But hey. if you've got it, flaunt it, whatever it is.

Available from Neiman Marcus on sale for $140.

The designer that makes the little polo shirts with the alligator makes a great day dress for fall. This lightweight sweater dress is made from a soft, premium merino wool in a dark forest green and white stripe and is cut short with rolled edges. There are low patch pockets and of course, the dress wouldn't be finished without the classic Lacoste appliqué at the chest.

Available at Urban Outfitters for $180.

I am more of a solids girl (and if you must know, I pretty much stick to a basic, neutral palette of black, white, ivory, and beige in my wardrobe), but I am beginning to think that stripes might be a good way for me to ease into patterns.

Betsey Johnson's Sequin Stripe Dress is a standard black and white stripe, and since it's pretty balls-y to go with a horizontal stripe, you may as well go all out and scream "Look at me!" with some sparkling sequins. Black shoes of any type are the natural choice, but with this much shine on the dress, I'd stay away from patent leather.

I'm definitely starting to feel the cooler weather coming on, so Romeo & Juliet's Striped Henley Minidress with three-quarter length sleeves is perfect. The black and pewter horizontal stripes feature a slight metallic sheen. A modest round neckline drops into a partial button placket with ruching at the bust to create shape in the henley fabric. The cropped, three-quarter length sleeves are fitted on top, then ballon into a lantern to the middle of the forearm. I'd wear this minidress as is with a pair of simple black boots, but if the 18" length is a little short, a pair of shiny leggings underneath would do it right.

The dress is available from Bluefly for a very reasonable $66.

I am of the firm belief that we should do whatever we can to brighten up what always seems like the longest day of the work week: Hump Day. Sure, you might try to speed things up by downing an extra double latte, but you can do even better than that. Brighten the day with some color in what you're wearing.

Mossimo Red for Target's Scoopneck Mini Knit Dress comes in a fun, flirty green stripe, which means you won't be blending into your office-neutral cubicle walls (unless of course, your cubicle walls are painted in green stripes!). The dress has a comfortable loose fit, a dropped waist, so it won't cut into your middle while you're sitting at your desk, and with short sleeves, you can play human thermostat with a cardigan, since office air can go from Arctic chill in the morning to a Corporate Congo jungle in the late afternoon.

At only $19.99, the dress is a steal.