Which Outfit Do You Like More?

DEAR Missus Smarty Pants,

I cannot believe the compliments coming my way.  I am 62 years old and about 30 pounds overweight, but people are frequently saying “you look sassy,” “you looked very pretty at our meeting,” “have you lost weight?”  I haven’t received these kinds of remarks since I was 40.  And they’re coming from my colleagues and friends who are 30 years younger than I am!

What a difference proper fit, style, proportion and color make.  Systers, I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but never believe that style is irrelevant.  People will listen to you and pay attention to your message when you are pleasant to look at. Why not make an effort to look good?    

It costs very little but a little time, and it’s time very well spent.   

Thank you, thank you, Leslie for your knowledge and generous sharing of your skills.

Best regards and all my thanks for helping me dress for my body type, Carol

MSP HERE: Hi Carol, 

Thanks for sharing your style testimonial. Having great style at any age gives a woman such an uplifting feeling - and you are living proof! 

Carol you are so right, "People will listen to you and pay attention to your message when you are pleasant to look at.  Why not make an effort to look good? " Your words say it all. 

Love, Leslie MSP

Proper fit, style, proportion and color...PLUS weekly tips like these from MissusSmartyPants.com

You can have great style!

This season there are exciting new silhouettes to try! However, many women are afraid to try something new with their style. Perhaps because they don't know if the style is right for them. Is it right for their body shape, is it too "out of the box" and fashion-forward because they are afraid to try something new? Being stuck in a style rut makes your life dull, so why not explore new style?

Many women sit on the sidelines and let fabulous style just pass them by. Is this you, and if so why? What is holding you back from great style?

You certainly don't have that twenty-something shape anymore, but aren't you more confident than you were then? What is holding back your style could be your negative attitude and the social media's influence of what the "perfect" woman's body is....

(This cute sweater vest is a fabulous fall style---Coldwater Creek)

Women sometimes give up on style and feel they can never look as good as they once did--when they were younger or thinner. I’m here to tell you beauty is NOT a size or particular shape. What is important is finding out what styles are best for your body shape. Learning how to highlight your good parts and minimize the not so good parts is what makes you look great. When women dress for today they feel like a million bucks!


Be realistic with yourself and love yourself enough to make some changes in your appearance. No more do you have to just put on “whatever”! You can have great style—just the way you are!

The media's negative talk doesn't help us! When it comes to images of beautiful women, we are inundated by the media of what women should look like. When you stand at the check-out lane in the grocery store, you see slim, vivacious women on the covers of magazines. You see celebrities that look too good to be true. Guess what? They are! The glossy photos of women on the cover of Cosmo, and other magazines, ALL have been air brushed to perfection. Yes, they may be beautiful women, but if the angle was not quite right or they appeared “thicker” than what the editor had in mind, then picture is re-touched to make them appear “perfect”. This in NOT what real women look like! (Thank Goodness) To get a more realistic idea… look around you. Open your eyes and see women on a bus, in the doctor’s office, out shopping at the stores--everywhere. They are not magazine covers--they are REAL women. They are beautiful women with flabby arms, average height, petite women with full bottoms, those with skinny arms and everything in-between. Take a look in the mirror and see what another REAL woman looks like—YOU!

Regardless of your dress size, shape or age you CAN have terrific style all you have to do is reach out and grab it! Make it happen! All women have some figure challenges—it a matter of finding the styles and cuts that work for you. When you learn WHAT to wear and WHY, then you will begin to have that style other women envy!

You may wish you had that “twenty-something” body again. Don’t live in the past! Instead, dress for today and look ahead to great style! Start learning to dress your body shape and your body will “appear” well proportioned and everyone will want to know what your “style secrets”are! Great style is NOT a size or shape--it's about attitude, great fit and knowing what styles are your best! Having great style is for YOU!

Need help knowing what styles are most flattering for your shape? Check out my website: http://www.missussmartypants.com/
 
Love, Leslie

Find YOUR ideal skirt length

What's your best skirt length?

As you all know I'm all about finding the right body proportions and wearing the right styles for your shape! It's what REAL style is all about for women...wearing what flatters YOU!

Recently I was "googling" and I came across a website talking about skirt length. I wasn't looking for anything about skirt length...but one click lead to another and there I was SIDETRACKED! Argh! I found an article about measuring and forgot what I was originally doing, LOL! Anyways...since my recent posting about body measurements and horizontal lines that are created on our bodies with the clothes we wear...well, I got engrossed all over again! Below, I'll give you the measurement formula I learned back in college in one of my advanced sewing classes--so you can find YOUR best skirt length...

So, what is the "right" skirt length? These last couple of seasons, skirt length has been up in "mini" territory or about mid-thigh-ish--and it's just not something most ladies can wear!!! Thankfully most women are ignoring this trend and wearing whatever length they prefer. This fall we find skirt lengths all over the place. Marc Jacobs and other designers are now bringing back mid-calf lengths (I think just to mess with our heads, LOL)! So, my timeless advice of wearing what works BEST for you--still holds true!

Does this look good?!

When wearing boots...this awkward length doesn't look so bad...

Wear what you love, what flatters you and be the best "first rate version of yourself"!

Here is the "formula" for figuring out your most flattering length:

(You'll need a cloth measuring tape)

You’ll take 2 measurements: from your hipbone straight down the outside of your leg to the middle of your kneecap, and from the middle of your kneecap (outside edge) straight down to the middle of your ankle bone.

Here’s the formula:

(LONGER LEG LENGTH minus SHORTER LEG LENGTH) divided by 2 = X

X is the number of inches above or below the knee your skirt length should be.  If your shins are shorter than your thighs, raise your hem X inches above your knee.  If your thighs are shorter than your shins, lower the hem X inches below the knee.

Basically you want to visually equalize the length of the upper and lower leg.

So, I did it and here are my calculations...

Hipbone to middle of knee: 24"

Middle of knee to ankle bone: 17"

Difference = 7"

Divided by 2 = 3.5"

So, my IDEAL skirt length can go up or below my knee 3.5"...I played with this in front of my full length mirror and I agree that both lengths will be attractive on me (but keep in mind, I'm tall so I have more vertical space to play with in the first place). It's good to know since skirt lengths are coming back DOWN again. Actually, according to this calculation--I should go UP above my knees to balance things out since my thigh measurement is larger....I'm not feeling it right now. Maybe when the weather cools and I'm wearing opaque tights....

Long story short...I still maintain that my BEST skirt length is around my knee. It works for me and it'll still work for YOU! So, if you follow my timeless advice about wearing your skirts around your knee area--you can chuck this whole skirt calculation thingie right out the window!!!! LOL!

I'm sticking with what works for me....

But, do the calculation because you may have some skirts hanging in your closet long or short and it's good to know if the length considered right for you :)

I'd love to hear your opinion...
Your turn. What do you think? What skirt length are you going to wear this season???

Look Fabulous, Just the Way You Are!

Did you know you are fabulous just the way you are? You probably don't think so and start thinking doubtful thoughts after reading this statement, but I believe it to be true. It has become my mission in life to help other women discover their beauty (inner and outer beauty) through the clothes they wear. I'm not talking "high fashion" here, but a practical everyday feel good attitude about our outer appearance.

It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you set your mind to something. When you consciously decide to make a change, it will happen if it is truly your will and desire.

To start, you must set realistic goals that help you obtain what you want. If you want to look stylish and become more fashionable –it can be done! Women do have one BIG obstacle they must get past, however. Ingrained in many women’s minds are some not so realistic ideas of what beauty and style is all about.

Women often give up on themselves and feel they can never look as good as they once did when they were younger or thinner. Truth: Beauty is NOT a size or particular shape.

Women of all body types write to me about how they have more confidence and feel better about themselves because I’ve encouraged them to try new styles. They are finding flattering clothes that make them feel like a million bucks, isn’t that want it is all about anyways? Be realistic with yourself and love yourself enough to make some positive changes in your appearance. No more do you have to just put on “whatever”! You can have great style right now—just the way you are!

When it comes to images of beautiful women, we are inundated by the media of what we should look like. When you stand at the check-out lane in the grocery store, you see slim, vivacious women on the covers of magazines. You see celebrities that look too good to be true. Guess what? They are! The glossy photos of women on the cover of Cosmo, and other magazines, ALL have been re-touched. Yes, they may be beautiful women, but if the angle was not quite right or the woman appears “thicker” than what the editor had in mind, the picture is re-touched to make them appear “perfect”.  This in NOT what real women look like! (Thank Goodness) To get a more realistic idea… look around you. Open your eyes and see women on a bus, in the doctor’s office, out shopping at the stores, everywhere. They are not magazine covers--they are REAL women. They are beautiful women with flabby arms, average height, petite women, and ones with large bottoms, those with skinny arms and everything in-between. Take a look in the mirror and see what another REAL woman looks like—YOU! This is reality of what beautiful women look like!

I can not be your therapist and talk you out of your body insecurities that you have (we all have them). Regardless of your dress size or shape, you CAN have terrific style! All women have some figure challenges—it a matter of finding the styles and cuts that work for you. When you learn WHAT to wear and WHY, then you will begin to have style other women envy!

You may feel that is it is too much of a stretch because you mourn the loss of your “twenty-something” body… you could never look that good again. I’m here to say you are wrong! Why not look better today than you have ever looked? By learning to dress your body shape and using the right style techniques, your body will “appear” better proportioned and and everyone will want your “style secret”! 

So what are you waiting for? Accept your shape, dress for it and get on with your life! You'll start to finally feel fabulous just the way you are!

Get on the best dressed list!

 Want to be on the best dressed list? Wondering why your style might be missing the mark?

One of the most important aspects of dressing well (and what MissusSmartyPants is all about) is learning what styles flatter your body shape. Not every style works for every woman. Knowing the difference is what will set your style apart from the masses.

Another important part of dressing well is to only wear clothes that fit you correctly. Clothes that are too baggy, or too tight will only make you appear out of proportion and often larger than you really are! Just think about it for a minute, when the sleeves on your shirt are too long---you just look sloppy! Learning (and practicing) the basics of fit and proportion will really take your style up a notch. 

But sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference in your appearance. Use these five quick style tips to get on the best dressed list:

1. Have the side pockets of your pants sewn shut. They can “puff” out and make you appear 5 pounds heavier, plus bring unwanted attention to your hips.

2. Check your posture. Stand up straight and suck in the tummy—you will automatically look slimmer. Make this a conscious effort each day…and see what happens.

3. Always use a full length mirror before you go out the door. Better yet, look in a three-way mirror…people DO see you from all angles--and you should too!

4. Shop during the week. The stores are better stocked from the weekend and you will get the help you deserve. Less chance of impulse buys when you take your time and think through your purchases.

5. Shop alone. You will focus more on your needs. Take your MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile shopping guides with you. You won’t get side-tracked and can take the time to find clothes that are the most flattering for YOU!

Love, Leslie

The Long & Short of It...

 Can you tell if I'm long or short in the waist?

For some reason women always think their bodies are not quite right, rather than--the clothes are not quite right. Do you try on pants only to have them rest practically under your bust? If you are short-waisted this can happen. On the other hand, if you have a long waist the pants are snug in the rise and you find yourself constantly pulling them down. Why do some jackets make you appear shorter or heavier? Or, why do some shirts never seem long enough?

It is all about your body proportions. How each part of your body relates to the other parts is what makes up your unique proportions. Generally speaking, you are always going to have the same basic body shape whether you gain weight or lose weight. That is why following the fit guidelines at MissusSmartyPants.com will  help you dress your best. Along with your body shape, there are unique proportions like a tummy, long arms, short waist, etc. These are also something you need to take into consideration when dressing.

The most common proportional issue that women face is being long or short-waisted. Knowing how to “correct” your proportions will help you know what to look for when shopping.

Grab a tape measure and decide if you are long, short or balanced in your waist line. Measure the area between the bottom of your rib cage and the top of your hip bone.

Short-waisted—the space will be about 1-2 inches

Average-waisted—the space will be about 2-3 inches

Long-waisted—the space will be about 3-4 inches

A balanced body will have a crotch that is halfway up the total body length. Your waist is balanced when it is at the halfway mark between your armpit and crotch. If your waist is above halfway you are short-waisted, if it is longer, you are long-waisted.

Rule of thumb: when you have a body part that is short—look for long. When you have a body part that is long—look for short. For example, short-waisted? Look for a longer jacket. Get it?

Don’t forget your jacket. One of the best articles of clothing that a SYSter can have in her wardrobe--is a jacket. The right jacket for your body type (and waist proportion) can help correct your body imbalance and make it appear balanced and in proportion. Not only can you disguise an undefined waist, but you will make it appear more “hourglass” with a structured jacket that is “body skimming”. The right length of jacket can make your waist or legs appear longer. Generally speaking, if you are short-waisted, a longer jacket is needed. If you are long-waisted, a shorter jacket works for you. If you are petite in stature, then you do not want to go too long with the length of your jacket or it will drag you down.

Experimentation along with the fit guidelines for your body type will help you correct your proportional dilemmas. Learn more about long and short of your waist and dress better than ever before!

Love, Leslie