Giving up on capris...

I've given capris more fashion chances than they deserve. It's like a footstool that you keep stubbing your toe on and you never move it. When do you finally DO something about it? 

So I'm moving capris (the footstool) out of my closet once and for all! Why are they so bad? Well, after telling women to wear them carefully...I've had enough of this hard to wear proportion in my own closet. SO OUT THEY GO!

Last week on my radio show a young woman asked if she can wear capris. The caller was 5'4" and an average hourglass shape. Instead of explaining how they can be hard to wear because they hit mid-calf and make it harder to balance your shape...I told this woman to go to the mall and sit. Watch women walk by in capris. Do ANY of these "capri wearing" women look good? Really...does anyone look good in them???

Capris have a way of sabotaging our wardrobes. They make it hard for you to look great. The proportion hits usually mid-calf which is bad if you are bottom heavy, have thick legs, are short, have a long torso....isn't this enough? Did I leave anyone out? How about the fact that they make your legs looks shorter, heavier--even if you are on the slender side? 

I understand the "comfort" factor of capris. They cover a multitude of sins. Spider veins, white legs, cellulite and anything else we don't like about our lower extremities. They are cooler than long pants and cover more than the average short. However....THEY DON'T LOOK GOOD!

Why not wear a short or skirt? Capris have become such a "go to" summer staple that we forgot they are OTHER choices we could wear in the summer. Capris are in every store, every price point because they sell! But why not wear an attractive short? Or a pretty floral skirt? A short around the knee is much more attractive because it gives you more leg length! I'm sure you can handle showing 6" more of your skin! You'll look so much better for it.


I'm kicking my capris to the curb this season. (Actually I'm shortening most of them to shorts or purging them from my closet). How about you? Are you with me? Are you ready to give up on capris?

Bad proportion: Capris

Good proportions: Shorts

Again, bye bye capris that make my legs look short and stumpy....

Do you agree with me? Capris don't do us any fashion favors.

Motivated by Style!

Yeah, yeah, yeah...we all say we want to lose some weight and live a healthier lifestyle. But are we really going to do what it takes to make it happen? To live a healthier lifestyle you need to include regular exercise. Everyone knows that. But the hardest part of exercising is getting started!

One way the best ways to get inspired to exercise is to start with cute and stylish exercise clothes! It really works. Replace those ugly baggy shirts and sweats for something bright and colorful! Your enthusiasm for better health will begin when you dress the part!

Here are some sassy style tips for your new healthier lifestyle:

Try wearing light layers to help slim your torso. First wear a body skimming exercise tank with shelf bra to minimize jiggles. Next, wear a slim fitting zip-up hoodie over the top. Leave the hoodie half-zipped up for a flattering V at the neckline. Such a cute style--and so figure-friendly too!

Wear a supportive bra even under your tanks and stylish tees. Nothing is more annoying than your bust bouncing to and fro while you exercise! Go for an extra layer of support and you’ll be able to exercise with confidence (which means you can workout harder)!

Choose body slimming colors and styles. Look for the perennial body slimming favorite color—BLACK. Black is so fabulous for hiding those “jiggly parts”! Select styles that have vertical lines down the sides of the pants and under the arms of the shirts--so slimming. Long workout pants will give you the longest line and are the best choice if your legs are heavy too.

Workout pants, crops and capris should be of a stretch fabric and a dark matte finish (avoid shiny fabrics). A boot-cut with a wide waist band will work for most body types.Invest in good quality workout pants--you'll be so glad you did!

For workout pants in cropped lengths, the best length is right below your knee—AVOID pants that stop at the widest part of your calf or crops that are too full and too long.Too long and too full--ADDS visual pounds ladies!!!

Now that you have some tips of how to look stylish while you work-out…I know you will make exercise part of your healthy routine!

Love, Leslie Gonzales AKA MissusSmartyPants helps women dress their best! Check out her website for more information http://www.missussmartypants.com/

Is Your "Stinkin' Thinkin'" Holding Back Your Style?

In today's Chatter newsletter I highlight an email that I got from "Amy". She is perplexed and wondering why others always look so much better than her. Why doesn't she have great style?

When she leaves the house in the morning she feels pretty good about her looks,(hair, clothes, makeup) then later in the day she feels she looks horrible. What is wrong with her? How come other women always look "perfect" 100% of the time and she doesn't??? What is the secret to great style?

Today on my Blog Talk Radio Show, I'm going to address this topic of image and how we see ourselves as well as how others see us. Should be an interesting hour!

Find out if you are sabotaging your style too! How to improve your style and lose what Marla at Flylady.net at calls "Stinkin' Thinkin'"!