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???

Save $ at Target

http://www.foxnews.com/imag/Style?auto-play=true&video-maven-id=g4326860

5 fabulous money saving tips worth checking out!

On a budget & in a style funk?

"Having a personal creative-funk-crisis & need a bit of inspiration?" That's what was happening in Marisa's life. Marisa is the creator of the New Dress a Day blog: http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/about/




Join me TODAY (8/31) as she explains her unconventional way of being stylish 365 days a yr, 365 new dresses & with $365 dollars!!!


Link to listen to the interview:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/missussmartypants/2010/08/31/missussmartypants-fashion-rescue

Is Your Style a "do" or a "don't"?

MissusSmartyPants Top 11 Style Do’s

1. A Styled hairstyle…you’ll look years younger.

2. A lighter lip color…it gives you a youthful pout.

3. A straight-leg pant…so kind to your curves.

4. A semi-fitted jacket…adds friendly feminine curves.

5. A good fitting bra…puts the “girls” up where they belong.

6. Find your most flattering color & wear it…look prettier.

7. An A-line skirt…works that hourglass shape, ladies!

8. Pants long enough they touch your shoes…longer is leaner.

9. Body skimming top…makes the most of your shape.

10. Dark dressy jeans…sassy and stylin’

11. Classic good fitting clothes & the right attitude to wear them…confidence +


MissusSmartyPants Top 11 Style Don’ts
1. Baggy sweats…at home comfy-wear.

2. A worn-out purse held together by safety pin…c’mon you need a new one!

3. A 3 piece suit all worn together…so “old lady” and matchy.

4. Cargo pants…unless job related, a big fashion NO.

5. Ripped acid-washed Jeans…leave these to lead singers in rock bands.

6. Promo “give away” crew-neck shirts…there is a reason they are FREE.

7. Big boxy jackets…you will look hmm…BOXY!

8. Ankle length dresses, skirts or pants…don’t do this to yourself, please.

9. Overalls…for farmers ONLY!

10. Rainbow socks…why would you?

11. Dark lipstick…dreary, old and UGLY.

Oh, no you don't!

  

Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants
http://www.missussmartypants.com/

Take the "Scaredy Cat" Challenge!

So often we are afraid to take chances and do something new, exciting or fresh. If we don't mix things up every now or then (like taking a vacation) and explore new things--we can get stuck in a rut and become stale!

There certainly is something calming to everyday routines. I'm not saying we need to loose our routines, heaven's no! But we definitely need to "step out of the box" and explore so that we can enjoy life and ourselves!

This week's Style Mission at http://www.missussmartypants.com/ is inspired by a fellow blogger:  http://www.dianedenmark.com/ Check out Diane's fabulous blog...she's always has something interesting to share!

By doing something bold and challenging you will find out what you are made of and who you are! I say "go for it" be BOLD! I also think it's a big part of finally loving yourself (FLYing).

This is one of my favorite quotes about loving yourself:  "To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance"--Oscar Wilde

Think about what style you are afraid to wear. This is the week to do it. Are you afraid to wear heels, go sleeveless, wear hoop earrings or dangles, skinny (ish) jeans? Go forth and DO IT this week!
Join me and take the "Scaredy Cat" style challenge this week. Email me your story to share in next week's Chatter: lookgreat@missussmartypants.com

Famous Female Style Icons | NBC New York

I'm loving reading about all the fashion icons...I think I identify with Grace Kelly's style the most. How about you?

Famous Female Style Icons NBC New York

Get Your Healthy Glow On!

Hey everyone...I'm back!!! I've taken a small break from writing this blog to catch up on life...whew, I've been busy! I took a short vacation (driving from NC to Western KY) and visited family, I've been working on my eBook, going to too many booked appointments, setting everything up on my new computer...and got my son off to college just this last Sunday. In the middle of all this craziness I noticed the blog template became BRIGHT pink! Oh my! I love pink of course, but the color was sooo blaring pink it hurt my eyes! I finally figured out how to fix it and feel better about posting again...certainly don't want you to have to put on your shades in order to read my posts, LOL!

Today, I just wanted to share "tan in a can" products I have had success with. So I hope you find the post below helpful! Thanks for reading...

When the weather warms we show a lot more skin. Short skirts, dresses and shorts of course! Instead of pasty white and pale many of us hope for a “healthy” glow to our skin. But HOW you get there is another matter...

So how do we get that golden summertime "glow" without baking in the sun or in the tanning beds? Since tanning our skin not healthy and is actually a sign of skin damage, what’s a girl to do?

Lucky for all of us, there are some new moisturizing self-tanners on the market that give your skin the glow you are looking for. The new self-tanners have a key ingredient called DHA or dihydroxyacetone. This ingredient reacts with the top layers of your skin and darkens them slowly. The skin’s pigment gets a gradual glow when applied daily.

My personal favorite brand is Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. This product produces a slow and gradual hint of color. Apply this moisturizer for several days and you will see pleasantly "tanner" skin. Three shade depths are available to help you get the right amount of glow for you need. I find even though I'm very fair--the medium works best for me.

There are other brands of self-tanners with DHA worth trying. Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily Moisturizer SPF 20. This product allows you to get out in the sun safely with a high level of broad-spectrum sun protection. It gradually adds a hint of color in one week.

Try Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Body Glow. This product is as dependable as any of their daily moisturizers. This one adds a hint of color after only 3 hours. Try this quality product from a well known brand.

Try "double dipping" like I do. I figure why use ONE tanning product when you can use TWO, LOL! After I shower and shave my legs I towel dry then normally apply my Jergens Natural Glow. However, if I want to really punch up my "tan" INSTEAD I use L'Oreal Sublime Bronze (it's a tinted self-tanning lotion) and you get immediate color added on top of your base Jergens tan!!! Give it a try if you plan on wearing a short skirt, dress or short-shorts.

Good luck with your summertime glow, and don’t forget to protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen too!

Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants