In this weeks post I want to talk about how to dress for YOUR Style Expression this summer 😎; what to avoid, and also new styles to look for and try. (If you haven’t taken the Style Expression Quiz, now would be a good time to click over to the Quiz tab!) The 5 Expression Types are Alluring, Dramatic, Sporty, Classic, and Feminine; in todays post I will be giving examples of summer styles for each Expression type. And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to include photos! 

——————————

    Real quick, before I get started, I just want to explain 

   why Personal Style Expression is SO important. How

you dress says a lot about who you are. So, let’s 

take me —Brooke— for example LOL! I am an 

Alluring Dramatic Style Expression, Which means that

I like to be trendy/high fashion, and also add a little 

sexy flair in there too! Now, if I were to dress in more

Feminine or Classic clothes it would not fit who I am and would

confuse others of who I am to the core. Does that make 

sense? You want to dress according to your Style 

Expression so that you can more easily tell the world

“THIS IS WHO I AM”

——————————

Now, onto the fun stuff!!!🙌🏼

Classic: 

Okay Classic girls! What I want you looking for in stores is maybe just 2-3 items! The greatest thing about being a classic, is that all of your pieces are… well classic! You guys are so lucky this way in that you can easily repurpose something and it looks amazing on you! But you guys, don’t fall for the “trendy” pieces. Always be thinking “will I be able to wear this in 5 years?” Especially because ultimately thats what you guys want out of your wardrobe anyway😊 Some great pieces to give a try are flowy pants that will keep you cool, monochromatic outfits, or even a jumpsuit! 

  <– Photo Cred   Photo Cred –>                      

Alluring:

This summer for Alluring Expression types remember your goal of feeling sexy? Well, if your like me and don’t want to show too much skin it can be tricky to find pieces to wear. But keep in mind the outfit doesn’t have to be showing skin to have a sexy feel to it. Look for items that give you shape, curves, and show off what you got goin’ for ya! I love these 2 photos below for examples because there’s not a ton of skin (esp. on the 2nd one) but they just look sexy! THAT’S what you want to achieve! As far as new things to try, the 90’s are BACK! So try some high waisted denim with a belt and a crop top! 

  <— Photo Cred    Photo Cred–>

Sporty:

Hey Sporty girls! Now remember girls, Sporty doesn’t mean sweat pants, or yoga pants all the time. Keep dressing to impress 😉 This Summer dress it up a bit with a cute sporty dress! I’ve seen a ton of them, and they look awesome! The style right now is for a tighter fit and a high collar (think 90’s baby doll dress) and they are awesome! They will keep you cool and fashionable! The second pic I chose is a perfect Sporty girl outfit! Tennis shoes, cutoff denim, and a t-shirt, SO CUTE! 

  <— Photo Cred Photo Cred —>

Dramatic:

All right Dramatic girls! Remember we love high fashion! So don’t be afraid to be Dramatic LOL!! This summer try out some cutoff overalls, some bright colored pants or even some TIE-DYE!! Tie-dye can be worn in lots of different ways: on jackets, tees, even pants. You could even pair it with those cutoff overalls! Things to avoid this summer are getting stuck in simple colors or boring things that don’t let your dramatic side show. Have fun with it!

 <—Photo Cred   Photo Cred —>

Feminine:

This summer for all you Feminine girls out there keep it pretty and girlie! Some things I’m loving for you girls are floral jumpers, linen high waisted shorts, and high ponytails!! Stick with muted colors that scream girlie! Something to avoid this summer is jumping too far into other Expression styles— especially sporty. Make sure you put that girlie flair into everything you wear.

  <— Photo Cred     Photo Cred —>

Comments:

Okay ladies I hope you learned some new stuff today, and if you want a more in-depth analysis of your Style Expression type, then lets get together for a My Style Consultation asap! I just love how much confidence dressing according to your Style Expression gives you, so I challenge you to own who you are and ROCK IT!

Many of my clients call me because they are tired of ending up with the same old clothes over and over again. They either get confronted by too many choices and panic, or have no idea where to go and what to buy in the first place. They shut down and end up making the same purchases they always make.  When they get home, they realize that more of the same awaits them in their own closets.  On auto-pilot, they have bought the same pieces that they normally buy and then don’t wear because… insert your own reason here.  It takes a while of doing this and wasting time and money before these clients look for professional help to avoid making mistakes. Sound familiar?

You guys! Let Brooke’s Styling help END this cycle! I can help YOU!

How, you ask? Well, Brooke’s Styling was founded on me helping out my friends with their shopping, and their questions of fashion (and makeup, of course). All of my friends have different Dressing Personality Types, as you will too. So I will be able to come to you objectively, with no preconceived notions on how you look,  how you should look or want to look. I understand that everyone is unique in how they want to present themselves to the world, and I am very good at helping you achieve that goal. 

When I come to your home we will start by having a “My Style” consultation. We will go over your Dressing Personality type so I have a better hold on how you want to dress and the impression you want to put on people around you. Then I have you try on your clothes and I explain what looks right or wrong-it might be old and faded.  Maybe it’s too dated and can’t be reworked.  Maybe a piece is too long, too short, not age appropriate or a not your color.  Perhaps it’s too tight or too loose.  Whatever the problem may be, I can see it because I’m completely objective.  I’m also not happy until the client’s closet contains only the pieces that can and should be worn.  I don’t sugarcoat, because clothes that you can’t wear are just lying to you; they make you think you have choices that you really don’t.  When we’re BOTH satisfied that a closet is complete, then we make lists.

Lists are so important to have. When you have a list of items you need you can better tackle the mall, store, or even online shopping. It gives  you direction so you don’t end up buying the same old stuff when you get in a panic! Don’t freeze and listen to your shopping buddies or the store associates, they are suggesting things that THEY like, not things that fit into your Dressing Personality Type and not things that flatter your shape. Yes, lists give you confidence and surety that you wont end up in auto-pilot mode.

When I shop with you I arrive long before you, in fact I have scouted out the best stores before hand depending on your Dressing Personality Type. When I arrive I’m putting together outfits and pulling items that flatter and work with you so that when you arrive there is a full dressing room awaiting you. I have coordinated the outfits so that they go with each other as well as what’s already at home. Sounds nice, right? I have taken the panic and auto-pilot out of shopping! My goal is that you leave feeling confident in your look, but also confident that if you need to go it alone next time you can do it!

You guys I want you to feel confident in what you wear! Do you or a friend need a little help?  Call or text me.  I’ll be happy to steer you to fashion choices that fit and flatter.  I’ll help you get rid of everything that doesn’t.  I want you to feel stylish.  Most of all, I want you to be happy when you walk into your closet because you feel it represents who you are!

xoxo

Happy Easter! Well, almost… Ha! So this week I want to talk about dressing ourselves for this beautiful spring holiday. Doesn’t it seem like everyone puts SO much time/thought/money/effort in making sure their kids look so cute in their Easter Sunday best? We scout Pinterest for the kids… but what about us? We deserve to look good in that Insta worthy pic we take of the fam (you know the one: In the front yard with the blossoming cherry tree in the background!?)!

So let’s talk about this. What CAN we wear? Depending on what your dressing personality type is, it seems that you will either feel comfortable/happy wearing floral… or you wont 🤷🏼‍♀️ Those Dressing personality types who don’t feel comfortable or happy in floral may not know what else to wear on this spring holiday. Or maybe you’re just sick of wearing a flower dress LOL? I know I am! So today I’m gonna go over each Dressing Personality type, some ideas of what they can wear for Easter and spring, and also share a photo or two for some ideas for you! If you don’t know what your Dressing Personality type is yet, head over to my “Quiz” tab and find out FIRST!

Here we go…

Feminine
Let’s talk about what most people would say is the easiest to dress for spring. Lace, bows, flowers, everything nice. Sounds like spring to me! Feminine Dressing Personality types can really have fun for easter! Some Feminine’s will want to lean towards the beautiful (think lace, roses, and intricate details) while others may lean towards the sweet (think bows, cute accessories and all things girlie). Don’t be afraid of those details, they are so important.

1. photo cred: www.styleoholic.com
2. photo cred: www.kaleidoscope.com

Classic

Some Classic Dressing Personality types may feel they have a hard time with those spring and summer colors… Those Capsule Closets don’t really require a lot of color, but don’t fret! My recommendation for you is to ADD SOME COLOR!  Just a few to get you through. May I suggest Hot Pink, some Tiger orange, or some cobalt Blue? For those Classics who like to wear color, stick to those Classic styles, i.e. pencil skirt, office style dress etc.

1. photo cred: www.wifeyoffduty.com
2. photo cred: www.people.com

Dramatic

Dramatic dressing personality types are always thinking “What’s on trend right now?” Look to the mannequins in your favorite store to guide you if you need help. Don’t be afraid of those bold styles and colors—especially if you’re new to the drama😉 Maybe try a hat this year? or some on trend strappy shoes!

1. photo cred: www.buzzfeed.com
2. photo cred: www.ecocult.com

Sporty

Sporty dressing personality types, keep it simple for this holiday! Try an easter colored dress that flows like a slip dress or a t-shirt dress. Find a dress that is comfy, but you still look like you came to impress! Keep in mind, sporty doesn’t always mean leggings and sports bras!

1. photo cred: www.shoptiques.com
2. photo cred: www.lulus.com

Alluring

When you are an Alluring Dressing Personality type your main goal is to be sexy, but remember if you are planning to attend church on Easter sunday you may (or may not) want to tone that down just a tad lol!! Sexy doesn’t always have to be revealing, but can include sexy colors, or an overall feel of “alllure”.

1. photo cred: www.longhairstyleshowto.com
2. photo cred: www.loveculture.com

There are a lot of different body shapes out there, for today’s topic I want to stick with the main ones; Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, and Hourglass. Now these have been known to be called a TON of different things like pear, apple, spoon, round, bell, cello, goblet… etc… You get the picture I think LOL!! These other names are very similar to the first 4 I named, they are either just renamed to fruits or objects you are familiar with, or they are larger or smaller versions of them. For example a “brick” or “column” are the same shape as a rectangle, just one is tall and slender and the other is not, but the same principles apply. Hopefully that makes some sense lol!!
Sooooo, keeping that in mind, let’s get started on measuring ourselves to find out what we are.
First you’re going to start with a soft measuring tape (you can get these at most major grocery stores, amazon or a craft store will for sure have one) and you’re going to start by measuring these points on your body:

— Shoulders
— Bust
— Waist
— Hips

Shoulders: Make sure to measure the widest point of your shoulders, almost to where the measuring tape wants to slide off. (This one was a little tough to do by myself… it may require a buddy 😂😂)
Bust: Again make sure to measure the fullest point. Try not to squish the “girls” lol!
Waist: Remember the waist is your smallest part right above your belly button.
Hips: Start below the hip bone, and measure all the way around the fullest part of your booty.

Now, once you have done that (make sure you write the measurements down) you’re going to have to do a little bit of math… but don’t worry it’s pretty easy… and we have our phones for that now!
Okay, so keep in mind the math below will have you using your bust and shoulder measurements as the same thing. Some of you might find that doing the math with your bust measurement vs. your shoulder measurement puts you in two different body shape categories… This just means that your body type could be a combo type. And that’s totally normal! You will just need to consider both types when dressing yourself and make choices by seeing what looks best on you.

Triangle: You have a Triangle body shape if your hips are more than 5% bigger than your shoulders or bust (hips ÷ shoulders or bust ≥ 1.05). (P.S. ≥ means greater than or equal to… lol… I totally had to look that up… did we learn that in 4th grade??😂😂)

For example, you are a triangle if your shoulders are 36 inches and your hips are 37.75 inches or larger.

Inverted Triangle: You have an inverted triangle if your shoulder or bust measurement is more than 5% bigger than your hip measurement (shoulders or bust ÷ hips ≥ 1.05).

For example, you are an inverted triangle if your shoulders are 36 inches and your hips are 34.25 inches or smaller.

Rectangle: You have a rectangle if your waist is less than 25% smaller than your shoulder or bust (waist ÷ shoulders or bust ≥ .75) and your shoulder, bust, and hip measurements are within 5% of each other.
Find this out by looking at your shoulder, bust, and hip measurements. Call the largest of the three measurements t (usually it will be your shoulders) and the other two measurements, y and z. Multiply t by 0.95. If y and z are greater than the result of t x 0.95, then your shoulder, bust, and hips are within 5% of each other.For example, you are a rectangle if your shoulders are 36 inches and your waist is 27 inches or more.Hourglass: You have an hourglass if your waist is at least 25% smaller than your shoulder or bust (waist ÷ shoulders and bust ≤ 0.75), your waist is at least 25% smaller than your hips (waist ÷ hips ≤ 0.75), and your shoulder and hip measurements are within 5% of each other. (≤ means less than or equal to 😉)Find this out by looking at your hips and shoulder measurements. Call the larger of the two measurements t and the smaller of the two measurements y. Multiply t by 0.95. If y is greater than the result of t x 0.95, then your hips and shoulders are within 5% of each other.For example, you are an hourglass if your shoulders and hips measure 36 inches and your waist is 27 inches or smaller.
I HOPE this was helpful guys!! I will do a follow up blog on how to dress each body type! Hope you learned a lot! Also, keep in mind that your body type does NOT define who you are, you are all amazing women. And you ARE enough!