elanor1 - 10 June 2008 10:46 PM
Hi, I just crossed the age line into this forum...I need some style advice. I'm 5'4", about 140#, which means that I'm a bit on the chunky side, but not fat. My waist is short, as is my neck. Also I am back on my workout/diet routine to lose about 15 #.
Anyway, I like to sew and am pretty good at it-- have sewn some fairly complicated suits for myself before, including one to which I affixed a lovely mink collar that I got from one of my mother's old dresses....yummy..
I'd like to sew a really chic suit for each of summer or winter. I want a fabric that can travel well. I like a really sleek look, like a longish Asian coat over pants. Or, I like a very, very classic look, like a short, boxy, cute jacket with a matching skirt. I've noticed I look horrid in wide necklines, wide skirts...wide ANYTHING. I hate short sleeves because my upper arms, no matter how much weight I lose or how much I lift weights, always look flabby.
IDo you think the Asian type jacket I've mentioned would be okay for someone of my physique, short and almost-fat (oh... I hate to look like a dumpy middle-aged lady but I guess I really am...wwaaaahh!)
I should mention that my regular style tends to the sporty-classic look; I really like most of what LLBean and Orvis have to offer. I'm also thought of as a brainier-than-usual chick, if a bit eccentric. I travel alot and sometimes I need to look sharp. Help?
Whew! OK, here we go...
If your waist is short, your shortest jackets and tops should hit the top of the hipbone. If your tops are longer, then keep your skirts on the shorter side (not too short, of course) and narrow. A longish coat over slim pants can work well with your short waist. Just make sure that everything is still fitted so that you don't get lost.
If your neck is short, you may want to make your Asian jackets without the traditional mandarin collar. A short neck needs the most open neckline possible, and any high or stand-up collar will just eat up what little neck you have. I have a shortish neck too, so I know what that's like. By the way, my style is classic casual, but even if turtlenecks are classic (and they are), you need to avoid them like the plague. A V-neck is always the best.
For your arms, just stick with long or 3/4 sleeves. And keep them fitted but not too tight.
Finally, you're not a dumpy old lady, so don't make yourself out to be one ;)
