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Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Petite Hour Glass Figure

If you’ve been blessed with an hour glass shape … girlfriend you are one of the lucky ones!  Why do designers consider your body type that of a goddess?  Well, the answer is simply you are as well proportioned on the bottom as on the top and you’ve been graced with a well defined waistline. 

However, being petite does not make this a glorious stance to be in.  It takes a little more know how to create a longer and leaner illusion that will truly flatter your body.

Actress Salma Hayek is a perfect example of a petite with an hour glass figure.  Most of the styles she wears are solid in color, v-necklines to create height, material that flows gracefully over her figure and a style that flatters her waistline.  It’s all about creating the illusions of more and less – more height and less bulk. Next time you’re dressing for your job or to go out on the town, work some magic and create your own illusions.

Dress all in one color from your top to your shoes.  Don’t forget to match your tights or stockings to your outfit too. In the winter, dark colors slim, so try black, navy, charcoal, burgundy, deep green, or purple.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Our Spring & Summer Line Is Here

Check out our slide show here on our blog featuring our new Spring & Summer line.  You can view the entire catalog on line by clicking HERE

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Maternity Fashion Woes


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Maternity styles have gone from ill-fitting and boxy to rather chic and fashionable over the years.

The whole dynamic changes dramatically when a woman is expecting and happens to be 5’4” and under.  So many times we hear the words “vertically challenged” referenced when talking about petite women.  In the fashion industry the word Petite does not mean a woman is small but rather 5’4” tall and under.

It’s more of a challenge, however, finding something chic and stylish to wear when your midriff is expanding.   Designers have finally recognized the fact that 70% of women are Petite and the majority, not the minority any more.  Now all we have to do is get them to expand those designs to a maternity line.  

Stores in larger cities or metros generally carry a petite line, which leaves others having to shop online. Before you hit the submit button on an order make sure they have flexible exchange policies. Most websites have detailed specifications and don’t forget to check whether the shipping cost on returns is extra.

Stick with monochromatic colors as they’ll make you look taller and slimmer.  You're probably asking yourself what that means.  It's a blending of the same hues in a color.  See the photo here to the right as a sample where different shades of burgundy/pink blend together.  Boat necks, rounded ‘V’ and high necks accentuate the shoulders.  Stay away from anything with horizontal striping.  Fashionistas advise not to wear geometric and/or floral prints. It’s best to use smaller and subtler prints and cotton is the best fabric as it allows the skin to breathe and does not irritate it.

Listed below are some sites that carry smaller sizes (it’s noted whether the style is petite for shorter frames or not). 

isabellaoliver.com - size 0 up - not petite sizing
oldnavy.com - xs up - not petite sizing
seraphine.com - size 2 up - not petite sizing
lee.com - petite jeans - not maternity styles but can buy larger size to suit
anntaylorloft.com - small sizes from 0 up
maternity-clothing-fashions.com - petite styling - somewhat pricy
gapmaternity.com - limited selection
motherwearclothing.com..uk - small sizes but not petite sizing
funmum.com - petite jeans and trousers
jcpenny.com - limited petite styles
beautifulyoumaternity.com - petite - somewhat pricey 
motherhood.com - xs starts at size 0 - not petite sizing




Thursday, January 13, 2011

Spring Line Preview #1


We thought you'd like to get a gander at some of the gorgeous styles coming your way mid-February when the new Spring/Summer line is released.

So ladies ... let me introduce ARIEL  

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Best Exercise for Petites

Being vertically challenged can make exercising at a gym a trying experience.  Let’s face it, many weight machines are not tailored towards our smaller dynamics.  Free weight training exercises targeted toward building lean muscle along with a high protein diet are the best for petites to lose weight and stay fit.

Many might think just focusing on cardiovascular exercises will work but believe it or not, most smaller bodies generally do not respond as well to just this one form of exercise.  You will have the most success losing weight by adding lean muscle mass as well.  Our small bodies just aren’t designed to bulk up on muscle, however, if you incorporate light weight training into your routine, you will definitely develop a more toned and curvy figure.

A well-balanced routine most definitely should include cardio, strength training and flexibility. The success will not be in doing something well, it will be from partaking in something that is fun and gives you pleasure. The choices are numerous when it comes to cardio and include step or dance aerobics, brisk walking, running, cycling, dancing, rowing, skating ... anything that will increase your heart rate. Each of these activities will strengthen your heart and lungs to improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, improve endurance, boost your immune system and reduce that stress we all have in our lives.  It’s pretty amazing when you truly think about the benefits that can come from creating a really good sweat.

Strength training can be done by using free weights and elastic bands instead of those big machines that don’t fit our petite frames to build muscle mass and increase muscle tone, lose weight and strengthen your body from head to toe.

A regular exercise program without a doubt will help you feel, look and work better, stimulate your blood circulation and metabolism and allow your body to function like the well-tuned petite machine it's suppose to be.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Sex & The City Flash Backs

Since Carrie & Charlotte are true "Petites" themselves, I thought you Sex & The City Fans out there would love to see an exclusive slide show of all of the characters since the beginning of the show.

The stylists who created a fashion statement for each of these divas did such a fabulous job.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37235094/from/ET/?beginTab=1&beginSlide=1