Boy did I have fun this past week. Went to The Difference where they were hosting a free seminar on fall fashion for the classic type. Classic types tend to stay in our fashion rut – hey, if it was popular 2 decades ago, it still should look fine, right? What I love about The Difference is they always prod me to crawl out of my fashion rut and try something new that flatters.
I am actually 3 types: classic (I like simple, classic lines), delicate (it’s because I’m petite and about 100 pounds, not that I like the term ‘delicate’ at all), and casual (I prefer comfort over anything, so my casual side is always fighting my classic…and they both are unnerved to be considered delicate).
I think the ladies at The Difference did a fine job of helping me to find an outfit that perfectly fits ALL my criteria, while challenging my pre-conceived notions.
I usually shy away from tunic tops because they make me look squat – but look what looks fabulous when it’s the right cut/color/style for a petite? This Tunic Top is Tribal brand, 94% polyester, 6% spandex. It has a gentle cowl neck drape and long sleeves (which I prefer. If I want 3/4 sleeves I can push them up). I like this color combination for fall, and the pattern speaks of anything but delicate:)
The pants are by a company called Miracle Body. The ladies at The Difference assured us that these make ANY women’s body look great. I ended buying the pull on jeans so I could wear them under tunics without the zipper-pooch. I don’t know if it’s because I’m of that age where I prefer elastic waist pants…or that I’m petite so any extra pooch or puff shows up more on me, but I’m finding that I’m little by little replacing all my jeans/pants with no-zipper ones. These Miracle Body elastic waist pants are 88% cotton, 9% polyester, and 3% spandex, and have some sort of a pooch eliminator belly band inside that I didn’t even feel at all, it’s that comfortable. The color is a gray/green, so depending on what you wear on top, they seem to change their hue. The pants look great tucked into boots, and lay flat at the ankles.
The belt was the big investment, but it really does make this outfit, and here’s why. I have a short waist. O.K. a non-existent waist. My rib cage sits on my hipbones, so there is no place for a belt to go. However, I have long legs, so since this belt sits on my hips, it extends my short waist, AND gives my body the illusion of being taller because it dips lower in the front. The silver buckle matches the silver in my hair, and the black leather goes with EVERYTHING, including these black leather boots and pretty much everything else I own.
The boots I got a few years ago at Nordstrom. They are Spire Peak Merrill boots in black leather. They’ve got thinsulate insulation and are waterproof, so they keep me warm and comfortable. They have tennis shoe like walking comfort, and have easy access inner side zips. Check out The Difference on facebook.
