Thursday, 10 December 2009

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  How to Wear Horizontal Stripes

  

  Ever since I was little, I've always loved horizontal stripes. When I was about 14, I realized I was wearing the same hand-me-down shirts I'd had for most of my childhood, and it was time to move on. Fortunatly, stripes are back with a new flavor. In my early teens, I started gaining weight, and my mother told me the optical illusion created by horizontal stripes wasn't flattering to me. Now that I'm older, I have a better eye for seeing how this look can suit different body types. It all depends on the outfit!

  The five basic styles for striped tops are short-sleeve-t, long-sleeve-t, sweater, cardigan, and dress. Lets begin with the basics. These are some examples of where you can find these items if you don't find them in the back of your closet or at a thrift store: (All from Forever 21, besides cardigan which is from WetSeal)

  

  $13.80                   $19.80                          $13.80                   $22.50    

  

  ^The most basic way to wear a striped top is simply to pair it with a cute pair of skinny jeans. A loose-fitting shirt like that in the first photo is a good choice for a curvy body. A tight striped shirt on a girl with a large chest or round tummy would look trashy.

  The second look above is a good choice for someone with either or both of the following body types: Small chest or round tummy. High waisted jeans (which I'll soon be doing a post on) flatten the stomach and bring the attention upward to the chest. If you don't have a large cup size, the high waist combined with the horizontal stripes give the illusion of a curvier bustline.

   

  ^Another easy style is to pair a striped shirt with a simple black bottom. I've chosen to feature primarily black-and-white oufits, because a loud pattern like horizontal stripes looks best when using toned-down colors. Here are two looks that elongate the legs. If you have a curvy midsection, go for something high-waisted with a loose-fitting top. If you have a flat stomach, a black mini-skirt with a low waist paired with a snug fitting striped top is a good choice for you.

  

  ^Next, we will add layers. It's winter weather for most of us, so we can't exactly go out with our legs bare. You can't go wrong with a pair of shorts with black tights. Again, for a curvey upper body, try a loose-fitting top for contrast between the tapered lower body part of the outfit. For a revived 80s look, try something off-the-shoulder. A flatter figure can try more of a revived 90s look with a simple striped top that isn't particularly fitted, but also isn't snug-fitting.

  

  ^Try adding a vest like I did in my photo at the very top of this post for a cute artsy look. Nuetral colored scarves and other accessories look nice with a striped shirt as well.

  

  ^Lets add another layer, the cardigan. Loose-fitting cardigans look good on just about any body type. You can go for the loose-fitting or snug-fitting striped shirt underneath, and the loose-fitting cardigan will hide the imperfections of your form either way. You can even reverse it and wear a nuetral-patterned shirt and have the cardigan be the statement piece like in the third photo.

   

  

  ^You can also try a blazer instead of the cardigan. This is a good way to make a casual pair of jeans look more interesting, or you can go classy and choose a skirt and stockings.

  

  ^Or, switch the blazer for a leather jacket when its cold out. Its amzing how edgy a simple striped shirt makes a black leather jacket, a pair of black jeans or slacks, and a pair of boots.

  

  ^Still too cold out for ya? Keep the leather jacket, but switch out the t-shirt for a knitted sweater. Wider stripes make for a whole different look.

     

  ^For more of a semi-casual style, trade out the shirts or sweaters alltogether for a mini-dress. There's something very 'French cafe' about a major striped statement piece with simple, understated accessories like black stokings.

  

  ^For cold weather, shrug on a black blazer or peacoat over your striped dress and tights.

  

  ^Another of what I like to call the classy French cafe look involves a jumper. In this case, the jumper is more of the statement piece, but because it is black, it's understated enough not to clash with a striped shirt underneath. This look is perfect with a baret.

  

  ^A jumper isn't an extremely common piece, and if you don't think it would look good on you, or don't already have one in your wardrobe, a very similar look can be achieved for cheaper just by adding a pair of suspenders to a pair of black jeans or slacks.

  

  ^Finally, going a little off the beaten track of this post, if you feel adventurous, or really prefer color, try adding a little bit into your striped shirt style. Kind of like a black and white photo with color splash, or the movie Sin City, try adding in just one statement color to your black-and-white outfit. Or, you can break out of the grayscale all together and find stripes of a different color.

  

  ^And lastly, if you've gone through this whole post thinking how horizontal stripes just never suit your body type, or if you just happen to hate horizontal stripes, go for a vertical statement piece instead. Be creative, it's YOUR personal style. Now go, be inspired!

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