Today’s Outfit Idea: Taking Horizontal Stripes in a Different Direction

All right, all you ladies who push your style aside because you’re too dang busy just trying to get your kids or your partner or yourself out the door in the morning – the Fastionista is here to ease your style fear.

Horizontal stripes: friend or foe? Normally, I have to admit, I steer clear of them. But every now and again I find a piece that defies explanation and actually does not make me look wider. So here’s what’s in my closet today:

· Striped and Solid Sweater: Part of the reason this sweater doesn’t make me look wider is because it’s not all horizontal stripes; the top is, with a zigzag black-and-white pattern, but the bottom half is solid black. And that zigzag pattern itself is comprised of thin stripes: that also helps to keep my look in proportion.

· Yellow Trumpet Skirt: A flared skirt would work too, but the skirt I have in mind has that specific trumpet hem. Since my sweater is on the thin side, I can tuck it in, and complete the look with a unique belt. Which leads me to…

· Accessories: So, that unique belt. It’s black leather interwoven with silver chain link, with a silver D-buckle. I like to find unique pieces for all my staples when I can, so in this case, instead of a simple black belt, I like to wear one with some kind of embellishment that might set it apart from most other black belts. For my other accessories I’m going to incorporate a complementary color to my yellow: I’ll wear cobalt blue and white glass cuff bracelet, and cobalt blue stone necklace.

· Purse: My yellow and navy green woven drawstring bag will pick up the color in my skirt and also mimic the zigzaggy pattern in my sweater. Navy green still goes with this color palette, even though it’s not featured anywhere else in my outfit – as a neutral, I can easily work it in.

· SHOES!: I seem to be picking up the cobalt blue fever that’s going around this fall, because my pumps are the same shade as my jewelry.

Voila! There you have it: great fashion fast. And you, gorgeous lady, are ready to take on the world, Fastionista Style!

It’s true that horizontal stripes can make a person look wider, but, as when considering any pattern or color of a piece, remember to take into account fit above all else. Also, consider the type of stripe: wide stripes that coast straight from right to left across the body will almost always make you look wider. A thin stripe, or one that’s more on the bias, or a zigzag, will most likely work more easily with your frame.