DBI Stitches

10/23/2016

FASHION TRENDS FOR FALL

With everyone being able to buy clothing online 24/7 it is hard to determine whether you need another black pair of pants and a cream colored sweater or whether you should visit your closet to see what you have. Let see if you can alter or reuse anything that you may have.

Pants for the fall are showing anything from skinnies to flares. If you do ankle pants, they are showing a generous amount of ankle this year. Also the narrow pants with the stirrups are back again. I remember them and hated them but the young people love them. The most flattering for larger women is a pair of crop pants with a little flare it gives them a better line to draw attention away from our widest part.

Dresses and skirts this season have to be the most figure flattering by far. The length is mid-length (below the knees) about mid calf, which if you are like me my legs are kind of scary if the garment is above my calves. The shapes are more feminine, meaning, they are a flouncy mermaid look. They slightly hug the hip and then flare out into ruffles and flounces. So they are easier to walk in then pencil skirts. The prints are florals and butterflies and the fabrics are chiffons and beautifully moving fabrics. You can dress these up with a beautiful cardigan or dress them down with a chunky sweater or suede biker jacket with a pair of edgy sneakers or biker edgy low boot.

The other style that is back is the color blocking/geometric designs in tops, coats and skirts. They are fun to wear and have a lot of color. I loved them in the 70's late 80's and am loving them now.
Speaking of color Lilly Pulitzer has come out with a resort print wear collection which has color and many diverse designs which can go from beach to dinner in a second.

The other exciting thing about the fall is a designer named Josie Natori. She is a Filipina designer that really gets the young working woman who is to busy to be changing clothing all the time. Her designs are separates which are tailored and streamlined and have beautiful textures and embellishments. She tends to stick with black, gray and jewel tones for colors so if these are not your colors then this is not the line for you. Her designs can go from work to evening because of the glamour and timeless look of her designs

For shoes, the rounded toe is coming back especially in the boots. Low boots and the peter pan boots are showing a lot this season. Stelletos and plateforms are still being shown but not as much. Comfort block heels and lower heels are being shown.

And for the purses, the smaller cross body purses are being shown which is great because then we can reduce the wear and tear on our arms carrying around those big oversized bags.

Well that is the forecast for fall. Hope you have fun with the new things coming out. Look in your closet and see if you have anything you would like to update. Pants can always be tailored skinny and flares can always go up to an ankle pant. We can always take clothing you don't wear but loved the colors and make a new top with blocking designs. This will save you money and then you only need a few new pieces.

09/14/2016

This is a baby blanket I created by taking apart a zipper front sweat suit with pants from an aunt who has passed away and the family still wanted her to be a part of the new baby coming.

09/05/2016

DETAILS ON HOW YOU DRESS MATTERS

It may be another day at the office and you think no one will notice so you hurry out of the house with an over sized shirt and pants dragging on the ground. Every once in awhile you can get away with this.

However, if you are trying to make a good impression and get ahead at work the details matter.

Lets talk about pant lengths.
Woman's dress pants: You have to decide on the height of heels you will be wearing because the length will be different for each heel. When you are wearing dress heels, the pants should fall 1/2" from the ground in the back and break a little in the front of the shoe. If you are wearing flats, then the pants should cover most of the shoe in the back without touching the ground. Ideally right below where the shoe meets the heal of the flat.

Men's dress pant lengths: Ideally there should be a break in the front of the shoe. The amount of the break depends on your preference. To define a break it is the fold or creasing of the fabric right above the front of the pant leg where it meets your shoe. If you would like to know what each break length says about you go to hespokestyle.com/pant-breaks-length-guide and check it out.

Woman's sleeves: if your sleeves on your blouse or blazar is too long it will make you look frumpy and unpolished. The cuff of the sleeve should hit just below your wrist when holding your arm at your side. Button up blouses should not gap at the bust line. If they do you can add snaps or fashion tape to hold it closed. Or there is a great line of TheShirt with buttons on the inside.

These little details will not only make you look put together but will give you a greater sense of self confidence.

Have a great work day!

A complete guide to men's pant length. Includes advice on where dress pants should fall, proper break in pants, photos of no break, medium break, full break

08/29/2016

EVERYONE DESERVES A BRA THAT FITS!

A bra that fits flatters your shape and allows your garments to lay nicer on your body and complements your shape. If the bra fits then you do not have sore shoulders with deep grooves at the end of the day. You also do not have indents under your breasts where the underwire sits.

To find your correct size you should visit a lingerie store in person or a high end department store where they have fitters on site. Or you could download the ThirdLove app, which sizes you virtually.

Or you can size yourself. First fit the band. Take a measuring tape and keep it parallel to the floor and measure around your bra directly under your bust after expelling all the air from your lungs. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. If the measurement is even, add 4", and if the measurement is off, add 5". Next, measure for your cup size. Take the measuring tape and measure around the fullest part of your bust(across the ni***es) while wearing a non padded bra. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. Now you can calculate your bra size. Subtract your band measurement from your cup measurement. Generally, for each inch in difference the cup goes up by one size.

ie: 34" under bust add 4"= 38" for band size
40" is fullest part of bust
40-38=2" or a B cup.

Once you have your bra size then you can shop shape, style and even the seams. If your cup size fluctuates then a bra with multiple seams offer flexibility because the pieces each do a different job. For full coverage, choose a molded bra. Padded bras can disguise uneven breasts.

Once you find a style you like try it on. Tighten the straps so that they are even and taut. And NEWS FLASH, the band around the bottom and not the straps is what provides the support. Your band should run parallel to the floor and you should be able to fit one finger under the band. Next, bend forward at the waist, reach through your bra, and scoop all your breast tissue and fleshy bits behind and move everything forward. This should allow the cup to be filled and eliminate slight bulges at the sides and back. If there are any gaps or you feel like you are not in the bra then the style is not right for you.

Don't be discouraged, keep trying on different styles(underwires, demi-cups, plunges, bralettes, and balconettes until you find the one that fits the best.

08/19/2016

This is lace I had made and dye in india for custom wedding dress

08/19/2016

This is a beaded waistband for a mother of the bride I had made by one of my interns in India.