Fab Body Guide

Get ready to taste the delicious "Dessert of Shapewear" — Spanx's Haute Contour collection. Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, felt bringing fashion to shapewear was the next step for her brand. Thus, was born a collection of beautiful shapewear that incorporates lace, scallops, mesh, and sheer fabrics. Now, it won't be embarrassing if your Spanx happen to show. Actually, some of the Haute Contour pieces, like the Couture Camisole ($198), worn by the model, are meant to show. Gwyneth Paltrow already got some; now it's your turn.

To see more from Spanx's Haute Contour collection, read more

The problem with a lot of "nude" lingerie these days is that designers fail to realize that we don't come in just three skin tones: fair, medium, and dark. That's why My Skins lingerie is so great. Granted, they don't have a color for every skin tone in the universe, but 20 color options is a far cry from the usual three. To help us find our perfect hue, My Skins has created a cool color matching app where you can match your skin tone to its color chart. From there, you can order My Skins bras and panties made in your chosen color. Pretty simple and genius. Why didn't anyone think of this before?

Let's give Forever 21 a virtual pat on the back. The trendy cheap retailer has created a plus-size line to accommodate its more curvaceous customers. Faith 21 will offer of-the-moment items in a junior plus size, XL, 1X, and 2X.

Starting May 1, the plus-size collection will be available at Forever21.com, along with a few stores (Lakewood Center Mall, Montebello Town Center, Los Cerritos Mall, and Anaheim Plaza). Fret not all you non-Southern Californians; Faith 21 will hopefully launch nationwide soon. "It's normal procedure for us to test in certain markets and then roll out to the entire chain at a later date," said senior marketing manager Linda Chang.

To see more from Faith 21, read more

It's a known fact different countries have varying ideas on what body type is sexy. Lingerie company Dames & Broads has capitalized on that truth by offering lingerie from all around the world. Like any other site, you can shop by category and body type; but here, you can also shop by country. For instance, if you want to impress Brazilians — i.e. downplay your breasts, play up your behind — shop Brazilian bras and panties.
For a demure, proper look, stop by the United Kingdom section for lingerie with lots of embellishments like ruffles and pleats. France, Colombia, Netherlands, Turkey, and the US are also represented. Learn about each country's ideal body type and par avion!

As models get skinnier, the average American gets larger. According to statistics, 62 percent of females in the US are overweight, so one would think that there would be a huge market for plus-size apparel. However, retailers are hesitant to cater to these customers because of the stigma it still carries. The battle between real-life beauty and ego has marketers in a tricky situation. “When a woman sees herself in the mirror, despite her size, she still thinks Angelina Jolie, not Jennifer Hudson,” said retail consultant Emanuel Weintraub.

It's time to embrace real beauty and give Americans what they want: cute clothes that fit. Plus-size model Emme says it best: "When are retailers and manufacturers going to snap out of being narrow-minded and unable to see the enormous opportunity right under their noses? If they give a customer what she needs, wants and desires, she will be loyal for life.” I second that notion.

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You've all heard that black makes you look slimmer and taller. While that's true, it's not the only trick in the book. There are a dozen other ways to elongate yourself without having to look goth. Take a look at the real-life examples below. For The Spirit LA premiere, Eva Mendes chose a Bill Blass maxi that, because it grazed the carpet, made her appear taller. Vertical stripes, as shown in the center editorial, and long cardigans, like on Katie Holmes, can also do the trick. Proceed for more tips.

• Maxi Dresses: Like in Eva's case, maxi dresses give the illusion of tallness because they provide one straight line from top to bottom, without any interruptions.
• Long Cardigans: It's a misconception that everything long makes you look tall. But a long cardigan, past your waist, is one casual way to do it. The darker the color the better.
• Long, Wide-Leg Trousers: Be sure to find a style that grazes the floor, and preferably covers your shoes. They're never to be worn with flats, only high heels!
• Platforms: It's no secret that platform shoes can literally add inches to your height. For a more subtle approach, choose a shoe with a hidden platform.
• Vertical Stripes: Unlike horizontal stripes, which cut you off, vertical stripes keep going and going.

To see more tips, and to shop a widget of elongating pieces, read more

When you're in dire need of insider styling tips, guess who's at your beck and call? That's right, moi. Throughout the year, I helped you get rid of nasty armpit stains, stay chic in the chill, and keep dark clothes, well, dark.

But that's not all. I also created Fab Body Guides to make short look tall, stubby toes appear slender, and to dissect the differences between cropped and long leggings. Let's recap, shall we?

Style For Style

• How to look chic in the chill.
• Sweaty feet fix.
• Removing nasty armpit stains.
• How to stuff your boots.
• Back-friendly handbags.

To see more Style for Styles and Fab Body Guides, read more