Stretching your holiday wardrobe

Dear Lucy,

How do I stretch my wardrobe? Because I know there will be so many activities and affairs this Christmas, what should I buy to update what I already have?

Also, in one of your interviews, you mentioned a brand of totally seamless underwear and stylish shoes that you can wear even in the rain. What are those brands again?

Bachy

I would say that a shift dress in a solid color can and will go a long way. You can dress it up or down, wear it with opaque tights with smooth, flawless, bare legs. We have many local designers who can do a stylish take on an old classic. Another plus is the forgiving shape of a shift dress. Most anybody will look good wearing it, it is almost foolproof. Have it made in a luxe material, like lame, lace, silk crepe or brocade. And always wear great shoes. Always. It will make or break your outfit. Here’s a great December treat. On the third floor of Dimensione on Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, there is a great shoe sale. There are brands like Aldo and Charles & Keith, among others, and prices are up to 70 percent off. Your money will go a long way there.

The brand of seamless underwear is Cosabella and the last time I checked, it is available at Rustan’s. The shoes are from Melissa, also available at Rustan’s.

Lucy

* * *

No Ifs And Butts About It

Dear Rissa, 

I have a thin frame, straight like a ruler. I don’t feel very shapely on both my bust and my butt areas. What can I wear to make myself look curvier?

Luisa  

If you have a thin body frame, you can easily experiment with layering. Layering builds more shape, and if you cinch it off with a big belt at the waist, you’ll give the illusion of a curvier figure. Belts provide an added allure to any frame. It contours the waist, creating an hourglass shape to your figure. Since the belt craze began, the belts have grown bigger and wider. This accessory can dramatically transform a shapeless dress or a pair of jeans and a blouse to an outfit that reveals style and a sexy shape while complementing your figure.

Pair high-waisted wide-legged pants with a fitted blouse to create the same curvy frame. Also try a high-waisted, pencil skirt. Instead of landing at the hip, the high-waist garments draw attention to your waist, the smallest part of the mid-section. With your figure, you can also get away with tops with romantic ruffles, ruching, wide collars, pockets, and flowing blouses, and dresses. Remember that pockets and other visual trimmings on the bust lend visual impact. You can also get away with light and bright colors, and patterns without looking heavy. Always remember, dark colors make heavy areas look smaller while light colors virtually increase size and add more emphasis. It’s all about illusion. 

A recent discovery I stumbled upon is the Wonder Jeans of the brand Salsa. It’s a brand known the world over, but they recently opened their first branch here in Manila on the ground floor of the new wing of Robinsons Place Ermita. I was intrigued by these jeans with a “push-up” effect under the Wonder line. I was skeptical at first because it’s always a challenge to find a pair of well-fitting jeans — so to find one that fits great AND accentuates your behind? This I had to see. I first tried on a pair from their regular line. I was impressed because at my first try, they fit very well. The length, the fit, and the cut were all so flattering. So I decided to try a pair of the much-talked-about Wonder Jeans. After slipping into a pair, I have to admit I was amazed. Not only do these jeans fit great, they can really enhance your silhouette, too. No secret padding here — the website (www.salsajeans.com) explains it’s all about smart engineering with a heart-shaped yoke, curvy pockets, volume marker seams, and extra tight legs. The way these jeans were designed and constructed unbelievably enhances your behind — without surgery or fake padding. They instantly and naturally highlight women’s bottoms. I loved them so much for their fit and fabric (which was ultra comfy) that I ended up buying three pairs. They’re a bit pricier than other jeans but definitely worth it. The style, cut, and fabric allow you to wear them on different occasions, from day to night. For denim lovers, it’s a great investment.

Rissa

* * *

Rx For Perfect Skin

Dear Tingting,

What’s your best advice on how to have perfect skin?

Jane

Update your daily routine. For eye cream, don’t pat on your eye cream. Instead, use the tip of your pinky (the finger with the lightest touch) to gently massage it in a clockwise circle across the lid and underneath the eye 20 to 30 times. Your finger will also warm the product, releasing the active ingredients. The best product: Estee Lauder eye treatments.

For toner, choose an alcohol- and fragrance-free formula suited to your skin type. Use an alcohol-based toner only if you have very oily skin, applying it just at night to unclog pores. The best product: Nutrimetics Pore Reducing Toner with AHA and BHA. Use it with Refine Pore Reducing Moisturizer in the morning and Refine Pore Reducing Beauty Essence at night.

As for sunscreen, don’t do tanning between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Always wear an SPF of 25 or higher. The best products: Sisley Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 25 or SPF 40. They’re rather expensive but worth it as they really block the damaging rays of the sun and they won’t clog your pores.

Some moisturizers I would recommend are the Sisley Anti-Aging Global Day and Night Cream, Biorica, Aveeno, and Retin A for night application.

Use a makeup remover at night before washing your face. Cleanser alone will not remove makeup. The best product: Lancome Bi-Facial Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover. It’s not greasy and you can use it on your entire face. Lancome is available at Rustan’s.

Tingting

* * *

Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com.