Know thy body type!

If there's one thing girls should remember when shopping for an outfit... It should be... "KNOW THY BODY TYPE!"

Let's put it this way... If you have a nice figure (Or an Hour glass shape according to Trinnie & Susannah's "The Body Shape Bible") Go ahead and flaunt it. A Jersey dress is perfect for showing off your curves. Because we all know how this fabric follows the curves of our bodies. But if your think you have big arms, then look for a 3/4 sleeves Jersey dress (In black or navy - Dark colors will make you extra slimmer!) Then wear a pair of nude round toe Wedges! (Why NUDE-tones heels? - Because nude also means skin tone... So never ending legs is what you'll get by wearing these kind of shoes. To look more chic, add some layers long pearl necklaces and an oversized clutch or bag.

Jersey wrap dresses in Black & Navy... Classic workwear.

Nude/Skin-Tonned Wedges are the way to go!

Look extra chick by wearing layers of long pearl necklaces!

OVERSIZED Clutches!(Image from whowhatwear.com)

Before you think I'm some sort of a know it all... I just want to share my experiences when I dress up and when I dress up my mommy dearest. It's up to you if you're going to take my advice or not... But yeah, just want to give you tips to cover our unwanted flaws... Just remember, our flaws shouldn't prevent us from looking and feeling pretty when we go to work or whenever we go out. We're all beautiful girls... So let's show them what we've got! We all have to embrace our assets. Doesn't matter if other people love them or not. Who gives a damn about what they think? It's our body! We should love it, and if we believe we have nice legs, then let's show it off... My point is... If you're scared of dressing up just because you think that you're too big, or fat or whatever... YOU SHOULDN'T BE.

I dress up my mother all the time... I've been her personal stylist since I was in High School. And every time she goes out she gets compliments because she always looks put together. She is actually the one who inspired me to become a stylist. And I've never regretted becoming one because of her. Anyway, I would buy all her clothes from Landmark, ShopWise (YES, the big grocery! FYI they have a really nice selection of clothes there... All you have to do is look and try them on! Go! DON'T BE SCARED OF TRYING ON CLOTHES! You'll never know if it'll look good on you or what) and our local Ukay in Pque (OMG, you'll never guess how many boyfriend blazers I found in our ukay... As well as loose cut pants - Perfect for the ladies with big legs... Cover them up and look sophisticated as well. Don't forget to wear really nice round toed wedges - Why Wedges? Us girls who are on the big built side should refrain from wearing stilettos... Think of a tiny thin boyfriend carrying us... That's how it'll look like if you wear kitten heels and super thin heeled shoes!) Anyway, I know you wouldn't believe me when I say I buy from those stores. But I do. But I'm not that thrift. I also buy my mom clothes from Zara and Dorothy Perkins (Perfect store for girls who are on the heavy side because they have variety of sizes!) I would combine all my Zara and Dorothy Perkins finds with all my ukay and Landmark finds... And tadaaaa! Mommy looks like a first lady.

I think it's all in the matter of perspective... PLEASE... WHEN SHOPPING... DON'T GET THE ONES DISPLAYED ON THE MANNEQUINS. If it does look good on them, there is no guarantee it'll look good on you. This is for us big girls and for petite girls as well. ALWAYS REMEMBER: KNOW THY BODY TYPE! Not all trends/looks will look good on you. Don't try to fit yourself into a dress that is two sizes smaller from your original size. I repeat... EMBRACE THE CURVES LADIES! Below are the 12 different body types according to European stylists Trinnie and Susannah (From their book, "The Body Shape Bible")

So here are some must haves when dressing up tips for us bootie-licious ladies out there!

1.) SPANX - Girls in Hollywood use them, why can't we? BUT before buying Spanx from Rustan's... Please know your size first! Check your size at: Spanx Size Chart PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOUR SIZE FALLS ON THE SHADED AREA, YOU SHOULD GO ONE SIZE UP. You don't want to waste your 3k+++ on nothing right? I suggest you buy the skin tone one... And if you have extra money, buy a black one too. The best Spanx for hiding bulges is the HIGHER POWER SPANX... They cover the unwanted bulges area perfectly. With these, you can wear bodycon dresses with ease! :) Spanx is a good investment... I swear by it, my mother swears by it as well. We bought around 3 Spanx and been using them for years... I just love them... Crazy about them even!

(Image from Spanx.com)

But if you don't have enough budget to buy Spanx... Have you ladies ever heard of the brand "GIGI AMOUR" from the SM Department store? They have a body shaper (a la Spanx) as well. Only for 175php... I bought a nude one and a black one. I haven't used my black one yet, but I use the nude one all the time. I looove it. It feels just like my Spanx, and since it's still new... It hugs better. Say goodbye to bulges!!!

2.) Boyfriend Blazers... If you could invest on one... But one! Don't be ashamed of wearing them. I seriously think some girls are just shy or weary about wearing blazers in public. Ladies, get a black of BOYFRIEND Blazers... Or if you have a brother, borrow their old blazers. Then fold the sleeves and look your outfit more sophisticated and chic. I borrow long sleeved shirts from my brothers all the time. I just fold the sleeves and wear them with worn-out denim shorts and a ten belt plus nude slippers... Tadaaa! Chic outfit for a lunch out with friends! Borrow from your brothers or dads even. Just don't forget to bring them back after! ;)

3.) Straight cut pants/Loose tailored pants - Buy them in wool or pinstripe. And make sure they're tailored. Tailored pants always looks classy. They will make you look chic especially when you wear them with a dressy top and a pair of really pretty wedges.

4.) Wedges and Stacked heel shoes... Please look up what stacked heels are on Google... Then look around the mall and invest on a pair. Buy them in black, red and nude... Gray and Tan if you have extra money. I swear by them ladies... No need to worry about embarrassing yourselves when running on an errands. These shoes are divinely comfortable. AND when buying wedges... Buy the round toe pumps ones... I think the store Leaveland has them... Like super cheap. Also check out the multiply store Five by Five shoes. I looove their shoes! I am still waiting for my pair though... But yeah, avoid buying the Ratan ones... Especially if you're going to wear them to work.

5.) Large Elastic belts... Wear them when you think the dress is not giving justice to your curvy figure. Buy a super loose men's blouse and then use these babies and let them work their magic. Add up a long strand of lariat pearl necklace... And tadaaaa! :)

(Image from etsy.com)

6.) Accessories... Avoid buying chockers that will show off your double chins... Buy lariats or long necklaces, then wear them inside your button down long sleeved shirt. You will look like an executive in a second.

7.) Dark-colored dresses... Buy dresses that are an inch below the knee... Or an inch above the knees if your upper body is proportioned to your lower body... Meaning if you have skinny legs but you have a big tummy and big torso, don't buy above the knee skirts/dresses. The idea is making you look together and sophisticated. Not show off your freakishly thin legs... Believe me. This is if you don't want to be refereed to as Lollipop or Chicken Legs.

8.) Big bags/purses... Oversized clutches and purses are in season anyway... Why not get one? I looove my Marc Jacobs Nylon tote. It is my favorite bag when going out to meet up friends. I'm always being teased for always bringing all my things around. I mean just get one for work and one for going out. Don't you notice how small girls buy enormous bags? Because somehow it makes them a lot smaller... Then what if we big girls use 'em? :)