The Nautical Look: How to and Who Can

Who loves stripes? I DO!! I will admit I get very excited when I see stripes pop up in the newest fashions, whether it is in a classic nautical look or something more contemporary, I just loves stripes!

But can everyone wear them? I find many people have a love them or hate them relationship when it comes to stripes. While some people – like me – will take every opportunity to incorporate stripes into their wardrobes, there are others – some of you I’m sure – who would automatically say they never wear stripes. Some might even go so far as to say they can’t wear stripes.

Is it true that some people can’t pull off stripes? As a lover of the stripe myself, I believe everyone can wear them, it just takes knowing where on your body, when and how much.

There are a number of things to consider however, I have just considered the main factor that has the biggest impact in this blog.

Today I want to show you a few outfits that are new for this season and that demonstrate the effect of stripes. I’ll also give you some tips for wearing stripes, just in case you are or are open to becoming a ‘believer.’

Wearing stripes, as with pulling off many patterns, comes down to knowing your body shape. It is also important to understand that stripes, like many patterns, will draw attention to the area on which they are worn and in the case of stripes, will elongate or widen that part of your body. Perhaps with a better understanding you stripe haters out there will be converted…

• If you are a broad inverted triangle, avoid horizontal stripes on your upper half; they will only make you feel broader. Vertical stripes however can give the illusion that your torso is longer than it is so they may have the effect of being slimming.
• If you are an inverted triangle, you can also wear stripes on your lower half to create the look of balance between your upper and lower selves.
• If you are a strong triangle, wear stipes on the upper half only, again to balance your shape but in the opposite way.
• If you are a strong inverted triangle, try a horizontal striped dress with a cap sleeve on an angle and a lower neckline. Sounds complicated I know but if this is your shape you’ll know exactly what I mean.
• If you are an hourglass shape, you can wear stripes all over. Show off that womanly, shapely figure girls! If you feel you have a bit of a heavy bottom horizontal stripes might be better focused on your top half to accent your curves there.
• If you are an oval shape (a bit heavy through your mid-section), avoid horizontal stripes as an outer layer. You can still have fun with stripes, perhaps with thin striped t-shirt under a plain cardy or jacket, or with a fun scarf of bag, just avoid making stripes the main feature you are wearing. Remember again that vertical stripes can have a slimming effect.
• If you are a rectangle, definitely wear horizontal stripes. They will be fabulous, especially in a dress.
• If you are a triangle, narrow in the shoulders and perhaps flatter in the chest, bring horizontal stripes to the top half – a strapless crop would be perfect!

Now that you’ve caught a glimpse of the power of stripes, go forth, try on and experiment with the glorious stripe!