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Vicky Carlson is in a MyShape dressing room wearing a maxi dress by AGB with a crocheted empire bodice. Tall, lithe and athletic, she does a slow, self-assessing twirl in front of the mirror. The colorful, tiered skirt gently swirls around her legs. There’s no denying the burnt-orange accent color picks up the hue of her glorious, viking-red hair and the earth tones warm her porcelain complexion. But a maxi dress is an unfamiliar look for her, something she never would’ve chosen. She pauses, unsure, and contemplates her reflection.
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This thoroughly engaging winner of the MyShape Wardrobe Makeover Sweepstakes has come in for a new look. Her contest submission photo showed her in hospital scrubs (medical billing has been just one of her careers), but she’d just landed a new job—in the fashion industry, no less—and was in need of help. She sat down with Patty Fox, MyShape’s chief creative officer and fashion coordinator for the Academy Awards®, to create a new look.
Patty advised that the way to get a workable, budget-friendly wardrobe quickly is to think about something called capsule dressing. Look for convertible pieces—pieces that can serve multiple functions—and put them together to create a number of looks. “With Vicky’s new fashion job, her wardrobe needs to look pulled together and polished. The best way to do that is to create a single color story,” Patty says.
Since MyShape creates a free online Personal Shop™ for each of its members, filled with clothes that fit and flatter™ each woman, Patty had considerable choices to offer Vicky. First pick? Level 99’s chambray denim dress. “The button-front closure allows it to function so many different ways,” Patty explains. “It’s certainly a classic dress and is absolutely perfect for the office. But it instantly transforms into a tunic with, say, a pair of skinny jeans or cropped leggings beneath it. And if Vicky layers a top underneath, it becomes a jumper. It even works as a long vest or jacket. And with its soft tie belt, Vicky’s waist curve is beautifully enhanced.”
Next up was AGB’s wide waistband pant. Patty says it’s a good pick because of its non-monochromatic, weathered brown coloring. “That helps expand the colorations of the capsule,” she explains. “It creates a more sophisticated coordination if the trouser can be paired with, say, a charcoal or black jacket. A solid brown would’ve been much more limiting and uninspired.”
Vicky was thrilled Patty picked the black Calvin Klein skinny jeans that showed up in her Personal Shop—and that the jeans were long enough for her coltish legs. She felt wonderfully comfortable in them and thought she could even get away with a high heel or platform. For a top, August Silk’s ribbed sweater beautifully incorporated the color story and also worked equally well with the trouser or jean. Its knitted rib beautifully enhanced her curves, and the ruffled hem made her waist look very slim by comparison.
The sculpted dress is the trend right now, and Studio 1’s color-block sheath with its wide, banded waist was another style Patty selected that Vicky said she loved. Patty pointed out that the horizontal seams above and below the waistline are perfect demarcation points and paired with the wide waistband help to shape the waist. Also, the shoulder-extending cap sleeves make the waist seem slim by comparison.
Vicky was delighted that by using the capsule system she could buy six pieces that translated into numerous outfits. Going forward, she’ll be able to get more tips, capsule looks and information by clicking on the Style Me tab at myshape.com.
But then there’s that maxi dress…
Vicky stares at her reflection in the mirror and thinks about her new job, her new life. It would be a perfect eHarmony date look! Suddenly the contemplative look becomes a wide smile. With her new job, her life is about to transform again, and she’s ready to face the challenge. As she puts it, “It’s time to make some changes in my life.” Delighted, she does another twirl in front of the mirror.
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