Jalisa’s Fashion Files

BLOUSE: Marshalls // JEANS: The Limited // PURSE: Marc Jacobs (Nordstrom Rack) // SHOES: Groovy (Annie Sez) // LIP COLOR: Milani Cosmetics (Rose Amour #33)

Happy Hump Day!

Today's look is feminine and fun, a combination I love, especially during this time of year! You all know by know that my favorite color is pink and red is a close fav, and I absolutely love it combined with blue, particularly ice or baby blue. I feel it makes the look a bit playful and allows the pink to truly pop. Oh and doesn't the graffiti background remind you of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?! 

Anyway, I combined the top and softer washed denim together, which creates more of a monochromed look, since they're within the same color palette and have similar hues. As you may know, monochrome (a look that has the same color or similar colors) helps to visually slim and elongate the entire body (who wouldn't want that?!). This is a great strategy to keep in mind if you're petite or in the process of loosing weight or just simply want to appear thinner. I wouldn't, on the other hand, suggest this method if you have a long torso or if you're taller and don't want to appear even taller than you are. If you do try this method when styling and are a rectangular shape, I'd consider tucking in your blouse or perhaps wear a belt to help differentiate or visually break up your upper and lower half, since monochrome can make you appear as just one long being, if that makes any sense-I hope it does! Here's an example of what I mean...PS: the look I'm wearing would look great as is for all other body shapes ;)

I hope you enjoyed the post! Stop by again on Friday for another outfit idea and style tip ;)

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TANK: Cynthia Rowley (Marshalls) // PANTS: a.gain // PURSE: Dooney & Bourke (Marshalls) // SHOES: BCBGeneration (TjMaxx) // LIPSTICK: Milani Cosmetic's Sweet Nectar (01)

Happy Monday!

I hope you're all off to a good start to your week. Today it felt as though we skipped past spring and jumped right into summer; no complaints here! It felt great being able to wear a tank and some vibrant colors, even though I don't let the lack of sun keep me away from my color! I'm loving printed bottoms this season, so you'll definitely be seeing more posts of me wearing them. I'm not going to lie, it can be a bit of a challenge, since I'm a pear shape and these particular pants that are trendy are high waisted, but loose around the hips and butt. While that may sound like it would be flattering, it really isn't. It actually makes those areas appear a little larger. The way I like to combat that effect is to wear a bold color on my lip to draw attention to my face, that way all the attention is not placed on my hips. 

This look would be perfect for an apple or inverted triangle shape because it adds some interest and visual weight to the lower portion of the body, which is super flattering in those cases. The rectangular shape would also look great in a more loose fitting printed pant, since it can also add some hips and help differentiate the top and bottom portions of the body. But what does one do if she's a pear or hourglass shape who's not feeling great about the way her lower body looks in pants such as these? I'd suggest wearing them with perhaps a bardot top (perhaps even a bardot crop top-super cute!) to help visually widen the upper body to balance out the lower half. Take a look at the example I created below: 

I hope you enjoyed the post and felt inspired! Thanks so much for stopping by and come again on Wednesday for my next post!

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FAUX LEATHER JACKET: BLANKNYC (Bloomingdales) // DRESS: Sans Soucci (Marshalls) // SHOES: GUESS (Macy's) // RING: TjMaxx (gifted)

Happy Saturday everyone!

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend so far. This look will hopefully give you an idea of what you can wear tonight, if you're planning on going out, but stumped on what to wear. You know, the common problem us women have, a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear! I purchased this vegan leather jacket sometime during the beginning of April. It was honestly love at first sight! I have been searching for a pink leather jacket for what seems like forever and I just hadn't found one I really liked, until I saw this one! I've been reaching for it so much lately and I'm surprised to have learned that it goes with a lot more than one might think; I'll try to include more looks featuring it, so you can see for yourselves.

Now I know the odds of you all having a printed dress with the same exact color scheme is unlikely, but it can at least give you an idea of some colors it would look great with, such as green and blue, two colors found in the dress. If you don't have a pink leather jacket, a pink blazer would work just as well. Below are some suggestions of looks I created for the different body shapes, I am wearing the pear shaped version. 

Why this look works for the apple shape? Since this particular jacket has an extended color and has more of a moto style, which can add some visual weight to the bust area of the apple shape, I selected a dress with a v-neck, which will counteract that effect. The v-neck helps to elongate the bust area and trunk of the body, making it appear slimmer and narrow. Not only is the dress a v-neck, it also has a fold over detail at the bust, which helps to visually slim the bust area. Lastly, the dress is a bit shorter and I encourage you apple shapes to wear shorter dress and skirts, of course being tasteful, because you all gave killer legs, show them off! As for the shoes, I gave you two options. If you want to wear pink, as I did, then these studded ones by Steve Madden are perfect! They are chunky and a bit edgy, which I love. Plus, since they're chunky, they will help add some visual weight to your legs, essentially balancing out your upper portion. If you're not fond of those, then these black beaded ones by Sam Edelman are a perfect alternative! They're perfect for spring/summer and the detail will help draw attention to those legs!

Both the rectangular and hourglass shapes can wear much of the same pieces, since both shapes are pretty much symmetrical. The main difference between the two is the waistline. The rectangular shape doesn't have an as defined waistline as the hourglass shape does, which isn't a big deal, since one can be achieved through simple styling strategies. Since the jacket falls around the waistline, it will create a mid focal point for the rectangular shape (essentially creating that waistline), while re-emphasizing it for the hourglass shape. Lastly, I selected these Ivanka Trump sandals with multicolored straps in the front to tie in with the dress, while adding some different color. The base of the shoe is back, so it doesn't look too much. If you're uncomfortable wearing a bit more color, which I encourage you all to step outside your comfort zone, select a basic black sandal and it would also work.

I hope you enjoyed this post and use it as a guide in getting ready for tonight, you're gunna look fabulous dahling! 

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SWEATER: Juicy Couture (Saks 5th Avenue Outlet)  // JEANS: New York & Company // SUNNIES: Salvatore Ferragamo (outlet store) // SHOES: Steve Madden (Marshalls) 

Hey everyone! 

Today's look is a an all grey look mixed with some hints of red. I love wearing a monochrome outfit with some subtle pops of color, I feel it truly enhances the overall look. What I love about grey is that any color you choose will definitely look great paired with it, so don't feel as though you need to select red, choose your favorite color! Another color I'd go for is neon yellow this time of year! What I also love about monochrome is that it makes the overall body look great, regardless of your shape. The reason is that it creates an overall lengthening and slimming effect, which is great, especially if you're petite, but aren't too fond of wearing heels; heels aren't your only option in creating some visual height ;) 

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VEST: Calvin Klein (Marshalls) // TANK: Cynthia Rowley (Marshalls) // JEANS: Guess // PURSE: Michael Kors (Marshalls) // SHOES: BCBGeneration (TjMaxx)

Hi everyone,

I hope you're having an awesome start to your Tuesday! One of the most common questions I get is, "what brand of jeans do you suggest for bottom curvier women?" My answer is always as follows, "Guess, 7 for all mankind, and New York & Company." In today's look, I'm wearing Guess high waisted jeans and I love them! They are super comfy and they fit great; I don't have any gaping in the back, as I would with other brands. There are a number of ways you can style high waisted jeans, here I chose to style them in a way that would be suitable for a dress down day at the office. The look is a bit casual, but still reads classy and professional, regardless of the rip detailing on the knees, which I love! I paired theM with a long dressier vest by Calvin Klein, which is great for either work or for a day off when you want to still look polished. I, surprisingly, didn't add any pops of color because I wanted the look the to be clean and a bit muted, having the styles and shapes (cut out detail on the shoes) to really come forth. Of course you can add some subtile color with a purse or piece of jewelry, but if the look is for work, I'd suggest limiting the color or patterns because the outfit will appear too casual for work, which of course depends on your work environment. 

When it comes to body shapes, really any shape can wear this look because there isn't any one part of the body that's being highlighted or concealed. If you're petite, I'd suggest that you consider the length of the vest, as it can appear too large. If you do like the way the elongated vests look, select a style that's a bit more fitted and that stops no longer than mid thigh, if you plan on wearing heels. If you're planning on wearing flats, I suggest a style that comes up a bit higher, perhaps a little past the hips. 

I hope you all found this post helpful and don't forget to stop by again on Thursday for another post. Oh, I mentioned in Sunday's post that I'm looking to make some major changes to the blog and one of the things I want to know is if you prefer posts every other day or daily (Mon-Fri)? Let me know! 

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