Style Buzz: Classics of Camouflage
Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Yes, they were an investment, so why wouldn't I wear them all the time to work?"
A friend and I were chatting about how you can find amazing deals on resale site for pieces that are overlooked by others because they don't know what they're looking at. Case in point: her new Mary Jane's by John Fluevog, who is known for his wild shoe designs. She found a pair (not these!) on Facebook Marketplace for well under their retail price, but they were still a chunk of change. So, she said, she wears them as often as possible because she paid a lot for them, not keeping them pristine in a cupboard.
xxx rachel
CLASSICS OF CAMOUFLAGE
When we talk about “camouflage” in clothing, it can sound as though we’re trying to disguise ourselves, as if our bodies are something that need concealing when really it's just redirecting the eye. Clothing creates movement, breaks up an area, or draws attention somewhere else. It’s less about hiding and more of giving the eye something more interesting to look at.
There are all sorts of tricks for doing this, and they don’t have to involve wearing all black from head to toe. (But if you do that, make it interesting!)
Asymmetry creates movement and stops the eye settling in one place. A diagonal hem, neckline or wrap can be particularly effective. Bias cuts do something similar, allowing fabric to skim rather than sit rigidly across the body. Color blocking can define or break up areas, while different fabric weights and textures add dimension and keep an outfit from becoming one uninterrupted expanse.
Then there’s ruching, gathering and draping. These are particularly useful because the fabric itself creates visual movement and can soften an area without requiring anything to be tight, oversized or uncomfortable.
And sometimes the simplest camouflage is placement. A fabulous necklace can draw the eye upwards. Interesting shoes can pull attention down, and a patterned jacket can be a showstopper.
A few places where these techniques can be useful:
Big tummy: Look for softly draped or ruched tops, longer open layers, and patterns that aren't rigidly horizontal across the middle.
Large bust: V-necks, open necklines and simple fabric around the bust can create a longer, cleaner line.
Broad shoulders: Keep detail and visual interest below the shoulder with interesting trousers, skirts or shoes.
Large thighs: Use color, pattern or texture on the upper body and choose trousers or skirts that skim rather than cling.
Arms you’d rather not spotlight: Three-quarter sleeves are your friend, particularly when finished with an interesting cuff or bracelet.
The important thing is that camouflage should be a tool, not a rule. You don't have to hide anything. You simply get to decide where you want the eye to go!
There are a number of camouflage tricks that go beyond cuts of clothing, and body shape really does come into play for which ones work best, but this is a good place to start on your own. But if you'd rather have someone look at your actual body shape and tell you exactly what works, that's what a Style Profile mini-session is for. Knowledge is power!
ANATOMY OF AN OUTFIT
This is a peek into my favorite outfit of the week where I break it down for you: why I've put it together and why it works, what elements could be swapped out, things to consider, etc.
Not me this week! I bumped into a friend at the Gordon Hotel unexpectedly and was absolutely delighted to see she was wearing a piece I'd given her! I love this vest from White House Black Market - it just wasn't the right fit for me but it suits her perfectly! I adore how she's styled it with a cute white tee underneath, wide leg jeans in a modern light wash, and silver sneakers. The tonal pallet really lets the saddle brown of her tote bag stand out. She's got the proportions right - more fitted on top with wider and looser on the bottom, and the scale of the bag complements that nicely. I also like how she's paired what could be quite structured work-wear with the softer lines of the jeans and tee, mixing silhouettes and styles for her own unique look.
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