The Short Girl's Guide to (Seemingly) Unflattering Trends

As someone who falls under the petite category, I can relate to women who feel as though shopping trips are frequently disappointing, trends are generally impossible to mimic on an unnaturally small frame, and when it comes to shoes, comfort always comes second to height. It's exasperating when hems are consistently too long and the sales lady informs you that no, there is no petite section. So, what do you do? How do you survive in a world that favours a tall Naomi Campbell figure? Here are some trends you think you can't pull off, but actually, you can.

WIDE LEG PANTS

What you think:

They cut my legs in half. They make me look like I'm about 12 years old. I'm a torso on tree trunks.

The reality:

With a high-waisted cut and some wedges, this look can actually slim down the waistline and lengthen the body. Bonus? They're a major trend this season.

via glamourparis.com

THE MAXI DRESS

What you think: 

I look so short. I can never wear flats with this. I'm drowning.

The reality:

A body hugging maxi dress offers a slimming and lengthening effect on a shorter woman. It's easy to shorten if necessary and some of them even come in the right length for you. If you find one with double slits, even better.

via blglovin.com

THE MIDI SKIRT

What you think:

I look fat. I have no legs. Where are my legs?

The reality:

Worn with the right pair of heels, a midi skirt can be very flattering on a petite girl. Make sure to get one that's high-waisted and that falls right below the knee.

via fashionstylemag.com

CULOTTES

What you think:

I can never wear cropped pants, especially the wide kind. This isn't happening. My legs aren't happening.

The reality:

Once again, high-waisted is KEY. A mid-sized heel is better than no heel but if you're bold, feel free to go flat.

via whowhatwear.com

AN OVERSIZED COAT

What you think:

I will get eaten. This is enormous. Help me.

The reality:

If you get a knee-length version, you'll still achieve that long-legged look you crave. You'll also look like a (hot) munchkin.

via buro247.kz

OVER THE KNEE BOOTS

What you think:

I have no legs. And I look like a hooker.

The reality:

You're wrong. You have more leg than ever before and with a short skirt, it's a great alternative to tights.

via fashionbloggers.pe

Have I revolutionized your life? Which look will be wearing?

Ponder it,

Bella

Why This Summer Will Be All About Those Braids

As much as I love leaving my hair loose and blowing in the wind, when summer hits, I find it best to keep it tucked away to avoid sweaty neck syndrome. As someone who lives in a humid city, I know that letting your hair down can cause some serious frizz and may not always be the best choice. Luckily, I learned how to braid my hair this year and not just the basic way.

As a little girl, I always found braids beautiful and enjoyed making bracelets with string to mimic a look I couldn't master on my head. I found it to be therapeutic and relaxing, and I aspired to learn how to recreate the look with my hair. All this time, I never thought I could master the braid and alas, I opted for a simple blow dry. Until now.

A braid can take on a variety of forms. Whether a fishtail, a french braid, a braided headband, or even a crown, there are so many options to choose from. If you search the word "braid" on Pinterest, you'll find an abundance of looks that don't limit you to the traditional three strand braid.

With the 70s being the fashion decade of the moment, the hippie look is very a propos and nothing goes better with wide leg pants, fringe, and suede jackets, than a few braids in your hair.

Here are ten braided looks from the runway to inspire you.

Marissa Webb S/S 2015 - cosmopolitan.co.uk

Valentino S/S 2015 Couture - style.com

Giorgio Armani S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Chanel S/S 2015 Couture - vogue.co.uk

Bibhu Mohaparta S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Michael Kors S/S 2015 - thisisglamorous.com

Suno S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Mara Hoffman S/S 2015 - via wwd.com

Peter Som S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Marco de Vicenzo S/S 2015 - fashionising.com

Will you be braiding your hair this upcoming season? If so, which braid is your favourite?

Ponder it,

Bella

10 Ways To Wear Your Denim This Summer

As an avid lover of denim, I'm a firm believer that you can go every day of your life with one piece of denim in your outfit and not get bored. Call me Canadian, but I'm a huge fan of the large amount of variations on this multi-seasonal look that never goes out of style. Denim has been a closet staple since the 1980s with icons like Jane Birkin and Kate Moss owning this look time and time again. You can dress it up and dress it down. You can wrap it around your waist or even on your head. Denim is the most versatile fabric on the market and I'm eager to try every version of it that I can. Here are ten ways you can wear it this summer.

NUMBER 10

As A Skirt

At Chloe, the button-front jean skirt made a star appearance and I have been in love ever since. With Normcore being the norm this year, jean skirts are back from the grave and a fashion staple no less.

Chloe S/S 2015 - style.com

NUMBER 9

With More Denim

Take it from Olivia Palermo, the Canadian tuxedo is one to try this summer. Whoever thought you could wear too much denim never wore it like a fashion girl.

via bloglovin.com

NUMBER 8

As Cutoffs

With festival season in our midst, denim cutoffs are a closet must. Warm weather demands that they be worn so wear them like you're 16 again.

via whowhatwear.com

NUMBER 7

As Boyfriend Jeans

Skinny jean who? With skinny jeans slowly easing out of the picture, baggy ripped boyfriend jeans are the new trend of the moment that's capturing everyone's attention. Are you ready to give it a shot?

via popsugar.com

NUMBER 6

As Overalls

Summer is the perfect time to release your inner child and with the latest news that Full House is returning as "Fuller House" on Netflix, overalls couldn't be more relevant.

via whowhatwear.com

NUMBER 5

With 70s Flair

Since the boho look has resurfaced, so has the wide leg. Best worn with a sky high wedge, are you gutsy enough to try this look?

via glamradar.com

NUMBER 4

As A Dress

A jean dress is the perfect summer look because all you have to do is slip it on and you're ready to go. Whether you choose to wear it with your crisp new sneakers or a pair of wedges, that's your choice. Either way, when it comes to denim, anything goes.

via luckymag.com

NUMBER 3

As A Jacket

A jean jacket is the ideal closet staple for those breezy summer nights. It's casual and put together without taking away from your outfit.

via wwd.com

NUMBER 2

With Embellishment

Are you bold enough to wear embellished jeans? Seen at Dolce & Gabbana and Ashish, this look was a major crowd pleaser on the Spring 2015 runways.

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 15 - sophiazchoice.tumblr.com

NUMBER 1

All Patched Up

Who needs uniform denim anyway?

MM6 Maison Martin Margiela - style.com

Which one will you be wearing this season?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

Is In-Store Shopping Going Out of Style?

When I was a little girl, I grew up in a neighborhood with a strip mall at a ten-minute driving distance from my house and a giant mall built in heaven at my fingertips. I eagerly anticipated every Sunday when I'd get to peruse the shops, touch all the wonderful clothes, and fall in love with a shoe or six. As a grown woman, I've never gotten over that excitement of stepping into a store and letting the outfit ideas flow as I grab at every piece that screams my name.

via frugalicious.net

And then, online shopping came along. Everyone raves about this new and exciting system that doesn't require leaving your home. Yes, you can shop in your pyjamas at 4am as you stuff your face with kale hoping to fit into those skinny jeans you spotted on the Zara website, but is that really how you want to experience your shopping?

Whenever I think of online shopping, words like credit card theft pop into my head. I also feel like a couch potato who is digging herself a whole of debt.

And if there's nothing I hate more, it's laziness and debt.

via kadvacorp.com

This new system feeds into these indulgences and promotes two horrible states of existence. At the click of a button, your entire credit card limit can be reached. Of course, your natural impulse may be to extend it, but then you would proceed to drown until you're forced to have a garage sale of your fab vintage finds.

Now, I don't HATE online shopping. However, I do feel as though in-store shopping is one of those things that should never disappear. There's something about touching those clothes that helps you develop a personal connection. You feel it against your skin and you just know it's the one, like your future mate.

Shopping in a store should never go obsolete because if that happens, we will no longer have a reason to wear those fabulous clothes that aren't suitable for the workplace.

For those of you who actually don't have time to shop, play it old school. Save your bucks and twice a year, head to the shops for some splurging. You may actually enjoy that more.

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

10 Times Kendall Jenner Was Cooler Than All Of Us

Let's get one thing straight. I'm not the type of person to admire a celebrity to the point of obsession and follow their every move on US Weekly, but I'm starting to develop a girl crush on Kendall Jenner. No, I haven't watched more than half an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians. I also happen to think that Kim needs some style tips, perhaps from her more stylish husband Kanye or baby girl North. As for the others, I couldn't care less what they do because they don't exactly affect my day-to-day life. Whether Kendall made it for being associated with the Kardashians or not, she's officially on everyone's hit list and it can't be denied that the girl is a talented model. Not convinced? Here are ten ways in which Kendall has made it in the industry and continues to rise.

Let's start with the magazine covers.

NUMBER 10

She recently covered LOVE magazine with fellow model and (br)it-girl Cara Delevingne.

via eonline.com

NUMBER 9

She just landed on GQ in a sexy white bikini and caught the attention of every male eye (and possibly female).

via gq.com

NUMBER 8

She was also the cover star for Teen Vogue (Vogue is probably on its way).

via teenvogue.com

NUMBER 7

And remember when she did bombshell curls on Allure? (Don't you wish your hair was as hot as mine?)

via nydailynews.com

Now, moving on to her ad campaigns.

NUMBER 6

She's the face of Estee Lauder.

via hollywoodlife.com

NUMBER 5

She was featured in a Givenchy group ad photo (in the back, but no matter).

via perezhilton.com

NUMBER 4

She's also Marc Jacob's new girl.

via eonline.com

NUMBER 3

And looks great in the latest Calvin ad #MyCalvins.

via dailymail.co.uk

ALSO...

NUMBER 2

Everyone loves to photograph her at Coachella weekend (more than anyone else, it seems)

via fashionbombdaily.com

NUMBER 1

AND she's about to become a Fendi girl.

via Instagram

She may be the girl you love to love or love to hate, but her success in the fashion industry is beyond any of her siblings. What will she do next? I know I'm eager to find out.

XOXO,

Bella

#IconCity: The Effortless Giuliana Rancic

At every Red Carpet Event, we zero in on our favourite celebrities to mentally determine whether they fall under the category of best or worst dressed. Occasionally, a non-performer catches our attention because their fashion sense tops them all. Allow me to introduce the lovely Giuliana Rancic. She may just be a host on Fashion Police and E!, but she earned this spot in Icon City due to her spot on taste and consistent sartorial choices. Giuliana is known for taking fashion risks and wearing striking gowns by lesser known designers at the hottest Red Carpet events. Even off duty, she is always dressed to perfection.

Here are five of her best looks:

LOOK 1

Giuliana Rancic looks like the image of femininity in this flared Tony Ward dress. The retro waves complete this 50s glam look.

via instyle.com

LOOK 2

Giuliana loves herself a little red dress. She is one of the few people who can look sexy and adorable with one outfit.

via eonline.com

LOOK 3

While black may be a traditional and uninteresting choice for most, on Giuliana, it has that wow factor. With that breathtaking updo, she's the Red Carpet queen.

via dailymail.co.uk

LOOK 4

Giuliana goes full out girly in a Maria Lucia Hohan baby pink dress. The silhouette is fresh and feminine and only suitable for a princess.

via eonline.com

LOOK 5

My favourite look from Giuliana? This red Mireille Dagher dress with floral appliques that she wore at this year's Oscars. Can you say fashion vixen?

via elle.com

What do you think of Giuliana's style choices? Which one is your favourite?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

How To Wear Yellow Without Looking 12

Last May, I wrote about my mysterious case of yellow fever (read here), a plague I have endured for most of my life. This year, the colour yellow is once again de rigueur and it's about to become everyone's favourite colour. With the grim and gruesome winter we've had, we're all craving that sunshine like children back from fat camp crave cake, and alas, it is at our fingertips. Our version of the sundance? Wearing lots and lots of yellow. This year, the hue is brighter than ever on blouses and skirts, and for the bolder ones amongst us, dresses. But how do we make yellow look more sophisticated garden party than little girl crashing said sophisticated garden party? Here is your personalized guide to wearing the colour and avoiding this blunder.

TIP 1:

Keep your accessories yellow and your outfit subdued. Nothing says chic and ladylike like a pair of stilettos, even in a whimsical hue like yellow.

via fabsugar.com

 TIP 2:

Combine it with your best black and white look. A cropped blazer is always flattering and as the topping on your mini dress, it projects an elegance that doesn't scream for attention.

via popsugar.com

TIP 3:

Try wearing yellow on a lace skirt in a straight cut to project a more grown up look that remains ultra feminine. Combine it with a subtle gray and you're golden.

via theimprint.theimpression.com

TIP 4:

Top your Little Yellow Dress with a nude poncho to create a classier look. Drape it over your shoulders like only a true fashionista would.

via harpersbazaar.com

TIP 5:

If you're going to opt for a girly coat, wear it over a classic LBD to ensure sophistication. Bows are pretty, but only when juxtaposed with your natural sex appeal.

via harpersbazaar.com

TIP 6: 

Try a darker shade of yellow in an architectural cut that oozes confidence and class. Everyone knows that if you're wearing mustard, you mean business.

via fashionista.com

TIP 7: 

Combine your yellow with another bold colour like green to make a style statement. You'll be the talk of the party.

via harpersbazaar.com

TIP 8:

Nothing is classier than a turtle neck sweater. A bright yellow keeps it young and fresh rather than constricted.

via vogue.es

Now, I must ask: do you have yellow fever too?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella