Those three words. Three little words that you never want to hear when you step out of a dressing room: “Oh, honey. No.”
I have heard those words many a times, from prom dress shopping to wedding dress shopping. Those words have taunted me through dressing rooms across the country. I wake up screaming at night because of those three little words and un-tilted dressing room mirrors.
If you are anything like me, you too have cried at the mere sight of yourself in one of those terrible 360 degree mirrors at Target. (Why do they put those behind you like that? It’s cruel, don’t they want to make money?) You too have gone through countless outfits in the mornings, saying “I look fat” while eating a pop tart. You too have said the phrase “I hate _____” about almost every part of your body. But my dear friends, I have the cure. (And for $19.99 plus shipping and handling, it can be yours too.)
Because of the reasons listed above, I was thrilled to hear that Academic Chic was putting on the Dress Your Best week again. As a fan of the Chics and dressing my best, I love the idea of figuring out what works best for your body and dressing it. Not hiding what you hate, but enhancing what you love. So this week, I’ll be dressing my best along with many other bloggers that you can find over at Academic Chic.
Today I am posting about my curves. At 5’9″, I’m somewhere in between a 6 and an 8 — and I’m a-okay with that. Growing up I looked like an Olsen Twin, I was so skinny. It’s been said before that I was all arms and legs (but that was before I had a torso). And then something terrible happened in 10th grade: I got boobs and I got hips. This was a devasting discovery. And it was literally overnight. Going from looking 12 to looking 20 takes a very awkward toll on one’s self esteem and it has taken me about 10 years to figure out just how to dress for my body. For years I would copy what my friends wore, even though they looked nothing like me. But once I figured out that this is my body and it’s not going to change unless I eat lettuce and exercise, I discovered magic. I’ve learned to fake my way through with the help of strategically placed belts, heels, and skirts. In fact, one of the best magic trick I ever learned was this: Pencil Skirts. Pencil skirts are magical. I’ve never met a pencil skirt I didn’t like. A simple pencil skirt can take an ordinary outfit and turn it into (office appropriate) awesomeness. I also learned the long lost art of the tuck and belt (my two favorite tricks). A good belt along a high waisted pencil skirt somehow tricks the eye into thinking that you look amazing. This is a magic trick that works every time. Although some people shy away from tucking in, I love it. It brings definition and structure to what seems like a boring outfit.
See exhibit A (or should I say Exhibit Boring): 
No need for exhibit B. You get the idea. So let’s all agree to skirt, tuck and belt, k?
60 Responses
hear hear! i love the tuck-in-and-belt trick.
p.s. welcome baaaaaaaack! we missed you while you were away.
Loved this post (and outfit! all hail the pencil skirt!). As a 5'10", size 8/10 lady I very much appreciated it. You look fantastic!
Adorable! I'm still learning how to dress these hips of mine. I do enjoy pencil skirts with an adorable blouse tucked in though. I agree, super flattering.
xo
Without even knowing it had a name…a few days ago I did the tuck-in-and-belt trick as seen here http://required2beinspired.blogspot.com/2010/05/7-months.html
I can't believe that for way too many years my skirted outfits looked more like "Exhibit A"
oh wow that's funny before I even read what you wrote and was just looking at your outfit pictures I was thinking wow she is soo skinny!!!
You look beautiful!!
Great illustration of tuck & belt.
Love the outfit 🙂
Amen to the pencil skirts and tucking in! I've found it's the only way to give my very boyish lack of a waist self a lovely hourglass look. Cheers!
Ah, you look fantastic! it's so awesome to read these posts of you ladies loving yourself (sexy?) so much! I might have to jump on this bandwagon for my next post!
xoxo-
Annie (and the jets!)
Gorgeous! I like "tuck and belt" much more than "bend and snap". Finally a catchy 3 syllable phrase for women to utter!
I really want to get an aa pencil skirt but i have no idea what size to get it in? hmmmph. No store in my town so I have to order it in…
looooks great on you though!
I adore this sweet feminine look on you…and, incidentally, green is my favorite color. And you're right. The tuck-and-belt DID trick my eyes (which are green) into thinking you look amazing.
I love a good tuck and a belt too. Instantly makes woman look like they have the smallest waist ever to exist.
http://ramblingofasmalltowngirl.blogspot.com/
I got the magic stick..
omg i love that you posted that last oicture!! Such proof that belting and tucking is amazing!
Ooh yay, the "tuck and belt"… is that at all the like "bend and snap"? Seriously though, this look is so flattering on you and the green top is such a lovely color and shape!
Oh yes I am a big fan of the tuck and belt! It helps disguise a freakly long torso and lhort legs!
That top is cute. I agree, tucking in your shirt and wearing a wasit skirt is really just flattering.
Looking foxy. Those shoes are from Target!? Awesome.
Agreed! Pencil skirts can make you look amazing, especially with the tucked blouse. I love this green blouse on you. So very pretty, Kendi.
your curves make you beautiful!
L
This is such a lovely outfit, and a great post! I have always thought you were so much smaller. You have really figured out how to make your body look like a size 2 everyday!
Love this outfit. What a beautiful tribute to loving your curves! You look fantastic, lady!
You always looks fantastic and have such a great figure. I think Stacy and Clinton (from WNTW) call it Illusion Dressing. You do it so well, although you hardly need it 🙂
Love this trick!! I started doing this after discovering how much better I look.
Love the skirt.
There's no eye-tricking here; you just look so good in this outfit! I love the little belt.
🙂
YES YES YES! I totally agree, tuck tuck tuck!
I love this outfit!
And I'm a big fan of curves…especially since I have them!
You look absolutely beautiful, Kendi 🙂 – and I have curves too (that also developed seemingly overnight) so I'm with you there. This is a great challenge, I think I need to participate.
Also, I've been stalking those Target shoes for over a year. I missed out when they were being sold. Love them.
flnw.blogspot.com
Love this outfit! You loo great!
Great post! I remember when I got slapped with my own pair of hips and a chest while all of my other friends were still rails. It really does wreck your self-esteem. Way to embrace your curves!
Kendi are you shoeless in your Exhibit Boring??! If so, as a Kentuckian I fully support the no shoe movement. Much like I support the tuck and belt movement. Although the tuck and belt is a little more restricting than liberating – but it tis magic so I'll take the restriction most days of the week.
Ps, loving the 2 recent anthro items!
Seriously, how did we LIVE before belting and tucking? I know I looked like a sack of potatoes myself.
Love the flirty little details of this outfit.
Agreeeeeed. I love pencil skirts. Whoever invented them (Mr. Pencil, I presume) deserves a kiss. From every woman on Earth.
Melanie@Unravelled Threads
Wow! I just found your blog, love it.
I've got curves too but never actually tried a pencil skirt, I see I've made a big mistake, will correct it right away. You look amazing.
kendi, you look fabulous! i recently discovered your blog and you are already one of my favorites.
i love your sense of humor on being tall and having awkward feelings. i am 5'9" too and i sometimes feel like an oddball (especially as a teacher of small children).
have a great day from a fellow texan!
I never would have thought about that! I think you are adorable in both, but the tucked one is definitely better. Thanks so much for this tip!
This outfit looks so great on you! Now excuse me as I go buy a pencil skirt immediately…
You are SO right about the shirt, tuck, and belt thing. I'm 5'2" and my torso is long as a dachshund and wearing a high waisted skirt does the trick.
Love your outfit. And your post. I wish we could be friends and hang out.
It's all about the belt and tuck! As an 8/10 torso lady and a 10/12/14 butt and legs lady, I know that it's all about the curves.
P.S. Do people really still eat Pop Tarts?
I feel your pain! At least you have the height to compensate for your curves, to stretch them out a bit. Now, imagine being the same size as you (6 on top, 8 on the bottom) and 5 foot even. Some days I REALLY have to work on not looking like a really kitschy vase. 🙂
I did the tuck-in-and-belt thing on Tuesday and got a comment from my aunt that I really shouldn't do that because it just brings attention to my waist and that's not necessarily a good thing.
Heh. I might forward your post to her. You look lovely!
I'll admit I'm totally weirded out right now. My friend sent me your blog when she saw your name. Never have a met another person with my name…and the "right" spelling. I was skeptical, but your blog is fabulous. you have a new follower. Oh, and btw – moving back to texas in 3 days. you think that state is big enough for 2 Kendi's? 🙂
Super cute top, I love the print and color. I too am a huge fan of the tuck, belt and skirt method. And regarding those hideous dressing room mirrors: I was recently at a bathing suit store and they had mirrors (and signs above them) that were "tinted to improve skin tones" (and self-esteem). Of course I found a suit there that worked and I think all clothing stores should buy these mirrors and throw out the ones that make me look pudgy.
areasontobefabulous.blogspot
I've had a hard time with dressing for my body type before. My mother is about the same short height as me, 5'2" so she assumed we would fit into the same things, but actually I have much longer legs, bigger boobs, and less toned arms then she does, so we've had a few wars over the fact that I will never look like her, but now that I've accepted that I feel a lot better about my body image and have more fun dressing.
cheers, honey. the tuck and belt has saved many an outfit. I love that top, such a pretty color and great draping.
Betty Noir
Oh Kendi, you are fabulous!
I'm with ya, sistah! Tucking, belting, and pencil skirts are like my fashion BFFs.
also, word verification today: bagness
very cute! I love the color and ruffle to the top!
Love this! Anthropologie is my favoriteee, I always love their patterns. That printed top is awesome! Great showing of how to dress for your body type.
I love the high-waisted skirt! The way you wear it is so retro but still comtemporary. Very nice.
Hi quick question, is that the 'Interlock High-Waist Skirt' from American Apparel (http://store.americanapparel.net/rsa7300.html?cid=151)? I was going to buy that one a week or so ago but wasn't sure how it would fit. I'm about the same size 6-8. Can you let me know what size you ordered?
Thanks!
jesscredible — this skirt is a large, but I bought it when I was a little bit bigger. Now I would probably go for the medium because it stretches out pretty easily. I remember it being pretty tight when I bought it, but its lost some elasticity as I've owned it.
I love it though, one of the best skirts I own.
I agree with your wonderful magic tricks!! I usually like wearing A-shaped skirts and dresses with belts accentuating my waist because it highlights my best features while hiding my hips. I sure wish I could wear pencil skirts like you do, they accentuate my hips so not the best option.
You look beautiful btw 😉
http://www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com
I love this! Sadly I tend to only do the untuck, but I think you have me convinced to try the tuck and belt. We'll see how it goes!
You are beautiful and your outfits are adorable! It's refreshing to see women with curves on the style blog scene.
I LOVE your blog, your outfits, and your witty, funny writing. And at 5'9" size 6 I'm right there with you…I don't want to be a size 0 walking stick…
hilarious.
self-deprecating humor=best=kendi's got it.
I totally agree that pencil skirts are magic! When they became popular again a few years ago, I was worried that my hips were going to look gigantic in them. But when I tried one on, I realized that they have the amazing ability to make my waist look really tiny and my legs look super long. I feel womanly and awesome in a pencil skirt. 🙂
Skirt, tuck and belt! That's so my trick too! 😉 I love this. And you. Of course!
I don't think I can even bring myself to wear anything untucked/unbelted at this point so I completely agree to adhere to the rule.