STYLEBOOZE: Walk The Line

Prada Spring 2011 Ad Campaign

Feel like stripping... I mean STRIPING!? Everywhere you look this Spring, stripes are sure to be found. Prada is my obvious favorite choice of designer stripes right now (see "Prada In Wonderland") but there are a multitude of other fabulous high end and mass market designers getting in line (pun intended) with the trend. From graphic and bold to nautical classics, vertical and horizontal lines are giving us a direct path to Spring must-haves. Stripes can be seen on clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, belts, hats...you name it, it's been made in some version with stripes. Please do be careful with horizontal stripes however on clothing. It's never a flattering look to have stripes that make you look like a fat inmate. Make sure you steer in the direction of micro stripes (very thin) or bolder graphic stripes (very wide.) These are the most universally flattering for women's body types. Unless you are a tall beanpole, the middle-of-the-road stripe width is very hard to pull off. If you are very tall, then have a party. Your height will distract from the horizontal draw that medium size stripes can create on a shorter woman's hips (making them look extra wide and unflattering.) *I have wide hips myself and find that the thin stripes work best for me :)

In this month's US Harper's Bazaar and this month's UK Harper's Bazaar, it is obvious that great minds think alike. Clearly stripes are an international phenom for the coming seasons and you don't want to be left out! Below are pages from both stripey stories: "Walk The Line" from UKHB, and "STRIPES" from USHB. Take a look and figure out what stripes will work best for you. I am also including some great pieces of clothing and accessories that are stripe-perfect for this Spring!