Harry Potter certainly deserves some credit. I mean, who doesn’t respect those magic powers? But lets face it – if you’re looking in the mirror and Harry Potter is staring back, you might want to consider a little makeover. Um, especially if you’re a girl.
Below, we examine a few fashion blunders and offer up some realistic hints on going from geek to chic.
You look to your mother for inspiration when it comes to jean shopping, and you end up with high-waisted, pleated atrocities.
Granted, the retro jean is back in. But, says fashion expert Stephania Varalli of sweetspot.ca, it’s not a case of one-jean-fits-all.
“You can really only pull the look off with a big ball of fashion guts and a matching look of smug disdain for societal conventions,” she says. Suit up in some of fall’s more subtle denim trends: cuts range from trousers to skinny jeans and hues run the gamut from dark to acid wash. But to seriously geekproof yourself, stick to old faithful: a slight boot cut, dark wash and a rise that sits well on your frame.
“Basically, don’t buy a jean that gives you a muffin top,” says Varalli.
Skinny curious? Varalli says a skinny jean, which pairs well with flats and boots, is a versatile choice. “But you have to be comfortable in the style – if you don’t feel good, you won’t look good,” she says.
You are still attached to your large collection of Bratz t-shirts, because you think it shows that you're lighthearted and fun.
“Your personality should show the world you're lighthearted and fun, your t-shirt shows the world you're not ready to grow up,” says Varalli. That doesn’t mean you have to replace all your casual wear with asphyxiating blouses. Varalli suggests stocking up on adult versions of the classic tee.
Mind the fit: find something that contours your shape “without saran wrap sucking to your body,” says Varalli. And make sure it is long enough to end a few inches blow your natural waist. Also, stretch your wardrobe by picking up a few solid t-shirts in colours that match your skin and hair tone. These will come in handy for layering.
“It's also great to pick out a few with patterns or graphics, just avoid anything that a kindergarten kid would be jealous of,” says Varalli.
Bright white sneakers: they're practical AND comfy? Right....?
“Running shoes are for running,” says Varalli. “Just because the shoes you wear to gym class are oh so comfortable, this is no excuse to sport them all day long.” If comfort is your crutch, try ballet flats and flat boots. As for colour, start by investing in one pair of black shoes and one pair of brown ones. “This will get you through any outfit,” says Varalli.
You're not too thrilled about your lumpy hips, so you throw on a shapeless floral dress.
Trying to drown your most loathed body part in fabric won’t make it go away, says Varalli. And don’t fall into the trap of tying a sweater around your waist to cover your caboose. “You're actually drawing more attention to the trouble area while simultaneously making it look twice the size,” she says.
Varalli says the key to looking good is buying clothes that fit. Don’t let the size label sway your decisions– how your ensemble looks to outsiders is paramount. Watch out for awkward rolls and “body spillage.”
“Buying a 26 inch jean won't give you a 26 inch waist,” she warns. Instead, flaunt your best part. For example, if you have jumbo hips but a tiny waist, wear a dark jean on the bottom and a waist emphasizing shirt on top.
Homework! Get inspired with these classic geek-to-chic flicks.
- Sabrina (1954)
- My Fair Lady (1964)
- Freaky Friday (1977)
- Just One of the Guys (1985)
- Pretty in Pink (1986)
- Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)
- She’s Out of Control (1989)
- Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
- Clueless (1995)
- Never Been Kissed (1999)
- She’s All That (1999)
- The Princess Diaries (2001)
- Mean Girls (2004)
- Just Friends (2005)
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
