Style Glossary: A

A-Line, A Body Shape, Accessories

Happy day, reader dearest!

I’m having a Seussian moment as I try and start this blog post…

BIG A, little a, what begins with A? Aunt Annie’s alligator. A… a… A. (Dr. Seuss’s ABC–Board Book Version)

Yes, we read a LOT of Dr. Seuss to our boys when they were growing up. So much so that we (MR. CP and I working as a team) can still “read” many of the classics without even looking at the words on the pages. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Look what we found in the park, in the dark. We will take him home. We will call him Clark.), Green Eggs and Ham, and Go Dogs, Go were three of the faves when they were very small. They graduated to The Lorax and The Butter Battle Book later.

A small detour down memory lane there. Sorry. Where was I? Oh, yes! I thought it time to start a style alphabet. A fashion/style glossary with one letter each month. I started thinking I would just have one entry per letter, but it was SO hard to choose, that I decided to share three this month. Who knows how many I’ll settle on, but I expect it will be an odd number!

As I remind you every few weeks, if you appreciate the blog, please feel free to share your love of Closet Play Image with your friends. You are most welcome to Pin or share images and posts you find helpful. Your introduction and social media sharing is the best way for me to meet new readers. Thank you!

A Body Shape

The A Body shape is THE most common female body shape! If you have an A Shape you are in good company. The A is a feminine, curvy, (and desirable) shape, and highly coveted throughout history! A’s often feel they were born into the wrong time for their bodies… That the styles and silhouettes of previous decades and centuries are more kind to the A.

An A shaped woman has a defined waist, and her hips are wider than the shoulders, or if you prefer, the shoulders are narrower than the hips. To read more about the A shape and figure flattery, check out this post!

A-Line

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The A-Line Skirt is a classic! Let’s start with what it isn’t. An A-Line isn’t gathered at the waist, tiered, or pleated. The hem is wider than the waist and the side seams flow out in a smooth straight line, creating the shape of an A from the crossbar down. A-Line Skirts can be any length, from mini to full-length. They allow more movement than a pencil skirt, flatter the A Body Shape, and create curves for a narrow hipped figure. I think the A-Line Skirt is the Rodney Dangerfield of the skirt world… Unappreciated and underrated! The A-Line can also be found in dress form, often called a shift.

Accessories

I could wax lyrical for days about what might be my favorite style A word, ACCESSORIES! (Sorry, I shouldn’t shout, but that’s how I feel about them!)

accessory. Article of apparel that completes the costume, such as shoes, gloves, hats, bags, jewelry, neckwear, belts, boutonnieres, scarfs; in trade usage, also negligees, corsets, lingerie, etc.

A Dictionary of Costume and Fashion: Historic and Modern, by Mary Brooks Pickens (AKA: The First Lady of Fashion and the American authority on domestic arts of her day.)

If you want to read more about Mary Brooks Pickens and other amazing women who both created and were written out of their place in history, check out The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski. I originally bought the Kindle version. I’m investing in the hardcover.) The link is here for your convenience. I gain no advantage by sharing it with you.

I would add sunglasses and glasses to her list as well. Picking a favorite accessory is like picking a favorite child, but if you follow me on Instagram, you know I favor scarves. I’ve written previously on the accessories I reach for first when looking to help a client finish her style. (His, too, but his accessories are different!) I call these accessories Style Staples! Here’s a list of my 7 Style Staples with links to more details about each.

So How About You?

What’s your favorite Seuss book? How about a favorite alphabet book? My favorite alphabet is far too grim for Theodore Seuss Geisel. Maybe I’ll share it for the October Style Glossary post… Are there any fashion and style words you’d like to know more about? Do you have a favorite alphabet letter? What’s your go-to accessory? Do tell; I love to hear what you are thinking!

Stylishly yours,