Category Archives: Dress Yourself Skinny

Tips, info and products to help you dress the body you have, to look like the body you want. These posts support and supplement Sarah’s book Dress Yourself Skinny.

Upsize: Custom Fit A Too-Small Blouse

Upsize: Custom Fit A Too-Small Blouse

Button Down shirts and blouses are are “must haves” according to most style experts. However, many women have trouble getting a great fit. Buttondowns tend to gap at the bust line or pull across the tummy, giving an unflattering look.

To get a good fit, look for shirts and blouses with a stretch panel in the side seams. This allows the shirt to stretch where you need it..in the bustline, tummy area, back…wherever.  This Taos Top by Soft Surroundings has a stretch panel in the side seams that gives you a slim fit all over. The panel is made of a ribbed knit fabric in a color that matches the rest of the blouse so it’s invisible and stretches only where you need a little more room.

If your shirt doesn’t have a stretch panel, it’s super easy to add one yourself or with the help of your tailor.

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  1. Find a knit shirt such as a t-shirt, Henley shirt or lightweight knit top. Choose a  top in a coordinating color with the same sleeve length. Look on sales racks and discount stores to keep the price low.
  2. Open the side seams and inside sleeve seams of the shirt.
  3. To make your stretch panel, cut a strip out of each side of the  coordinating knit shirt. Be sure to keep the side seams. When you cut the strip, center the side/sleeve seams in the middle of the strips.
  4. Insert the strips of the knit shirt into the side and sleeve seams of the “too small” shirt
  5. Line up the hem, underarm sleeve seam and sleeve cuff and sew the side panels in place.

Here’s an example of a George Roth shirt I modified with my tailor. I’m not a fan of a shirt collar, so we removed the collar, cut a scoop neckline and used the extra fabric to make a ruffle for the new neckline.

Want more ideas?

Workshop: Sext Your Self Skinny – Sexting The Body You Have, To Look Like The Body He/She Wants

Workshop: Sext Your Self Skinny – Sexting The Body You Have, To Look Like The Body He/She Wants

Women are sharing sexy pics with their partner to spice things up, reignite the fire or keep the newly-wed flames alive. In this workshop, attendees (women over 18 hers old) will some rules for safe sexting and tips for taking graceful and tasteful phone-photos. Continue Reading

TV Segment: 7 Deadly Underwear Sins

TV Segment: 7 Deadly Underwear Sins

Changing your underwear is the single most powerful thing you can do to improve your wardrobe and your body image. Image Expert Sarah Shah shows you the seven most common underwear mistakes and the solutions to keep you looking your best. Continue Reading

TV Segment – Swim Suits For Your Body Type

TV Segment – Swim Suits For Your Body Type

Choosing the right swim suit for your figure can be a trying experience. Image Expert Sarah Shah shows you how to choose a swim suit that is flattering for your body type and creates the illusion of an ideal figure. This story airs on Great Day Houston on KHOU, Channel 11 on June 17, 2014. Continue Reading

Fashion Show: Smashin’ Fashion™

Fashion Show: Smashin’ Fashion™

  Smashin’ Fashion™ show challenges convention and presents fashion in a broader way. It’s a fashion show, re-imagined  using multi-media, social media, and updated twists on the typical fashion show elements of runway, models, stylists, program, red carpet, and even the audience. The show takes place on July 31st at The Art Institute of Houston. Models will be… Continue Reading