How to get that hourglass shape??

Loulou made a fabulous comment on my last post, she stated; "This (about hourglass shape) is not a matter of being born so, this is a matter of WILL. The Hourglass shape does not make compromises with lazyness".
Which is SO true. When you look at the divas of Hollywood (retro and modern ones) they have amazing bodies under those gorgeous gowns. That is not natural....I will tell you the secret: UNDERWEAR!
If you thought that this was a thing of the past, you couldn't be any more wrong. Bridget Jones knickers never ever left most ladies wardrobes. That includes Hollywood secret boudoirs...
It goes without saying that the boning of a strapless dress is not enough to hide those little "bumps" and it doesn't guarantee you the dress will not sleep down, revealing your intimacies...
The most common "control underwear" pieces are corsets, high-waist knickers (aka Bridget Jones knickers) and bras for all shapes and sizes.
They are use not only to disguise but to reveal and reafirm!

You can find this control underwear/shapewear in retro style, like the ones our mums and grandmums used to wear!!!
Here are some websites, have a look!

www.whatkatiedid.com
www.lamagia.co.uk/retro-lingerie
www.fairygothmother.co.uk/shapewear_and_girdles.htm

The new retro trend: Hourglass shape

According to a british survey, british women prefer to achieve that gorgeous hourglass shape, so popular 50years ago, than being a long thin square (a.k.a size zero).
This is another hint that proves us old fashions are best and they are coming back, hopefully to stay!!

Among 2000 women who were surveyed, 60%percent admitted to being either an "apple" or "pear shape,". 75% percent said they wanted a figure like Catherine Zeta-Jones or Marilyn Monroe.

A top-10 list of female celebrities whose shape inspired women was topped by buxom TV cook Nigella Lawson and actresses Helen Mirren, Judy Dench, and Joanna Lumley.

Another surprising detail found on this survey was that despite being the biggest in the continent, british women don't see themselves as "obese" and only 10% wanted to be "slim". This is a huge contrast with french women, who are the slimmest, and see themselves as "fat" (statistics say that around 6.7% of french women are dangerously thin).

A study last December found that one in three adults in England will be obese by the time London hosts the 2012 Olympics. Ironic, isn't it??

Between 1993 and 2004 the proportion of obese people rose "significantly", from almost 17% to 24.4% among women, according to University College London researchers.

In my opinion, this attitude can have its good and bad sides.
Good things:
-women are starting to accept who they are. Slimness is not synonymous of beauty. Everyone is different, there is no need to followed a certain pattern in order to be "accepted" by the norm.
-It seems that there is an effort to abandon that "sloppy" attitude about looking good and adopt a more positive one by working a healthier hourglass silouette instead of just losing weight.

Bad things:
-Forcing your body to have a small waist while still being "big" in the rest of the body is not a good idea. Have a look at pics of the 50s (Marilyn M., Sophia Loren, E. Taylor...they weren't size 8 but not an unhealthy size 30 either...it was about a well toned body -everything on its place- AND a small waist) That is the perfect silouette.
-Some people in Britain should really really change their diet. I'm sorry but it is the true. There are people out there who are big not because they have been genetically "unlucky" but because they are basically eating rubbish and do not do any exercise. This retro silouette shouldn't be used to justified obsesity ("lets just put a corset on and I will look like La Loren"). Things don't work that way. Being overweight just for the sake of being it, it is not a valid excuse.

My Facebook page!

I created my facebook page ages ago!!! but I just didn't know the exact address. I know, stupid...., never mind. I figured it out today! It is so complicated and long!, no wonder that I couldn't find it!

Please, become a fan!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Black-Wardrobe/106814546751

Vintage beauties: Public Enemies's film locations

As well as the fashion and the gadgets (oh god, what cars!) another great beauty of the film Public Enemies are the locations. I had the pleasure to find pictures of some of the buildings featured in the film.

You can find more pictures at the flickr set Movie set for Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies" (Columbus, Wisconsin)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56091178@N00/2329575843

Mobs, gangsters, mafia and Johnny Depp!

Being a big fan of Film Noir and the 1930s, it was a no-brainer that I had to go to watch this film: Public Enemies. All reviews I had read were...hmm...not so good, however I was still tempted to watch it for several reasons: it is based in The Great Depression, it is about an interesting story (mafia), great actors, among them, the incredible Johnny Depp (who is astonishingly talented, in my point of view). If another actor would had played this role, I don't think the film would has been as good as I think it is. Specially if the chosen actor was Leonardo Di Caprio.........aaaaaghgh!
Marion Cotillard is absolutely great (powerful, dramatique! and somehow unconventional which makes the character even more attractive). I had already had the pleasure to watch mademoiselle Cotillard in another great film: "La Vie En Rose". That woman is seriously talented!
Another great piece of acting in this film is, without a doubt, Christian Bale, whose toughness and elegance adds a bit of spice to some scenes. Although, I have to say, in some scenes I didn't know if I was watching Bruce Wayne or Melvin Purvis...
I don't know if people knows this but the film is based on a true story. The characters WERE real and aparently, it seems to be historically accurate (at least, that's what my boyfriend -mafia aficionado- says. He knows a lot about mob history). The film is an adaption of Bryan Burrough's non-fiction book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34.

In conclusion, I enjoyed the film, I wasn't dissappointed.

Be witching!

Who said a gorgeous black gown cannot be worn for everyday? I just love! this look.
What a gorgeous set. It is so dramatic but not theatrical. Perfect for everyday.
http://www.polyvore.com/bewitching/set?.mid=embed&id=6993312

Bewitching by Stormybubbles featuring Irregular Choice shoes

New polyvore set!

I have done more polyvore sets. I hope you like this one. The main piece is my super chic "Bow dress", a very plain but classy over knee length dress, sleeveless with a gorgeous taffeta bow on the bust. Very feminine and versatile! In this polyvore set, I have accessorize it with red accessories:a skinny red belt, peep toe shoes, red bag and of course, red lipstick! The overall look is very pin-up, Marilyn Monroe. You can have a look at more pics of my dress: http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/product/bow-dress-23
Here is a link to my polyvore sets: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?id=714772.

Fashion tips for: draped front soft-jacket

Hi everyone! After years of enjoying and getting inspired by Polyvore, I have decided to add my bit to the Polyvore universe and create my own "moodboards". I thought that it would also be good way to inspire customers and readers and help them with the little dilemma of what to wear with what.
This stunning draped front soft-jacket (£60) has a beautiful waterfall of drapes at the front than can be worn either loose or cinched with a satin ribbon. The neckline is adorned with a discrete frill of satin (lined with jersey).

This type of shape will work wonders with a well structured or tailored bottoms such suit pants or a pencil skirt. It will look perfect on a pencil skirt or any other fitted bottoms. Never something baggy on the bottom as this will hide and destroy your shape. In one sentence: it will make you look big.

In the first set I've decided to pair it with a par of well tailored high-waisted pants, skin-tone shade accessories. It is a very classy combination of colours that will work with any skin tone and in any ocassion (work, daywear or even a quite evening out)

The second set is about pair this beautiful dramatic piece with a simple pencil skirt. The beatiful drapes will draw attention to your waist which will look tiny! thanks to that ultra-feminine satin tie and that long sweetheart ruffled neckline will elongate and stylise your neckline. (That's the reason I kept it simple and naked).
As you can see, pastel gray or just gray is another "neutral" colours that would work wonders for your everyday wear specially, workwear. It is not harsh, goes with everyone and goes with every other single colour.

As you can see, my polyvore sets have that "somehow retro/vintage feel", trademark of TheBlackWardrobe... ;)
I hope you liked my "polyvores"

Check out the jacket on my website:
http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/product/draped-front-soft-jacket-with-frills-15

More new little dark pieces, coming soon!

Whereas the High street and all other fashion retailers are trying to get rid of the summer stock and preparing the new winter collections, I cannot stop laughing while I am still creating new pieces for my summer collection!
We all know that there is been summer for a while in Europe. In Britain, we just started to see the sun quite recently! Which is a special joy, specially after 2years of continuous dark and cold...
Here is a preview. Coming soon, to The Black Wardrobe's website. Hope you like it!

Remember that you can always subscribe to my website's newsletter for more fashion tips and news!
Just fill in the contact form in the website and type "subscribe" in the message field.
www.theblackwardrobe.com

Nora, the cat. She's a piano maestro.

I absolutely adore cats. (I am a cat's person) so it was no surprise that after watching this video I decided I should post it in my blog. It is such a joy to watch her playing and getting inspired!! And she is called like me!!! Could we be soul-mates, trapped in different species??

Curly hair, love it or hate it? Then go for wavy...

A comment made by one of my readers made me think. I am not the "BNP" of curly hair. I still like curly hair, Kris...;) However, not all curly hairs are good. Some people have been luckier than other ones.
Curly hair is like style, it is a very difficult art to master if you ever even manage to learn the art of it.
Some people are very happy with their hair, others not. Other people, including me, we usually go for the 50/50 way: the wavy hair. But how to style it?

Option A: the 40s look.
This vintage-inspired look consists in half straight hair, half wavy in very big waves than have been curled with either rollers, a hair-curler or with fingerwaving techniques for a more sophisticated finish.

Option B: the lady Camelot look.
Lady Camelot's hair is truly curly hair but in a very long length. This little but important detail allows to keep the curl under control and because of the weight, the curls tend to "open" and get bigger. Like the other look is very high maintenance (Yes!, curly hair is high maintenance). It needs lots of hidration and serum to minimise split ends and having your hair falling into pieces. You also need to keep it tidy or you will end up looking like a tramp.
Once again, you can check more ideas and tips in the "gothic fashion tips" link and in a website that Kris very kindly submitted with her comment. Thanks for your link, Kris!

www.naturallycurvy.com

Sizing, what size are we, really?

I've been having some very valuable feedback from customers and bloggers. It is always appreciated and very very valued, either is possitive or negative. There is one issue that has been a bit of a concern for some of the people I consulted. SIZING.

Yes! The (very) complicated issue of sizing. What size are we, really? OR, what size do we want to be? (I've seen women asking what the size range is at the entry of a shop and then leaving because they didn't like it, or even worse, not buying an item because they didn't want to get a LARGE size)

I'm not british, I'm spanish. I come from a country where the sizing is different from the british system: is smaller and tighter in the torax (we have smaller boobs but wider hips in the Mediterranian).
I started with a specific sizing system that apparently was too small, I've changed it. I was still not happy, I've changed again. Here's what I've decided to go for. I hope it makes sense. A spanish Medium IS DEFINETELY NOT the same as a british Medium. So I've decided to go for something in between. Comments are welcome.

SMALL (90cms bust, 70cms waist, 95cms hips)

MEDIUM (95cms bust, 75cms waist, 100cms hips)

LARGE (100cms bust, 80cms waist, 105cms hips)

XL (105cms bust, 85cms waist, 110cms hips)

XXL (110cms bust, 90cms waist, 115cms hips).

Check out my site for more info:

http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/pages/sizing-info