#wearitherway

[wearitherway]

We are proud to bring you some of the most talented stylists in NZ, direct from our website! Check out this week’s feature stylist, Sumner

Describe your style in one sentence: One sentence is so hard to fit it all in, but I would like to say my style is very chic & edgy, mostly black & monochromatic in the winter.

What influences you the most as a stylist? The biggest thing that influences me is the public. I am constantly seeing people make simple mistakes in fashion that could be so easily fixed. I would happily help them out but unfortunately you cant run up to a stranger on the street and tell them how to fix a mistake without seeming totally rude, haha.

Is there anyone that inspires your style? Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and my friends especially, they sometimes have better ideas and wardrobes than me!

How do you make sure an outfit has a point of difference? Accessories can be very handy to make a simple outfit a bit different. There are some great watches for guys and hats with quirky patterns too.

What do you love about men’s fashion? With just a few simple things it can be very easy for a guy to look so great!

What item of men’s clothing do you like the most? How should they wear it? I really like a pair of black straight-cut jeans with a turned up hem. I think it’s because I see about 90% of guys my age in chinos or skinny jeans, so wearing straight-cuts makes you a little different from the rest. They look great teamed up with a pair of stylish trainers e.g.: Adidas, New Balance... the list could go on for days.

If you could give guys one style tip, what would it be? Please stay far away from jeans that are too tight or too baggy.

What do you like about Wearit?  I like Wearit because i feel like I’m helping out guys with what they should buy to create the perfect outfit.

Is there anything else we might find interesting about you or your style? I like to wear just a t-shirt and jeans, don't get me wrong, but when I wear an outfit that represents me and my style, I feel so great. I think at the end of the day that's what fashion is, finding what you look and feel amazing in.

Feature Question: When did you first know you were interested in fashion? I knew from a very young age. My mum would take me to The Warehouse when I was about 6 or 7 (I know, you read it right... The Warehouse, don't worry, my style has changed now, hahaha) but I would go berserk and end up coming home with 5 or 6 things. When we got home I would put on a little fashion show showing off my new 'collection'.

If you want to Wearit Sumner’s way, find her at http://www.wearitherway.com/profile/7db905

[wearitherway]

Style Tip Tuesday

How To Dress For Your Body Shape

V-shape

The problem

Broad shoulders and narrow hips are great for the beach. But designers assume wide necks are paired with equally thick waists. Your clothes hide rather than following your torso.

Throw out

Anything unfitted. Billowing shirt fabric undoes all those hours in the gym by making you look boxy. “Never wear short jackets,” advises Angela Barnard, owner of My London Stylist. Bombers and aviators square your upper-half and knock you out of proportion. It’s also time to bin anything double breasted.

Pick up

Slim-fit shirts will emphasise your physique. If bespoke is too pricey, get your tailor to pinch them in. With jumpers and tees, try to echo your body shape, says Barnard: “V-necks will draw the eye down rather than across.” Although that’s not an excuse for deep Vs. A lighter lower half will help balance broader shoulders, Barnard adds. If all those squats are putting your chinos’ seams at risk, try New Zealand label I Love Ugly, whose athletic cuts have roomier thighs.

Beer belly

The problem

If you’re carrying bulk, you’re probably looking to hide it. “Buying big doesn’t cover any sins, though,” says stylist Mikey Dale. “You just end up looking more voluminous.”

Throw out

Everything that draws attention to your gut; think bold prints, patterns; and avoid anything with horizontal stripes, says Levi Young, director of men's online personal shopping service Enclothed. If Comic Book guy would wear it, you shouldn’t. Avoid accessories that draw the eye across you, says Barnard. If you have to wear a belt then go for a block colour the same shade as your trousers.

Pick up

Swap sportswear for smarts. “Try a one- or two-button suit,” says Dale. The long V will make you seem thinner. Barnard recommends pairing it with a darker waistcoat: “It gives the impression of a slimmer middle.” Keep your shirt a single colour and use a bold pocket square to draw the eye away from your belly. Buttoning your jacket will also help hide anything you’re not proud of.

Beanpole

The problem

A slender silhouette means clothes hang off you. Suiting especially can swallow you up. Again, you might be tempted to steer big to create the illusion of size. “You just look like you’re wasting away,” says Dale.

Throw out

Anything oversized. Billowing shirts and jackets look like you’ve nicked your dad’s wardrobe. Also avoid anything that emphasises slimness; vertical stripes, skinny ties, pointy shoes. Make sure your trouser cuffs hits your shoe with a bit of fabric to spare. A gap makes you look like a teenager who’s just had a growth spurt.

Pick up

“Paler colours add a bit of bulk to the body,” says Barnard. “They disguise a narrow frame.” Double-breasted jackets will create the shape you don’t have, says Dale. Alternatively, embrace your slimness. You’re built like a model, so opt for fashion-focused brands like Saint Laurent and the Kooples if you’ve got the money, or Topman and Uniqlo’s skinny fits if you’re on more of a budget. And embrace collars. "Polo shirts are far better than T-shirts at creating the illusion of broader shoulders," says Young.

Compact

The problem

Anything off-the-rack overshoots your arms, and your cuffs rumple on your shoes. The resulting “first day at school” look isn’t a strong one.

Throw out

“Avoid horizontal stripes,” warns Barnard. “They only make you look shorter.” The same applies to jackets that cover your glutes. Either throw anything you need to roll the cuffs up on in the bin, or take it to a tailor.

Pick up

Vertical stripes give the illusion of height. “They lengthen the body,” says Barnard. Ensure suits are perfectly fitted and flash some shirt cuff and sock to make your arms and legs look longer. Keep lapels slim – a peak will help elongate your body – and match it to your tie. “The dimensions of your clothes, from the fit of your jacket and trousers to the width of your tie and lapel should always match,” says Dale.