Fade and Focus

“To thine own self be true.” Yup, Shakespeare got it over 400 years ago and some of us still struggle with it today. My concept of Fade and Focus is about knowing yourself, heart and body, and pretty-partying accordingly.

Heart: it’s all about selecting styles that reflect your life style, comfort zone, aesthetic sensibilities as well as that which you aspire to become.

Body: it’s about minimizing and distracting from your larger, puffier areas (fade) and identifying your most attractive areas and putting the spotlight there (focus).

Some women find it difficult to acknowledge their most attractive areas. It isn’t their fault it is the result of a lifetime of media, with the help of Mattel, lauding the virtues of Barbie-doll-proportioned women. Academics from the University of South Australia suggest the likelihood of a woman having Barbie's body shape is one in 100,000. Other reports make Barbie even more unrealistic.

Here’s an exercise I want you to try:

Privately, stand in front of a full-length mirror (dressed is fine.) Emotionally, step outside yourself, stand off to the side and become your best girlfriend, or someone specific, who loves you. From their perspective, tell the person standing in front of the mirror, what her most attractive features are and remind her that she is lovely and you love her. Those are the attributes (face, hair, eyes, skin tone, shoulders, neck, décolletage, arms, hands, legs, etc.) you must trust and highlight!

Here’s a glimpse of Fade and Focus for me in this video. I love my face, hair, décolletage, forearms, hands, legs, ankles and my height. I choose to “fade” my tummy, hips, thighs and upper arms.

Please post - share the attributes that you will be focusing on (spotlighting.) If you’re stuck, post a clear photo and I’ll show you the love you can’t give yourself – yet!

Girlfriends, it is foundational to build your wardrobe by accentuating the positive!

Babe

Vertical Storylines

What do 6 foot, size 2 models and real women like us have in common? We both hang our prettiest silhouette on the longest looking body line possible, the former are born with it and we must create it. And that’s okay, because we can.

Your tallest silhouette hangs on two things.

The line of the outfit:

Keep the silhouette narrow and worn close to the body. Choose soft fabrics that drape. Select tone on tone or monochromatic palettes, and vertically designed details like, seaming, single breasted jackets and zip-front jackets.

The fit of the clothing:

Choose intimates that smooth but don’t restrict. A perennial favorite are the Ulla-la! short panties. They do just that and are a great deal starting at $14. Pick fabrics that are fluid but have enough body to glide and not cling. Ulla’s best selling matte jerseys accomplish this beautifully. Two styles I particularly like are the essential dress starting at only $39 #12233 and angel sleeve jacket #02571 at only $44. Too big or too tight equally compromise your vertical storyline.

You’ve succeeded in creating a vertical storyline if…

• The lines and illusions of this outfit go up and down.
• All items float closely and gently on the body.

Want to telegraph your vertical storyline? Stand up straight, roll your shoulders back, focus your eyes and chin on the subject ahead, smile and think, “Hello world!”

Please share other ways that you telegraph confidence and walk tall!

Babe

Body Frames: A Balancing Act

The inimitable Coco Chanel said “Fashion is architecture: it’s a matter of proportions,” so while my size (and budget) bars Chanel labels from my closet; Chanel wisdom thrives there. Proportion is about understanding your body frame, leading to my concept of Fade and Focus which will help you pick flattering, fashionable items every time you shop.

Your frame is the basic shape of your body, the size of one body part compared to others, regardless of how much you weigh. Did you know that your body frame can be likened to the shape of a diamond? So, why not call yourself, “a round diamond?” I do.

Pear Shape Diamond

Smaller through the arms, shoulders and breasts, however, has wider hips, tush, thighs and calves.

Balance wide hips by inserting a small shoulder pad your top.

Heart Shape Diamond

Broad and full through the arms, shoulders and ribcage, however, narrows through the hips, thighs, and legs.

Use dark, muted colors on top and bold shades or patterns on the bottom.

Marquise Shape Diamond

Thinner arms, shoulders, hips, tush and legs, however, has a full tummy.

Wear tops that are fitted through the arms and shoulders and fall into an A-line - interesting patterns through the tummy can actually distract from puffiness.

Round Shape Diamond

Round and full through the arms, shoulders, back, tummy, hips and thighs, however, has a noticeable waist and shapely legs. If you’re confused about which diamond shape you are – if you’re curvy but proportionate - and have a waist, this is your frame.

Wear dresses and skirts that hit the bottom of your knee to show off shapely legs.

Emerald Shape Diamond

Wide and full from the shoulders and arms through the hips, thighs and legs and has no appreciable indentation at the waist. If you’re confused about your frame – and you’re proportionate but straight up and down, this is your frame.

Wear items that that have gentle curvy lines embedded through cut or pattern.

Stop hiding behind your clothes. Wear sleeker items where you can to promote a shapely, smart silhouette. Not being aware of your shape causes the biggest mistakes and wastes money. Knowing which diamond you are, however, is the beginning of manufacturing the silhouette you seek, consistently.

If you’re still unsure, Ask Babe…”Am I a marquise or a round shape diamond?”

Send in photos of yourself, which I’ll post on the site to help you and others determine your diamond, and I’ll suggest some styles that will complement too!

Babe

Let Ulla Dazzle You!

We all know you love Ulla's clothing, now come see a different side of us, our accessories! Now you can pair that little black dress with the perfect necklace, or bracelet. And don't forget, fall and winter are the perfect times to accessorize with fashionable scarves.

Come check out the side of Ulla that sparkles!

Tell Us What YOU Think!

Have an opinion about our products? We'd love to hear from you! Be the first to REVIEW our products at the NEW UllaPopken.com!

Tell us what you think about our products. Your feedback will allow us to continually improve our designs and offer the quality and consistent fit you expect from Ulla Popken.

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Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

What girl doesn't love shoes? We have worked long and hard to find the perfect shoes and boots to offer our customers. We have taken your comments, throughts and requests into consideration when planning our new line of shoes. Ulla has the best buyer in shoes, Joe, working for you. We think we have a pretty good selection to start you off with, trust us, because Joe knows shoes.

Check them out; we dare you to not love them!

Behind the Scenes: An Ulla Popken Photo Shoot!

Have you ever wondered what goes into making a new catalog spread? Have you thought about the number of people involved to make it all happen? We have taken some insider, behind the scenes photos of our latest photo shoot. Our winter 2010 collection was the focus of our adventure in beautiful Aspen, Colorado

To check out more photos visit our Facebook page!

It's Your Chance!

Now is your chance to ask us at Ulla a question that has been on your mind. Maybe you have been wondering where our last photo shoot took place, or what it is like to work here! Maybe you have a comment, suggestion or idea on how we could improve our catalog.

We are all ears, lay it on us!

Heat Wave!

Watch Out! Maryland (and the rest of the eastern shore) is preparing for a heat wave this weekend. Break out the swimsuits, frozen drinks and reserve your spot on the beach! Maybe wishful (and a little extreme) thinking but I can't help but be excited about the upcoming 80 degree temperatures we will be experiencing in the coming days. With lingering thoughts of the double blizzard that hit us a mere 2 months ago this warm weather could not have come at a better time. Hopefully this beautiful weather will finally get rid of all my memories of snow. Imagine this, for the first time in a few years us ladies will be able to wear much needed spring colored dresses, and open toed shoes for Easter and not freeze!

Enjoy this coming weekend's weather, and for many the extended Easter Holiday from all of us at Ulla Popken!

It's all in the Signs!

Thinking of myself as having a goodwill personality and carefree nature i have found myself using the phrase "it's a sign" more and more. To some it's a hopeful way of thinking everything will work out for them, or that the stars are somehow aligning to perfectly meet with ones needs. To others it is a way of looking on the bright side of life. After all, you will notice the more often you have a positive outlook the better you will feel. You will also notice more and more people are naturally attracted to a positive attitude!

I am by no means a motivations speaker, but I encourage you all to acknowledge the many 'signs' life throws our way!

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Customer Picks!

Its that time again! You officially have the floor, and we are looking for any and all suggestions on ways we can improve, whether it be our webpage, merchandise, ordering process, etc. We are all ears! So let us know what WE could do that would make your experience with Ulla Popken even better!