You always have such practical advice that is applicable to all of us even when our bodies and style aesthetic are completely different. Regarding pleated trousers, while I've been loving them lately, many have elastic in the back making them look like a diaper, at least on my petite frame. Finding the perfect trouser works, if I am super selective. No elastic in the back.
I love crop tops and I’m 40 lol 😂 I’m so short waisted tho and I’ll only buy ones that will hit right at my narrowest spot and where I’d be tucking in a shirt anyway. It works for me and is decently flattering, even though I have a tummy. It’s like the crop and where it hits diverts the eye to my smallest area (my waist).
Ah yes, the olllllle short waisted body type. I describe it like I have a head and shoulders, but no neck in between, buuuuut at my waist line area!!🤦🤣🤔🙃
A crop top over a high waised pant or skirt, or a spaghetti strapdress can look very good. I also live to wear my long duster open, with shorts under it. Its certainly not a businesy look, but I love to wear it at home.
I work as a lunch monitor for kindergarten students at my local school and I wear my cashmere sweaters and merino wool sweaters. I even wear black trousers. I have had people say I should save these things for going out but I figure I have them I will wear them.
None of those standard sticky bras work for my bust size, they’re not even close to fitting a D cup, much less my E. I had to order one from Noom, which specializes in sticky bras for large busts, but they’re more expensive. I haven’t tried it yet, but will this summer, I’m sure. I can’t wear strapless bras because of the silicone strips, they don’t allow one to rotate the bra after fastening so that the clasp is in the back, they’re just too sticky. They don’t give enough support for my bust size and age, anyway, I need straps. Why anyone would want implants is beyond me, nature gave me more than I wanted in that area, it’s hard find clothes that fit. My friends who had implants all had them removed after living with the reality of a D cup or bigger.
OMG I loved reading this, as it makes so much sense. I have a D cup too, went up to an F cup when pregnant and find it soooo hard to find anything strapless that either supports or doesn't end up somewhere around my belly. I've bought sticky ones and am going to try them, but I just generally avoid anything that would require a strapless bra. I'm going to be filiming a video on underwear soon (wish me luck) and will look into your tip from Noom! Thank you
That's a great point Kimberly. The sticky bras definitely work better for smaller busts like A, B, and C's. An E must be a challenge for sure! Let me know if the Noom works for you. I'd love to share it if it does for other women in the same position as you.😘
I hear you! I'm an F and avoid anything that requires a strapless bra. So many fashionable styles aren't suitable for large-breasted people. Annoyingly, nowadays even tops with open necklines - like a scoop neck, sweetheart, square - that are flattering on us can sometimes be cut too wide and show the bra strap. Another great option, wrap tops, are often cut too low and show too much cleavage. It seems like even the clothes that are best for big breasts aren't actually designed for us. 😑
That last tip to wear what you love now really touched my heart can so relate to this… recently I been so inspired by you and actually got a rack for my birthday I love it I have that special place to play and build outfits now that’s the first thing you got me excited about and now you have me excited about wearing my “I’ll wear that one day” kind of items now… so thankful for you and I only subscribed as of last week just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your tips🥰
Thank you for your observations about paper bag waist pants. I love them on others but happy to hear they are not flattering for a lot of people because they sure aren't in my case!
Thanks, Erica, for being brave enough to say pleated pants are unflattering. So many size 0 TH-camrs push them as slouchy pants. My flat front RL chinos do just fine. They come in basic colors and the in season fashion color. #nopleatedpants!
Thanks Christine! For years whenever I have to dress a character for tv as a cute older grandpa, pleated pants are a must! But on real women, they are hard to look flattering.
Pleated pants look better on tall, thin guys. I think that was what they were originally designed for. I am size 4, slim, still looks awful in pleated pants as they make my waist look bigger and legs look shorter.
I agree pretty much with everything here but I am 5’4 with short torso crazy long legs and hour glass figure I can wear more than your typical petite can wear because of my long legs like the longer cardigan you mentioned😊
I have to say some of my friends say I am Boho chic but after watching your videos I'm not so sure. I definitely am not latest fashion nerd. It was very interesting.
Hi Anne, maybe your style is boho chic with some other style types? I would ask you what you WANT your personal style to be. If you feel great in your clothes and love your style that's the most important thing! 😊
I just know what I like. I'm 5ft and slim but with an F cup bra. Im not even sure what my shape is. I used to think I was apple but not sure of a bit of top heavy. My friends tell me I dress quirky. I don't dress my age. I'm retired. But I don't specially dress young. I am a dressmaker. If I had to go back to a decade I love it would be a mixture of Mary quant and 1920s. I love simple lines. Merchant and Mills are one of my favourite dress pattern and material houses thrown in with Assembly Line and Avid Seamstress. Gosh, I've gone on a bit. X
The trick to choosing flattering pleated pants is to make sure the pleats open to the outside of the body, toward the hips, not towards the centerline of the body, or tummy area. There won’t be extra fabric over the tummy in correctly oriented pleats, they will naturally open to the fuller curve of the hips. I’m surprised how many brands get this wrong, pleats that open towards the center of the body will never flatter anyone. I would just move right on from those styles, don’t bother to try on pants with pleats that open the wrong way.
First time watching your video. I am a senior citizen, 5'' 1" and retired. I absolutely hate the cropped look and have to agree with you about them. I think if you are in your 20's or 30's they are ok but not so flattering for over 40. I actually don't really like them period. Also agree with what you said about sleeveless tops, etc. I think having a sleeve, be it a short sleeve or a flutter slerve is much nicer and more flattering. . Of course with my age and short stature, it is hard to find the right clothes and I cannot afford the extra cost to have clothes altered. Only on a very fixed income, Even shopping for shoes is a nightmare because I wear a Size 5 in a sandal but do wear Size 6 in sneakers. I wear socks with sneakers so I can size up. My favorite is the platform/wedge sneakers. Size 5 shoes are hard to find.
Welcome Suzanne! I'm not sure where you are from but I have found luck shopping for small shoe sizes at Nordstrom Rack online (and good quality at good prices). They are my go to for quality clothes at good prices. They also offer free alterations if you become a free Nordy club member. I'm not sponsored by them, I just love their customer service. Hope that helps! 😊
I have a really hard time saving my nicer clothes for special occasions, especially if they cost a bit more or are dry clean only. I really struggle with this.
I used to "save" my nicer clothes for who knows what. Now I make a point to wear all my pieces. I also don't think items need to be dry cleaned every time you wear them. I dry clean my pieces every 3 or so times.
It is a mind shift. I just started to embrace this idea and start to wear my silk, cashmere etc. nice clothes for normal weekdays, weekends as long as they are practical for the activities I have for that day. Otherwise they just hang there, never get chance to be worn and I never get to enjoy them. COVID taught me that life is very unpredictable. Instead of waiting for special occasions, everyday is a special occasion.
I so agree with your comments about sleeveless shirts and dresses. I have seen way, way to many women wearing sleeveless shirts and dresses who should NOT. You wonder if these women have mirrors, and if they do, if they ever look into them after they finish dresses. 🤔🤔
Can I disagree with the cropped tops over 40? Obviously it depends on how cropped they are and what you're pairing them with, but I'm 44 years old, I have a 6-pack and I looooove wearing cropped tops because I'm petite and paired right, they elongate me. Sorry for disagreeing lol Would love a colab on this matter, if you'd like to film one xoxo
I agree with you regarding crop tops. For some body types, like short-waisted girls with a small to average bust, a crop top works better than a regular length top because it will fall differently on the short-waisted girl than a long-waisted girl or a girl with even proportions, and it’s more flattering.
thank you for this video, I hadn't thought about adding all of these mistakes together and it makes so much sense. Oftentimes, I add a bralette and make it part of the outfit (open backs and low cleavages) ;) Greetings from Portugal.
Gabriela! I'm so sorry you feel that way. When I was younger, I would wear an oversized t-shirt over my bathing suit when I'd go swimming because I felt the same way. It wasn't until I got older and started taking care of my body and knowing what worked for me that that changed. I hope that changes for you too.
I agree with some of your points, but bodies are not fashion. Someone having big arms doesn’t make them look less stylish or fashionable. That’s just fatphobic. Style is so, so much more than simply how your body looks.
Working with thousands of women over the last 17 years, the thing that ALL of them want is to feel good, look stylish, and be put together. If someone feels great in their clothing (whatever size or shape they are) that's my goal.
Can we please stop equating flattering with looking thinner? This bugged me a lot in this video. It’s about proportions. Yes, a paperbag adds fabric in the middle part but regardless of weight this is not necessarily unflattering per se. If you have an hourglass figure (which is possible at any size) I find it flattering regardless of how big the belly is. Of course muffin tops are bad but that’s due to ill fitting clothes.
Thank you for sharing your opinion Mary. It's not about looking thinner but about showing off what you feel are your best assets. I think extra fabric anywhere creates the illusion of extra weight. In my opinion, the extra fabric around the middle even with an hourglass shape takes away the hourglass shape and makes the body look more straight. But style is subjective, so if you disagree wear what you feel best in.
Grab my "Top 27 Style Tips" to dress better 👉ericaballstyle.com/style-tips/
You always have such practical advice that is applicable to all of us even when our bodies and style aesthetic are completely different. Regarding pleated trousers, while I've been loving them lately, many have elastic in the back making them look like a diaper, at least on my petite frame. Finding the perfect trouser works, if I am super selective. No elastic in the back.
Thanks for your comment Karole! Be super selective. Your wardrobe will thank you
I love crop tops and I’m 40 lol 😂 I’m so short waisted tho and I’ll only buy ones that will hit right at my narrowest spot and where I’d be tucking in a shirt anyway. It works for me and is decently flattering, even though I have a tummy. It’s like the crop and where it hits diverts the eye to my smallest area (my waist).
If you love it then go for it! 😊
Ah yes, the olllllle short waisted body type. I describe it like I have a head and shoulders, but no neck in between, buuuuut at my waist line area!!🤦🤣🤔🙃
A crop top over a high waised pant or skirt, or a spaghetti strapdress can look very good. I also live to wear my long duster open, with shorts under it. Its certainly not a businesy look, but I love to wear it at home.
I work as a lunch monitor for kindergarten students at my local school and I wear my cashmere sweaters and merino wool sweaters. I even wear black trousers. I have had people say I should save these things for going out but I figure I have them I will wear them.
I love that Beverly! Yes, wear the pieces that make you feel good.
None of those standard sticky bras work for my bust size, they’re not even close to fitting a D cup, much less my E. I had to order one from Noom, which specializes in sticky bras for large busts, but they’re more expensive. I haven’t tried it yet, but will this summer, I’m sure. I can’t wear strapless bras because of the silicone strips, they don’t allow one to rotate the bra after fastening so that the clasp is in the back, they’re just too sticky. They don’t give enough support for my bust size and age, anyway, I need straps. Why anyone would want implants is beyond me, nature gave me more than I wanted in that area, it’s hard find clothes that fit. My friends who had implants all had them removed after living with the reality of a D cup or bigger.
OMG I loved reading this, as it makes so much sense. I have a D cup too, went up to an F cup when pregnant and find it soooo hard to find anything strapless that either supports or doesn't end up somewhere around my belly. I've bought sticky ones and am going to try them, but I just generally avoid anything that would require a strapless bra. I'm going to be filiming a video on underwear soon (wish me luck) and will look into your tip from Noom! Thank you
That's a great point Kimberly. The sticky bras definitely work better for smaller busts like A, B, and C's. An E must be a challenge for sure! Let me know if the Noom works for you. I'd love to share it if it does for other women in the same position as you.😘
I’m a DD I just laughed when she spoke of the sticky bra. I was certain it wasn’t meant for sizes for me!
@@scegenius8751 we can’t have it all 🤣 they stick to my belly button 🤔
I hear you! I'm an F and avoid anything that requires a strapless bra. So many fashionable styles aren't suitable for large-breasted people. Annoyingly, nowadays even tops with open necklines - like a scoop neck, sweetheart, square - that are flattering on us can sometimes be cut too wide and show the bra strap. Another great option, wrap tops, are often cut too low and show too much cleavage. It seems like even the clothes that are best for big breasts aren't actually designed for us. 😑
That last tip to wear what you love now really touched my heart can so relate to this… recently I been so inspired by you and actually got a rack for my birthday I love it I have that special place to play and build outfits now that’s the first thing you got me excited about and now you have me excited about wearing my “I’ll wear that one day” kind of items now… so thankful for you and I only subscribed as of last week just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your tips🥰
Thank you for your observations about paper bag waist pants. I love them on others but happy to hear they are not flattering for a lot of people because they sure aren't in my case!
Not on me either Christine 😉
Thanks, Erica, for being brave enough to say pleated pants are unflattering. So many size 0 TH-camrs push them as slouchy pants. My flat front RL chinos do just fine. They come in basic colors and the in season fashion color. #nopleatedpants!
Thanks Christine! For years whenever I have to dress a character for tv as a cute older grandpa, pleated pants are a must! But on real women, they are hard to look flattering.
Pleated pants look better on tall, thin guys. I think that was what they were originally designed for. I am size 4, slim, still looks awful in pleated pants as they make my waist look bigger and legs look shorter.
My coworker called me the Hamburgler when I wore a black & white stripe top. I never wore it again. 😅 it’s bad enough I could look like a referee.
🤣🤣🤣
Great job, Erica! Keep them coming!
Thank you! 🙂
Great honest tips in which I agree and most videos don’t touch upon! 👏
Thanks Andii 🙂
I agree pretty much with everything here but I am 5’4 with short torso crazy long legs and hour glass figure I can wear more than your typical petite can wear because of my long legs like the longer cardigan you mentioned😊
I have to say some of my friends say I am Boho chic but after watching your videos I'm not so sure. I definitely am not latest fashion nerd. It was very interesting.
Hi Anne, maybe your style is boho chic with some other style types? I would ask you what you WANT your personal style to be. If you feel great in your clothes and love your style that's the most important thing! 😊
I just know what I like. I'm 5ft and slim but with an F cup bra. Im not even sure what my shape is. I used to think I was apple but not sure of a bit of top heavy. My friends tell me I dress quirky. I don't dress my age. I'm retired. But I don't specially dress young. I am a dressmaker. If I had to go back to a decade I love it would be a mixture of Mary quant and 1920s. I love simple lines. Merchant and Mills are one of my favourite dress pattern and material houses thrown in with Assembly Line and Avid Seamstress. Gosh, I've gone on a bit. X
Agree agree! Thanks for sharing video 🦋
Thanks Denise! 😘
The trick to choosing flattering pleated pants is to make sure the pleats open to the outside of the body, toward the hips, not towards the centerline of the body, or tummy area. There won’t be extra fabric over the tummy in correctly oriented pleats, they will naturally open to the fuller curve of the hips. I’m surprised how many brands get this wrong, pleats that open towards the center of the body will never flatter anyone. I would just move right on from those styles, don’t bother to try on pants with pleats that open the wrong way.
Great point Kimberly!
This.
Tip: Don’t wear an open back sweater. It’s a sweater for a reason.
First time watching your video. I am a senior citizen, 5'' 1" and retired.
I absolutely hate the cropped look and have to agree with you about them.
I think if you are in your 20's or 30's they are ok but not so flattering for over 40. I actually don't really like them period.
Also agree with what you said about sleeveless tops, etc.
I think having a sleeve, be it a short sleeve or a flutter slerve is much nicer and more flattering. .
Of course with my age and short stature, it is hard to find the right clothes and I cannot afford the extra cost to have clothes altered.
Only on a very fixed income, Even shopping for shoes is a nightmare because I wear a Size 5 in a sandal but do wear Size 6 in sneakers.
I wear socks with sneakers so I can size up. My favorite is the platform/wedge sneakers. Size 5 shoes are hard to find.
Welcome Suzanne! I'm not sure where you are from but I have found luck shopping for small shoe sizes at Nordstrom Rack online (and good quality at good prices). They are my go to for quality clothes at good prices. They also offer free alterations if you become a free Nordy club member. I'm not sponsored by them, I just love their customer service. Hope that helps! 😊
I have a really hard time saving my nicer clothes for special occasions, especially if they cost a bit more or are dry clean only. I really struggle with this.
I used to "save" my nicer clothes for who knows what. Now I make a point to wear all my pieces. I also don't think items need to be dry cleaned every time you wear them. I dry clean my pieces every 3 or so times.
It is a mind shift. I just started to embrace this idea and start to wear my silk, cashmere etc. nice clothes for normal weekdays, weekends as long as they are practical for the activities I have for that day. Otherwise they just hang there, never get chance to be worn and I never get to enjoy them. COVID taught me that life is very unpredictable. Instead of waiting for special occasions, everyday is a special occasion.
I so agree with your comments about sleeveless shirts and dresses.
I have seen way, way to many women wearing sleeveless shirts and dresses who should NOT. You wonder if these women have mirrors, and if they do, if they ever look into them after they finish dresses. 🤔🤔
Can I disagree with the cropped tops over 40? Obviously it depends on how cropped they are and what you're pairing them with, but I'm 44 years old, I have a 6-pack and I looooove wearing cropped tops because I'm petite and paired right, they elongate me. Sorry for disagreeing lol
Would love a colab on this matter, if you'd like to film one xoxo
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Fafa! I believe you should wear what you feel great in above anything else.
@@EricaBallStyle I believe in the same 😘
I agree with you regarding crop tops. For some body types, like short-waisted girls with a small to average bust, a crop top works better than a regular length top because it will fall differently on the short-waisted girl than a long-waisted girl or a girl with even proportions, and it’s more flattering.
@@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living exactly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
thank you for this video, I hadn't thought about adding all of these mistakes together and it makes so much sense. Oftentimes, I add a bralette and make it part of the outfit (open backs and low cleavages) ;) Greetings from Portugal.
Hello Portugal! A bralette could definitely work when it's intended to be part of the outfit. 😘
Mindy kaling now has some great arms!
It's not about Mindy Kaling. ( I think she's super cute) I just want to give people a visual to refer to.
I’m 58 and don’t like to wear ruffle tops. I feel like a toddler. Ugh!
I'm with you Mercedes! But some women can pull it off (not me).
I don't feel great about ANY of my body parts so I just wear whatever
Gabriela! I'm so sorry you feel that way. When I was younger, I would wear an oversized t-shirt over my bathing suit when I'd go swimming because I felt the same way. It wasn't until I got older and started taking care of my body and knowing what worked for me that that changed. I hope that changes for you too.
No crop top with muffin top I feel attacked lol :)
Above all else if you love it wear it! I find a high waisted jean works better with crop tops.
I agree with some of your points, but bodies are not fashion. Someone having big arms doesn’t make them look less stylish or fashionable. That’s just fatphobic. Style is so, so much more than simply how your body looks.
Working with thousands of women over the last 17 years, the thing that ALL of them want is to feel good, look stylish, and be put together. If someone feels great in their clothing (whatever size or shape they are) that's my goal.
Can we please stop equating flattering with looking thinner? This bugged me a lot in this video. It’s about proportions. Yes, a paperbag adds fabric in the middle part but regardless of weight this is not necessarily unflattering per se. If you have an hourglass figure (which is possible at any size) I find it flattering regardless of how big the belly is. Of course muffin tops are bad but that’s due to ill fitting clothes.
Thank you for sharing your opinion Mary. It's not about looking thinner but about showing off what you feel are your best assets. I think extra fabric anywhere creates the illusion of extra weight. In my opinion, the extra fabric around the middle even with an hourglass shape takes away the hourglass shape and makes the body look more straight. But style is subjective, so if you disagree wear what you feel best in.
People today are shameless.They go to the grocery store in their pajamas.And crocs with socks😅
So true Sharon! 🤣
It is really hard to hear you.
I'm using a microphone. I haven't had that feedback on this video. Maybe it's on your end 🤔