DO STRIPES MAKE YOU LOOK FAT?


A stripe is a design, and a design "breaks" a solid surface. Making that plain seem less solid. A design distracts, shatters the field of vision, creates interest and you use it to make a statement in style. All things that have nothing to do with "fat or thin". That’s clear right? We have substantiated it for you with the blog post below. :-)


TODAY IS ONE OF THOSE DAYS


There are statements out there that really annoy me. Half truths, incomplete conclusions, outdated clichés, served with misplaced expertise. And no matter how often I read or hear them; I always have to contain myself and not retaliate immediately. Most days I can do that just fine. Some days I can’t. Today is one of those days. The day I read stripes can make someone look fat.


The day started really good; I sat in a sunlit spot with a cup of coffee, my notebook and my trusty macbook. I read the news, answer my emails and stay up-to-date with all the fashion news. Nothing wrong with that, I love it. But it was the dull season, and around that time people (including me) start to dig into the archive for a bit in search of something entertaining. Spring is in full swing, so how about a light topic. Fashion? Always a good idea. Maybe a top 10 list? Seems perfect.


BEAUTIFUL GEMS


And so it was that on this beautiful spring day I found a friendly pedantic top 10 list about the general do's & don'ts of fashion. I sat down for a while. And what beautiful gems I was presented with ... "If you have pimples on your upper arms, it is better not to wear short sleeves, long sleeves hide them better." And then this one ... “Wearing heels makes your legs look longer." Wow, I would never have thought of that myself ... or "A V-neck makes your neck look longer." Ok, that is a bit less obvious and is noted gratefully. But the fairly obvious tips just went on and on, it wasn't too good but did contain some useful tips for those who need it. But then, I saw it: ... "Stripes make you look fat." Oops. Gone was my sunny mood. Because when you insult my beautiful product - for those who haven't noticed; the iconic Breton stripe - that's the same as insulting me.


STRIPES MAKE YOU LOOK FAT?


‘Stripes make you look fat’. Really, where that misconception comes from is a mystery to me. Of course, you don't have to be a genius to understand that a horizontal line doesn't have a narrowing effect. But that doesn't mean the opposite is the case! A stripe is a design, and a design "breaks" a solid surface. Making that plain seem less solid. A design distracts, shatters the field of vision, creates interest and you use it to make a statement in style. All things that have nothing to do with "fat or thin". In addition;


"A line is a line, and lines have never made anyone fat.”


Now you can of course say; 'I am so and so and I approve this message', but even a scientific study at the University of York * showed that subjects found people in photos with horizontally striped clothing look slimmer than people with vertical stripes on the clothing.


SO ONE OF THOSE LISTS... I CAN DO THAT TOO


As I said, I threw an old-fashioned fit about that clichéd statement. So much so that I almost committed the fatal faux-pas; the infamous sent-in letter. But I pulled myself together (phew, I had some common sense left after all ;-)). I can make a list like this myself, but slightly different. Here it comes...




• The Breton stripe is an iconic design with a strong celebrity fan base. Wear a stripe, and you'll share the style of famous trendsetters. Fail-safe.


• Do you want to appear dressed for a formal appointment, without denying that you know what fashion is? Wear a striped turtleneck under your city-smart suit.


• Is your inner girly girl asking for attention but you don't feel like walking down the street like a Barbie? Then ignore that princess-worthy dress and opt for a coral-pink stripe. Dosed girly with the Breton style and a most beautiful little kitty-cat. Miauw.

• Don't feel like all-over horizontal stripes today? Break the pattern with an ultra-feminine V-neck. And it makes your neck look longer ... To be fair, credits to the previous list.


LAST BUT NOT LEAST


Do not let anyone decide what you should wear or do. Not even me :-). Wear the clothing that makes you feel good, follow your own taste and instinct - with a healthy dose of confidence and a big smile you can wear whatever you want. For real. So spread the word that you don't care. By the way, I also have a solution for that. (the MERDE or JE M'EN FOUS T-shirt) I'm prepared for anything haha. I will conclude with my own statement. And I don't mind to see that one back in the newspaper ...


"Stripes make you look fat? That extra serving of of mayo on a hot dog, THAT is what makes you fat!"


So. That feels a lot better. I can now go back to my regular work. Today I will treat myself to a soy latte and a fresh donut. I think I'll take one of the latter with striped icing!


And so you can go shopping in the webshop with confidence. Stripes for all :-)


Love, Nicole


Copy: Ilse Vlastuin