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Classic Costumes / Skirt Suits


Index - Classic costumes:


1. Fitting Advice for the Jacket

2. Fitting Advice for the Skirt

3. Best Look Advice for Jackets

4. Best Look Advice for Skirts

A classic costume is a combination of a jacket and a skirt made of the same material.

It fits very well for business-related evening occasions, all sorts of parties and the theatre.



Fitting Advice for the Jacket



Collar:

The collar of the jacket should end at the middle of the neck without standing away from it.

See that there is no fabric wrinkling up underneath the collar in the back part.




Lapels:

The lapel should lay flat and roll smooth on the opening line (neckline) above the upper button.

If the lapel gapes open, the jacket is too small in the back part and in the chest.




Shoulders:

The shoulders should sit straight with no pulling and they should not stand off too much.

If there is any pulling or pressure on the shoulder, the jacket is too small.




Body Part:

The jacket of the suit should not fit too slackly.

If the fit of the jacket is too tight, it creates horizontal lines on the back part, it pulls on the hips and opens the back vents.

When you try on the jacket, you should raise and lower your arms in order to see if the jacket moves back to the right fitting place without having to fix the fit position.

Make sure that the armhole is wide enough to move your arms comfortable.

(Please note that jackets with a good fitting shape are always not as comfortable as jackets with a bad fit!)

The curves on the waist of the jacket should fall smooth without making any pleats or crinkles.




Hem:

When you look at the hem from the side, it should be straight all around and fall in a nice round shape.

Make sure that there is no part standing off and that the hem line has a smooth run all around.




Sleeves:

When your hands hang at your side and your arm is slightly bent, the sleeves should just cover your wrist bone.




Buttons:

If the jacket is fastened, you should be able to sit down comfortable.

If the jacket is too tight, the fabric will make pleats in the shape of an x pattern going out from the upper button.



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Fitting Advice for the Skirt



Waistband:

A good fit at the waist is very important.

Try the skirt on to see if it feels comfortable when both standing and sitting.

You should be able to put a finger between the waistband and your waist and also consider that there is enough space to wear a shirt or a blouse inside your skirt.




Lining:

The lining should feel comfortable on your skin and not be too tight.

If you sit down and get up again the skirt should slide back smoothly in the right position.

Also see that the lining attachments make no ugly crinkles on the shell fabric.




Side Seams:

Side seams should lay flat and fall straight from the waist to the hem except from special styles with unusual side seams.

Look for a smooth run of the side seam with no crinkles.

The shape of the side seam should fit perfect to the shape of your hips.




Darts:

If the skirt has front or back darts, they should lay flat and make no pleats when you wear the skirt.




Hem:

When you look at the hem from the side, the run of the hemline should be even and smooth all around (except from styles with an asymmetrical hemline).

Especially make sure that the hem doesn`t roll outside on the front or back and on the side seams.





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Best Look Advice


Classic costume`s jacket:



Full Bust:



Shape:

Choose fitted or semi-fitted styles with deep V-necks.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your full bust:




Small Bust:



Shape:

Look for fitted jackets with an accentuated waist.

Double-breasted styles or jackets with a belt could be also a good choice.


For your best look:



Avoid this mistake that is not flattering to your small bust:




Tummy:



Shape:

Look for semi-fitted or straight cut styles that extend past your bottom.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that accentuate to your tummy:




Curvy body:



Shape:

Choose a semi-fitted jacket that ends where your hips start to curve out or a jacket that just covers your bottom.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your curvy body:




Short waisted / long legs:



Shape:

Choose semi-fitted styles that extend past your bottom.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your short waisted stature and long legs:




Long waisted / short legs:



Shape:

Choose short jacket styles to pair with a long skirt that has a high waistband.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your long waisted stature and short legs:




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Classic costume`s skirt:



Short body:



Shape:

Try tapered, straight skirts or subtle a-line skirts. Choose a knee length skirt.

If the skirt is too long or too short, it can make you appear shorter.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your short stature:




Curvy body:



Shapes:

Slightly tapered skirts are flattering.

Try skirts with an a-line shape as a possible option.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your curvy figure:




Tummy



Shapes:

Look for skirts with a flattering, slightly tapered shape and a-line styles.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your tummy:




Short waisted / long legs:



Shapes:

Look for a skirt with a straight shape and a low waistline.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your short waisted stature and long legs:




Long waisted / short legs:



Shapes:

Straight styles will seem to elongate your legs.

Look for skirts with a high waistline.

Choose a length between just above the knee to no longer than an inch and a half below the knee.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your long waisted stature and short legs:




Pear shaped:



Shapes:

Choose a skirt with a moderate a-line or a softly draped style. Try tapered, knee length skirts.


For your best look:



Avoid these mistakes that are not flattering to your pear shaped figure:




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