Dressing the Hourglass Pt. 1

I've really started taking my body shape into account first and foremost when shopping for clothes. It seems like a painfully easy concept, but in practice I often drool over shift dresses, boxy blazers and oversized knit sweaters -- all which I've tried on multiple times, only to the exactly same disappointing results.

What makes it worse is I have a younger sister who fits all these styles perfectly -- she has a model's build and can easily borrow anything in my closet, and then go straight to the boy's department and look fantastic in everything there as well.

But, genetics willing, I dress for curves. Nipped in waists, pencil skirts and belted coats. If I stray from this general shape I find myself swimming in fabric and looking pretty undesirably shapeless.

This season I'm preparing for two back-to-back jobs in the film industry (the first, as a Social Media Director on an environmental show, and the second an intern at The National Film Board) - which means I have to fill the professional gaps in my wardrobe and start dressing the part.

THE LIST

Joseph /Solferino Blouse

1. White Button Up Shirt

White button up shirts have always been much harder item to acquire than they should be -- I struggled against see through fabric, the 'gaping bust button' syndrome and totally losing my waist in boyish cuts. The solution -- ditch starchy cotton and opt for a more flowing draping fabric. Even though this shirt looks straight it's surprisingly curve-friendship and easy to belt or to tuck into a high waisted skirt.

Y's /Combi Slim Pant

2. Soft Black Dress Pants

My secret goal here is to find pants that are as comfortable as pajamas, disguised as a work and weekend wardrobe staple. Again, soft fabric like this cotton twill/wool jersey with a very streamline shape is extremely charitable when it comes to hips. Pants that are actually enjoyable to wear (not super tight and stiff) means they'll be in rotation much more often during the week. And the neutral nature of black pants also means that people probably won't notice if you wear them two days in a row...

Rick Owens Lilies /Neoprene Jersey Jacket

3. Blazer

For me finding a blazer is a torturous hunt. Often I find something that looks decent, but I can't button it entirely or really move in it, or if something fits in the chest it's much too big everywhere else. The solution: shrunken jackets that are cropped and hit at the waist are extremely flattering, or a jacket that hits at the hip or above in a very tailored and slim cut, made in a more generous and flowing fabric.

Wolford/Opaque Natural Light Forming Dress

4. Lingerie

There's some magical power that good lingerie holds -- even worn secretly under a pair of sweat pants and a hoodie, there's this extra push of confidence knowing you have them on. Like a good luck charm. There are so many shaping products on the market now, which makes wearing sheer and very body conscious pieces a lot easier -- but I don't believe in completely manipulating your body in the name of fashion. Functional and classic with a hint of old Hollywood glamour is exactly what I pine over.