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| Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D |
You know a good bra can give you a much needed lift and even improve your posture, but slipping this microfiber tunic from Mission Control over it takes the miracle work one step further...at least when it comes to back flab. The wide straps won't dig and the back panel extends all the way up to your shoulder blades (smoothing any lumps or bumps below it). Bonus: Compression panels cinch you in at the waist and slim your tush and thighs so you can knock 'em dead in a curve-hugging dress.
$68, MissionControlUSA.com
Keep reading to discover more back slimming solutions
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| Stuart Tyson/Studio D |
Jason Wu for Target dresses (includes belt), $60 each; (target.com)
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| Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D |
The one time it's good to go all matchy-matchy? When you're trying to camouflage thicker ankles and lengthen legs. Pair opaque tights with the same color shoes, says O's creative director Adam Glassman, which creates one continuous line, and choose a pump with a thin heel and pointy toe to keep the illusion going. The mid-size heel (2.5 inches to be exact) on this pair from Ivanka Trump adds height—minus the calf-strain and foot cramps. And the soft suede material is easier to break in than leather.
Shoes: $120, Nordstrom.com
Stockings: $26, Spanx.com
Keep reading to see 6 more shoes with slimming potential.
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Solve your dressing dilemmas—once and for all
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| Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D |
We found pieces to disguise your biggest body concerns without doing crunches...
This pair of denim trousers will help conceal any post-holiday weight around your middle without sucking you in like sausage casing. The waistband sits higher on the hips and has just the right amount of stretch—meaning it's snug enough that your unmentionables won't be revealed to your co-workers next time you're putting away papers in those low file cabinet drawers, but not so tight that it squeezes your waistline creating a spare tire. And as for your tush, the no-sag fabric promises to do it justice.
$88, AnnTaylor.com
Keep reading to find out which pants Adam Glassman says are "magical."
Read more:
Your biggest dressing dilemmas—solved
Gym gear that slims and flatters
Men! What are they thinking? We can't always answer that, but we'll be posting our favorite glimpses into their world in this space every Thursday.
* Raise a light-saber to the man who choreographed—and body-doubled in—one of the most iconic moments in cinema. Bob Anderson, the fencer who helped design Hollywood sword fights, passed away this week at 89 years old. (NYTimes.com)
* How one J. Crew suit became a uniform and a calling card. (The Observer)
* An oldie but a goodie: Malcolm Gladwell dug up a photo of himself from his high school track championship, and it is worth a look. (Gladwell.Typepad.com)
* Who is fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier's preferred subject? As he tells the Telegraph, "When people ask me which is your favourite portrait... they expect it to be Diana, or someone famous. But the answer is my dog, Puffy. They think I mean Puff Daddy. No, it is the dog." (The Telegraph)
| Photo: Getty Images |
* How one J. Crew suit became a uniform and a calling card. (The Observer)
* An oldie but a goodie: Malcolm Gladwell dug up a photo of himself from his high school track championship, and it is worth a look. (Gladwell.Typepad.com)
* Who is fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier's preferred subject? As he tells the Telegraph, "When people ask me which is your favourite portrait... they expect it to be Diana, or someone famous. But the answer is my dog, Puffy. They think I mean Puff Daddy. No, it is the dog." (The Telegraph)
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| Photo: Ben Goldstein |
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| Photo: Vintage and Modern |
If the recent auction of Elizabeth Taylor's legendary jewelry collection left you or a sparkle-loving friend longing for something special to call your own (and wear this New Year's Eve) then O's senior accessories editor, Tamara Rappa has a solution for you. One of her favorite websites to shop for the people on your list who have everything is Vintage and Modern (VandM.com)—where each bracelet, necklace, ring, pair of earrings has its own unique story. "It's like giving a friend a little piece of history," she says. Check out her top 3 must-have's (at left):
- For daytime earrings with drama, she suggests this pair of pyrite and brass chandeliers, "They're more offbeat than the crystal versions you see everywhere," Rappa says.
- Cocktail rings make a big statement when you're clinking champagne at midnight. Rappa likes this olive-colored one because the gold cutouts along the side are as eye-catching as the big stone in the center.
- This sterling cuff embedded with colorful minerals and shells was made by a master silversmith of the Laguna Pueblo/Chocktaw nation. "Many contemporary designers were inspired by Native American jewelry for spring, but this is an original," she adds.
Keep Reading
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Men! What are they thinking? We can't always answer that, but we'll be posting our favorite glimpses into their world in this space every Thursday.
* How many kids in how many countries does Santa have to distribute gifts to? One reporter does the math. (The Atlantic)
* A handy outline of everything you need to know about quarterback Tim Tebow. (Washington Post)
* Dr. Oz, the first man to appear on the cover of O, talks to Oprah about food, family, and what it really means to be healthy. (O Magazine)
* How Carlton Banks became an NBA style icon. (Grantland)
* "At first I was sad I wasn’t a solider, but as the role grew it became pretty important. Not to brag or anything."—Justin Souriau-Levine, who plays the littlest mouse in American Ballet Theater's production of The Nutcracker. (NYTimes.com)
| Photo: Thinkstock |
* A handy outline of everything you need to know about quarterback Tim Tebow. (Washington Post)
* Dr. Oz, the first man to appear on the cover of O, talks to Oprah about food, family, and what it really means to be healthy. (O Magazine)
* How Carlton Banks became an NBA style icon. (Grantland)
* "At first I was sad I wasn’t a solider, but as the role grew it became pretty important. Not to brag or anything."—Justin Souriau-Levine, who plays the littlest mouse in American Ballet Theater's production of The Nutcracker. (NYTimes.com)
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| Photos: Courtesy of Shauns Shades, Contego Eyewear, Toms Eyewear |
Approximately 285 million people around the world are visually impaired, and over 90 percent of them live in developing countries with limited access to basic vision care, reports Vision 2020. These three eyeglass companies set out to help those in need see a brighter future. From top:
Go glamorous and retro with this subtle cat-eye shape that doesn't look overly costumey. For every pair sold, eyeglasses will be donated to a person in need through the Shauns Shades Buy One Give Sight program.
$215, ShaunsShades.com
Polarized lenses in these two-tone frames reduce glare when you're behind the wheel or attempting to read a book poolside. Even better, with every purchase a pair of prescription glasses will be delivered to someone less fortunate through Contego's work with RestoringVision.org.
$124, ContegoEyewear.com
Protect the delicate area around your eyes from sun damage with these oversize tortoise frames and give the gift of sight to someone else. Tom's started its One for One (one person buys, and one person is helped) program with shoes and has delivered over a million pairs to children worldwide. Now the company is partnering with the Seva Foundation to provide prescription glasses, medical treatment and eye surgery in countries like Nepal, Tibet and Cambodia.
$135, Toms.com
14 more stylish gifts that give back
2 bracelets that do more than add style
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| Photos: Courtesy of She's the First and Braced-Lets |
She's the First I.D. bracelet, $20: This organization helps send underprivileged girls to school—many of which will be the first in their families to graduate. Twenty percent of these eco-friendly leather bracelets created by Asha Patel Designs support She's the First and the Shanti Bhavan and Kenya Education Fund programs.
Pencils of Promise Braced-Lets, $12 for 3: While your friends may be happy to have left their braces and overbite behind, these bangles made of power chains and brackets will make them happy to wear them again—but this time on their wrists. Two dollars from each pack helps build the El Cacao High School in Nicaragua.
What are you giving to your friends this holiday season?
Keep Reading
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8 ways to build a better gift basket
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