Look We Love: Body Conscious
There’s something about the phrase “body-conscious” that makes even the most secure woman cringe. Maybe the spandex revolution of the eighties/early nineties frightened you off the style and you fear that attempting it now will make you look like a Kelly Bundy manqué? (Uh, just a guess...) Well it’s time to put away those fears and try the trend again. As illustrated by the fashion-forward figures above, it’s possible to wear these bodysuit-like styles in a modern way.
Obviously this isn’t the first time you’ve heard about the body-con look, as the tight silhouette made a big splash a few seasons back. We saw variations of this style on the spring runways (skinny little tops and dresses at Anna Molinari, fitted tucked-in tanks at DKNY) and assure you that it will still be a viable trend come fall. The tops in particular will look great with next season’s full skirts and sky-high pumps.
We’ve noticed that many young celebrities are interpreting the runway look by opting for leotard-style tops and bodysuits. Emmy Rossum echoed the neat styles presented at DKNY when she tucked a formfitting cream top into a lipstick red pair of J & Company Beverly Jeans
($128). Rihanna chose a similarly sleek look for dinner at Da Silvano in New York. She paired a green Theory Simmons Bodysuit ($120) in Myrrh with her See by Chloe Patch Pocket Silk Mini($360). Lindsay Lohan is also suiting up as of late. She was spotted in American Apparel’s Spandex Jersey Tank Thong ($22) in Lapis, faded black jeans, and white flats while out and about in Los Angeles last month.
In addition to the above-mentioned items, there are lots of body-conscious tops available now. If you’d like a classic dancer-style leotard, try Falke’s Fine Cotton Bodysuit
($250) or ASOS’s Ruched Front Strappy Bodysuit ($26). The BDG Double Scoop Tank ($18) is a great basic tank to have on hand and we also like Martin + Osa’s Essential Tank ($15), which is available in eleven colors!
Simple form-fitting tops are certainly the most accessible way to try the look, but, if you’ve got a figure like Theodora Richards, by all means go for a body-con dress. Ms. Richards looked current and lovely in the American Apparel Cotton Spandex Jersey Double U-Neck Dress ($30) in Nude T she wore to a House of Campari party in New York. We also like the equally simple Riller & Fount Short Sleeve Jersey Dress ($115). Whatever body-con item you pick, we only ask that you keep your makeup minimal and your accessories modern!
Photo of Rihanna, Splash News.
Obviously this isn’t the first time you’ve heard about the body-con look, as the tight silhouette made a big splash a few seasons back. We saw variations of this style on the spring runways (skinny little tops and dresses at Anna Molinari, fitted tucked-in tanks at DKNY) and assure you that it will still be a viable trend come fall. The tops in particular will look great with next season’s full skirts and sky-high pumps.
We’ve noticed that many young celebrities are interpreting the runway look by opting for leotard-style tops and bodysuits. Emmy Rossum echoed the neat styles presented at DKNY when she tucked a formfitting cream top into a lipstick red pair of J & Company Beverly Jeans
In addition to the above-mentioned items, there are lots of body-conscious tops available now. If you’d like a classic dancer-style leotard, try Falke’s Fine Cotton Bodysuit
Simple form-fitting tops are certainly the most accessible way to try the look, but, if you’ve got a figure like Theodora Richards, by all means go for a body-con dress. Ms. Richards looked current and lovely in the American Apparel Cotton Spandex Jersey Double U-Neck Dress ($30) in Nude T she wore to a House of Campari party in New York. We also like the equally simple Riller & Fount Short Sleeve Jersey Dress ($115). Whatever body-con item you pick, we only ask that you keep your makeup minimal and your accessories modern!
Photo of Rihanna, Splash News.
I love emmy's outfit. Adorable!
Posted by: lianna | 2008-07-06 14:16:02
i love Linday's look! great.as usual.
Posted by: no_bitchassness | 2008-07-06 06:29:09
I think Emmy + Rihanna look fabulous and are goods models for those who are curvy.
Posted by: patriciao | 2008-07-03 21:31:37
why is everything on this site so dated? everyone i know wore these thing about 5 years ago. this happens post after post. Lame as always.
Posted by: | 2008-07-03 19:32:58
the idea of a leotard thong scares me...
Posted by: valerie | 2008-07-03 01:57:09
I don't think its really about being super skinny or not. I think its more a matter of being in good shape because you can be super skinny and still not have the flat stomach needed to pull this look off and you can be heavier and still have a flat stomach. Either way work with what you've got and embrace it. I'm a size 0, but I'm also only 5'2. I have the American Apparel dress in black and love it. Here's a tip: if you aren't comfortable enough with your stomach to wear this dress, try wearing the dress as a skirt under something, I do it all the time.
Posted by: bella vita | 2008-07-02 14:03:41
I'm definitely not sickly skinny and I wear "body conscious" pieces all the time (usually a leotard with pants or a skirt over). I think I look fabulous, but fashion is subjective anyway.
Posted by: heidi | 2008-07-02 11:49:52
I don't think it's ugly at all, and I don't think you need to be super-skinny to pull it off. I'm fairly thin but in no way super-skinny (I'm incredibly short, so my "thinness" just makes me proportional-looking) and I definitely enjoy the body con look in certain contexts. I'm no super-skinny ballerina, either. As long as you choose flattering cuts and colors and wear it correctly, it can look good on lots of people. It just takes self-confidence! It may not be a look for everyone ever, but it definitely isn't an 'ugly trend - only to be attempted by super skinny ballerinas'.
Posted by: Lauren | 2008-07-02 02:51:45
I love theodora's nude aa dress, I'm really loving the all nude look right now, btw, you don't need to be super skinny to pull that dress off (the black version is actually quite flattering) if you have time check out the blog I just started!! http://freshaslettuce.blogspot.com/
Posted by: hanj | 2008-07-01 23:18:58
They all look great, esp Emmy. Now let's all chill.
Posted by: M | 2008-07-01 20:36:35
Emmy looks absolutely adorable
Posted by: Noe | 2008-07-01 17:38:49
"IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT AMERICANS HAVE SUCH WEIGHT PROBLEMS THAT THEY CONSIDER PEOPLE WITH NORMAL BMI'S SICKLY SKINNY." try not to make assumptions chloe...not everyone in america is fat, i'm not! and i'm sure not everyone in europe is skinny....how very egocentric of you. OH, AND STOP POSTING IN ALL CAPS. it is considered rude in the US.
Posted by: kitty | 2008-07-01 14:58:37
Everyone should chill out on their posts, this is about a style not your own insecurities. this should be about accepting your body for whatever it is and rocking it out in hot clothes! My best friend is a size 18 and I'm a 2 and we are both confident. we have our own style and dress based on what we feel comfortable in, not what we think others will perceive of us. Key idea here, don't stuff it in, find your size and work it out!!!
Posted by: brie | 2008-07-01 14:48:31
Lindsay looks cute, and i love that AA dress though it takes a lot of guts to wear it out. I've worn leotards under pants before, its not THAT bad girls!! and i am NOT a size 0!! fashioninsiderguide.com
Posted by: ar | 2008-07-01 13:13:45
Ooh, Emmy looks SO cute.
Posted by: Elizabeth | 2008-07-01 12:28:01
I love Emmy Rossum's look--is there an affordable way that I can duplicate it?
Posted by: E | 2008-07-01 11:52:06
i love worker boots and lumber jack shirts. they're already back in circulation. get with it.
Posted by: Lovesgemma | 2008-07-01 11:49:14
leotards and jeans ...hmmm haven't seen that before (um circa 1991-93) ...soon, they'll add a super CHIC plaid button down flannel lumber jack shirt over it and some worker boots everyone will ooh and ahh.
Posted by: lovemaegan.com | 2008-07-01 11:36:09
KARLA'S PERFECTLY NORMAL. IF YOU CALL HER SUPER-SKINNY, WHAT'S THE WORD TO DESCRIBE RACHEL BILSON, THE OLSEN TWINS, THE HILTONS AND THE LIKE? OR Theodora Richards???IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE MASSIVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PERCEPTION YOU ACTUALLY WOULD NOTICE THAT KARLA HAS GOT NO BONES STICKING OUT, AND SHE ACTUALLY HAS FULLER LEGS. IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT AMERICANS HAVE SUCH WEIGHT PROBLEMS THAT THEY CONSIDER PEOPLE WITH NORMAL BMI'S SICKLY SKINNY. YOU ALL ARE INVITED TO EUROPE.
Posted by: chloe | 2008-07-01 11:10:39
It saddens me that girls are so insecure about their bodies.
Posted by: Milnie | 2008-07-01 10:42:18
oh god..rihanna look so good with this look...and i luv the red pant!...:D
Posted by: Molly Oh! | 2008-07-01 10:30:43
aw i want emmy's pants. www.runawaygallery.com
Posted by: Runaway Gallery | 2008-07-01 10:28:35
Emmy Rossum looks great, but I never like what Lohan wears. She tries too hard to be sexy. I wish she would just dress her age.
Posted by: Jen at Small To | 2008-07-01 10:19:12
Karla from karlascloset.com is most certainly super-skinny according to most of the world.
Posted by: el | 2008-07-01 10:12:02
When done correctly, I find that it can be a very feminine and flattering look. I especially love the warm colors being used to enhance one's silhouette. (My Blog). http://fashionchalet.blogspot.com
Posted by: Fashion CHALET | 2008-07-01 09:57:45
How is Karla from karlascloset not skinny? take a look at her vegas photos my dear, before you come up with an insult like that.
Posted by: r | 2008-07-01 09:57:40
THERE'S NOTHING MORE IDIOTIC THAN ASSUMING only SUPER-SKINNY ONES CAN WEAR HOT CLOTHES. Take a look at KARLA from karlascloset.com. She's doing body-con dresses and looking HOOOT, and she's at a healthy weight, far from skinny. GROW UP, GIRLS, IT'S CALLED SELF-CONFIDENCE!
Posted by: chloe | 2008-07-01 09:16:25
anyone know where Emmy's top is from or a similar one?
Posted by: Madison | 2008-07-01 08:29:59
I like the top that Lindsay wearing.
Posted by: Champagne | 2008-07-01 08:28:03
Nothing says "fashion-forward" like last year's goofy trend of bright colored jeans.
Posted by: MEP | 2008-07-01 08:15:37
I have the american apparel dress in red and in black. I absolutely love them, though if I wasn't a size 0, I definitely wouldn't wear it. And even then, I only wear them on my 'skinny' days.
Posted by: taylor | 2008-07-01 07:53:44
A) I don't like this look B)Enough with the sickeningly sweet Emmy Rossum! She's too much.
Posted by: Erock | 2008-07-01 07:19:33
I agree with ellie! I'm a size 2 and I wouldn't dare wear anything that tight - its just so unforgiving! It makes everyone look fat - even the ultra skinny. The only way I could look good in one of those is to go through a week-long bout of some kind of aggressive gastro-intestinal illness! (and even then I'd feel lumpy, bulgy and downright uncomfortable with my body all squeezed into lycra like that). Its an ugly trend - only to be attempted by super skinny ballerinas who are all bone and muscle and no body fat.
Posted by: p | 2008-07-01 05:45:47
my boobs are too big for this! i'm small and petite but my boobs look huge with anything that hugs my body.
Posted by: e | 2008-07-01 01:51:56
l lohan's jeans are balenciaga
Posted by: lily | 2008-07-01 01:33:57
i think most people are afraid of wearing the body con look not due to a fear of looking like Kelly Bundy, but because they don't want to look like stuffed sausage. i'm afraid for that reason, and i'm a size 4.
Posted by: ellie | 2008-07-01 01:21:50
stop trying to shill us CRAP
Posted by: sj | 2008-07-01 00:36:36