Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

My Altitude Summit Fashion Recap – Signature Style Analysis

Earlier this month, I spoke on an Altitude Summit panel proffering a 90 minute Blogger’s MBA with two of the keenest, kindest girls ever to add a three letter acronym to their names: Camille Whiting of Friday We’re in Love and Emily Crider of Hudson & Emily

Upon recovering from my public speaking induced nausea, I fisted a stack of business cards and prepared to gawk at pretty shoes.

If I didn’t know better, I would have suspected a flash mob fashion show. Each outfit was visual poetry, distinctly unique, potent with signature style, calling card and personal brand strategy of the wearer.

And as aforementioned, I am an MBA, so I made a signature style flow chart, because that’s what nerds do when they are inspired.

In case you’re wondering what this nerdiness is conveying, I’ve charted the signature style of representative Alt attendees, from delicate yin romanticism to bold yang dramatics, complete with single combination, style category hybrids.

ps -if you’d like tips on discovering your own signature style

start signature style continuum

continue 5 steps to a signature style

keep going define your signature style – part 1

finish up define your signature style – part 2

Now, close up’s of the outfits:

traditional: Gabrielle Blair, Design Mom

traditional–modern: Briton Alo, Rad Mom-Cool Kid

romantic: Julia Fain, Tag & Tibby

modern –romantic: Christine Tafoya, The Miss Modern Blog

romantic–bohemian: Stasia Savasuk, Thrift Me Pretty

bohemian–romantic:  Gabrielle Blair, Design Mom

bohemian–modern: Erica Patten, Patten Family

modern–bohemian (example on the right): Cat Pagoaga, Thrifty Littles

(left and center Kate Dowden, Resilient Body Nutrition, Jessica Gleim, Petite Lemon)

modern: Hilary Walker, Our Style Stories

modern–dramatic: Nicole Hudson, Bot Communications

dramatic–modern: Sam of Style of Sam

dramatic–bohemian: Conni Jespersen, Art in the Find

dramatic: Alex Evjen, AVE Styles

dramatic–romantic: McKenzie Guymon, Girl Loves Glam, & Jenna, The Life of a Wife

romantic–dramatic: Izzy Hudgins


If you want the full Alt Summit Fashion Recap, click your mouse of Breanne Johnson of Red Poppy Photo Not only did she capture every single one of the beauties displayed here in their native habitat, but she has a comprehensive catalog of some of the prettiest fashion you’re computer will have the honor to display.

Now pray tell me, what’s your signature style?


Breanne Johnson of Red Poppy Photo, Angie Milne of Yellow Bungalow Shop, Alex Evjen of AVE Styles, Me, Beth Allen of Beth Allen Art, Kayla Moncur of Freckles in April, Camille Whiting of Friday We’re In Love, and Emily Blais of The Banner Shoppe

How to Pick the Best Swimsuit for Your Bust

Last swim season nursing caused my cups to runneth over. This swim season the tides have ebbed significantly. Such fluctuations allow me to speak experientially of both the high and low tides of busts, and today I will give you strategies for both.

If you too lack gusto in the busto, ornament it. Flirt about those northern curves with ruffles, fringe, or other drapes of fabric. The volume of the fabric will give the illusion of greater volume beneath the surface. The subtle dip of a sweetheart necklines also offers bonus curve factor. While add-ins like soft cups, boning, and gripper tape ensure support for moderately full cups as well.

Trina Turk Seychelles Halter One Piece Swimsuit

Banded halters are friendly to busts of all sizes because they are fully adjustable. The tie behind the neck allows you customize the nest to your lady eggs, while offering structural lift at no extra charge. The banding underneath the bust is also adjustable to multiple size sand provides a crucial foundation. Molded cups provide shape and protection from show through.

What a high neckline offers is an uninterrupted line of your curves. Breaking a broad expanse into smaller pieces immediately makes it look smaller, which is great when you’re trying to minimize an area, but can lead to gaping overexposure when the area is dainty to begin with. Straighter busts can successfully opt for more coverage. Ample busts on the other hand should swim away from this aquatic turtleneck.

Maaji Women’s Parrot Paradise One-Piece Swimsuit

I picked this unique Maaji Parrot Paradise suit out because I loved the mismatched patterns, and I know that structured demi cups can provide great shape and show. However the placement of the strap to cup attachment was tragic. Securing the straps towards the center rather than the outer edges of the cup creates unsightly flesh collections under the arms. Thicker wider strap attached to the outside of the cup will avoid this fashion malfunction while creating superior lift and shape. The cut outs might have narrowed my waist but they showcase my ribcage instead due to my long torso. And the widening triangle at the hip created the illusion of even fuller hips, which might be desirable for a linear or upper figure, but was completely unnecessary for my bountiful lower figure.

For better alternatives for your belly and bottom, be sure to subscribe, these episodes are coming next.
Thanks to Breanne of Red Poppy Photo for posing me, photographing me, and giving me the courage to put my real body into a swimsuit for educational purposes.   Her camera is just as kind as the operator behind it. Check her out.