Learn How To #DressYourBodyType With A $185 Monroe And Main Giveaway

This is a Fashionista Event Opportunity, and is hosted by Still Blonde after all these YEARS and Modly Chic.

Momma Told Me: This is your body, learn to love it.

Fashion and I have a love hate relationship. My body and I have a love hate relationship. Where some are convinced that a youthful body is the best body to have, I'm learning more and more that the power of one's fit and fashion has much more to do with the brain attached to the body. It doesn't matter whether you feel you are too short, or too tall, to busty, or too bony, bow footed, or poor postured; all your really need is the knowledge of how to work what you were born with. Every body can look like a model when it's dressed to flatter.

You say, "But, Jenna, I don't have the time to read articles and Wiki Hows on how to dress myself, and I wasn't endowed with a bank account fitting a personal stylist." I say, "You are in luck, my fashion hungry friend, for Monroe and Main has developed just the tool for people like us!"

The very first thing you need to do before you find your fit to #DressYourBodyType is throw out every preconceived notion about shapes, sizes, and age. Stare your fierce self in the mirror, in all your glory, play I'm Every Woman (Whitney Houston,) Man! I Feel Like A Woman (Shania Twain,) or any other woman power anthem of your choice and dance it out. It's okay if there's no actual music, it's just you and your mirror, we won't tell.

Next, head on over to the Monroe and Main Blog (HINT: you can click the GIF above to be taken straight to the page in reference) and begin your shape and style revolution with Part 1 of their How To Dress For Your Body Type series.
While you're going to want to go directly to the Monroe and Main Blog to view the entire How To Dress For Your Body Type series, I've gone ahead and shared a little of what I learned in the interactive graphic above. Believe me, I don't have visions of walking the Victoria's Secret catwalk; but, in an effort to emphasize that we are all friends, and we are all 100% woman, I've gone and bared a little of my personal reflection with you. Hover over the image to explore measuring tips for the 4 main clothing measurements, and to discover some great videos, shopping links, and more!

It's very important that you follow the tips for accurate measurements so you can make the most of your online and catalog shopping experiences. Be sure to remeasure all 4 main measurements every 3 months to allot for fluctuations such as weight loss/gain, muscle build, and more. After you identify your shape (I learned I'm an hourglass) Monroe and Main will help you select the right shapewear to flatter your shape and really make your figure pop. Shapewear is much more than a tool for women with curves- it can help lift the bust, boost the booty, and smooth undergarment lines beneath fine materials. Everyone can benefit from great shapewear, and modern shapewear solutions are much more comfortable than you might imagine!

I'd like to note I, personally, take my measurements with and without shape-wear on, and always keep both sets of measurements on hand. I find I lose 4-5 inches with a light hold body shaper, which makes a significant difference when wearing a formal fitted dress. If you plan on wearing a fitted outfit over shapewear consider taking your measurements over shape-wear and adding 1-2 inches for the right sizing and fit.

Once you have your measurements down and any shape-wear ordered and bought it's time for the truly fun part- shopping! I love shopping Monroe and Main online because they have such a wide range of flattering fits and fashions for everyone from Millenials to baby boomers. Their collections are constantly growing and I can always browse the seasons hottest trends through carefully curated collections of clothes. Or, if I'm feeling adventurous, I can browse hundreds of fashions by clothing/accessory type or style!

Monroe and Main is one of the few online clothing brands where I can find trendy, high quality, shoes in my size (Women's US 12.) Just look at these gorgeous Draping Pumps by Andiamo availible in standard and wide sizes! Their pointed toe and playful teal coloring were the perfect compliment to my, well, complimenting, dress, picked out with tips to flatter my shape.

Once I identified myself as an hourglass I was ready to learn how to dress for my shape with color and prints. As a general rule of thumb, for every size and shape, Monroe and Main suggests, 1.) Don't clutter your outfit with too many bold colors, pair a bright hue with a neutral one for the best sucess, 2.) Avoid over matching by breaking up heavy prints with solid fabrics, and avoid repeating the same print with too many items, 3.) If you must mix prints keep them within the same color family. For my specific shape, hourglass, it was also suggested that I draw attention to my silhouette with a bold color or print that highlights my assets.

I think I accomplished this precisely with the Scuba Fit 'N Flare dress, perfect for Summer, or that daring Fashionista that just loves to stand out! This zipper back dress comes to my knees and is offered in plus sizing for the truly fierce hourglass figures. I kept with the geometric theme, while breaking up the print, and my waist, with a solid color thanks to a wide red belt I had in the closet. I also paired the dress with an easy on/off solid black 3/4 sleeve shrug that offered a little more modesty, as well as styling as the day progressed.

While some might argue I bordered over styling with the Tribal Side Bag as my complimenting clutch, I found it's slender rectangular footprint and triangle repeating print was far too perfect to pass up. At less than $30 this bold accessory is a statement maker with any outfit, and a great addition to my handbag collection as a clutch or shoulder bag.

As we march into Summer of 2015 this season's collections are full of vivid colors and bold prints you can now feel confident in wearing, armed with the knowledge of how to #DressForYourBodyType. But don't take my word for it, do another dip and twirl in the mirror to your inner soundtrack them head on over the Monroe and Main Blog where you'll find an entire tab titled 'Real Women' where you can answer some of your burning questions about fit and flattering every shape and style. After all, you are uniquely you!

Finding the right fit can feel like an impossibility when shopping without the right tools. Arm yourself with current and accurate measurements online, and learn how to flatter your shape with Monroe and Main's How To Dress For Your Body Type guide. Then, my wonderful, fabulous, fierce, dear friend, get out there and rock your body like only you can! And, if you're feeling especially sassy, a little Bend and Snap never hurt anyone! Find more great tips and styles on the Monroe and Main Pinterest board. Now, tell me, what's your shape, and how do you flatter it best?

What Daughter Says: Any woman can be a Fashionista when they know how to flatter their body!

Thanks to Monroe and Main and #FashionistaEvents, one Momma Told Me reader is going to win a "How To Dress Your Body Type" Kit and $185 Monroe And Main shopping spree good on shape-wear, clothing, and accessories!

Monroe And Main Find Your Shape

Each Fashionista is hosting their own Monroe And Main #DressYourBodyType $185 giveaway so be sure to visit each of the gorgeous women below to see their flattering fit, and enter their giveaway!