Style - Hope's How-To

There has long been a myth that stripes — specifically, horizontal — are about as good for you as as shot of arsenic. This may true in some cases, but keep in mind these 3 guidelines, and you too can stripe it right.

1. Top-Heavy. Heavy stripes work best on the upper torso, especially if you’re endowed with a small bust and big-hips-or-waist-or-both. Thick stripes draw attention, and when you put them in the perfect place, all eyes are on you and off any figure-flubs.

2. Keep it Simple. Stripes mixed together with polka-dots or pique? Unless you want to look like a clown, stay away from anything too busy. Basic ribbing, flat cotton, and linen are all textures that work well with stripes. The same goes for accessories. Keep it neutral, and you can’t go wrong.

3. Miss Mix-A-Lot. Mixing vertical and horizontal stripes is hard to do, and really, unless you are Derek Lam, I don’t suggest it. While this tunic is casual-creative-chic, it only looks so fabulous because the whole piece is derived from a single pattern.

Check out the entire must-see SS07 collection from Derek Lam here.