Swimwear for the beach bumbs in us all.

Summer is coming and the one thing everyone thinks about, whether they like it or not, is swimwear!

For this segment of Everyday Runway we are helping men and women by providing tips you need to find the perfect swimwear for your body type.

First, let's talk men and the fashionable options available.

Men, believe me there is life outside of speedo's.  I saw so many men walking around on the beach while on vacation that I just began to weep inside at the odd out of shaped  men so proudly wearing such ill fitting pieces of spandex.

Don't be that man that causes women like myself to cry because you are stuffing some body parts and letting others hang, drag or droop in those things.

Ok, clearly you can tell I am traumatized and so sad for the men who do not understand that speedos are not everyone's (almost no ones) friend.

MEN

Your suits are custom tailored, those eyeglass frames hug your face, and that CEO-impressing watch took days of research to find. So why do your swim trunks look like spring break 1997? Sure, they cover the territory, but a style slipup at the beach is like kicking sand in your own face. (Remember, those vacation snapshots live forever on Facebook!) So find the right trunks for your body and share those photos with pride.

Show Some Thigh
Who wears short shorts? Until the '90s, everyone did. (Clyde Frazier's '70s court shorts were probably shorter than the boxers you're wearing now.) And anytime you're shirtless, short shorts still look best. Trunks should stop at least a couple of inches above the knee, says Faherty Brand swimwear designer Mike Faherty. "Any longer and you start to shrink."

Our model Kelly M is wearing a pair of European swim trunks from 2eros. I know there are some men who will want to hold to the speedo idea so I offer this as an acceptable alternative.

Model Kelly M wearing Icon Swim Shorts by 2eros.

 

DON'T: Wear Them BaggyA slim guy in oversized clothing, whether it's a suit or a swimsuit, looks emaciated. If you can fit more than a bottle of sunscreen between your shorts and your leg, they're too wide.. Plus, you risk giving your junk an unfortunate cameo when you sit.

Below our model Cedric Q. is wearing a pair of J. Crew navy and white swim trunks with a pair of blue Toms. As you can see this is a great option for you guys to wear that provide style and comfort with a great fit. These are perfect for the beach, the pool and a quick meal afterwards when worn with a white tee.

Model Cedric Q wearing blue and white navy J. Crew swim trunks.

 

WOMEN

Women come in all shapes and sizes.
We have long legs. We have short legs.
Some are apart of the itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini crew.
Some have curves for days in all the right places causing massive waves.



Everyday women modeling swimsuits

 

Nikki is modeling Kenneth Cole

Regardless of your body type and assets you are working with, there is a swimsuit out there just waiting to be added to your wardrobe collection. The key to finding the perfect swimsuit is knowing the parts of your body that need enhancing, minimizing or support. Colors, patterns and design play a key role in being the right fit for you.

For this segment I enlisted the help of my fashion blogger sister Alea of Get Style Daily.  We headed over to Belk South Park Mall to find swimsuits for four completely different body types.

Watch the segment here

Quick Tips:
For support women should look for tops that have underwire, molded cups or halter ties.  For larger busted women, look for tops that are sold in cup size instead of general sizing.

Jennifer modeling Trina Turk

For coverage women have more options than ever.  Tankinis and monokinis are perfect for women who want the illusion of a two piece with the comfort and coverage of a one piece.  Bottoms are also available with ties on the waist to allow for more or less coverage.


All cover ups are not created equal.  Be bold.  Be creative and have fun.  Find something that provides the coverage you want.  Mesh is in and available in skirt, pants and hoodie styles. Toss that towel on the beach and use these stylish options for walking around after a quick dip.

Of course this didn't cover every body type so I am leaving you with a couple of additional sites to help you out. 

Pop Sugar's article Swimsuits for your body

Real Simple article Best Swimsuits for All Bodies

Fitness Magazine article Swimsuit Intervention

My day in "The Game"

My day with the cast and crew of BET's hit drama "The Game" was pretty darn good. Cold but good. 

As the morning started, we background extras and a few crew members found ourselves wandering around in the dark looking for an imaginary parking garage at the location our GPS sent us to.

After checking in, moving our cars and returning to set we began the morning sitting in our holding tent waiting for the heat to work. Wardrobe showed up shortly after to prepare us for filming. That was a little challenging too considering the fact that the sun was still making it's way to us at 615am and there was poor lighting in our holding tent. My iPhone flashlight saved our eyes and then it started...walking around in the cold in my cute burgundy ABS dress and matching Carlos Santana stilettos.  

Our goal for the day, to film a beautiful spring wedding scene on one of the coldest winter like days. 

Being that I've not watched the show in a couple of seasons there were a few characters I didn't recognize. 

Just know that stars Jason & Lauren London were right in front of me and I knew them.

Lauren's beauty in person makes her look so plain on TV. Her makeup was flawless, dress for the scene, gorgeous. 

Coby aka Jason was quite easy on the eyes! Donning a perfectly fitting tuxedo he woo'ed us backstage. His way with words and character delivery was true to the man Jason is. 

I tried to get a front picture of him but rules of this background game are the same regardless of the project: No pictures of anybody or anything that will give away the story line. 

Me and my TV date did as instructed and after a couple of takes almost looked like a real couple. It was his first time (onset as BG) and I had to help him out a little. Theatre is completely different. 

My only accessory was the amazing necklace I received from a DC based designer. Some of you may remember the model completion I was in. It was my second place prize.

After an early morning with limited snacks and beverages, Jason's Deli tasted like steak and shrimp instead of chicken salad. 

Around 3pm the 6am group, my group, was moved into the church because the holding tent couldn't "hold" all 150+ background. 

Inside the church, no heat because the noise could be heard during filming! Man it was so cold in that tent I was praying for Jesus to send that fire to be shut up in my bones like Jeremiah! 

To survive I wrapped my TV boyfriends scarf around my legs then asked for a man to let me where his suit coat. One man moved and I was a little closer to warmth. I bundled up with another BG hoping to gain some relief but still ended up having ice blocks for feet. 

I couldn't take much more so I asked Tyrone my soon to be new best friend and lead wardrobe stylist to find me a scarf because I was cold. Trying to work my magic and begging for a chance to run & grab my coat they finally sent us back to the holding tent. Wouldn't you know the heater stopped working in holding
and everybody outside was cold too!

I didn't care. I grabbed my military jacket put it on. Grabbed my long Donna Karen floor length black coat and put it on. Grabbed my two scarves. I wrapped one around my neck and the other around my feet. Grabbed my pink gloves and favorite blanket that was featured on Homeland and wrapped myself like a pig in a blanket. Ok. Ok. No my blanket wasn't featured but it was seen when Claire Danes looked right at us in episode 3 in the psych ward. 

Now back to The Game. 

An hour later the heat starts working and I grab a seat IN FRONT of the heater to consume as much as I could. 

Some went to sleep. Some ate snacks. Some complained about not being feed. Some just refused to deal and walked around set. Me? I almost cried because my phone died shortly after. 

8pm and the wedding scene starts filming. 

Brandy walks in and everybody was in awe before the cameras starting rolling or the director made his speech about smiling because it's a wedding. 

When Brandy wasn't filming she was singing. As a thank you and special gesture she performed a classic. Singing his eye is on the sparrow I knew the goose pumps were from her voice and not the freezing temperatures in the church. 

Fast forward and three hours later it's a wrap!!! 

Great experience even if we didn't have dinner, got in trouble for drinking the crews coffee and had to deal with the cold weather. 

Yes I'm drinking tea now to fight the congestion and sinus headache but I'm always smiling at how once again GOD has blessed me to be able to have this experience. 

Background is not about the money. It's about networking and seeing people you grew up with working on a show that you love. Being a part of this makes it all worth it and the true reason why I'm in "The Game". 

Hope you enjoyed my recap from filming yesterday. Not all days are like this. I've had nothing but pleasant experiences working on Homeland, Captive, Banshee  (Tona has me spoiled) and The Black Line.

Be sure to tune in to the following shows and watch me working. 

Homeland, Sunday at 9pm on Showtime.

#EverydayRunway Tuesday on WCCB News Rising during the 8am hour. 

Follow Jennifer on these social media sites for the complete "More Than A Mannequin" experience.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Blogger

Leather Is My Pleasure

Everyday Runway, Segment 1. 

Fall Fashion Finds with JC Penney

On September 10 my fashion segment "Everyday Runway" made its debut. All the excitement, nerves and adrenaline leading up to this day were put to good use.

Be sure to leave us your comments after watching the segment and tweet your fashion or beauty questions to us. Official hastag #JennOnRising

Heather 

Jacket: Black faux leather moto jacket by A.N.A.,
Blouse:  Rose colored Swiss Dot hi low top by MNG by Mango
Pants: Paisley print denim pants by MNG by Mango.
Shoes: Black wedge by Olsenbeye (the Olsen sisters)
Accessories: Two multicolored bead necklaces by Rosary
Price for this look $215.00

Julie 

Jacket: Orange jacket with black detail by Worthington Career
Dress: Leopard print dress by Mango Hey European
Shoes: Black suede peep toe bootie by Cosmopolitan
Accessories: Black faux leather cummerbund bow accent belt
Price for this look $175.00



Jennifer

Blouse: Faux leather yoke top with gold zipper back detail by Bisou Bisou
Pants: Black knit pant with faux leather Chevron print detail down side by Bisou Bisou
Shoes: Black faux leather over the knee boot by Cosmopolitan
Accessories: Silver bracelet, Oxblood bracelet, black and silver bangle set, silver earrings
Price for this look $250.00

Makeup provided by Gregory Lawrence. Greg keeping up with the beauty trends of the season decided to give me a dark lip. It was great choice as it completed my look for the morning.  Details below.

Primer: Givenchy

Foundation: Eve Pearl High Definition Cream Foundation; shades tan 1 & tan 2
Concealer: Eve Pearl High Definition Concealer; shade medium
Highlight Powder: Ben Nye; shade banana
Contour Powder: Sephora 8hr mattifying compact; shade dark ebony
Finishing Powder: MAC mineralized skin finish natural; shade medium deep
Blush: MAC Raisin & Lorac Petal Pink
Bronzer: Lorac Tantalizer
Eyeshadow base: Chanel ilusion d'ombre; shade ebloui
Eyeshadow: Lorac Pro Palette; shades: deep purple, pewter
Brow: MAC pencil; shade spiked
Lashes: Red Cherry
Lipliner: MAC; shade Nightmoth
Lipstick: Smashbox Be Legendary; shade vivid violet

To learn more about Jennifer Michelle the runway model, coach and speaker visit her website. 
To learn more about the show "Everyday Runway" read the recent interview by fashion blogger Alea Sherrill of My Style Daily.

Jennifer Michelle, MTAM
"More Than A Mannequin"

Follow Jennifer on Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Facebook |

Everyday Runway Coming Soon

CHARLOTTE, N.C –  Whether she is giving tips on how to rock the runway  or sharing advice about the hottest new trends, professional runway model and coach Jennifer Michelle is Charlotte’s newest go to resource for beauty, fashion and style information.  From the WCCB News Rising studio to your television set, tune in Tuesdays this fall (starting September 10) during the eight o’clock hour to see Jennifer Michelle’s segment, “Everyday Runway” on WCCB-TV (Channel 18).

Professional Runway Model and Coach Jennifer Michelle to host “Everyday Runway” on Charlotte’s WCCB-TV starting September 10

Jennifer Michelle brings fashion, style and beauty news to local morning show WCCB News Rising

During her segment viewers can expect a dose of everything from applying the right shade lipstick for date night to the best way to dress for an interview, with style.  Jennifer Michelle along with her team of beauty and fashion experts will assist the everyday woman reach her maximum stylish potential every other Tuesday morning.

Jennifer Michelle is an accomplished runway model who has worked extensively all over the east coast, including assignments in the District of Columbia, Florida, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  Jennifer was a standout at last season’s Fashion Week Brooklyn (www.fashionweekbrooklyn.com) where she walked for 14 different domestic and international designers.  She was also featured recently on Essence.com as well as numerous campaigns for a variety of area boutiques and salons.

Models and other talent (stylists, boutique owners, fashion designers, etc.) interested in being featured on “Everyday Runway” please send an email with the subject line “Jenn On Rising” to talent@jmichellemtam.com  for consideration.