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A Better You
by Jo Ann
Fore
A
Wardrobe that Works
Do you, like most of us, have a closet
full of clothes and nothing to wear?
After
hours contemplating what to wear, do you find you’ve spent the majority of time picking apart
the things about your body you don’t like? ‘My
belly is too big, my hips are too wide, or my legs
are too short.’
When
you have that special evening ahead, do you find
yourself
frantically in search of the right outfit – yet
walk away not really certain if the one you picked
is it?
The way we dress has a direct impact on the way we
feel. Nothing eats at our confidence level more than
the way we look.
Critiquing Our Wardrobe
Let’s
step inside your closet. Take an inventory of what
you have. Do you wear only a small percentage of what’s
in there? You’re not alone. Let’s find
out why. To
get a real assessment of how your clothes look
on you – you need to buy a full length mirror.
Nothing else will do. Stand about four feet away and
take a good look – a thorough one. Does the outfit
flatter your body style? Does it fit your personality?
Does it suit the occasion?
Are you dressed for style? Whether
it’s a
casual event or professional one, do you have outfits
that
work well for you?
Pull aside the outfits that easily
got a “Yes” to
your questions. Now, what do you like about them? Is
it the color, the style, or do you just feel comfortable
in it? Use these selections as a template for wardrobe
confidence-builders.
Now comes the hard part. If you don’t use it – lose
it. Really. If there are outfits in your closet that
just take up space, get rid of them! It’s ok
if your wardrobe looks a little empty when you’re
done. Think quality not quantity. You don’t want
clothes to fill a closet; you want clothes that work
for you.
It’s Ok to Cheat Nature
One of the toughest challenges
we have is to find clothes that compliment – not
broadcast – our
body’s imperfections.
Sue Donnelly, a qualified
image consultant, life coach and fitness instructor
has a passion for helping clients
look and feel good about themselves.
In The Art of Illusion: How to Cheat Nature Just
by Changing Your Clothes, she shares the following
tips:
All of us have parts of our bodies which we don't
like. Try the following to disguise any figure challenges:
Legs:
Boot cut trousers will make legs look longer.
Turn ups and tapered trousers will shorten. Try stripes
as an alternative to plain fabrics. Make sure the hem
falls onto the crease of the toes. Higher heels will
help, but not shoes with an ankle strap, as these will
make the leg look shorter.
Bust:
Large busts look best when dressed in a V neck.
Try a crossover sweater. Smaller busts can be enhanced
by wearing pockets or logos in this area or by wearing
lots of thin layers to add bulk.
Tums:
Avoid belts that cut round the midriff. Men
- try braces for a funkier look. Wear clothes that
skim over the area and that aren't tight. Buy jackets
that move with you and don't pull from the back. Double
Breasted suits and jackets are a definite no-no, especially
if left unbuttoned. A waistcoat can be a craft addition
to your wardrobe.
Hips:
Wearing clothes that cut across your widest
part will only accentuate the problem. Use lighter
colours on the top to detract the attention. Ladies,
widening the shoulders using scarves, or by carrying
a bag under your arm, will also work.
Whether critiquing our wardrobe, or learning to cheat
nature: With a few changes, we truly can increase our
confidence in the way we look. The importance of a
wardrobe that works for us cannot be overemphasized.
Jo
Ann Fore welcomes your comments about this article or suggestions
for material you would like to see in future articles. Email her at: [email protected]. A
Better You is published every Saturday.
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