For some strange reason there seems to be a plethora of strapless dresses around, not just at the moment but for the past 3 - 4 years (or so it seems). They look great - on very few people. To wear one well you have to have - a perfect length neck, firm flesh on the upper part of your body, a good bust (to hold the thing up) and a great sense of balance!!
A perfect neck so that you do not start to resemble a giraffe - all neck that just goes on and on from the top of the dress!
Firm flesh - so that the dress clings in all the right places WITHOUT lots of extra flesh errupting from the top of the frock. On this note, even the most slim of ladies do not look great in strapless, when time has taken it's tole on your skintone. Age, sun and life tend to make skin less firm and "folds" of skin with age spots, is not a good look!
A good bust - too flat and the dress will fall down. Too full and there will be too much flesh to stay in the dress!!
A great sense of balance - to ensure that you don't trip and catch your foot in the hemline, thus removing the top half of the dress!!
MOST women look better with a sleeveless top, or straps that go over the shoulder. They are more flattering and provide support for fuller busts!!
If however, you do have the perfect body for the strapless dress - then "go for it". Make the most of your perfect features whilst you can!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Spots, Dots and Fashion Disasters
Spots and dots are fun to draw, great to colour in and nothing short of wrong when it comes to most people using them in clothing.
Any round shape makes you look more round!! ROUND ADDS POUNDS!!
A Spot is bigger than a Dot and they look great on a Twister mat, however, on most people they simply draw attention to the part of the body on which they have been put. Imagine if you will (and I saw this just this week) a woman of average height wearing a white background skirt that has quite a few large, brightly colour spots on it. Some on her stomach, some on her cheeks and even more on her hips and thighs. She was a mass of spots in bright colours that made you look at every single one of them!!! Of course, had this lady been super-model tall and slim, it would have looked a whole lot better. Particularly as she finished the ensemble with a bright, plunging (to her not insignificant bosom) and fluffy peasant style top. It created even more bulk on the top of her already speading silhouette.
Dots looked fantastic on Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (remember the great dress in biscuit & cream that she wore to the races). Looked sensational on her. Great colours for her (she has warm toned skin, hair & eyes) terrific style of dress - she is tall (quite), slim (beautifully) and flab free! Sadly, most of the rest of us poor mortals are not!! Much as I hate to be the one who says this - we just don't look like her. Dots are only found in groups. Groups of dots gathered on your clothing make people stare at that part of you. Putting little round dots of colour on your bustline, hips, stomach or backside positively CALL OUT to be seen. Should you choose to use this type of feature, be aware that people will look at your dots.
Any feature on fabric demands attention. It makes you look at it. Be aware of the feature you choose and where you choose to place it.
Fahsion stylists use features to create fantastic looks - on mannequins. (tall, extremely slim mannequins). Image Consultants start with real people (curves, bumps, short, average, slim and not so), and are generally more wary of fabric/style features. We are very careful about where, and how, we use features.
Any round shape makes you look more round!! ROUND ADDS POUNDS!!
A Spot is bigger than a Dot and they look great on a Twister mat, however, on most people they simply draw attention to the part of the body on which they have been put. Imagine if you will (and I saw this just this week) a woman of average height wearing a white background skirt that has quite a few large, brightly colour spots on it. Some on her stomach, some on her cheeks and even more on her hips and thighs. She was a mass of spots in bright colours that made you look at every single one of them!!! Of course, had this lady been super-model tall and slim, it would have looked a whole lot better. Particularly as she finished the ensemble with a bright, plunging (to her not insignificant bosom) and fluffy peasant style top. It created even more bulk on the top of her already speading silhouette.
Dots looked fantastic on Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman (remember the great dress in biscuit & cream that she wore to the races). Looked sensational on her. Great colours for her (she has warm toned skin, hair & eyes) terrific style of dress - she is tall (quite), slim (beautifully) and flab free! Sadly, most of the rest of us poor mortals are not!! Much as I hate to be the one who says this - we just don't look like her. Dots are only found in groups. Groups of dots gathered on your clothing make people stare at that part of you. Putting little round dots of colour on your bustline, hips, stomach or backside positively CALL OUT to be seen. Should you choose to use this type of feature, be aware that people will look at your dots.
Any feature on fabric demands attention. It makes you look at it. Be aware of the feature you choose and where you choose to place it.
Fahsion stylists use features to create fantastic looks - on mannequins. (tall, extremely slim mannequins). Image Consultants start with real people (curves, bumps, short, average, slim and not so), and are generally more wary of fabric/style features. We are very careful about where, and how, we use features.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists!
I would like to clarify the difference between Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists. Both people are fortunate enough to work in the wonderful world of fashion - however they do have very different roles within that industry.
A Fashion Stylist is a person who's primary role is to display, and sell, clothing and garments. They are the clever people who put together fantastic Fashion Parades and Shows. They generally work with models who look great as "coat hangers" for clothing pieces. Fashion Stylists are employed by shopping centres to put toghther outfits featuring current fashion, then promote those "looks" to the general shopping public.
Image Consultants show off people, rather than clothing. When a person is successfully assisted by an Image Consultant, you see the person first not the piece of clothing. Image Consultants often take people shopping and can find very little - if anything - that really suits the client. Image Consultants promote less rather than more. Less pieces that really suit a person, rather than more things that just hang in the wardrobe.
I am a great ran of Fashion Stylists and thoroughly admire, and enjoy, their work. Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists both work in the Fashion Industry, doing two very different jobs.
A Fashion Stylist is a person who's primary role is to display, and sell, clothing and garments. They are the clever people who put together fantastic Fashion Parades and Shows. They generally work with models who look great as "coat hangers" for clothing pieces. Fashion Stylists are employed by shopping centres to put toghther outfits featuring current fashion, then promote those "looks" to the general shopping public.
Image Consultants show off people, rather than clothing. When a person is successfully assisted by an Image Consultant, you see the person first not the piece of clothing. Image Consultants often take people shopping and can find very little - if anything - that really suits the client. Image Consultants promote less rather than more. Less pieces that really suit a person, rather than more things that just hang in the wardrobe.
I am a great ran of Fashion Stylists and thoroughly admire, and enjoy, their work. Image Consultants and Fashion Stylists both work in the Fashion Industry, doing two very different jobs.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Spring has not Sprung - It is Springing and so are those capri pants!
Beware the Capri Pant!!
For some reason, ladies "of a certain age" keep choosing to wear/purchase capri pants. These fashion pieces (the pants, not the people) have multiple pockets, lots of detail (in all the wrong places) and finish between calf and ankle. The pockets tend to sit on the thighs and knees adding bulk and width to these areas. The "backside pockets" have lots of stitching and "noise" that adds volume to the afore mentioned backside and the length just does not flatter. The lower part of most women's legs is the part that first starts to show age i.e. veins, fluid and general tiredness! Draw a line right across that part of you and where else are we supposed to look?
Capri pants looked good in the 50's and then only on slim, young things - who frankly looked good in most things!
If you are a slim, young thing wear shorts, skirts or dresses. If the occasion, or your peronsality, call for pants - then wear long pants!
If you are not a slim, young thing - wear shorts (of an appropriate lenght), skirts or dresses. There is never the occasion that requires Capri Pants. If your personality insists on Capri Pants - put them on and (somehow) take a look at yourself from behind. Look all the way from the top of your head to your feet, then see where your eye is drawn - chances are it will be your tail, thighs or ankles. If any, or all, of these are you best features then set sail in you capris and enjoy.
Should that not be the case, remove said capris and find something else to where!
For some reason, ladies "of a certain age" keep choosing to wear/purchase capri pants. These fashion pieces (the pants, not the people) have multiple pockets, lots of detail (in all the wrong places) and finish between calf and ankle. The pockets tend to sit on the thighs and knees adding bulk and width to these areas. The "backside pockets" have lots of stitching and "noise" that adds volume to the afore mentioned backside and the length just does not flatter. The lower part of most women's legs is the part that first starts to show age i.e. veins, fluid and general tiredness! Draw a line right across that part of you and where else are we supposed to look?
Capri pants looked good in the 50's and then only on slim, young things - who frankly looked good in most things!
If you are a slim, young thing wear shorts, skirts or dresses. If the occasion, or your peronsality, call for pants - then wear long pants!
If you are not a slim, young thing - wear shorts (of an appropriate lenght), skirts or dresses. There is never the occasion that requires Capri Pants. If your personality insists on Capri Pants - put them on and (somehow) take a look at yourself from behind. Look all the way from the top of your head to your feet, then see where your eye is drawn - chances are it will be your tail, thighs or ankles. If any, or all, of these are you best features then set sail in you capris and enjoy.
Should that not be the case, remove said capris and find something else to where!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Fashion Parades are Fantasy!
I love a good Fashion Parade. I love seeing what is new and wonderful in the world of fashion and I love being shown what is now on sale for me! Woohoo! What I do not enjoy is being shown all the lovely new, shiny and wonderful stuff for me (oh really) - when it is displayed on tall, super thin, teenagers!
I am "of a certain age" and I believe that I am the target market of a lot of stores and retailers. I am also intelligent and informed. I can "google" these tall, thins creatures of youth and find out that they are the generation of my daughters! The clothes they are wearing are not for me, nor should they be. They wear shoes that are feats of engineering, make-up that is extreme and hair styles that should not be tried at home!
Today's Fashion Parades (now I sound like my Mother) are not forums to promote the sale of clothes to mortals - they are full-on fantasy productions that take days to choreograph, plan and perfect. They are more like "live' performances than sales pitchs and should be treated as such.
I am thinking of requesting popcorn, a choc top and jaffas for my next foray into the magical world of Fashion Parades!!
I am "of a certain age" and I believe that I am the target market of a lot of stores and retailers. I am also intelligent and informed. I can "google" these tall, thins creatures of youth and find out that they are the generation of my daughters! The clothes they are wearing are not for me, nor should they be. They wear shoes that are feats of engineering, make-up that is extreme and hair styles that should not be tried at home!
Today's Fashion Parades (now I sound like my Mother) are not forums to promote the sale of clothes to mortals - they are full-on fantasy productions that take days to choreograph, plan and perfect. They are more like "live' performances than sales pitchs and should be treated as such.
I am thinking of requesting popcorn, a choc top and jaffas for my next foray into the magical world of Fashion Parades!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Too Many Clothes!!!
I hate my clothes, I have too many clothes! This is something I hear every day and it is something that most women have in common. It doesn't matter how tall, short, thin, not-thin, old, young, rich or not-rich they are - it is the same mantra!
Lots of clothes (that they hate) and no, or very few, clothes (that they want to wear). The best way to sort out your clothes is to be honest, objective, not emotioinal and a bit brutal.
If you do not wear it - and are not likely too, then get rid of it. If you do wear it, then move it to the front of your wardrobe and give yourself some space.
We keep clothes for lots of reasons. Some of them are nostalgic (remember when that fitted! or when you wore it on a great date?) If something has real meaning, then keep it. I defy you to find real attachment to the thing that is hanging in the wardrobe with the tags still on it! You bought it and not only haven't worn it, you haven't even removed the price tag! It is a waste of closet space.
If you are holding out to fit back into it be realistic in your thoughts. Are you really going to get there? If so, great and look forward to the day. If not, move it along to a new and loving home! Someone else will benefit from your cleanout and you will be able to feel good about decluttering
Bottom line - no pun intended, but worthy of consideration - if you do not wear it, do not keep it!
Lots of clothes (that they hate) and no, or very few, clothes (that they want to wear). The best way to sort out your clothes is to be honest, objective, not emotioinal and a bit brutal.
If you do not wear it - and are not likely too, then get rid of it. If you do wear it, then move it to the front of your wardrobe and give yourself some space.
We keep clothes for lots of reasons. Some of them are nostalgic (remember when that fitted! or when you wore it on a great date?) If something has real meaning, then keep it. I defy you to find real attachment to the thing that is hanging in the wardrobe with the tags still on it! You bought it and not only haven't worn it, you haven't even removed the price tag! It is a waste of closet space.
If you are holding out to fit back into it be realistic in your thoughts. Are you really going to get there? If so, great and look forward to the day. If not, move it along to a new and loving home! Someone else will benefit from your cleanout and you will be able to feel good about decluttering
Bottom line - no pun intended, but worthy of consideration - if you do not wear it, do not keep it!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
What's in a size?
Size labels were designed by people wanting to do our heads in!! In my humnble opinion, that is. You have to have a fairly "thick skin" as my Mother used to say, to be able to cope with the "ups & downs" of trying to try on clothes.
I like to think that I have a fairly good idea about clothes and what I like. (as it should be for an Image Consultant, I hear you think) Anyway, there I was wading through miles and miles of clothing choices in a big name department store, when (using my 3 Step Elimination Process) I came upon not 1, but 2 things that ticked my 3 criteria. (right colour, right shape and right for me) Having found these 2 little gems, I proceeded to select the right size. Being somewhat "medium", a very nice lady found the medium in one top for me and informed me that is was indeed my lucky day. We will see, I thought! Then I found a medium in an English brand structuted shirt. (great cut and great colours for an Autumn like moi). In I went feeling fairly chipper about the whole exercise. You see, there has been and still is to an extent, a dearth of choices for us Autumns of late. However, I digress. There I was in the fitting room and low and behold if the red strips that had appeared "yellow red" in the store, seemed to become "blue red" in the different light. Always a problem when buying the colour red. I tried it on and it was OK. A bit loose, but in a good way. So, onto the second shirt. After slipping into in, there was a gap (yes, a gap!) of at least 2.5cm between the sides of the shirt at the front! it would not close! I was surprised, then mortified, then rather disappointed. I liked the shirt, but could no get my head around having to go to an XL to obtain comfortable fit. I am generally a 10 - 12, in lots & lots of other brands.
The first shirt, did not pass the natural light test, so suffice to say, I again left the store "parcel free".
I must say, I always believe in trying something before purchasing it. I just found the exercise particularly unnerving, when the size tags were so inconsistent. I accept that all brands have their own sizing, but this was too far off to be reasonable.
I like to think that I have a fairly good idea about clothes and what I like. (as it should be for an Image Consultant, I hear you think) Anyway, there I was wading through miles and miles of clothing choices in a big name department store, when (using my 3 Step Elimination Process) I came upon not 1, but 2 things that ticked my 3 criteria. (right colour, right shape and right for me) Having found these 2 little gems, I proceeded to select the right size. Being somewhat "medium", a very nice lady found the medium in one top for me and informed me that is was indeed my lucky day. We will see, I thought! Then I found a medium in an English brand structuted shirt. (great cut and great colours for an Autumn like moi). In I went feeling fairly chipper about the whole exercise. You see, there has been and still is to an extent, a dearth of choices for us Autumns of late. However, I digress. There I was in the fitting room and low and behold if the red strips that had appeared "yellow red" in the store, seemed to become "blue red" in the different light. Always a problem when buying the colour red. I tried it on and it was OK. A bit loose, but in a good way. So, onto the second shirt. After slipping into in, there was a gap (yes, a gap!) of at least 2.5cm between the sides of the shirt at the front! it would not close! I was surprised, then mortified, then rather disappointed. I liked the shirt, but could no get my head around having to go to an XL to obtain comfortable fit. I am generally a 10 - 12, in lots & lots of other brands.
The first shirt, did not pass the natural light test, so suffice to say, I again left the store "parcel free".
I must say, I always believe in trying something before purchasing it. I just found the exercise particularly unnerving, when the size tags were so inconsistent. I accept that all brands have their own sizing, but this was too far off to be reasonable.
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