The Frustration of Finding Clothes
Tired of Clothes That Don't Fit? You're Not Alone
Have you ever felt frustrated when you are shopping for clothes and can’t seem to find anything that looks right? You try on loads of stuff and end up making do because it’s just so hard to find clothes that look nice and make you feel good.
Then you get on a bit of a downer with yourself. Start thinking your body is the wrong shape and SID the self-image demon starts piping up, giving you a hard time. You get fed up and feel frustrated because you don’t like your [flat/fat bum, your chunky thighs, flat chest, skinny ankles, thickening waist, whatever]. You start wishing you had a different body shape altogether.
Understand Your Body Type and Dress for Success
The truth is that when you try on things that just don’t look right, it is probably because the design of the garment is working *against* your natural body type.
Body Type When we talk about body types, we could refer to somatotype – this describes our genetic physique, you can’t really change this.
You will be predisposed to being:
• an ectomorph with a lean, angular frame; you might think of yourself as bony.
• a mesomorph with an athletic build; you might think of yourself as solid.
• an endomorph with a softer, rounder frame; you might think of yourself as curvy.
TIP: Angular, straighter bodies suit more structured garments and fabrics; curvy bodies suit softer, more fluid fabrics. Depending on your shape, you might need to think about more structure on one half and softer lines on the other, for example wearing a structured jacket with a softer fabric on your bottom half.
It’s little wonder that something that looks great on a tall, angular model on the website looks totally different on your 5’3” curvy frame. It is easy to admire certain outfits on other people or in magazines etc and be inspired, only to copy the style and be sorely disappointed that you don't look the same.
Here's how one of my clients put it...
"I'm very good at liking things because of how I want them to look on me, rather than how they actually look."
Ditch the Fashion Rules: Embrace Your Unique Body
In an ideal world we would all be 100% accepting and happy with our body shapes. Sadly, many of us aren’t.
I get REALLY cross when I hear about other people in my industry who say things like you ‘should’ wear this if you are ‘this shape’ or that if you are ‘that shape’, though! There was one article I saw where the image consultant had written about helping ‘ladies correct your figure faults’!! She’s the type of stylist who gives our industry a bad name.
For me, it’s not about faults or flaws but more to do with accepting that we women have hang ups and baggage about our bodies. (There are years of shit from the media to blame for that, but that’s another blog altogether.)
My approach is to give you information, tips and tricks that will help you detract from your flat/fat bum, chunky thighs or thickening waist (insert perceived flaw) so you look and FEEL good in your clothes and become more neutral about said body part. I want you to feel empowered and confident in your clothes, not just aspire to have a smaller waist.
I call this element within my four step Project FAB! system FFS – which stands for Figure Flattering Styling.
I like a good acronym. Along with FFS, I have a couple more favourites...
BS = body shape
WTF = wardrobe that’s failing
So, you’ll see that for FFS we look at your BS and how you can choose clothes to work for you rather than against you. Therefore, addressing your WTF!
I suppose my main message to you is, really, that in my world we don’t have “figure faults” or “body flaws” that “need addressing”. We just each have our unique body shape (BS).
We often have hang ups and baggage that affect how we feel about our BS, and this is when the FFS guidelines come in handy. I can show you how to detract from the bits you don’t like and draw attention to your favourite bits, so you feel EMPOWERED and HAPPIER in your clothes. But there are no ‘you SHOULD’ rules with me.
I simply supply explanations as to why things don’t FEEL right, based on the theory of FFS, which will give you insights and enable you to make informed decisions about what you wear.
My ethos is always the same – if you LOVE it, who cares about “rules” anyway?
I’m very happy to walk my walk and talk my talk in this respect. For example, I have short legs with quite full calves. The “rules” say I should avoid ankle straps on my shoes as they will create a horizontal line across my legs and that, in turn, will make my legs appear shorter… Guess how many pair of shoes I have with ankle straps? FIVE!!! I bloody love them.
It was the same when it came to my 50th birthday, my sister’s wedding and my own wedding. As an O or ‘apple’ shape, the last type of dress style I “should” have been wearing is anything with a nipped-in waist because I don’t have one naturally anymore. The thing is, I absolutely ADORE 50s-style dresses with defined waists, sticky-out skirts and net petticoats! Did I care about “rules”?
Nah… It was worth investing in corset-style waist-cinching underwear to look the part and feel like a million dollars on all of those occasions…
Sometimes rules are made to be broken. On each of those occasions I got tons of compliments on how great I looked -I was OWNING it!
‘Nobody is perfect. I just don’t believe in perfection. But I do believe in saying, “This is who I am and look at me not being perfect!” I am proud of that.’
Kate Winslet
This is when understanding what shapes and styles of clothing work WITH your body shape can help you look good, feel amazing and boost your confidence. So I’m all for tips on how to dress for your body shape so your clothes can bring you joy and give you the feel-good factor.
PLUS it can help you save time and money by making fewer mistakes when you are clothes shopping, so you end up with less stuff languishing at the back of the wardrobe.
Look and Feel Amazing with Figure Flattering Styling Tips
Most women have favourite bits and bits they’re not so keen on, for whatever reason. It makes sense, then, to detract from your least favourite bits (quiet zone them) and draw attention to your favourite bits (party zone). You can do that with details on your clothing and accessories.
You can control where the attention lands. My party zones are décolletage, wrists and ankles – so you’ll see me wearing scarves/necklaces, V or scoop neck tops, lots of bangles/rings, nail polish and nice shoes.
GENERAL TIPS
• Lighter or brighter fabrics will always draw attention to the area they are worn.
• Darker, matte fabrics absorb light so are good to minimise attention (that’s why people think black is slimming).
• Black isn’t always slimming – shiny fabric will attract the light and draw attention, so beware of black satin or any other shiny black material.
• Pleats and zips at the front of trousers will attract attention and add volume.
• Pockets are always going to create a party zone unless they are inserted into a side seam.
• Textured fabrics, including patterned tights, will draw attention.
• Straps and details on sandals and shoes catch the eye.
• Ruffles, slogans and necklines on tops = party!
• Fancy sleeves are eye-catching.
• Busy dense pattern is great for camouflaging lumps and bumps.
Your Wardrobe, Your Power: Dress for Joy and Confidence
Ready to unlock your full potential? It's time to embrace the power of dressing for joy. By understanding your body shape and making conscious clothing choices, you can transform your confidence, elevate your business, and create a lasting impression.
Don't let wardrobe woes hold you back. The "Shop Your Wardrobe" challenge is your first step towards a happier, more confident you. Join us and discover the magic that lies within your wardrobe.
Remember, your wardrobe is a powerful tool. Use it to your advantage. Invest in yourself, embrace your unique style, and watch your world transform.
Are you ready to shine? Register for the "Shop Your Wardrobe" challenge today and start your journey to a more confident, successful you.
FAB Business Club : female authentic ballsy
This community is really special. It's got the most amazing vibe going on. It’s a safe space where you can metaphorically fling off your bra. It’s women empowering women and providing a circle of support because being in business can be a lonely place.
It's a supportive business network with personal development and a heart centred vibe at the core of the community – no pressured referrals or other stuff you don’t like about networking. It’s birds of a feather networking and growing their businesses together, sharing collective wisdom, a place to thrive and celebrate camaraderie. It’s a space where you feel like you have come home.
We have monthly meetings, online and face to face events. Your first meeting is free, hit me up for a complimentary 'Golden Ticket' to see if we're a good fit.
The paid membership includes an option to upgrade your networking to include personal style and brand mentoring with me. There's also free FB group if you’re not ready to invest just yet. Come and join in the conversation.
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