Style Tips - Fabric and Fit

What should I wear to look stylish?

How many times do you go to your wardrobe and ask this question? For me it is every time I need to get dressed.  Sometimes the answer is just not there for me, how about you?
In an effort to lift my game, I have searched everywhere possible and come up with the following tips that I think will work for most of us apples, pears and bananas and any other body shape and size.

Starting with the basics – Fabric.

Thinner fabrics are more slimming. This statement is self explanatory, Take a look at some pictures of the stick thin models in say a poly/gabardine jacket, a padded jacket and a fur jacket, as shown below. This is the same model in both pictures but notice how the fur coat seems to bulk out her hips and how the waist line vanishes. Even on a slender woman the padded kacket or fur coat will bulk her out.

Fit.  

Please make sure your clothes fit.  I know the "Gangsta" look might be "cool" but it's for Gangtas - street kids who could do with a decent feed - not for larger ladies.

It is a toss up what looks worse on us big girls, over stretched fabric showing every lump and bump, creating bulges where none should exist with too small clothing, or looking like a marquee on the move in something from rent-a-tent.

Over sized clothing will make you look so much bigger than you actually are.  I bet there is not one of us that's not guilty of buying something huge and shapeless to try to cover up our size (I know I have), when really all we have done is accentuate it.

No matter what your shape or height, if you are a large lady a clean line will work best. "A" line skirts dresses and fitted straight leg pants are where you want to head. Forget all the frous frous, bows and gewgaws a little can look great as an accent, but you are aiming for clean lines. 

Gypsy skirts are out unless you are a tall banana or apple. They look great on some people, but for the shorter ones and the hip heavy they will accentuate you worst assets.

Asymmetrical hemlines are also a great way of shifting the eye from trouble spots.

Tops and bottoms of one colour will make you look slimmer. Try a pants or skirt set with the same coloured top as bottom and maybe throw a colourful duster jacket or similar over the top  

Tight tops with short or no sleeves and breast pockets are detracting from your figure.  Lose the breast pockets. You are aiming for a clean line. Ruffles can also detract rather than add to your look.  If like me you have heavy upper arms try elbow or three quarter  length loose-ish sleeves.

For those of us that have an extra chin or three remember that high collars shorten necks. Try a V neck or a lower cut top under your jacket or over shirt.  Crew, turtle, mandarin and polo necks are not for us.  Remember also a short necklace can shorten your neck.

Your body can be shortened,lenghtened, widened and narrowed with seam lines, belts, bows, and collars. Be very careful where and how you use these things.