You may feel that over time your body has changed and this is be due to many different factors; pregnancy, less exercise hence weight gain, even surgery and of course those dreaded hormone changes in our 40s and 50s. Your bust may increase a size or two, your waist seems to thicken and your bottom and hips seem to have grown wider.
I am often faced with clients who are struggling with their changing bodies; still wearing clothes that once suited their body shape, but are no longer flattering (especially after giving birth). It's actually an easy fix. By showing my clients how to dress for their figure, it opens up a whole new world and enables you to look and feel good once more. A few simple tips can make all the difference.
Straight Line Body Shapes
Where once you may have been a straight up and down lean column, you may find that over time, your bottom seems to have flattened, your waist definition has all but disappeared and you carry weight around the middle.
Avoid any fullness around the waist such as a gathers and elastic. Although comfortable, it adds volume and bulk (at the very least, don't tuck in).
Ditch belts and go for a little shaping at the waist instead.
If your bottom has flattened, treat that at as a bonus and finish tops and jackets there. We advise our clients to finish hemlines at the narrowest point, not the widest.
If you feel your shoulders aren’t as straight as they used to be, try shoulder pads in your tops, sweaters and jackets.
You may prefer to hide your middle altogether, so stick to longer line tunics and cardigans . Asymmetric shaping is very flattering.
Don’t forget layering too. Shirts worn open over a camisole or t-shirt are a great option.
We teach our clients to buy clothes that follow their body lines, so a straight body shape will always look better in simple straight cuts.
If you carry weight around your middle, or across the bust, look for slightly softer fabrics with the same straight cut as opposed to fussy drapes and folds.
Curvy Body Shape
Women tend to gain weight until they are 60; if you have curvy lines, you tend to gain weight evenly across your whole body.
You will already know the benefits of following your silhouette with clothes, and emphasising the waist. Try changing the fabrics that you wear - soft fluid fabrics that follow your body line as opposed to those that constrict. Indeed, Lycra will be your new best friend!
Be careful with texture and heavy layers, as both have a tendency to add bulk.
Avoid clutter and detail across the bust and hips, the reason being that you don't want to emphasise these areas.
An open neckline is always more flattering than one that buttons up to the neck.
You may find that the space between your bust and waist seems shorter (as your bust may drop), so try to lower the appearance of the waist line. Empire styles work very well.
Clients often think they have wide bottoms whereas actually they have long bottoms, so look for trousers with a longer rise
If your waist is still defined and in the right place, make sure you have a good stash of belts.
Think about where you wear print which draws attention, so if you're full busted, avoid stripes in that area. If you feel your bottom half is your challenge, wear pattern only on your top half.
An all over print on a dress is great, but make sure it balances with your own frame. Small neat patterns are best on small boned frames, large bolder patterns work better on those of a larger scale.
Remember to use colour appropriately. Darker colours can minimise, but black, if it's not in you palette, may draw attention
Don't mourn the loss of what you once had; instead embrace your new shape with flattering cuts and colours.
If any of the above resonates with you and you're at a loss as to how to dress your new wonderful shape, why not treat yourself to a Personal Style Consultation. I am always happy to chat through your worries and concerns before booking an appointment. This way you will feel far more relaxed on the day of your consultation.
Your Colours May Change
Ageing can also change the way that we look; our hair may become less vibrant (salt and pepper) or more intense (steely grey), eyes can become more muted and skin tone can become pinker or cooler.
Shades that you have worn and loved for years, suddenly don't look so good. This is a clear indication that your colours have changed. For example, someone with red hair and warm skin tone may lose the strong rich look over time and will be more suited to the Soft palette which is a much gentler, muted set of shades.
If you have previously had a colour analysis but feel that your palette isn't working so well, it may well be time for a colour review. If you have never had a colour analysis but are at a loss as to what suits, you will benefit from a one-to-one session with a consultant.
Adapting Your Make-Up
Simply changing your make-up routine can have an extraordinary effect on how you look. Ditch the black eye pencil and replace it with a more flattering shade. Don't use one block eye shadow colour in a deep shade on your lower lid, if you have hooded eyes, as it will only highlight this more. Apply a medium shade eye shadow past the crease of your eyelid. Always wear a primer and lip and eye base before you begin your make-up routine. These will help to smooth out any fine lines and provide a good base. Just a few tips that we pass on to our clients.
When was the last time you changed your make-up routine? Did you know that I offer a make-up lesson service? You will learn how to look gorgeous and flawless using your best shades. Discover how to enhance your face shape and features quickly and confidently. A fantastic fun way to breathe new life and youthfulness into your look.
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