How do I choose the ideal clothing for my body shape?

Find an expert who can determine your body shape and show you how to dress to flatter that shape. Wear dark colours on body parts you want to hide, light colours on those you want to emphasize.

For most women it can be difficult finding clothes that fit. When something fits properly, vertical seams should fall straight and horizontal seams and hemlines should be parallel to the floor. There should be no wrinkles or pulls. Hemlines and sleeve lengths are at the right length.

When purchasing a garment, move around, bend, stretch and sit. If it fits well the garment should allow you to move easily.

As an image consultant I have found that most clothing needs minor alterations. Having clothing altered to fit will instantly make you appear slimmer and your clothing will look more expensive.

Simple alterations include things like:

• Lengthening or shortening hems or sleeves

• Taking in side seams on jackets, pants and skirts

• Tapering sleeves, pant legs and skirts

• Taking in waistbands

• Adding shoulder pads

For more extensive alterations you need to decide if the cost is worth it. If you plan to wear the garment a lot it will help to offset the cost of the alteration.

What I usually recommend to my clients is if the garment doesn’t fit:

• In the shoulders,

• If the darts are in the wrong place,

• Or if it is too long or too short in the rise or in the torso

...Don’t buy it!

Know your body type. Get in front of the mirror and look at you to see your real self, NOT a paper doll from a fashion magazine.

I am serious, get in front of a full-length mirror in your underwear and carefully examine your silhouette, your curves, muscles, angular or round bones, from head to toe. Then, visualize the most beautiful dress that you can draw around your body. This way, you will have a visual picture of your frame; it will help you a lot when you are shopping – visualize your own body, not a model.

The fabric selection also follows your body type as well as personality style. If you have a very romantic personality and curved body, you probably feel more comfortable with rounded soft cuts and lightweight romantic fabrics. However, keep your lifestyle in this equation. If you are a top executive in the corporate world, you should follow the dressing protocol and rules of your position and work environment, though you can still express your own style even with a tiny delicate accessory!

Women’s bodies come in different types and shapes. Dressing to enhance your body is to understand and know what works for your silhouette regardless of weight and shape. Once you KNOW and ACCEPT what you have to work with, selecting styles of clothing simply becomes a matter of elimination: either something works on you, or it doesn’t.

If you want to look like you have a good body, even when you don’t, it is essential that you choose your pieces carefully. In other words, focus on what looks the best and forget the rest.

Want to benefit of a lifetime of always looking your best? Then I suggest you consult a certified image consultant who can do a full body analysis and create your very own “Personal Style Portfolio” (containing your best necklines, collars, sleeve styles, jacket styles, pants styles, skirts, dresses, coats) plus all your accessories (jewelry, shoes, purses, belts). Put an end to your frustrations and never worry again in your life about, “Does this look go on me?”

When you know your appearance is at it’s best, you can spend all your energy on the matter at hand.