Wearing Layers

Layering is wonderful and a continuing trend - plus it's so practical for our changeable climate and current season (or maybe you're having 'mini holidays on a tropical island' ... aka hot flushes!).

Select light-weight pieces eg fine knits (and limit the numbers) or you'll look bulky. Merino, cotton and silk are really versatile (some synthetics are excellent too).

It's really important to get the Proportions right. Beware of visually cutting your body in half (a ratio of 1:2 or 3:5 is more appealing).

Also, avoid layers which reduce your leg length (unless you are 1.7m/5'7" plus) as long legs make you look taller and slimmer.

Here's a helpful guide: measure from your shoulder to the floor (when barefoot). Take note of the half-way point - it's the longest length to wear your tunics and jackets (you can use a ruler to check this out on the photo nb the model is 1.58/5'2" Her multi-coloured print layer is too long for her and she loses leg length, plus 3/4 length leggings further emphasise it)

Opting for mono-chromatic colours will also help you look longer and leaner (please, NOT all black!) Choose one of your most skin-flattering colours to create combinations from lightest at the top to darkest at the bottom. Add an accent colour with your accessories: Fabulous!

But I want to wear Black ...

Then you can! Just because it isn't your best colour doesn't mean NEVER wear it again. It means wear it so it works for YOU (even some Winters struggle to wear it close to their face eg polo necks).

Choose to wear Black:

• by keeping it away from your face (low necklines or wear on the lower half)
• with your most flattering colours (jewellery, tops)
• by wearing (more) make-up to counteract the way Black drains colour from your face

WINTERS: any of your vibrant jewel hues eg purple, bright turquoise, cobalt blue

SUMMERS: choose your strongest tones eg raspberry, deep smoky blue, teal

AUTUMNS: opt for your richest shades eg terracotta, deep tomato red, jade green

SPRINGS: your lightest and brightest tints eg peach, lime, emerald-turquoise

Subsidised Workshops

Katikati Resource Centre is hosting Personal Style Small Group Workshops AND they're heavily subsidised (only $20!!) Phone them for dates and to book your place on 07 549 0399

Looking Slim - Rule 9

Continuing a series based around Leah Feldon's 10 Rules for Dressing Slim. It's good to know her Top Ten are all covered in the Personal Style Workshops, so this is just a refresher for you.

Rule 9 - Don't Let Your Accessories Bring You Down (part two)

Jewellery: maybe not for camouflaging but great at distracting from trouble spots & attracting attention to more advantageous positions.

Long necklaces - create flattering vertical lengths (but not a great idea for big busted women; choose necklaces which end above the bust).

Bulky chokers are iffy for most as they visually shorten necks; if you must, then opt for narrow chokers (nb they're especially made for short-waisted busty women).

Keep jewellery scales to your size ie not too large for small women, not too small for big women.

If a piece eg pin, brooch, bracelet, or ring is too insignificant to wear alone, try wearing 2 or 3 together.

Earrings needs to suit you (face / style / shape). Big bold earrings will overpower most small faces. Strong faces call for substantial earrings. Big round earrings make a round face look rounder.

Drop earrings can help elongate and make you look taller, but they must be in proportion to your face & hair length (if too long / big they can drag you down).

Hats: There should be genuine harmony between your hat and your personality. If you're not 100% comfortable wearing hats then don't.

Make sure hats are complementary to your body and face shape. NB it's important to be able to see the neck from behind.

Bags: proportion & balance appropriate (plus stylish, fit your lifestyle, blend with your neutrals, compatible with your clothes, personality & body type).

Size contrasts are problematic eg an over-sized bag makes a short woman look shorter, an under-sized one makes a large woman look larger.

Ensure shoulder straps aren't too long. A bag that hangs too low will make you look shorter.

Shapes that are a big longer than they are wide, are generally better (unless they're quite small).

Softer bags with slightly rounded edges are usually more flattering than stiff ones with sharp angles. However bags which are too soft / floppy / rounded aren't recommended for heavy women.

CAUTION: carrying a heavy bg on your shoulder over the years can make one shoulder lower than the other, forcing your body to counterbalance it ie potential back & hip problems.

PS

Wow, it's hard to believe it's March already! What a fantastic summer we've had in the sunny Bay of Plenty. Although it's still lovely & warm (and I'm in no rush for cooler temperatures), I'm really enjoying checking out all the new season's styles in the shops - so tempting!

We have another grandchild on the way; due in June (to Cherie & Ben, a sibling for Malakai).

M