Leggings

Leggings - fashionable and useful but are they for you? If you're tall with lovely long, slim legs then Yes, wear leggings in bright colours eg neon tints, and enjoy patterns and textures.

For the remaining 96% of the population, wear with care. Plain, dark, matte colours are the most slimming.

Think of leggings as casual pantyhose. Just as you wouldn't wear pantyhose alone with a short top, leggings are best under short (above the knee) dresses and long (covering crotch and buttocks) tunics and tops.

They're great for casual occasions; adding informality to a pretty dress. Can you wear them to work? It depends upon your job - they're not for formal offices eg lawyers, accountants.

How long should your leggings be? Definitely below the knee. Ladies shorter than 5'6" (167cm) need to be cautious as leggings will visually reduce your leg length (you want to maximise this to appear taller and/or slimmer).

Shorter leggings can be worn just below the knee - if you have shapely, slim lower legs. Finishing just below the calf muscle is another good spot. As long as possible is my personal favourite - I need all the leg length I can get at 5'2" (157cm).

Just remember; leggings aren't magic. They won't make your thunder thighs disappear (the right length top can camouflage them) but they're fashionable, you can wear short dresses modestly and they're a handy extra layer for added warmth.

Leggings don't suit everyone - you may find that slim-leg pants are more flattering under tunics. You can still look up-to-date yet stylish.

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

Travelling Light

When you know your best neutrals and most flattering colours, creating a versatile wardrobe is simple. Your neutrals form the core and colours provide the impact (and fun).

Apply the same principles when you're travelling and you'll be carrying a lighter load by taking fewer items yet having more outfits.

Keep to a limited range of colours eg two neutrals and one colour. Accessories such as scarves and jewellery can provide extra colour.

Choose items that don't wrinkle (or hardly) such as knits, especially items which you can layer for maximum versatility and to cope with temperature variations.

Separates offer the most flexibility (refer to the capsule concept in your workshop notes). Consider the types of occasions your trip will cover: Casual, Smart or Dressy? Is it mostly business or a beach holiday? and pack accordingly.

It's practical to have more tops than trousers or skirts (5 to 1 ratio). And it's a good idea to plan your packing in advance; try creating different outfits from multi-purpose, favourite items (the ones you turn to again & again).

Limit shoes to three pairs and ensure at least one pair are really comfortable; you'll probably be walking more than you expect (exploring, shopping, making connections, getting lost, etc).

Make Up for Your Season

Have you discovered that choosing the right colours for your cosmetics is so simple now you know your season?

If all your clothes have been chosen to suit your skin tones, then one lipstick would go with all your clothes (and YOU!)

Blusher:
Spring - warm peaches
Summer - pale pinks
Autumn - warm browns
Winter - rose pinks

Lipstick:
Spring - coral pink
Summer - rose pink
Autumn - copper
Winter - cherry

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 one)

Shoes: If your legs are heavy-ish then beware of square toes and chunky heels, as well as ultra-pointy toes, stiletto heels, and ultra-delicate styles. Avoid wide dark straps across the instep or ankle eg the gladiator sandal. A slight heel gives a much longer leaner line than totally flats ones.

Ensure your shoes make sense with your outfit eg sneakers don't go with a business suit (only on 17yr old models!). Heavy shoes eg platforms add weight. High vamps (the bit that goes across the top of your foot) shorten and add weight to legs.

NB black doesn't go with everything eg when wearing light to mid-tones; opt for lighter neutrals (M: grey & pewter for Cool, bronze & copper for Warm)

Pantihose: avoid white (unless you're a nurse), patterned or novelty ones eg seamed, fishnet, striped, bright coloured). Choose nude or slightly darker than your skin. Sheer black and dark grey works well with dark skirts but ensure they fit well. Don't wear reinforced toes with sandals (sheer toes or go bare-legged). The dressier the shoe, the sheerer the stocking should be.

Belts: never wear tight belts. Avoid contrasting coloured belts (creates a horizontal line) and wide belts (unless you're tall and thin). Make sure the belt suits the outfit. If a garment comes with a belt (usually cheap and tacky) then replace it with a quality belt or simply eliminate it.

Balance Points for Necklines & Jewellery

I found an interesting website & blog recently which explained how to work out your 'balance points' (see photo)

Take a piece of string (purple) and measure the length of your face (forehead to chin) then use that same measurement from your chin to your chest. Necklines and jewellery look best within 1 cm of this point. If your necklines end here, it makes your neck look longer. Button your shirts up to it; the ideal lowest point of your decolletage.

Another balance point (green) is found by locating the widest part of your face (it may be across your cheekbones or forehead or chin) and drawing an imaginary line across your face. Now measure from this line to your chin. Using the same measurement, mark from the shoulder line down (onto your chest). This marks the highest point for your necklines and necklace.

PS

We had a wonderful family get-together for my husband's 60th at the beginning of October. Thanks to Belinda of Lemongrass Catering who made the fabulous food & greatly simplified things for us.

Christmas is coming up fast, my extended family will be gathering at my son's this year - creating great memories!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - M

Skirts

Do you know your best skirt length? It's quite simple really, a matter of appreciating your figure assets and acknowledging your challenges.

Short skirts (thigh length) look great if you have slim, shapely legs and knees. Avoid wearing extremely short skirts - 6cm above your knee is modest, alhtough that may still be too much for some conservative environments.

Knee length skirts suit most women and if you have lovely knees then show them with a just-above knee length.

My knees aren't gorgeous (neither are they too dreadful) so I wear my skirts long enough to just cover them.

To discover your best knee length, slowly slide the hem-line of a scarf or sarong over your knees while you watch in a full-length mirror. You can discover your best shortest- and longest- length using this method.

Have you noticed you automatically wear your wider skirts longer than your slim skirts? It looks better doesn't it? (due to proportions).

If you have, or want to cover, heavy legs and calves then choose calf- or ankle- length skirts. Hem your skirt in line with the end of your calf muscle or slightly lower (nb not the widest part of the lower leg).

Ankle length skirts suit those who are 1.65m (5'5") or taller.

If you are 'vertically challenged' (short, like me) then remember that dresses offer the very best line for maximising height and slimness.