Summer Fashion Essentials
 Many women feel rather exposed during the summer. In winter they can hide under layers of clothes, but in summer on those really hot days there’s no option but to expose some of those body parts that we might rather keep hidden.
Here are a few tips on creating a more flattering appearance.
If you don’t love your upper arms? - Try puffed shoulders or sleeves as the puff adds extra dimension that makes your upper arms look smaller, as does a flared short sleeve.
Avoid capped sleeves (those are the ones that cut into your upper arms and give them a sausage like appearance) and halter-neck tops which also add bulk. Pregnancy also works well – when you stomach is way out in front your arms start to look small in comparison.
Stomach a problem? - This year there are plenty of tops that have a seam just under the bust and then gently flare out over the stomach – this is very flattering – just keep the fabric very soft and drapable such as soft knits or chiffon so that you don’t look pregnant. Alternatively why not try a top that has ruching down the sides as the extra dimension added by the ruching will disguise your tummy.
How about those hips? If this is your least favourite area make sure that your pants/shorts/skirts never pull at this point – so if you see horizontal lines across the front when standing straight in front of a mirror, go up a size.
Also ensure that your tops end above or below your widest point so that attention is not drawn there.
Do you love dresses? If you’re short in the waist then try an empire style dress which falls from just under the bust and skims your waist without emphasizing it.
Whilst if you’re long in the body go for something with waist emphasis such as a wrap dress. If the dress has a pattern try one that is an all over print, rather than a repeating pattern as the all-over pattern is more slimming and keeps the eye moving around the body and not focus on one area.
Do you want to wear shorts? There are lots of shorts in the stores this summer, if your thighs are like mine and have that orange peel appearance, try the lightly longer short that ends just above the knee – this is a fairly flattering length for most people, whether your legs are long or short.
If your knees are just too knobbly then a slightly longer short works. If you have slim thighs and short legs go for the shorter short that ends mid-thigh.
A word on cropped trousers – unless you’re long of leg (and that usually means short in the body, unless you’re six foot tall), these work best in a light neutral colour so that the difference between the trouser and your leg is less obvious and your legs will look longer.
If your legs are on the shorter side you can team with a nude shoe or high heel for dressier occasions.
And don’t forget your feet – a pedicure, some chip-free polish will make your feet a much more pleasant sight in open shoes. Put a heavy moisturizer on your feet at bedtime each night and your tootsies will thank you for it.
Remember, just because we can’t hide under long layers of clothes in summer, doesn’t mean we can’t use a few illusions and tricks to make the best of what we have. And I always like to be thankful that I’ve got a fully functioning body that works hard for me every day.
This article is courtesy of Imogen at Bespoke Image |