Dress your best and forget the rest
APPEARANCES count, so dress well because clothes maketh the man or the woman.
Picking the right outfit can be a tricky thing and it gets even more difficult as we age, as the pull of gravity causes pockets of fat to accumulate in areas such as the upper arms, belly, hips, thighs and bottom.
The key to looking good in what we wear is to learn how to select clothing that camouflages our body flaws and flatters us best:
> Buy clothing that fits well. Tight outfits accentuate every inch of flab, while baggy clothes make you appear frumpy and bigger than you actually are.
> Avoid shiny and stretchy fabrics as they highlight and cling to bulges you do not want to draw attention to.
> Black is always a safe colour because it hides a multitude of flaws, but do not end up with a drab wardrobe. Choose colours that complement your skin tone and make you look more vibrant. But be careful not to go overboard in mixing and matching colours.
> Fussy fabrics tend to make plus- size women look even bigger. Keep away from big, bold prints and fussy design details like frills and horizontal stripes.
> Stick to clean, classic designs. Wearing tops and bottoms in monochromatic shades help create an overall impression of length and make you look taller and slimmer.
Dresses with high empire waistlines may help hide a flabby tummy or broad hip but if the cut is not right, you could keep people guessing if you are an expectant mum or not. It is much safer to stick to smartly tailored suits.
> If you are pear- shaped, wear softly pleated or flat- front trousers that emphasise your well- defined waist. Hipster trousers and A- line skirts can create a slimmer silhouette. Avoid short, tight skirts and flared skirts with pleats which accentuate the tops of your thighs and divert attention to the tummy.
> Tops should have attractive necklines that draw the eye to your upper body. They should be fitted and fall just above your hips so that your waistline is emphasised. – The Straits Times / Asia News Network