A way to help you look a little slimmer
I have gained weight and it seems to be all in the rear. How does one dress to try to make it look smaller or to minimize it? I have a closet full of tunics. The slimming undergarments are very uncomfortable for me. I know that a larger behind is “in,” but not for me
All of us — yes, everyone — has a body part (or many body parts) that we focus on as too big, too small or inadequate in one way or another. Sometimes no amount of weight loss, gain, exercise, diet, even surgery satisfies us that we’ve conquered our problem. And yet, we persist. I am with you on the misery of “shapewear” (formerly known as a girdle), which smoothes the lumps and bumps but feels tight and constricting!
Back to your question: Wear dark solid color bottoms. Use colorful or distinctive tops and jewelry to draw attention to your neckline and away from your problem area. Highlight your waist with a fitted dress, skirt or pants and avoid baggy muumuus, which don’t fool anyone. Fit and flare dresses and A-line skirts are more flattering. Short skirts are not your friend. Ruching in dresses and skirts softens your silhouette. Make sure your underwear is seamless to avoid the dreaded VPL (visible panty line) problem. No rear pockets on pants is ideal but, if there are pockets, bigger ones are more slimming. There are more useful tips on the internet and YouTube and they’ll make you feel like you’ve got plenty of company in the big butt department.
I am active in animal welfare and try not to use animal products such as leather purses and wallets and, of course, fur. Just this morning, I realized that my makeup routine is violating those principles! I was using a makeup brush to apply blush and realized (duh!) that it was vegan. Do you have any suggestions where I can buy vegan makeup brushes?
A permanent marker in the right color is a frugal fix. I use Sharpies all the time to cover nicks on furniture, like puppy teeth marks on chair legs and sun fading on my patterned carpet. Drug stores and big box shopping offer a narrow color selection and the right color is crucial to do the job. Art supply and craft stores such as Blick (dickblick.com) and Michaels (michaels.com) have a much wider color selection and they let you test the colors in-store.
Many of you recommend Bombas (bombas.com) socks to solve the problem of the no-show socks that won’t stay put. And there’s a do-good component: The company donates a pair for every pair purchased. Thanks to Mary W., Mary V., Mary H., Bruni E., Diann N. and Diane B.
For the reader who wanted a suggestion for fragrance-free laundry
.— products, Janet B. writes, “Here’s a really good booster: Vinegar! Makes clothes smell like you’ve hung them outside in the sunshine!”
From Thelma H.: “My highly allergic daughter-inlaw introduced me to ‘fragrance-free/hypoallergenic/septic-safe’ Charlie’s Soap (shop.charliesoap .com), and I’ve used it ever since. It cleans well, and a little goes a long way. It’s available on Amazon.”
Vicki M. says, “I’ve tried laundry detergents billed as ‘no scent’ or ‘for sensitive skin.’ My go-to is Persil Proclean for sensitive skin. It truly is dye-free, scentfree and hypoallergenic. And best of all, it cleans clothes very well!”
Leslie L: “I’ve been using All Free Clear liquid laundry detergent for many years on the advice of my daughter’s pediatrician. He recommended it for my daughter’s eczema.”