Top tips for summer dressing
Summer dressing requires a little more thought as all of a sudden we have so much more flesh on display!
TO ENSURE you always look your best here’s our guide to what to wear — and what not to wear — during these ( hopefully) balmy summer months.
Do
◆ Wear a skin tone bra with white T-shirts. It’s a common misconception to think that a white T- shirt should be worn with a white bra. Not so. It’s much better to wear a nude bra, such as those by Gossard Glossies and Chantelle (available from Figleaves. com) particularly when you have a tan, to make your bra appear invisible. Look out for padded cups — a key feature of the indispensable T-shirt bra — to avoid embarrassing nipple silhouettes and a smooth cup will prevent lacy outlines.
◆ Wear invisible underwear with a flimsy dress. VPL is rife during the summer as skirts and trousers get shorter and tighter. If you plan to wear a summery dress you have two underwear options: a G- string will ensure you remain VPL free but choose a size bigger for a comfortable fit. If this feels too revealing, try shorts-style briefs or those with a tummy-control panel, to hold you in in all the right places and give your dress a smooth silhouette.
◆ Wear fitted T-shirts. Summer is a time for more body conscious dressing so ditch those unflattering baggy T-shirts and instead opt for a more fitted look. Agnes b, Gap and Marks & Spencer are excellent sources for cotton/ Lycra-mix fitted T-shirts — stick to white and black for a classic look worn with suits and jeans, and mix in neutrals such as khaki and stone for an up-to- date look.
◆ Wear a co- ordinating bra with a vest top. Nothing looks worse than the strap of an old grey-tinged bra ruining the effect of a slinky camisole or sleeveless T-shirt. These days no- one bats an eyelid if you flash your bra straps to the world — just make sure they are your best lingerie sets and most expensive bras! If you’re still not convinced search out a vest top with a built in bra, such as those at Bravissimo.com.
◆ Give your bare feet time to get used to sandals. The first hint of sun and we forget about tights and stockings. But beware! While your newly liberated feet may look beautifully naked in strappy sandals, blisters are not a good look. Toughen up your
skin with surgical spirit applied morning and night and wear your stocking-free sandals around the house for a week before venturing outside.
◆ Take a lightweight jacket with you when you leave the house. The weather is too unpredictable to confidently leave the house without some kind of cover-up. Denim and canvas are classic fabrics that will protect you from a light drizzle, or drop in temperature and see you through to the evening — choose a blazer or bomber jacket for a more contemporary look.
Don’t
◆ Wear open toed sandals with
chipped nail varnish. Summer requires conscientious grooming and feet should be your first stop. A weekly ten minute pedicure at home, including nail varnish, will address a multitude of sins. To make toes look shorter use darker colours; to emphasis a tan, apply pale frosted colours, or try glittery varnish to catch the light. Also, if you plan to wear thongs or flip flops, get hard skin removed!
◆ Wear a short skirt if you’ve got bruises and marks on your legs. Without the protection of wintry tights, it goes without saying that if you’re going to display your skin to the world then it needs
to be well maintained! Fake tan will cover a multitude of sins while spending time exfoliating and moisturising bare legs and arms will make all the difference.
◆ Wear very short shorts. Rarely flattering on any figure, shorts should never be ultra short. Hovering above the knee is a much more flattering length or if in doubt opt for capri pants. Try a slightly looser fit than you would ordinarily wear. Combat-style cut off pants look great paired with a tight T-shirt and flip flops but don’t even consider wearing shorts to the office, no matter how ‘ tailored’ they appear. — Daily Mail.