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This is a quick rundown on my personal "tips"
for wardrobe and styling. The
"business" of fashion does both women and men
a huge disservice when it comes
to size, fit and personal value. I have been part of that
business for many
years, and my attitudes toward fashion and the bodies that
wear the clothes have
changed drastically over that time. The biggest lesson I've
learned-we are all
great EXACTLY as we are.
I can, and have dressed women from sizes 2 to 42. I have
given men the
"correct" look for their bodies whether they sport
a 28 waist or 58 waist. There is
no "ideal" body-the perfect body is a total fallacy.
The infinite variety of
body types isn't something to hide, but rather something
to celebrate. In our
differences we are a full society, our imperfections set
us free. Our variety
is itself exciting.
The "ideal" I would like to promote is, LOVE
YOURSELF TODAY, EXACTLY AS YOU ARE. I am trying to promote
this thought for both women and men, from their earliest
childhood awareness of our bodies straight through to the
"does-this-make-my-ass-look-big" adult insecurities.
I am here to tell you that you are great today, just as
you are, and you were great yesterday, and will be great
tomorrow, regardless of that bodies type, size or shape.
You'll never hear me tell you, "Go to the gym,"
then I can help you dress. Go to a gym if you want to for
health reasons, but not for me. Those are decisions you
make for yourself. I can show you how to dress yourself
regardless. I can also show you how to look great with what
you are working with today, at this very moment at this
very hour. This is my favorite Audrey Hepburn quote about
self love and loving others. I hope you enjoy it and take
it to heart.
"For attractive lips, Speak
words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed,
revived, reclaimed and redeemed.
Never throw out anybody.
Remember: if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one
at the end of your arm.
As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands.
One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."
And this is the atmosphere I try to bring to my work.
1) FOCUS
Focus on what part of your body you "LIKE" right
now, your "best" feature.
For example, if your hips are large or you're pregnant bring
the focus up to your chest and face with wider necklines
and simple accessories that compliment your face. Diamond
studs and pearls are always ideal.(real or fake) These accessories
bring light to your face and make your teeth and eyes seem
whiter and pop.
2) CLASSICS
Purchase classic, simple, season-less pieces that will work
across the board for all events. Your goal is to have a
wardrobe that you're able to mix and match. Leave that embroidered
"great pumpkin" sweater in the patch!
3) TRENDS
Trends are best left to the bag-or shoe or belt. Accessories
are the best way to incorporate trends into your wardrobe.
And there is no need to spend loads of money on things you'll
hate next season. Let's face it most of us can't wear the
"straight-off-the-runway" trends. For example,
if this season's hot "trendy" color is pink, grab
a pink handbag, shoe or scarf. And avoid the temptation
to over do it--don't wear a hot pink shirt, hot pink pants
with a hot pink hat. Do you really want to look like a piece
of walking bazooka bubblegum?
4) COMFORT WITH STYLE
Comfortable clothing is clothing you'll feel comfortable
wearing. Have enough comfort clothing that still looks good
and fits well. Try a tailored slightly fitted sweatsuit
and sweatshirt in nicer richer fabrics and colors. These
comfort clothes offer a more fashionable alternative to
your husband's college sweatshirt and your sons boxer shorts
or pajama bottoms.
5) DANGEROUS CURVES
Look in the mirror. Get to know your body and be honest
with it, which means learning what balances well on it.
Do not cinch in that too tight belt and create a sausage
link waist. One of my clients, I'll call her "Jimmy
Dean" once told me, "My waist is so small so I
belt everything. I'm tiny in the waist but I do have huge
hips and breasts." AND? So what, if a small waist doesn't
balance your top and bottom half, you will look like two
links of overstuffed sausage connected in the middle. Picture
a stopped up pipe! Not a pretty picture. It is far better
to let clothing flow away from your body's widest point.
Allow your shirts to hang from the bust and your pants to
hang from the widest point of the hip to the floor. Your
body should not be a carnival ride, no ups and downs and
twists and turns happening all over it. To accentuate your
smaller waist wear a slightly fitted jacket or sweater.
I did say slightly. It's still about ease. Have clothing
fit correctly and keep the flow going up and down and side
to side across the body.
7) SHOPPING/LOVING
Love yourself exactly as you are today, which means you
must try to fall in love with yourself again. Take the body
you love shopping with you. It is a whole lot easier than
shopping and trying to dress a body you despise or hate.
Those aren't your mom's thighs, they are YOURS! Accept them
and move on. Don't run into a store and shop fast for a
few skirts or shirts. Take the time for you! Try things
on and try again. Become very, very picky about the fit
and the comfort and the shapes you are creating on your
body. See tip # 10 below.
8) BALANCE AND THE PANT
Stronger shoulders will balance wide hips. A wider leg on
pants will balance strong shoulders on top. Remember the
width of pants on the bottom is just as important as their
width on top. And wider legs are the way to go. If you do
a tapered pant with a tight ankle, you will have what I
like to call "the ballerina hippo" shape. (Remember
them from Disney's Fantasia? Small feet, huge middle and
twirl!) Your aim is to create a beautiful balance from the
shoulders all the way to the floor.
9) SHOES
Shoes elongate the leg. To fake a longer leg, continue the
line down from the leg to the foot with a slightly narrow
toe. It doesn't have to be a point but a slimmer shoe creates
the illusion of a longer leg. Clunky toe on a shoe, says
clunky ankle, and a clunky thick heel moans FRANKENSTEIN
foot. Avoid the Frankenfoot at all costs, because a clunky
foot adds to much weight at the bottom. It is a subliminal
thing, but a heavy thick foot says a lot of the wrong things
regarding shape.
10) SELF AWARENESS AND SELF LOVE AND THE
SIMPLEST TIP IN "MY BOOK"
Have fun, once you look really look at your body, and fall
in love with it, you can enjoy dressing it. You will also
be able to try new things.
Here's the final tip and the simplest:
If at least 5 people say, "your ass looks great in
those pants!" then BUY
MORE OF THOSE PANTS! If they are handing out compliments,
then that is a great
shape of pant for you. And this is a way to inexpensively
create your "uniform
for life."
If a few people say,"Wow, you look so good in a shade
of blue," BUY MORE OF
THAT BLUE!
It really is that simple!
And REMEMBER: Dress for yourself to make yourself happy.
Don't dress for a boss, job or husband. You are number
one, so, start dressing from the inside out! I promise,
if you love yourself, just as you are, they rest of the
world will all follow. If they don't, (and they will) you
will now have enough self-confidence to not care what anyone
thinks BUT YOU!
» Wayne's "Hot Summer
Fashion and Photo Tips" from Kodak's website
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