By: Oreet Mizrahi, AICI FLC ~
How many times did you look at yourself in a mirror and think: “If only…?”
”If only I could increase, decrease, erase, or maybe replace some parts of my body, only then I could be well dressed and look great!” Well, you don’t need to think this way any more. No matter what size, shape or age you are, you can look great instantly.
Choosing clothes that are flattering to your body type is the best way to look great. If you do not pay attention to your body type nor know what it is, the result can be poorly assembled outfits that do not make you look your best.
These tips will equip you to choose the right clothing for you in particular. You’ll be able to dress to flatter your body type easily, rather than staring into a mirror and feeling miserable.
Bring Out Your Assets
No matter how many flaws you have or think you have, you also have assets. The best way to look great is to downplay your body flaws and accentuate your assets. For example, if you have great legs, but are a little heavy in the hips, opt for a slender skirt in a darker color to minimize your hips and still show off your nice legs.
Likewise, if you have a good chest and a not so great stomach . . . use a plunging neckline to show off your asset and distract from your little bulge. Find ways to draw attention to your best parts and you’ll find that you look and feel better.
Use Color to Change Shape
Your body is probably not perfect – not many are. But a little color goes a long way toward creating the look you want. Dark colors slim, while light colors tend to expand, and bright colors draw attention. Use this to your advantage. If you have a pear-shaped body, with wide hips and a narrow top, try using dark-colored pants with a light top to balance things out. A bright scarf will draw attention away from the wider hips. This color principle will help you choose clothing to create the perfect look.
Find Flattering Cuts
When choosing pants, look for a cut that will enhance and balance your body type. A small waist and hips look great with tapered pant legs, while a large bottom can be slimmed by choosing a flared skirt or boot cut pants. Likewise, a crisscross or ruffled top will enhance a small chest by adding more bulk, while a plain shirt with only darts will look great on a larger chest. Peasant shirts, which are more flowing, flatter a smaller torso and fitted tops look better on larger women.
Use Accessories to Your Advantage
Accessories can be your best friend. Not only do they help distract from areas you don’t want people noticing, they can really add flair to your wardrobe and help you make your clothes look better on. For example, if you are quite tall and want to look a little shorter, a wide belt can help create that illusion by providing a “cutting” line at your waist, which stops the eye. When the eye can move the length of the body without interruption, this creates the illusion of length, so it stands to reason that a belt that creates an interruption would cause the body to appear shorter.
Knowing how to choose clothes that enhance your body type will result in a boost in confidence. You’ll end up wearing outfits that look excellent on your body and leave you feeling great. The best way to get started is to use the above guidelines to get rid of any clothing that doesn’t suit your body type and then hit the stores to find something that does suit you. Once you have learned to dress according to your body type to hide your flaws and show off your assets, you will look your best. There will be no more wondering which parts of your body you need to erase or replace. You will look well-dressed and proportioned, even if you’re not blessed with the perfect body.
Author Bio:
Oreet Mizrahi, AICI FLC, is the owner and president of Oreet Mizrahi International Image Consultant. As a body image and appearance expert, she has earned herself an expert reputation world wide. Visit her at www.mizrahiimage.com.