Fashions That Flatter – Part 1

When it comes to looking great in your clothes, size makes all the difference — and no sense!

It’a a new world out there in the retail business — I’ve learned that we can’t identify with a number on a hangtag or the one on the garment label. Not only do WE come in all shapes and sizes, the manufacturers have their own set of standards too that differ from one company to the next. It is not unusual for me to put someone in a size 8 pant, a top in a size 12, add a belt in a size large, and throw on a coat in a size medium. Looking in the mirror at her outfit of many sizes, she looks fantastic!  So here are some keys to making it work for you:

 

Let the mirror be your guide  Slip into a garment and look at how it falls on you. Is there any restriction anywhere? How does it feel? If you find that your normal size 14 feels tight, don’t hesitate to go up a size. Sizes on clothes are guestimates at best. Don’t give your power away to a number!

Note: Remember to stand at least your height away from any full length mirror to get the right perception of fit.

 

 

Don’t Speculate Resist the temptation to buy something on speculation that it will fit when you lose those five pounds you’ve wanted to lose for the last few months, year, or two years. That’s not fair to your body, which wants to be dressed now in clothes that create ease and freedom. The goal is to get dressed and forget about your clothes. If something feels tight, you’re going to be thinking about it all day.

Dress your current body It’s one thing to go up and down three pounds or so and have items in your closet that look best when you’re either at the high end or the low end of the numbers on the scale. That’s okay. I’ve been in closets where the rod was filled with clothes that didn’t fit my client’s current body size. No wonder she wasn’t having any fun with clothes!

European Sizing Have you been in a store when the numbers, instead of being 10, 12, and 14, are numbers like 38, 40 and 42? How do you know what size to get? Part of it depends on the country it is from. Ask the sale person, if it is manufactured in England or New Zealand it’s a size up. So if you wear a US size 12, it would be a size 14.   One store I was in told me to add the numbers together, so if the tag said 38, it was an American size 10, however that is NOT consistent in all cases, bottom line is ASK!

Remember, style is for everyone, it’s not a reward for weight loss, it’s a tool to help you feel as good as you can, any size, all the time. If you want to know how to project style everyday, everywhere, give me a call – I also do online style consultations and I’m here to help! jill@www.jillswanson.com

For more tips – read on! Part 2 is coming next!