Size doesn’t matter it’s how you wear it

It’s not about what size you wear, it’s about how you wear it. Learn how to spend the upcoming holiday season in clothes that enhance your body as well as boost your self-confidence.

As a Style Coach, I often find that women like to buy clothes they admire on someone else or that they fall in love with, flipping through fashion magazines. This can be tricky, though. A dress that looks so gorgeous on another woman will often look completely different on us, and we ultimately won’t feel pretty in it at all. One of the reasons for this might be that a friend, a colleague or a celebrity have a completely different coloring and body shape than we do.

IT’S ALL ABOUT BODY SHAPE & COMFORT

When you understand your body shape, it empowers you to make excellent wardrobe choices and shopping becomes a breeze. You will have focus and clarity, and your money will be spent much more efficiently. Interestingly, you may buy less, but you will find that your wardrobe starts to fill with outfits that make you look and feel your best. As Hubert de Givenchy once said:

“The dress must follow the bodyof a woman, not the bodyfollowing the shape of the dress.”

What’s most important for all of us is to feel comfortable, self-confident and like you can be your truest self in what you wear. If that’s not the case, people will sense it. In addition, the clothes should enhance your positive features and bring balance to your figure, no matter what your shape and size are.

Whatever your body shape, the aims are mostly the same:

- To balance out proportions.

- To enhance and draw focus to the positives.

- To cleverly disguise any challenging areas.

- To bring balance & femininity to the figure.

Photo by MontyLov

The Inverted Triangle Figure

- You have broader shoulders than hips - You have little definition between your waist & hips - You have a smaller bottom half than top half

Goal: Draw attention to your lower body & help to minimize your upper body

Quick Tips for Enhancing your Figure:

- Wear darker colors on top and lighter colors on the bottom - Choose A-line, full, or pleated skirts to add width to the lower body - Define the waistline and hips with belts and tailored styles

Photo by Daria Shevtsova

The Hourglass Figure

- Your shoulders and hips are a similar measurement - You wear roughly the same size on top and bottom - You have a clearly defined waist

Goal: Make the most of your figure & emphasize your feminine curves and waist.

Quick Tips for Enhancing your Figure:

- Look for figure-hugging dresses - Choose wrap styles, tailored shirts with darted waists and flowing tops that are tied at the waist - Experiment with waist-defining belts

Photo by Alexis Chloe

The Triangle Figure

- Your shoulders are narrower than your hips - You take a larger size on your bottom half and a smaller size on your top - You have fuller hips, bottom and thighs and more slender upper body

Goal: Draw attention to your upper body & help to minimize your lower body

Quick Tips for Enhancing your Figure:

- Choose lighter or brighter colors on the top & darker colors on the bottom.

- Look for jackets & coats with details like wide lapels & structured shoulders.

- Choose tops with interesting sleeves & wide or off-the- shoulder necklines. You can also choose details like ruffles, patterns & prints.

- Your shoulders, waist & hips are similar measurements - You wear the same size on top and bottom - You have very little waist definition

Goal: Create the illusion of curves, define the waist & add femininity to your figure

Quick Tips for Enhancing your Figure:

- Gently tailored jackets that define the waist will help create a flattering silhouette. - Wrap-over tops and dresses can help to add curves and emphasis to the bust & waist. - Abstract, bold and bright prints can all be used to add interest, shape & definition to the figure.

Photo by Ovayo Ntlabati

Photo Nicole De Khors

The Round Figure

- You have balanced hips and shoulders. - You have no definition at the waist. - You carry weight around the tummy & upper body.

Goal: Achieve more of an hourglass shape by elongating your figure, and enhancing & defining your natural waist .

Quick Tips for Enhancing your Figure:

- Look for tops with wide ‘V’ necklines & hemlines that finish above or below the widest point. - Try straight, long tunics that taper at the waist . - Vertical details & stripes elongate the figure .

Dagmar Gabulova is the first certified Style Coach for the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Previously working at Elle Magazine, she is passionate about helping women to uncover their true beauty, boost self-confidence and find their unique style. Besides personal shopping, she teaches individuals as well as companies how to look at clothes differently and benefit from using them in a smart way. Learn more about Dagmar’s work on www.dagmarstyle.com.

Dagmar’s Book

STYLE - The Journey to Beauty, SelfConfidence and Charisma.

Want to know how to dress to impress? This beautifully illustrated style guide full of practical advice will take you on an exciting journey to find your own style, offering the right colors, types of clothes and accessories for you. If you want to shine and receive compliments, this book is just for you.

By Dagmar Gabulova

DRINK - CHILL - FLIRT

Balbi Bar was opened for the first time in May 2018, since then it quickly became the new place to be for the cool and trendy in Prague.

The great cocktails, the unique interiors, and the welcoming staff makes it the perfect place to spend a night between friends, a romantic date, or a large celebration.

Whatever the occasion Balbi Bar will leave you pleasantly surprised.