House of Colour
Dressing your Shape and Style •
•
•
• Hourglass figures look best when they show off their waist. Those curves look better in pieces that follow their waist and add in their natural curve. There is often a desire to hide shape by wearing straighter clothes that cover up but this doesn’t flatter curves. • Use fabrics that have some weight, ie that aren’t too flimsy and clingy but naturally drape across the figure are the most flattering. Know your style to understand the best fabrics that are going to work for your shape and look. • Wearing great colours that suit your complexion is flattering. The urban myth that black is slimming is only going to work on those for whom black is actually a good colour. On the wrong person it dominates and draws attention. Primary red suits us all… • If you suit classic, dramatic, sporty or natural clothing, then choose items to fill your capsule wardrobe along those lines. For example, tailoring continues to gain momentum offering the ultimate smart casual look particularly for classic and gamine style personalities. Natural style personalities should choose relaxed skirts
•
•
with movement. Structured or asymmetric outfits can add edginess for the dramatics amongst us. Professional bra fitting is a must. Clothes look much better when our underwear is giving us the right support, and is invisible. It is a worthwhile investment if you are in doubt. Wear clothes that fit you – I know this sounds obvious but we can sometimes get it wrong. Check in with someone you trust or your stylist to understand if your clothes fit you properly. Baggy and poorly fitting clothes are never doing us a favour. It can be tempting to buy clothes is a different size for a ‘future you’. This only adds pressure to be something else and sits in your wardrobe reminding you. When shopping always try on. Now that we can try clothes on again in shops take advantage of it. Try on a few things you wouldn’t always pick up and try a few brands you haven’t to understand what might suit you. Dressing for your shape is all in the details. We all suit different hemlines, necklines, trouser lengths, lapels and sleeves, not to mention of course colours, fabrics, structure, patterns and details. Your best style is the one that looks right on you regardless of size. Knowing your proportions (not size!) means you can understand how to flatter your shape. Clothes are made in a standard metric while our bodies are all going to differ but the secret is to understand how they differ so we can understand which areas to emphasise. If you aren’t sure contact your nearest stylist for advice.
Article by Jennie Billings House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-astylist
To advertise in The Villager and Town Life please call 01767 261122
19
