As part of my styling sessions we look at body shape and explore techniques on how to flatter your shape. I use 9 different body shapes, apple, hour glass, slim, tummy, buxom bottoms, inverted triangle, busty, petit and pear. Paul drew up some beautiful illustrations to demonstrate these body shapes and I researched for ages how to flatter them. I see with my clients the results can be amazing.
Dressing for your body shape is only an element of dressing well and one I sometimes ignore (it's boring to always follow rules). For example my new vintage winter coat is an oversized one (yes a truly fashion lead decision). It's so huge it completely covers my figure so you'd never know what was underneath. Convenient for a working from home day school run or emergency trip to the shops - a scruff underneath and externally glamourous. I love wearing it, it makes me feel sexy and luxe (much down to the rich berry colour and cashmere content).
I've thought a lot about the names of the body shapes I use. I'm not entirely happy with them. I'm thinking people may not want to define their shape by a fruit or a tummy label. I'd love to know what you think about body shape labels?
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I have about six bags that I rotate according to what I'm wearing and where I'm going. I probably have two to four bag changes a week, so I want to make changing them as quick and efficient as possible.
A technique that really works for me is having things in their own pouches, or a strong case for my ipad and iPhone, that protects the screen from other things in my bag. A make up bag for essentials, a beret because often a sea fret comes in and makes my hair curly (I did try a fashion lead beanie and realised I beret better than I beanie), a brolly as rain will make it even curlier, sunglasses, keys (with a beer opener for impromptu summer picnics), purse and an essentials bag. This has in it compeed, pens and small pad, tape measure, tweezers, tissues, nail file, tea bag, mints and plasters - you never know when you may need any of these things unexpectedly.
I'll edit any of these things according to whether its a day or evening bag, or a big or small bag day. Whatever bag day it is I can edit really quickly and feel organised.
A client phoned to say, could she reschedule her consultation as she was having a fat month. Although I'm a believer in being your best self as much as possible, I know we can have days when we just want to wear a tent (I get mine monthly). So we rescheduled her appointment till after she'd got back to her 5-2 diet.
I never really understood needing to be your ideal size before dressing well. I'm of the thinking of dress well always and you'll want to look after yourself as you'll enjoy being you. Oh... I forgot to listen to my own advice. I'd ordered some leather trousers online in a size 10, they arrived and I could barely squeeze myself into them. I thought maybe I've been eating too many rich dinners with wine and pudding recently. I decided to keep them and fit a few more runs in. Well, they did get a bit more comfortable, because the leather stretched. But I don't really enjoy them, as they don't make me feel good - and who needs that from a pair of trousers?
I know I'm not fat, but I do have my days. And on those days I don't want to make myself feel worse by trying to wear something that doesn't fit me or a bad outfit. So give away anything that makes you feel bad immediately, or store away. Only have in your cupboard what you love.
The above client phoned me last week for a phone consultation, saying she was feeling bad about her clothes as again she'd gained a bit of weight. I assured her that there was more to love, she'd loose the weight again but in the meantime go and do a haul and get clothes that you feel great in on those fat days. She can then have clothes that she loves whatever her weight. It will totally make you want to exercise and look after yourself more if you're kind to yourself. Two days later I got a buzzing text saying she'd got her mojo back.
I'm planning some workshops on how to do your own wardrobe edit. I'd be very grateful if you could message me and tell me what you'd like to know.
