Figure fixers??Who is going to fix these mistakes.

Last week I went to see Gok Wan at Southland. He was hilarious. The stylists though were another matter. They had women coming out who were wearing clothing which did not suit their colouring or their body shape. A couple looked better in their before looks. I know to complete an on the spot make-over can be tricky as they need to have the clothing in advance and i must say the outfits looked great. But not on the women they put them in.So I was OK with the 'show' until I read their magazine and realised, this is a national problem. It is no wonder no one knows what works when the ‘stylists’ cannot get it right.

I have copied one spread in particular to share with you what you really should and should not be doing.  Before I go any further, much of what Gok has to say is correct it is just the images chosen which are not.

So let’s rename this, Key looks for Key shapes and I will give you the Keys.


Cropped - This has been highlighted for the full figured woman -WRONG. Ladies is you are full in the middle your two worst enemies are a waist, horizontal stripes and then teaming that with pleated pants that come in at the calf. Yuck yuck yuck. You will feel like a heffalump.

This outfit will bring forcus to the torso with the stripes and the hips with the pleats.

If you are round and want to wear this style, opt for colour blocking, a similar colour top and bottom with the flat front trousers which follow the line of the leg and do not balloon anywhere. This look is really only good for the rectangle. It is perfect to make a bust look bigger

Cuffed shorts - Cuffed shorts and flat shoes will only add length to a long leg. Take it from me who has the shortest legs of anyone I know - really I do. I did a commercial when I was 19 or 20 and I wore shorts and sandals. I looked ridiculous. My legs were so short it looked like my bottom was dragging on the ground. If you have short legs, a heel will enable you to look sensational here.

Wide leg -  What a pity they included a pic of a straight leg trouser when they are talking about wide legs, It is true a wide leg trouser will balance out an inverted triangle. This picture howeer is made up of straight lines and will be perfect for the rectangle. If the jacket had a bigger collar the triangle will look great here as welll. A single button or shaped blazer will make this look work for the hourglass. The nautical look reappears every few year so you girls who love your red white and blue, dive in.


Fitted bodice - This cute little dress will suit many styles and many figures. It should not be selected for the rectangle alone.

The full skirt will balance out the hips of a triangle, the nipped in waist will give the illusion of a waist to a rectangle and an hourglass will nicely fill this out as well. It really is an all round party frock. Remember to work the focal loop. Only wear black shoes if you have dark hair. If you are fair, opt for a nude shoe and use a necklace to get your level of contrast.

Maxi - Please, if I see any hourglasses going near this dress just stop and step away from the dress. Take a moment and  look at it. Where is the widest point - the middle. It will look sensational on all but the hourglass. You will lose your lovely waist and feel frumpy. Now if you want to camouflage, lunch, or children. This dress is ideal. The shirred bustline may flatten your bust so a strapless boost bra will keep your shape in place.

Figure hugging - I agree the panelling on this dress is slimming and considering it has positive diagonals on the dress it will bring all focus up to the face. this dress is great for your rectangles, it may not have enough shape in it for an hourglass, but again trying it on will solve that and a triangle could look superb as the straps come out to the shoulders and increase your width up there.

Your shape is only the silhouette you create, not the measurements you make. I watched a young girl measured and she came up as a triangle - you know the sort, small shoulders/bust, heavier hips. She is a rectangle, or straight. Check out her silhouette. My advice, be careful of anything relying on measurements. Stand straight on to a mirror and look at your outlie. that is your body shape. If, you cannot decide your shape, send me a pic of you stading straight to the camera and I’ll help you. Pop one hand on your hips so I can see if, like many women, you have a waist hiding in there.

Cheers
Until next time

Clare