Simply Style

more approachable and friendly and to feel great on the inside - smile!  Smiling smoothes out the fine lines and puts a sparkle in our eyes making us look younger and more vibrant.  Even if you ‘don’t feel like smiling’, your mood will automatically lift – try it!

Short sleeves (particularly if ended at the fullest part of the bust) will visually increase the apparent bust size.

#1 Rule..... NEVER buy anything unless you absoutely love it!  If in doubt, put it back.  Garments bought when we're undecided or not really sure tend to be the ones that get by-passed and left hanging in our wardrobes.  You can't create an inspiring wardrobe that you love from a collection of garments you feel indifferent to!

is early in the morning.  You are refreshed and there are less people about.  Have your hair done and wear your makeup.  Wear your best bra and support lingerie if necessary.  This will help you to get a clear idea of the potential of the garment when you try it on.  Wear comfortable shoes but don't forget to take a heel for trying on skirts/pants/dresses.

are the most cost effective way of updating a tired wardrobe.  The latest season’s shoes, handbags, makeup and jewellery can all add new life to last season’s outfits and give one outfit many different looks.  Well bought accessories are pieces we can keep for years and they're one of the few items that we can wear regardless of weight changes!

in your wardrobe when buying a new garment by ensuring you already have three other items in your wardrobe that you can wear with your new purchase.

Use the cost per wear theory.  Divide the number of wears by the price of the garment.  Core pieces in the wardrobe that are worn a lot are worth the extra dollars. If wanting value for your wardrobe dollars, think carefully about investing a lot into those pieces that won't wear well (fabric), will date quickly (high trend) or won't be worn often. 

when buying 'off the rack' garments haven't been customed made for us so often small alterations are necessary to achieve perfect fit.  Hemlines, sleeve lengths and widths, gaping waistbands, tapering through the body, are all small tweaks that can finish a garment and make it perfect. 

Perfect fit is vital.  Poor fit can cheapen an expensive garment so always check the garment fits properly.  Label sizes vary and different fabrics can affect fit so take a couple of different sizes to the dressing room when trying garments on and note the difference.  Always fit the widest part of the body first and then have the garment altered if necessary (i.e. when buying skirts or pants, fit the bottom and thigh area and have the waist taken in if necessary).  

wear a dark colour on your lower body (skirts/pants) and a light coloured garment on the upper body.

Dark denim is more dressy and slimming than light denim and will increase your ‘apparent’ height.  Embellishments on back pockets will draw attention to your bottom.  Use back pockets to your advantage, small bottoms need small pockets, big bottoms need bigger pockets, pocket flaps give a flat bottom depth, pockets that end below the cheek shorten the leg, use higher placed pockets to visually lift your bottom and lengthen your legs.  Horizontal pocket seams add width, vertical pocket details lengthen and slim.  The wider the leg, the shorter you appear.  Bootleg styles balance a full thigh.  Tapered or leaner styles increase apparant height.

Chances are you're wearing a colour next to your face that is not flattering you.  Your correct colours will give you an appearance of health and wellness, skin glowing and radiant complexion.

Wear a lighter colour next to your face - dark colours (black) will cause shadows to appear in any lines and creases enhances the appearance of a double chin.  Light colours reflect light onto the face and smooth out and soften the appearance of fine lines and visually 'lift' the chin.

Pull your sleeves up.... even raising the sleeve from long to three quarter length will immediately visually add length (hieght) to your legs. 

make sure you have adjusted your clothing size accordingly to reflect your new size.  Wearing clothes too big or too small for you will make you look and feel bigger than you actually are.  Experiment with sizes and if you are having trouble 'seeing your new shape' ask a trusted friend to help.

Use vertical design elements, darker colours, matt and flat fabric surfaces.