Everyone wants to look taller and slimmer, right?  Well, you can very easily if you know how to use color for illusion and how to dress for your body type.  There are very simple rules that will make it easy to go to your closet each day and not just dress in black all the time. 

Rules for Dressing Taller:

1.       Go for one color (monochromatic)

2.       Break it up with a pop of color-this adds interest and texture ( add a blazer, over-shirt or cardigan)

3.       Create vertical lines-leave your blazer or cardigan unbuttoned

4.       If you wear stripes, make sure they are vertical.

5.       Match hose to skirt or pants and shoes. (This creates a fluid look)

6.       V-neck tops will elongate the neck

7.       Stay away from anything that will create a horizontal line (belts, stripes, etc.)

8.       Choose accessories and are long-scarves tied loosely at the neck or simply hanging freely, long necklaces, pendants, etc.  Avoid anything that is tied close to the neck or choker)

9.       Make sure your shoes have at least 1” heel, taller if you are comfortable wearing them.  This creates a long leg look.

10.   Show some skin with necklines (v-necks), ¾ sleeve, ankles, knees, etc.  This keeps everything interesting.  Don’t cover up your body.

11.   Mix textures. Leather and knit, wool and silk.

12.   If you are proportioned petite (5’3” or under) do make sure to scale everything proportionately.  You will want to make sure that your prints, pockets, collars, etc don’t overpower you.

13.   Mix it up:  go for opposite proportions.  If you wear a long jacket, choose a short skirt; if you wear a shorter jacket, wear slacks, etc.

Rules for Dressing Slimmer:

1.       The core of your wardrobe (pants, jackets, dresses) should be dark.  Don’t limit it to black though.  Go for navy, brown, charcoal gray.

2.       Always wear foundation pieces (body shapers, control-top pantyhose, etc.)

3.       Know what your best feature is and highlight it always.  If you have great legs, show them off with a knee-length skirt.

4.       Wear fabrics that don’t cling.  You want soft fabrics that drape.

5.       Avoid fabrics that are too boxy or stiff, they add bulk.

6.       Always draw attention upward with accessories and scarves.

7.       Choose your accessories scaled to your body.  This means from your earrings to your handbag to your shoes.

8.       A small shoulder-pad can help sweaters and knits hang away from your body.

9.       Minimize or eliminate all tops that have oversized embellishments or buttons.  Opt for clean straight lines.  You can add interest with your accessories.

10.   Make sure to look for prints that do not have huge spacing between them.  Opt for prints with overlapping images.

11.  Don’t think by covering everything up  you will look slimmer.  IN many cases, just the opposite will happen.  Follow the shape of your body an choose fabrics that drape but don’t cling or snug the body.

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Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.

Posted by Karen Hughes on January 5th, 2009 in How To, Style