Tents flatter no one.

Let's assume your goal is to look taller & slimmer. 
I am not suggesting that's a good goal or a bad goal.
It's just a goal. 

Secondly, this post outlines some general rules. There are exceptions. However if you think you are the exception, you may not be. Exceptions are rare. 

If your closet is full of these types of clothes & you want to lose weight, then get out there & change your shopping strategy. 

Assuming that taller & slimmer is your goal, all these pieces are not your friend. 

SIA calls it fattening fashion. 

It was randomly selected at a Sydney TK Maxx. All except the orange is made in Italy & either silk or linen. In theory lovely pieces but maybe not lovely on the body which wants to look slimmer.  

1. Stripes

The myth: Only thin women can wear horizontal stripes. 

The reality: When you are carrying extra weight, you may not need to avoid horizontal stripes in the area of extra weight. Just make sure they are narrow in width & not highly contrasting. 

If you are carrying extra weight all over, then don't highly contrast the horizontal stripe area with the rest of your body. 

2. Peasant tops

The myth: Peasant tops look good on women carrying extra weight.  

The reality: Yes it may be pretty, but all it does is hide what's underneath. Like a tent. Tent looks are never flattering. 

Notice the curved lines, the gathers around the waist/bust area & the general fullness? Tent. Tent. Tent. No. No. No. 

Your best bet is fabrics with body which skim not cling your form. 

3. Loose flowy dresses 

The myth: Not sure what the myth is here.
The reality: The best way for a loose flowy dress to be flattering is to fit at the bust & to flare out below it. Like an A line. 

Loose & straight up & down is never flattering if you are carrying extra weight. 

4. Big flowers on a loose flowy dress.

The myth: Big women should wear big prints.
The reality: Not if the overall look is a tent. 

This dress has raglan sleeves (which are easier to fit & cheaper to make, but make you look more rounded) & a high neckline (not great for a big bust). It also has an up & down cut. An A line which starts under the bust would be mush better. 

You can still engage your passion for florals with a more structured garment which skims not clings. No tents please.  

Managing big boobs - lessons from Julie Bishop

When I saw this photo of Julie Bishop (Minister for Foreign Affairs) in New York on a United Nations junket, I got very excited because its a perfect example of what not to do if you have a big bust.

Oops. Big oops.

The high neckline just reinforces one big monoboob. There is nothing to break up the monoboob. No decolletage, no necklace, no brooch, no texture. Nothing.  

The monoboob walks into the room before Julie does. Distracting. Especially when you want to be taken seriously at the United Nations. Or anywhere. 

It doesnt help that its sleeveless - that provides even less to focus on, making the boobs the number one attraction. 

Here she is again at one of the polies' mid winter balls.

One big droopy monoboob.
Monoboob due to the high neckline.

Droopy because of the pattern/embroidery on the bodice. I doubt very much that she isnt wearing the right bra.

Eeewww.

But look at this one...

The scoop neckline helps to break up the monoboob. We notice the skin & the boobs start to take a back seat.

What about the next one? 

On one hand, I think she has lost some weight here, however it could be the fact that this is a matt dress compared to the scoop neck blingy silver number above. Shine reflects light & makes things look bigger. Matt absorbs light & makes things look smaller. I know which I prefer to wear. 

Weightloss or not, the big bust rule still applies. 

Big bust? Break it up.

So she breaks it up with a sheer layer with sequins/crystals. Nice.  

On a more subtle level, this also works well as it has some distinct straight lines - the broad collar line & the straight line of the lining above the bust. In contrast, the scoop neck blingy silver dress has a very obvious curved collar shape. Curves create curves. If you are already curvy be careful of adding curves with your clothes.

So let's go to Julie's work clothes. 

This next one isnt too bad....

The white cami has a somewhat high neckline. But she is breaking it up reasonably well with her Armani jacket & a brooch. The jacket works well here as the tweed provides texture & depth and the medium sized lapels balance out the chest area. 

Let's look at a variation of this....

Notice how simply by lowering the cami's neckline her boobs loose impact? Flick up & down between these two photos - the basic outfit is the same, but the impact of lowering the cami is massive. In the latter, you tend to then notice Julie as a whole rather than Julie's boobs.

Dont forget that there is still no sign of cleavage, its all very tasteful & the monoboob has been dissolved nicely. 

Guaranteed style improvement with no effort/cost

Q: What is guaranteed to improve your look &

* Gives you close to 2 cm of height
* Makes you look slimmer by 1-2 kg
* Makes your outfit look smarter & fall better from your body
* Make a more confident you
* Manage your fat days
* Has no cost
* Has no gadgets
* Involves no gymwork
* Involves no time investment

A: Great posture.

Stand tall, shoulder back, stomach in.

Most of the red carpet guests nail this beautifully. By looking at photos and footage of themselves they can iron out any kinks in this area.

Some of them, however, well...they dont seem to have it nailed - no matter how lovely the dress, the tan, the hair - they look awful......have a look......

Kristen Stewart killing her Herve Leger SS 2009 frock - shoulders back please Kristen!



Katie Holmes - I'm sorry, but no-one should have to crouch forward like this - the organisers (or her) should have foreseen this & arranged for a compromise given her co presenter, Daniel Radcliffe is so small...she is killing that Giorgio Armani Prive dress.....

She would face this with little guy Tom Cruise all the time & as far as I am concerned, no woman should forsake her grace & her stature for some insecure guy. Stand tall woman! If he doesnt like it, get someone who isnt threatened by it.



But it gets worse....even when she isnt sharing a microphone with the little guy - her posture is killing her look & her dress...mind you, take a closer look - her breasts look like they are stuffed into the cups...its a tragically bad fit.....oh dear Mr Armani....



Milley Cyrus.....in Jenny Packham for the 2010 Oscars....killing that frock!



Michelle Williams....in a vintage lace dress at Cannes in 2008......I am going to scream....




Serena Williams butchering an Oscar de la Renta at the 2011 Met Ball.....I'm gonna cry.....



Gwyneth Paltrow in Alexander McQueen at the 2002 Oscar....apart from the see through dress factor and the no support for saggy boobs factor, she is sticking her tummy out & looks horrid....I am going to bash my head against a wall!



Emily Browning killing her Louis Vuitton at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival......I am going to put my head down the toilet!



& the serial offender, again......agghhhh...Should we be thankful she is smiling?



and again......more aaaggghhh...



Now look at this - Nicole has amazing posture & is a red carpet pro - but this dress is cut so it makes she shoulders look sloping - & makes her posture look, well, less than amazing....be careful with this!

- in Nina Ricci at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards.....



Finally - this comparison of a Roberto Cavalli frock isnt about posture or poise - both girls, Bar Refaeli & Zhang Jingchu have great posture & even poise - but the difference is that Bar literally owns the room - her stance is fierce & super confident. In contrast, Zhang is just posing for a photo.



Maybe it has something to do with Bar telling Leo where to go!!! Go Girl!

Lose weight without dieting and gymwork

Deadly serious.
I never joke about the benefits of fashion/style/wardrobe stuff. Never, ever, ever.

However, the secret to losing 3 kg by doing nothing is to make sure your hemlines are at the ideal (weight loss) level. Here are the four rules.

Rule No 1:

Skirts/dresses/3/4 pants:

Do not end skirt hems at the widest point of your calves (or thighs!!).

If you do, you will look heavier than if you dont, as the eye will be drawn to that wide point and will move horizontally in that spot. Horizontal eye movement adds kilos.

Nor do you need to end them at your narrowest point (ankles), that would be very Amish all the time.....yes, you can vary your hemlines, just dont have them sitting at the widest point of your legs.

Rule No 2:

Sleeve lengths:

Do not end sleeve lengths at the widest point of your arms (think cap sleeves on an older woman) nor at the level where your boobs are fullest.

If you do, you will look heavier than if you dont, as the eye will be drawn to that wide point and will move horizontally in that spot. Horizontal eye movement adds kilos.

Nor do you need to end them at your narrowest point (your wrists)......yes, you can vary sleeve lengths, just dont have them sitting at the widest point of your arms.

Rule No 3:

Jacket/sweater/top lengths:

Do not end jacket/sweater/top lengths at the widest point of your hips/thighs.

If you do, you will look heavier than if you dont, as the eye will be drawn to that wide point and will move horizontally in that spot. Horizontal eye movement adds kilos.

Also dont end them at your narrowest point (waist)...this will literally cut you in half visually and reduce the slimming vertical illusion - more about this in another blog post.

Rule No 4: Alterations:

Your alterations person will be your new best friend (BFF).



Why? Because the fit of "off the rack" is unlikely to fit you, just as its unlikely to fit everyone else who is your size. Why? because you all may all be a size 10 (or 12 or 14 or whatever), but you all have a different body shapes and different proportions. This is despite the fact that you are all the same size.

So you need an alterations person to tailor the "off the rack" item to your body shape and proportions.

Your alterations person can take up sleeves, tops (even knits), jackets and skirts.

Have your alterations person help you follow these rules & you will notice the weight loss in the mirror, instantly as she/he is pinning the garment on you. Yes, the impact is instant and immediate. The alterations person will ensure its permanent. Voila!

Because if you're like me, you hate exercise and hate diets.
So you use your clothes to emphasize your good bits and detract from your bad bits! Its all about know thyself!

Find an alterations person who does great work, is convenient, reasonably priced and communicates well. Stick with them. If you need referrals (all states in Australia), just contact me. I have very good contacts.

Plus size LBD option

Kate Husdon is heavily pregnant (ie: plus size) and she is due in a few weeks.
This is how she appeared as a recent Chanel benefit in Malibu.
Totally breathtaking, yet totally simple & not costing a gazillion dollars.
Its easy to re-create this look - we show you the formula here.



Why does this look work?

Lets break it down...

* Nude pumps (leg lengthening)

* Black dress (forever slimming - & feel free to substitute navy, chocolate, bottle green, maroon, charcoal depending on your complextion)

* A little bit of leg to amp up the volume a touch - but even if the front split was sewn down further, it would have been OK as the fabric is light & floaty

* Arms showing, but again, a little more coverage would be fine if that's what you prefer, or a black wrap over the shoulders (in fact it looks like she is carrying a wrap). You could even have a trench with this evening look simply because its so simple.

* Simple clutch toning in with shoes (in harmony, not "matchy matchy")

* I can bet any amount of money, the foundation garments are top notch in terms of fit & she has worn them before & knows they work. No last minute shopping trips to buy invisible knickers or shapewear.....

* Simple, simple, simple - less is more. You could even add a necklace or bracelet & it would be classy.

* Confidence - ahhh, makes all the difference

FYI - the dress is Elizabeth & James (the Olsen twins younger more inexpensive line) - its the new Fall 2011 line. I am sure it'll be silk and would cost in the vicinity of $400-$500.
Amortise that over 5 years, 4 times per year - $20/wear & you'll feel fabulous

Alternatively - get a get a good quality polyester (yes, they do exist) from Lincraft ($5-$8/mt), hire a dressmaker (who can pattern make) & have it made for around $300. Amortise that to $15 per wear. A bargain!

A silk version would cost more but is anyone (but me) going to know that its not silk? Absolutely not!

Need dressmaker referral? Just ask me!