We ALL have parts of our body that we don’t like no matter what our figure type is. There are many things we can do to work on these problem areas such as exercise and healthy eating programs, to more severe surgical enhancing methods such as liposuction.

However, simply by wearing clothing that suits our body shape we can overcome many of these problem areas without resorting to extreme measures.

Fashion and clothing has the ability to make you feel different emotions depending on the occasion they are to be worn for. A tracksuit, for instance, can make you feel ready to burn calories by pounding the pavement for the next hour, or similarly it can encourage you to put on the calories by watching a chick flick with a family sized block of chocolate with rainy weather outside.

The 80’s were well known for the introduction of power dressing which was typically created by wearing a Man style suit with broad shoulder pads. The look was created to portray an image of the powerful woman when equality for women was a very current issue. Whilst the trend for oversized shoulder pads has passed, the theory of power dressing is still relevant as this is what makes you feel good when you dress well.

These days we most commonly think about power dressing when we go for a job interview or are asking the boss for a promotion, in these instances we work hard to create a look of success and confidence. The essence of power dressing is important every day and we should use with the simple design principles listed below to feel wonderful, successful and comfortable in every look we create.

Petite

Generally petite people can wear mostly whatever they like so long as it is scaled down to suit their proportions. Vertical lines help to elongate the body and can be used in ways other than stripes including pleats and draping. Be conscious of the horizontal lines created when layering clothing. The more layers the more lines which then breaks up the body into pieces and shortens the body length

Thick Waist

Use layering to effectively hide the flaws. Long straight tee’s/camisoles with straight vests or cardigans can effectively hide many flaws. Avoid wearing tops that are too short and/or tight which show the “muffin top”. Wear straight leg pants that don’t taper too much down the thigh or at the hem.

Large Bust

V-neck lines can be a great frame for a large bust but make sure the neckline is only not too low and shows any kind of cleavage. Layering can also be effective to hide a large bust. Avoid wearing clingy clothing which can follow the curves of the bustline too much. Also try to avoid gathers off yoke panels, high waistbands and tucked in tops.

Broad Shoulders

Avoid halter necklines and racer backlines. Balance broad shoulders out with a fuller skirt.

Straight figure

You need to create the illusion of a more shapely figure by adding shape through design features in the garments. This could include empire line tops, flared skirts and bootleg cut pants. Try selecting a fuller shirt/top and wear a decorative belt to enhance your natural waistline.

Pear Shape

Avoid high waistlines and pants that taper from the hip. Straight and wide leg pants tend to be more flattering.

You may have heard the expression “First Impressions Last” and it is never more true than in a job interview. We have all made an assumption based on the way other people are dressed, but think about how your impression may have changed once you got to know the real person. How long did it take for you to change your mind?

As an employer it is vital to use every second you have with an applicant to establish their suitability for the job. When you dress inappropriately the employer assumes you do not have an understanding of their business.

 So if you were going for a job in my clothing store what might you wear to the interview?? Would you wear the same thing if you were going for a job as a plumber? Consider the job and how appropriate your clothing is to the line of work.

Generally it is suggested to dress one standard higher than you would expect to wear on a daily basis in the job you are applying for. This is not a rule, so take the time to research not only the company, but also the person who is interviewing you to make a judgement of what their expectations might be. It will always be better to be overdressed than underdressed. If you are still not sure ask questions, try speaking to people who work in the kind of business you looking for.

Dressing well for a job is not just about clothing

Below is a short list of recommendations for common dress codes for functions, events meetings and parties. Dressing appropriately for each occasion will ensure you feel more comfortable and also adds an element of respect for the host.

Black Tie

This is the most formal dress code. For men it means a black dinner suit with satin lapels, white shirt (preferably pleated shirt) and black tie whether it is a bow tie, long tie or fatboy tie etc. For women it means a long dress typically, and is the highest dress code.

Formal

This is reasonably similar to black tie but without the more strict guidelines to follow. Typically men would still wear a black suit but could play around with the colour of shirt and tie. Women should probably still wear a long dress but shorter styles would still be acceptable.

Semi Formal or After Five

This takes a more casual stance on the formal dress code. Men may choose to wear a lighter colour suit (particularly for a daytime occasion) and may play around with more fun shirts and ties. Women can afford to shorten the hem line of the skirt of their dress and wear a more cocktail length dress.

Cocktail

Generally cocktail would still mean a suit for men but short and elegant dresses for women.

Lounge

Very similar to cocktail dress code.

Smart Casual

This can be quite general, but for men we would suggest smart dress pants with a shirt and optional tie and maybe a casual sports coat. Women could wear dress pants with a pretty shirt/top or a more casual skirt or dress, to that of the cocktail dress. Generally we would choose NOT to wear denim jeans to a smart casual event.