There's no denying it, most women go into a panic over buying swimwear. Because, let's face it, swimwear is tricky! But don't worry if you haven't got the body of Rachel Hunter and your very own beachwear range to go with it, our useful buying guide will help you find the best swimwear for your shape.
We're talking confidence-boosting tricks, flattering styles, and the odd optical illusion thrown in for good measure. Always remember that you are aiming for a balanced silhouette. As this is (hopefully) the only time you'll appear in public in what amounts to your underwear, you've got to get it right. Time to get your swimwear sorted.
So let’s go through the dos and don’ts for different body shapes and figure challenges for women.
Wide Shoulders
Do's: Balance is the key word here. Wear bikini bottoms that have lots of colour and print and also have detail at the hips such as ties, belts and sashes. Also, halter necks are fabulous for slimming down wide shoulders.
Don'ts: Avoid the "V" silhouette by staying away from those plunging neck lines or teeny bikini bottoms.
Big Bust
Do's: Halter-top bikinis can be a good choice by offering support, while providing some nice cleavage too. Look for styles that are banded around the midriff and can be tied in back and around the neck. Look for structured swimsuits.
Don'ts: Avoid strapless bandeau top bikinis and tiny tri-tops with minimal coverage and support.
Short Legs or Torso
Do's: Play up your figure by finding a swimsuit that is cut high on the thigh. This will make your leg look much longer. Also, a one-piece suit with a plunging neckline creates a long appearance and is drop dead gorgeous!
Don'ts: Avoid boy shorts and skirted bikinis that draw the eye downward, making you look shorter.
Long Body
Do's: You can go wild with swimwear embellishments at the hips and bust line. Try horizontal stripes and fabrics with texture or pattern. Boy shorts are just the thing for your slim hips.
Don'ts: Avoid up and down stripes, high necklines and dark, solid colours when choosing a swimsuit.
No Waist
Do's: Create curves with a belted waistline, which will give the appearance of a whittled middle. Bikinis are good for you. Add some illusion at the hips with rings, ruffles and bows. If you're small on top, go for a strapless bandeau.
Don'ts: Avoid solid-coloured swimwear or horizontal striped one-pieces.
Small Bust
Do's: You are lucky that you have the body to wear ruffled bikinis and tiny tri-tops. And as for bandeau tops, only you can wear those well. Bright colours are what you want to wear on the beach this summer, so take a risk with a colour like pink.
Don'ts: Avoid bikini tops with too much fabric or have a poor fit. Opt for separate tops and bottoms.
Plus Sized
Do's: A strategically placed cut-out, or a deep V neckline on swimwear can change your image. Dark, cool colours, swirling, or V patterns are always good. Lengthen your thigh with a higher cut leg.
Don'ts: Avoid too much fabric when it comes to choosing a swimsuit. Modesty is certainly OK, but too much coverage is not. Stay away from white, neon fabrics and thick textured fabrics.
Too Much Tummy
Do's: Check out the tankini swimsuits that are on the fashion scene today. They cover just enough, but you still have the freedom and hip factor of a bikini. A one-piece with some ruching around the waist or hips can also help to conceal.
Don'ts: Avoid itsy bitsy bikinis and solid-coloured one-pieces.
Pear-Shaped
Do's: When you are bigger on the bottom you want to draw people’s eyes up by wearing a pretty, eye-catching detailed bikini top. Make sure that your bottom sits well on your hips and that it is a shade darker than your bikini top.
Don'ts: Avoid boy shorts and detailed swimsuit bottoms. Keep the bottom of your suit simple.
Athletic Shape
Do's: Show off your toned arms and shoulders with a halter bikini. If you have a boyish figure, try to wear suits with flirty details. Try bows or ties on the side of the suit that will help create visual curves.
Don'ts: Avoid solid swimsuits without pattern and detail. Stay away from swimsuits that don't have support and shape.
Hourglass
Hourglass figures have balance shoulders and hips with a smaller waist. If this is you, you're lucky because just about any classic styled bathing suit should flatter your figure. Work with your curves, don’t hide them under tank tops and board shorts. If you’ve got it, flaunt it… with taste & style.
Here are some other tips to remember:
· Check your rear view.
· Take a photo on a digital camera when deciding what swimsuit to buy. Sometimes mirrors lie.
· Board-shorts aren’t always the answer. Sometimes they can actually make you look bigger.
If this is still all too scary to face, take a Personal Shopper with you. They will give you honest advice, and make sure that you look the best you possibly can on the beach.
Check out www.outfitme.co.nz to see how we can help.
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Packing Light for Holiday
If you’ve ever been hassled about the amount of luggage that you take with you on holiday, if you end up wearing only half of what you take, or leave important pieces behind, you may have wondered if there is a better way to pack for holiday.
The answer is yes, there is!
All you have to do is make a plan, assemble a clothing capsule, and put it in the suitcase. Once you get good at it, you can be packed and ready to go in about ten minutes.
So, where do you start??
Make a plan
I've known lots of women who insist on packing just about everything they own because they don't know what they'll "feel" like wearing on any given day of their trip.
Translation: They don't know what they're supposed to wear so they take everything, hoping something will be appropriate.
What's a better plan?
Ask. Find out what you'll be doing, where you'll be going, and what the weather's like. If you'll be visiting friends or relatives, ask them. It's such a simple little thing, but so few people think to do it. If you don't know, ASK! It's the quickest way to find your answer. Once you know what you’ll be up to, you can begin to consider what types of clothing you need to take.
Assemble a Clothing Capsule
The next step is to figure out how to take as few pieces as possible yet still cover all of your activities. Sound impossible? Not if you use clothing capsules. Once you master how to mix and match your clothes, you'll be amazed by what you can do with the clothes you already own.
A clothing capsule is approximately 8-12 pieces of clothing that mix and match easily with each other. They can be the same or complimentary colours, and in styles that work well with each other.
Let's say that you're headed to a bach near the beach for the week following Christmas. You'll be eating, shopping, going hiking, eating, going to the beach, and possibly going out to dinner.
A good capsule might include:
• White tank top
• Red merino jumper
• Red t-shirt
• Black shrug/cardi
• Animal print scarf
• Black shorts
• White skirt
• Jeans
• Summer dress – white with black floral print
• Swimsuit
Now, for some sample outfits:
Dinner: Summer dress, black shrug
Shopping: Red T-shirt, jeans,
Hiking: White tank top, Red merino jumper, black shorts
The movies: Red merino jumper, jeans, black shrug
Eating out: White tank top, white skirt, scarf tied at neck, black shrug
The beach: Swimsuit, black shorts
See how easy this is? If you stick with a basic colour scheme and pieces that mix and match easily, you'll not only have a variety of outfits, you'll be able to come up with something instantly if you find yourself headed somewhere or doing something you hadn't planned.
Another bonus? You can cut way down on the number of shoes and other accessories you need to take because you won't have to accessorize so many different outfits.
Once you've put together your clothing capsule, decide what accessories you need to take (jewellery, belts, shoes, handbags). These will help make your outfits more interesting and make your pieces look even more varied.
Put it in the Suitcase
Put everything in your suitcase. Add sleepwear, slippers, and a summer robe. Put in your underwear and footwear for however many days you need. If you'll be swimming or working out, pack those clothes as well.
Use travel size toiletries, and keep them in your cosmetic case from here on out. Pack any prescription medications you need and throw in some earplugs in case there are rowdy parties while you are trying to sleep. Make sure you don’t forget your sunscreen too.
Finally, always wear layers when you travel, particularly if you're going to be changing climates. So wear cardigans or pullovers that can be added or removed as needed. If you keep them in the same colour family as your clothing capsule, you now have one more piece to work with.
Make a plan, put together a clothing capsule, and put it in your suitcase. You'll look good, feel great, and save yourself an aching back. You may even raise some eyebrows by how few pieces of luggage you bring - especially when you look great every day of your trip.
If you are still stuck for Christmas gift ideas, check out our brochure on www.outfitme.co.nz, and think about giving your loved one a gift voucher for some pamper time, shopping help, a wardrobe session or even a makeover.
The answer is yes, there is!
All you have to do is make a plan, assemble a clothing capsule, and put it in the suitcase. Once you get good at it, you can be packed and ready to go in about ten minutes.
So, where do you start??
Make a plan
I've known lots of women who insist on packing just about everything they own because they don't know what they'll "feel" like wearing on any given day of their trip.
Translation: They don't know what they're supposed to wear so they take everything, hoping something will be appropriate.
What's a better plan?
Ask. Find out what you'll be doing, where you'll be going, and what the weather's like. If you'll be visiting friends or relatives, ask them. It's such a simple little thing, but so few people think to do it. If you don't know, ASK! It's the quickest way to find your answer. Once you know what you’ll be up to, you can begin to consider what types of clothing you need to take.
Assemble a Clothing Capsule
The next step is to figure out how to take as few pieces as possible yet still cover all of your activities. Sound impossible? Not if you use clothing capsules. Once you master how to mix and match your clothes, you'll be amazed by what you can do with the clothes you already own.
A clothing capsule is approximately 8-12 pieces of clothing that mix and match easily with each other. They can be the same or complimentary colours, and in styles that work well with each other.
Let's say that you're headed to a bach near the beach for the week following Christmas. You'll be eating, shopping, going hiking, eating, going to the beach, and possibly going out to dinner.
A good capsule might include:
• White tank top
• Red merino jumper
• Red t-shirt
• Black shrug/cardi
• Animal print scarf
• Black shorts
• White skirt
• Jeans
• Summer dress – white with black floral print
• Swimsuit
Now, for some sample outfits:
Dinner: Summer dress, black shrug
Shopping: Red T-shirt, jeans,
Hiking: White tank top, Red merino jumper, black shorts
The movies: Red merino jumper, jeans, black shrug
Eating out: White tank top, white skirt, scarf tied at neck, black shrug
The beach: Swimsuit, black shorts
See how easy this is? If you stick with a basic colour scheme and pieces that mix and match easily, you'll not only have a variety of outfits, you'll be able to come up with something instantly if you find yourself headed somewhere or doing something you hadn't planned.
Another bonus? You can cut way down on the number of shoes and other accessories you need to take because you won't have to accessorize so many different outfits.
Once you've put together your clothing capsule, decide what accessories you need to take (jewellery, belts, shoes, handbags). These will help make your outfits more interesting and make your pieces look even more varied.
Put it in the Suitcase
Put everything in your suitcase. Add sleepwear, slippers, and a summer robe. Put in your underwear and footwear for however many days you need. If you'll be swimming or working out, pack those clothes as well.
Use travel size toiletries, and keep them in your cosmetic case from here on out. Pack any prescription medications you need and throw in some earplugs in case there are rowdy parties while you are trying to sleep. Make sure you don’t forget your sunscreen too.
Finally, always wear layers when you travel, particularly if you're going to be changing climates. So wear cardigans or pullovers that can be added or removed as needed. If you keep them in the same colour family as your clothing capsule, you now have one more piece to work with.
Make a plan, put together a clothing capsule, and put it in your suitcase. You'll look good, feel great, and save yourself an aching back. You may even raise some eyebrows by how few pieces of luggage you bring - especially when you look great every day of your trip.
If you are still stuck for Christmas gift ideas, check out our brochure on www.outfitme.co.nz, and think about giving your loved one a gift voucher for some pamper time, shopping help, a wardrobe session or even a makeover.
Stumped for Christmas Gift Ideas?
What do you get for those people who seem to have everything?
Last Christmas, instead of just buying "stuff" for our family for Christmas, we decided to buy them an experience. For my dad, we brought a hand gliding experience, which was something he had always wanted to do. For someone else, it was a relaxing massage. These kind of presents are experienced and remembered with a big smile. So, maybe this Christmas, try to think in terms of creating memories, rather than creating clutter.
Does someone special in your life need a bit of pampering, a bit of time to just focus on themselves? Maybe your mum, sister or brother spring to mind. We can be so busy around Christmas, that we often don't take time out to do something special for ourselves.
Have a browse through our brochure for some great gift ideas... a bit of wardrobe help, some "what not to wear advice", a personal shopping trip, a makeover, and lots more great Christmas gift ideas.
So check out www.outfitme.co.nz, or contact us for help.
P.S. If you are too short of time (and patience) for Christmas gift shopping, leave it to the professionals! We can help out with your Christmas shopping, leaving you stress free, but still with the brownie points!
Last Christmas, instead of just buying "stuff" for our family for Christmas, we decided to buy them an experience. For my dad, we brought a hand gliding experience, which was something he had always wanted to do. For someone else, it was a relaxing massage. These kind of presents are experienced and remembered with a big smile. So, maybe this Christmas, try to think in terms of creating memories, rather than creating clutter.
Does someone special in your life need a bit of pampering, a bit of time to just focus on themselves? Maybe your mum, sister or brother spring to mind. We can be so busy around Christmas, that we often don't take time out to do something special for ourselves.
Have a browse through our brochure for some great gift ideas... a bit of wardrobe help, some "what not to wear advice", a personal shopping trip, a makeover, and lots more great Christmas gift ideas.
So check out www.outfitme.co.nz, or contact us for help.
P.S. If you are too short of time (and patience) for Christmas gift shopping, leave it to the professionals! We can help out with your Christmas shopping, leaving you stress free, but still with the brownie points!
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