Choosing the Right Fit

Clothing that is too tight can make you seem larger than you actually are.
Clothing that is too loose can also make you appear larger than you really
are. Clothing that is too short can draw attention to wider areas of your
body, clothing that is too long looks like you are wearing someone else’s
clothing, and seams and bands placed in the wrong areas can distort your
figure creating unflattering illusions. You WILL ALWAYS look your best you
if you know your figure variations TODAY, embrace and accept your body
TODAY and dress your figure shape as it is TODAY. Here are 5 areas to
know and some guidelines to help you find what’s flattering for YOU!

1) Welcome your Waistline

Right Tip: Wearing dresses, shirts or jackets at your actual waistline
visually balances YOUR figure shape

Right Fit: The band, seam or cut of your shirt, dress or jacket
should hit on/at your waistline. If band, seam etc. hit you SLIGHTLY above
or below your waistline, this can visually distort your figure. When in doubt,
place your fashion belt at your waistline.

*The exceptions are intentionally varied waistlines such as the empire
(high) or tunic box (low). “Drop waist” inaccurately refers to the waist
because it actually hits at the hip line.

Get it Right: Do I have a waist and where do I find it?

· Stand in front of a mirror with a thin t-shirt on.

· Place your hands at your sides where you think your waist is with
fingers stiff and straight.

· Bend side to side and move your hands up or down to where your
side/waist actually creases. This is your waistline!

2) Rock Your Rise

Right Tip: “Rise” is the MOST IMPORTANT word to understand when
looking for a pair of great fitting pants. The most flattering rise is
determined by YOUR unique figure shape-not by the latest trend.

Right Fit: We all vary on where we like the waistband of our pants
to sit and anything outside of that causes us to fidget-either pulling pants
up or tugging them down. Or even worse, hiding the bulges that the pant
line creates.

Get it Right: Find your rise and then rock it!

· Place your hands at your waistline with fingers stiff and straight

· Without adjusting up or down, slide both hands towards your stomach
with, one hand on top of the other.

· Drop bottom hand down to ***where your pant legs would intersect***
This is your rise area.

Will a high rise make your full stomach appear fuller or make you look
shorter by consuming your entire waist? Will a low rise cause an obvious
muffin top? Will a moderate rise give those around you shocking view when
you bend down to pick up a toy? Rise is first about flattering fit. Comfort
comes from knowing you look your best.

3) Floods Are A Fashion Felony

Right Tip: Length+style+cut+fabric+shoe=your most flattering fit for
pants.

Right Fit: Hem length can make or break a flattering fit in a pair
of jeans or trousers. Because length directly aligns with the pant cut and
type of shoe you are wearing, full length, ankle length, and cropped are all
intentional lengths. Flood is not a pant length but rather an accidental
oversight.

Get it Right: Since shoes are the largest variation, here are the
guidelines

· Flats-Full length should cover 2/3 of the shoe with the toe peeking out,
or come to the top of the sole-barely off the ground.

· Heels-No matter the heel length, full length pants should hit the
knuckle of your big toe or be 1″ off the ground.

4) From Stressful to Stylish Sleeves

Right Tip: Correct sleeve lengths make layering a cinch. From
sweaters, to vests to jackets, if the shirt fits you will wear it with more.

Right Fit: Sleeve length=shirt comfort. A long sleeve that is too
short makes a shorter shoulder and a more awkward fit. A short sleeve that
is too short tugs into your arm pits. Don’t fight your shirt,

Get it Right:

· Long sleeves should not be short and stout but rather long and lean

· Shirts-Hem should hit below the wrist at top of hand. But no longer
than first thumb knuckle.

· Jackets-Hem should end one thumb-width past wrist bone.

· ¾ sleeves-should hit you mid-forearm (not at the elbow)

· Short sleeves-should hit you above or below the widest part of your
upper arm. If it hits right at the widest part, you have just added extra
emphasis to it.

5) Accessories that Accentuate

Right Tip: Accessories can draw attention to themselves. Or where
they are placed. Be aware of where they land or end and what they
emphasize.

Right Fit: There is a strategy when wearing scarves or necklaces.
Where they are placed, or their lowest hanging point can draw attention to
areas you may not have intended.

Get it Right:

· Jewelry should be worn in proportionate to your physical features.
Anything too big will look like it is wearing you.

· Necklaces should be shorter or longer than the cleavage area and
should end above the navel

· Scarves should not exceed the pant waistband

· Too short will look like you are choking, too long can result in physical
injury