| What do you feel about shopping for clothes? Do | | | | suit body proportions, could make a person look |
| you love it or hate it; do you make quick | | | | as if she has longer legs. |
| purchases or take hours or even longer to decide | | | | 5. Wear well fitting underwear |
| to buy; do you buy from necessity or are you | | | | This is fundamental to the look of a garment. The |
| addicted to buying; do you shop by mail order or | | | | majority of women wear the wrong size bra and |
| internet or have to visit the store; are you loyal | | | | this affects where the bust is. An image |
| to a few shops or like to visit a range? Whatever | | | | consultant can explain how your appearance will |
| your mode of shopping these are my top tips. | | | | be enhanced by the right fit, and colour. You also |
| Try them out and shopping can be a more | | | | need to consider the pants, we all know about |
| rewarding experience for you. | | | | the VPL (visible panty line) and the colour and |
| There is an old saying 'fail to prepare means | | | | style is so important. So, when shopping for |
| prepare to fail' and this is the commonest thread | | | | clothes make sure you put on the underwear |
| running through discussions that I have as an | | | | that you will wear with the intended purchases. |
| image consultant with my clients. But more | | | | The right underwear can make an outfit and |
| importantly they don't know they could be so | | | | conversely the wrong underwear can detract |
| much more aware before they make that trip. | | | | from what was intended to be a great outfit. |
| 1. Know which colours to look for. | | | | 6. Be clear what will enhance your wardrobe |
| People who have had a colour analysis will know | | | | Before shopping, take a detached look at your |
| how liberating this is. Armed with your wallet you | | | | clothes, consider why you are shopping. Is it for a |
| will know which colours will flatter you and just as | | | | special occasion; to buy pieces for the new |
| importantly how to wear these colours. | | | | season; changing career; going on holiday? |
| 2. Be clear about the clothes shapes that flatter | | | | Working this out and writing a list indicating what |
| you. | | | | the intended items (will team with in your current |
| How often have you been in a shop and seen an | | | | wardrobe) will be really helpful. If few items in |
| item in a good colour for you, often on a store | | | | your wardrobe seem to go with each other then |
| model so it looked gorgeous, and then when you | | | | that is something an image consultant can help |
| got it home it just wasn't right for you? By | | | | you with. |
| having a style consultation , you will know the | | | | 7. Dress appropriately for the shopping trip |
| shapes that flatter your own body shape. Armed | | | | Besides, wearing the right underwear consider |
| with this information you will be a much more | | | | tights and shoes. If you wear socks when trying |
| discerning shopper. | | | | on an evening gown you won't be able to judge |
| 3. Understand your style personality | | | | the gown as your eye will be detracted from the |
| If you are a fan of the make-over programmes | | | | socks. Do think about taking a necklace or ear |
| on television, in the UK, you will realise that this is | | | | rings if you want to wear particular pieces with |
| not an area that is given any prominence. | | | | your new purchase. Also consider how easy it is |
| However, to me, as an image consultant it is the | | | | to remove the clothes you are wearing, remove |
| catalyst that puts the look together. Without | | | | the frustration of taking off lots of layers several |
| understanding how this personality works for | | | | times during your shopping session. |
| them clients struggle to develop their own | | | | So take a few moments to plan your next |
| individual look. Clients tell me that armed with this | | | | shopping trip, with these 7 top tips you should find |
| advice they can make much more sense of | | | | the experience more pleasurable and productive. |
| shopping (and dressing!) | | | | If you are unsure of colours that suit you, then |
| 4. Know what suits your scale and proportions | | | | book a colour analysis; if you never seem to |
| For many people knowing about these two | | | | know what shapes or styles to go for then a |
| aspects of their body, and its affect on clothing, is | | | | style consultation will really pay dividends. Once |
| very important and makes all the difference to | | | | you've had these you'll wonder how you ever |
| the overall appearance of the garment. In some | | | | managed clothes shopping before. |
| cases just adjusting the length of the sleeves to | | | | |