Tummy Troubles?

Sarah Nichol and I have been working with Westfield Queensgate as stylists for their Walk in Wardrobe campaign for 4 years now. So as you can imagine we see a LOT of women of all different shapes, colouring and sizes. I wanted to share a common theme we found at our last session a couple of weeks ago.

I shall begin with a question. How many of you go up an extra size in your clothing because you are highly conscious about your tummy? I reckon I would see a lot of hands in the air on this one. We also found this isn't age dependent. We see every age from teenagers to 60+ and this seemed to be the issue - other than covering their arms, yes another topic for another day - that women were really struggling with.

Our advice to them, and to you is to not go down the road of buying an extra size up to 'hide' your tummy. Categorically what then happens is you just end up look like that extra size ALL OVER. Bigger arms, shoulders, chest and in most cases you loose your most precious feminine asset, your shape.

No matter how small or non-existent your waist is, you still have shape under your bust. If you loose this you will look 1 or 2 sizes bigger. The key is to finding pieces - whether it be via the cut of the clothing or the drape of the fabric - that shows your shape down the side of your body, and falls gently over your tummy in a way that doesn't add fabric, but also doesn't cling.

Impossible I hear you shout! It really isn't. We were able to show many people different cuts and fabrics that do just that. So while it isn't easy, it is worth putting the effort in to make sure your clothing fits you properly on your shoulders, arms and bust. Rouching under the bust or at the side is another tip on keeping they eye distracted so it is unknown as to what is a natural lump or bump and what is the fabric.

This seasons trend for sheer fabrics is also another easy way of showing a bit of shape, as you can see through the fabric, but wearing something a little bit floaty and not clingy over the body. Good luck ladies. Don't let your worry of a certain part of your body stop you from for doing the best with the great assets you have.

Stay colourful!
Trudi
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