Do wear color near your face.
Do soften the hard lines of a suit with a lace top underneath.
Don't wear sweaters so long that they make you look short.
Do borrow your husband's clothes.
Do wear a hipslip or minimizer under tight clothes.
Don't wear acid-washed jeans.
Cropped pants can make you look shorter.
Patterned leggings can make legs look heavier.
Do have a stash of basics on hand: T-shirts, leggings, black socks and tights.
Monochromatic outfits are one of the best slimming secrets there is.
Lies, Lies, Lies
Don't overaccessorize.
* Nice girls don't wear white after Labor Day.
* You shouldn't wear suede shoes in summer or patent leather in winter.
* Handbags have to match your outfit.
* Black is boring.
(It's all but impossible.)
* If you wear two pieces that are both navy, the colors have to match.
Elements of Style
Do...
* Try something that's "not you" once in a while.
* Adapt trends so that they work for you--and adapt is the key word
here. A plaid minikilt isn't for everyone, for example. But if you love
the look, try a longer plaid skirt.
* Add a couple of stylish, inexpensive things to your wardrobe each season.
* Hold on to a few of your favorite outdated pieces. You never know!
Don't...
* Mix two seasons in one outfit.
* Force yourself to wear something for somebody else.
* Dress like a teenager.
Wear black with navy. Trust us! Both of them also go with...
* Wear really casual shorts or beach sandals on dress-down Fridays.
Color
* cream * white * beige * brown
If you find an inexpensive, basic item that fits well, buy it in several colors.
...and the combinations are timelessly elegant.
Don't wear too many colors at once.
10 Must-Haves For Fall
(To Buy or Dig Out from Your Closet)
1. White blouse
3. A pleated or A-line skirt
2. One perfect dress
5. A mohair sweater--yes, they're back
4. Boots--tall or short
6. Anything plaid
8. A short, fitted blazer or a long, tailored style
7. A pea coat in navy or black
9. Tapered trousers
Dressing Up
10. Pretty pastels--a jacket, sweater, skirt or all of the above
* Do wear black for an evening affair if the event is black tie.
* Do keep dyed shoes in the closet with the bridesmaid dress.
* Do take advantage of the "Bring 'em back--shoes, that is--we'll dye
'em black" policy. Don't, however, wear dyed shoes if there's any chance
of snow or rain. The color is likely to bleed.
* Do sew Velcro on strapless bras and on your dress to keep everything in place.
* Do carry a small evening bag and don't overstuff it.
* Don't wear a casual watch with very dressy clothes.
* Don't wear a casual jacket over a fancy dress.
Classics
* Don't wear anything too tight, too sexy or too see-through.
* Don't wear uncomfortable shoes.
* Don't upstage the bride in something that's too attention getting.
Dos
* Pearls. Need we say anything more?
* A chambray shirt under a blazer.
* The perfect little black dress. Every closet should have one.
* Twin-sweater-sets that do double duty in your wardrobe.
* Anything that's obviously left over from days of yore-
* Opaque hose with Lycra spandex are a girl's best friend.
Don'ts
* Jogging suits when you have no intention of jogging.
-especially if it's polyester with topstitching.
* Linen in winter.
* Skirts so narrow that you can't walk.
The All-Time, Best-Ever, Never-Fail, A-Number-One Figure Do:
* Too many patterns at one time.
Learn to love your body, flaws and all.
Figure It Out
Do...
* Buy elastic-waist pants and skirts--they're more comfortable.
* Emphasize your best feature: Great legs? Wear short skirts.
* Create balance by wearing shoulder pads--they can make your hips look smaller.
* Wear loose, comfortable clothes in soft, drapey fabrics. They're forever forgiving.
* Road test bodyshaper pantyhose before you wear them.
* Match hose to shoes for a slimming silhouette.
* Buy a supportive bra--everything will fit better.
* Wear dark opaque hose or tights with short skirts.
* Choose belts that match your pants for an unbroken line.
it, though, no matter what your legs look like.)
* Opt for pinstripes rather than wide vertical stripes.
Do...
Make sure your hemline suits your legs:
* If you love your legs, anywhere above the knee is fine. (Above midthigh is pushing
* Treat yourself to a new outfit when you lose a few pounds.
* For heavy legs, go below the bottom of the calf.
* If you have heavy ankles, stick to longer lengths, but don't try to cover them since you
only trip on your hem. Slip on a pair of matching opaque hose instead.
* Make sure you have one outfit that you know you'll feel good in--even on "fat" days.
* Opt for jackets with soft, body-skimming lines.
* Take advantage of cover-it-all tunic tops.
* Wear layers of streamlined knits, not bulky ones. They're universally flattering.
Don't...
always wear a top that covers it.
* Wear a skimpy dress unless you're sure that you look good in it--absolutely sure.
* Fall victim to the whims of fashion and wear ultrawide-leg pants--especially if
you're petite.
* Reveal too much when you wear leggings. Even if your rear end is supertoned,
Figure Fantasy vs. Figure Fact
* Buy pants or skirts without checking out your rear view. And when you try on
pants, always sit down in them.
Big, bulky clothes will hide my figure.
They'll also add pounds to it.
No, as long as the print is small.
Prints will make me look bigger.
Buying something a size too small will inspire me to lose weight.
Maybe, but it's much more likely that you'll never wear it.
Battling the Bustline
If you're large-busted, skip...
wide belts, long necklaces, big pins
And go for...
* softly draped (but not oversized) styles in silk or polyester.
Blouses that minimize:
Dark colors on top, light ones on bottom.
* simple V necklines without pockets.
Taming the Tummy
A bright jacket over a dark top.
If your stomach is not as flat as you would like it to be, skip...
tucked-in blouses, cropped tops, belted jackets
And go for... tunic tops ... loose jackets ... softly pleated pants
Slimming the Bottom Half
If your hips and thighs are less than svelte, skip...
leggings, big patterns below the belt, narrow trousers
And go for... * loose-fitting trousers * long jackets * long flowing skirts
5 Faux Pas
(No Matter What Your Figure)
1. Tops that draw unnecessary attention.
2. Jeans that don't fit perfectly. Finally, there are styles for every conceivable
figure--flaws and all.
3. Long full jackets paired with long full skirts.
5. Stiff, boxy jackets. Not only are they unflattering, they're uncomfortable
4. Anything so tight that it looks as if the seams might split.
as all get out.
Investments
Good eyeglass frames. Don't, however, wear them on a clunky chain around
your neck. If you must, choose something a little more subtle.
look for silk crepe versions. They're usually easier to tie and more
A good, versatile scarf that goes with the colors you wear most. And
likely to stay that way.
What's the mark of well-made? Look for fully lined versions with sturdy,
A well-made jacket in a 3-season fabric--lightweight wool or gabardine.
well-sewn seams.
A good bag that will last for years, big enough for all your essentials,
they're not stiff.
but not too big.
At least one well-made pair of pants (or a skirt, for that matter) that
you can wear for three seasons. By the way, pleats are fine as long as
Jewelry
A pair of classic pumps. Look for: leather, heels no higher than two
inches, and a natural, versatile color like black, navy or ivory.
Do...
* Wear ivory and tortoiseshell, but only if they're fake.
* Assemble a collection of good, basic costume jewelry:
* a pair of matching gold bangle bracelets, or a gold cuff not wider than
an inch and a half.
*link necklaces in varying lengths.
* Buy a two-tone watch so that you can wear it with silver or gold jewelry.
* a pair of simple gold hoop earrings, or gold button-style clip-ons.
* Wear large earrings if you're a large woman--you're among the few who can
* Keep your jewelry organized. Even egg cartons or plastic silverware trays will do.
carry them off.
Don't...
* Wear jewelry that jingles when you walk.
* Mix your metals. Silver jewelry is out of the question if your jacket has
* Pierce your ears more than twice in each lobe. Never wear earrings so heavy
that they stretch your lobes.
gold buttons.
* Wear rhinestones before 6 p.m.
* Squeeze a large neck into a dainty choker. It just doesn't work.
Accessories
Belts
* Do wear a belt with a gold buckle if you are wearing gold jewelry.
* Do cover elastic waists with belts or scarves.
* Don't assume that you must, in every circumstance, match your belt and
shoes. But don't stray too far afield either.
* Do wear a belt whenever you wear clothing with belt loops.
* Do replace belts when they start to look shabby. Or take them to a
* Do wear belts made of leather. If they aren't, they should at least
look like they are.
shoe-repair store for reconditioning.
Scarves
* Do iron them on low!!!
* Don't wear a long one dangling from your shoulder. Even if you can
* Do think twice before you wear a print scarf with a print outfit. To
make it work, you need a dotted jacket and dotted scarf, for example.
manage not to lose the thing, it screams fashion victim.
Do learn at least one great way to tie a square scarf.
* Do keep scarves folded in clear plastic containers or in plastic bags.
Bags
Whatever you do, DON'T...
* carry more than two at once
* overstuff them
* carry anything bigger than a bread box.
* Fold in half to form a triangle; then fold it, from the point end
Just Say No
toward the flat side, until it's about 1 1/2" wide.
* Wrap around neck from front to back.
* Bring ends back around to front and knot.
* Impossibly trendy jewelry like nose and navel rings
* See-through clothes
* Extremely high heels
* Slouchy socks
* Fake Chanel anything
* Baby-doll dresses
* Huge shoulder pads
* Baggy sweatsuits
* Fishnet stockings
* Ankle bracelets under pantyhose
* Bra tops
* Aprons, unless they're in the kitchen
* Thigh-high skirts
* The schoolgirl look
* High heels with jeans
* Socks and sneakers with a suit
* Ultra-cropped tops. If your belly button shows, skip it
5 Closet Classics
* Sunglasses at night or indoors
* Organize your closet by item (all skirts together, all jackets
together etc.) rather than by outfit or color. You'll see more
mix-and-match potential.
in better condition (we promise) and keep all that closet clutter to a
* Invest in shoe trees. They'll keep your shoes
minimum.
* Keep longer clothes on one side of the closet.
* Slip belts over hangers.
* Buy padded hangers for delicate items.
Shopping
Do...
* Buy things that go with at least two other things you already own.
* Shop in consignment shops.
* Ask salespeople to call you when they know there is going to be a sale.
* Shop in the men's department for basics. They're usually much cheaper
* Keep receipts in case you want to return something that goes on sale. And
and offer a larger variety.
* Buy it if you absolutely love it. Next time it may not be there.
* Take advantage of the convenience of catalogs. But be careful! It's easy to
don't be shy about doing so!
overspend if it doesn't feel like you're shopping. Before you pick up the phone:
lay it in front of you. If you see things piled up, you'll be less likely to
Set a limit.
Make a list.
And for every piece you plan to order, take something out of your closet and
* Take a friend along with you. Not only can she can tell you how things look
lose your head.
* Ask about free tailoring and personal-shopping services.
Don't Be Afraid to...
from the back, she can save you from yourself--"A hundred dollars? For that???"
* Check the sales racks in better department stores.
* Say no to a salesperson.
* Spend a little extra for a classic item that you know will last.
* Ask if the store will discount an item for a missing button or a loose hem.
The Extras: Maintenance
Do...
* Hem your cuffs. And bear in mind that if you're tall, you can get away with
a wider cuff.
* Treat your clothes with loving care. And buy clothes you can afford to take care of.
* Hang woolens out for 24 hours after wearing them to air them out.
* Dry-clean and store winter clothes in the summer, and vice versa.
* Clip out labels from sheer blouses and bras.
* Use liquid detergent when washing darks.
* Save time and iron only the cuffs and collars of blouses you are wearing under a
* Bleach whites that are bleach safe.
sweater or jacket.
* Redye black jeans when they start to fade.
* Sew bra hooks onto shoulder straps that always slip.
* Keep white canvas sneakers white by soaking them in one part water to one
part bleach.
* Use spray starch.
* Carry a portable sewing kit in your purse.
* Rehang clothes that are in need of repairs. Fix them first.
* Buy a steamer to dewrinkle your clothes in a jiffy.
Don't...
* Try to wash something that says "dry-clean only" unless you're willing to part
with it for good.
* Hang sweaters.
The 7 Deadly Shopping Sins
* Alter expensive clothes yourself, unless you really know you can.
* Wearing lace-up shoes--you'll double your time in the changing room.
* Spending more than you should on trendy items. If you absolutely must have
that silver lame blouse, set a limit before you get to the store.
* Using a credit card when you can spare the cash.
* Buying on impulse just because something is on sale.
* Shopping without a list, even if it's just in your head.
hair and makeup, you'll feel like nothing looks good on you.
* Looking like a schlump when you shop. If you don't put some effort into your
* Shopping with your husband. Why torture one another?
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