Birds Of A Feather

Whether or not you’ve made it to your goal weight, your body has probably changed quite a lot since you started your SFD journey. Which means, it’s time to hit the shops and allow yourself a little retail therapy! Now, we know that standing under fluorescent lights in your knickers isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but you’ve got to embrace the new bod that you’ve got! Hiding away in baggy clothes isn’t going to make you feel super enthusiastic about your appearance, so in the SFD spirit of embracing all things good-feeling, get out there and try on some new threads that will make you look and feel fab! (and write it off as a lifestyle expense – you’ve gotta look good to feel good, right?)

How to Plan the Perfect Day’s Shop

• Take a friend or two: Even better if they’re in the fast car too and also in need of a wardrobe wake up!
• Don’t be too serious: Try on something amazingly silly just for laughs. Getting a few giggles out will lighten the mood and take you back to the days of playing dress ups!
• Move out of your comfort zone: Pick out five un-veto-able outfits for your friend that she has to try on – and vice versa. While she might not pick items that you’d choose for yourself, sometimes it takes an outsider’s perspective to see what would really look fab!
• Get the freebies: Try some perfume or makeup samples to get a break from the fitting rooms and have a little fun!
• Ignore the tags: Sizes and cuts vary from store to store; don’t get hung up on them. Take multiple sizes into the fitting rooms and don’t even think about the numbers. If it fits your body correctly, it’s the right size. (Sometimes it helps to try on the largest size first and work your way down to one that fits best – it’s also a bit of a self-esteem boost when you have to put something back because it’s too big!)
• Give a little: Buy a surprise for each other and exchange them at… super lunch! Give yourselves a modest budget for your midday pick-me-up. Even a little something will be a nice memento of a fun day spent together.
• Be kind to your wallet: A shopping spree doesn’t have to be super expensive. Have a few ideas up your sleeve for budget-friendly options. Department stores like K-Mart and Target, factory outlets with chic looks for less, cheap and cheerful giants like H&M and Cotton On, and don’t forget op shops, sales rack and markets. Work within your budget’s comfort zone to keep the experience fun rather than stressful.
• Shop for your body type: Figure out beforehand if you’re more of a pear, apple, hourglass, rectangle or inverted triangle and read up on some flattering styles that will suit your body. Preparing ahead of time will mean that you won’t waste time (or ego) on cuts you know won’t cut it. Ask your friend to promise to be honest in case you’re unsure if an item suits you or not, and do the same for her. Try not to get disheartened if an outfit isn’t right; there are plenty more fish in the sea!

Dressing for your Shape

• Hourglass: A tailored or cinched waist highlights your curves up high and down low. Wrap dresses, belted jackets and even pencil skirts will complement you in all the right places.
• Rectangle: Highlight your waist; play around with cropped jackets, and tapered pants and skirts. You’re fortunate to already have a versatile shape; elongate it with scooped necklines and ¾ sleeves that will optically cinch your waist.
• Pear: A-line skirts that skim your hips and interesting styles up top. You have the flexibility to experiment with more drama around the shoulders and décolletage as they will balance out naturally.
• Apple: Draw attention up and down; high waisted skirts that taper outwards or a top with a detailed lapel. You can also play around with items that skim over your midsection with a shift-centric cut. You might be inclined to go for flowy clothes, but don’t underestimate the power of a tailored fit!
• Inverted triangle: You’re lucky that you can go va-va-voom on the volume around your hips and toosh as it will balance perfectly with your upper body.

The Right Fit

Ever wonder why celebrities look so good in their clothes? It’s because their outfits aren’t straight off the rack – they are almost always tailored! You’re already investing time and money in restocking your wardrobe, so you may as well do it right and get a few key pieces tailored to fit your body perfectly. When an outfit fits you properly, it will look and feel so much more flattering!

Make sure to leave a comment, or stop by the Members Facebook page to let us know how your Halfway Makeover is going.