A lot of feeling super happy about the new super version of you will come down to how you present your unique self to the world – inside and out! But since it’s Super Style week, let’s start with ‘out’. First things first: you’re going to have to face that lying witch in the wardrobe.
Which means facing the part of you that decided to make those misguided items part of your collection in the first place. We shouldn’t be too hard on her – hours of shopping can turn into a gruelling event at times, and some of those purchases may have been made based on exhaustion/desperation/the wine that your BFF forced on you over lunch.
Consequently, if you’re anything like us, you’ll have a wardrobe that consists of the following:
- 20% work clothes
- 15% sloth clothes
- 50% ‘what was I thinking?’ clothes
- 5% ‘I can’t throw this out because I had a good night out in it once’ clothes
- 5% ‘I can’t believe I was ever this skinny’ clothes
- 5% ‘everyone has seen me in this a dozen times but it’s one of the few things I like’ clothes
Trying things on for a big night can leave your bedroom looking like a war zone as the search for the perfect outfit turns into mission impossible, culminating in that claustrophobic moment when you get trapped upside down in a dress and have to (embarrassingly) call for help.
At this point you can follow the guidance of a wise friend of ours who once stated: ‘when all else fails, wear black and make your head look good’. Stellar advice, but not necessarily a long-term plan. It’s far better to bite the bullet and face the inevitable, dreaded prospect of… the cull.
The Cull
Firstly, and repeat after us, this is good news! You are on the road to super-you, which means you will simply have to buy a fab new wardrobe – it’s mandatory really – so go and grab that bag for the op-shop and let’s get ruthless.
Here are the rules:
- Is it the wrong colour for your complexion? Somewhere along the line someone has probably told you you’re an ‘Autumn’ or some kind of ‘tone’. The bottom line is, some colours just make you look like you’ve been locked in the loo for hours and need a good lie down. In which case: CHUCK IT!
- Is it woefully out of fashion? A bubble skirt – seriously? CHUCK IT!
- Are you only keeping it for nostalgia? It could be a t-shirt from a Greek youth hostel circa 1995 that actually still smells like Ouzo. Where do you honestly think you’re going to wear this? CHUCK IT!
- Are you only keeping it because it cost a stack of money? A big price-tag doesn’t fix ugly. CHUCK IT!
- Are you only keeping it because it’s a small size? Okay, keep it until you fit back into it. And then CHUCK IT!
Hot Tip: donate all those clothes you’ve culled to a worthy cause like Shelly’s chosen charity Dress For Success!
Phew – done! Now you have lots of room for new, gorgeous, goal-size clothes, but before you reach for the car keys and credit card you may want to read on.
Dressing For Your Body Type
The Pear
Most flattering: An emphasis on colour and patterns on the top half for balance, dark tailored pants, jackets and tops that finish below or above your hips, accents on your fab waist, the creation of more shoulder – e.g. shoulder pads. A-line skirts and dresses work well for you too.
Least flattering: Busy pants, flares, cropped pants and pleats, patterns, ruffles, detailed pockets – anything that draws the eye down rather than up, low waisted anything. Skirts that are too tight.
The Hourglass
Most flattering: Belts, waisted outfits, wide shoulders, open necklines.
Least flattering: High necklines that hide your fab cleavage, ruffles, pleats or extra material around your hips and bust, straight lines that hide your waist.
The Apple
Most flattering: Emphasis on shoulders, split skirts (Angelina eat your heart out!), soft fabrics that don’t bunch or cling and straight lines. Keep the emphasis high and low on the body.
Least flattering: Gathered or pleated skirts, belts, mid-bicep sleeves, lapels, ‘busy’ bust-lines, anything that cuts off at your widest, least fave bits e.g. a jacket that ends on the waist.
The Rectangle
Most flattering: Detailed tops, ruffles, shoulder features that draw attention to the top, peplums that
give more waist, empire waists and cinched jackets.
Least flattering: If you are going to tuck in tops slightly, pull them out to give a suggestion of more waist and don’t wear detailing or jazzy belts around the middle. Avoid wrap tops and dresses.
The Inverted Triangle
Most flattering: Wide belts, fancy pants, busy lower half, clean, uncluttered tops, nipped jackets, bootleg jeans, draped cardigans, wide straps, skirts and pants that give your lower body more curve.
Least flattering: Loud tops, shoulder pads, puffy sleeves, halter necks, thin straps on dresses or tops.
How did you go with ‘the cull’? Let us know what you threw out, and what you’re planning to buy to celebrate your fabulous new shape! We’d love to know, so comment below or jump into the Members Facebook Page to share your Super Style conquests and stories.