Dressing Guide

        CROSS CULTURE
      by Christina Cross

Trying to get acquainted with a new set of rules for dressing can be so confusing it may make you throw up your hands and quit. I've had ladies ask me many times, "What is the best look for MY body?" When I ask what image they'd like to project invariably the response is "Oh, I want to look pretty." Of course everyone's version of "pretty" will vary. Don't let your clothes be the focal point! Your clothes should enhance the way you feel, the person you are. They should make people notice YOU first, NOT what you are wearing.

I usually advise these ladies to play up what they feel are their best features and play down those features they'd rather not draw attention to. I've found the easiest way to start is to consult a basic chart of body variations with suggestions on how to enhance or downplay each.

The chart you'll find later in this article is really a bare-bones chart, leaving lots of room for experimentation. As a starting point, it serves to give suggestions for elaborating on and applying different tricks to a particular look. Look at what describes your body most closely. Look at the suggestions, combine them and then translate them to +your+ fashion look. It can be helpful and fun at the same time.

Body Variations --- BROAD SHOULDERS---recommended: 1). raglan sleeves, 2). dolman sleeves, 3). V-neck. 4). drop shoulders.

discouraged: 1). padded shoulders, 2). boat necks, 3). puff sleeves.

NARROW SHOULDERS recommended: 1). halter tops 2). small collars, 3). padded shoulders, 4). diagonal lines from shoulder to waist.

discouraged: 1). turtlenecks, 2). bulky fabrics

LONG WAISTED recommended: 1). high-waisted slacks, 2). skirt lengths just below the knee, 3). wide belts, 4). layered look.

discouraged: 1). hip-hugger pants, 2). low-slung belts

SHORT WAISTED recommended: 1). pants which ride low on waistline, 2). low-slung belts, 3). overblouses falling to inseam.

discouraged: 1). wide belts, 2). short jackets or blouses, 3). belted overblouses.

THICK WAIST recommended: 1). vests, 2). loose waistlines, 3). hip-slung belts 4). dolman sleeves, 5). chemise dresses, 6). long tunic over skirt.

discouraged: 1). wide belts, 2) pleated or gathered skirts.

SMALL WAIST recommended: 1). belts - any kind/style, 2). waist accents

discouraged: 1). unbelted dresses.

FULL BUST recommended: 1). loose fitting tops, 2). long-sleeved blouses, 3). chocker necklaces, 4). V-necks, 5). open necks.

discouraged: 1). tube tops, 2). tight ribbed knits, 3). patch pockets on shirts, 4). puffy sleeves.

SMALL BUST recommended: 1). flowing blouses, 2). brightly colored blouses, 3). horizontal yokes, 4). padded shoulders.

discouraged: 1). tight shirts.

SHORT NECK recommended: 1). V-necks, 2). open collars, 3). scoop necks, 4). hanging pendants.

discouraged: 1). turtlenecks, 2). cowl necks, 3). layered look.

LONG NECK recommended: 1). turtlenecks, 2). cowl necks, 3). layered look, 4). boat neck, 5). scarves and jewelry at neck, 6). one-shouldered dresses.

discouraged: 1). peter pan collars, 2). scoop necks.

SMALL BODY recommended: 1). simple linear designs, 2). pleated skirts (linear lines), 3). slacks, 4). one color head-to-toe, 5). long sleeves, 6). medium width belts, 7). vertical stripes.

discouraged: 1). large, busy patterns, 2). horizontal stripes, 3). pegged pants, 4). bulky fabrics, 5). many colors at one time.

SHORT LEGS recommended: 1). vertical stripes, 2). solid colors, 3). mid-calf length skirts and dresses, 4). high-heeled shoes.

discouraged: 1). pegged pants, 2). hip hugging pants, 3). busy prints or plaids

HEAVY LEGS recommended: 1). straight-leg slacks, 2). boots, 3). just below the knee skirts and dresses, 4). high-heel shoes, 5). dark colored shoes and stockings.

discouraged: 1). short skirts, 2). tight pants, 3). shoes with straps.

SMALL HIPS recommended: 1). pleated, gathered skirts, 2). chimise dresses, 3). overblouses.

discouraged: 1). tight skirts, 2). hip-hugging pants, LARGE HIPS/THIGHS recommended: 1). dark colored skirts and dresses, 2). dark colored hose/shoes, 3). single colored outfits, 4). long tunic over skirt.

discouraged: 1). large, busy patterns on skirts/pants, 2). horizontal stripes on skirts/pants, 3). brightly colored or plaid skirts or pants, 4). gathered skirts, 5). pants with back pockets.

Remember, as you scrutinize this chart that these are GUIDELINES ONLY. What may not be listed here for your body type may be perfect for the type of look you want to achieve. As you experiment, you'll become more confident. And, most importantly, confidence is the real key to any successful fashion look.