Styles for tummies

As we age, our bodies change shape and, for many of us, that means carrying weight around our middle. In fact one of the most common shapes of 50+ women is a Rectangle body shape.

I’m struggling as I’m a ‘Lean column’ but with nearly a year of lockdown under my belt (and in this case, this is literal lol) I’m finding I’m becoming less ‘lean’ and those of you with hourglass figures may be realising you’re losing waist definition. 

The rectangle body shape is defined by:

  • little or no waist definition
  • a straight up and down figure
  • flat bottom
  • may carry weight around the middle 

It certainly requires a different way of dressing. One of the most difficult things to get right is knitwear, as ‘bulk’ is not our friend. 

knitwear and tumies

Here are a few tips to bear in mind when you’re shopping for knits:

1) Stay away from figure hugging jumpers, particularly if you’re wearing skinny or straight-leg jeans. Your silhouette will not thank you!

2) Watch the chunky knits. They’ll add bulk around your middle.

3) Asymmetric hemlines are excellent at tricking the eye and taking the focus from your troublesome bits.

4) Jumpers that are longer at the back are very flattering. They cover ‘flat’ bums but also add a little interest. Make sure that the front isn’t too short, it should be at least as long as the bottom of your hip so avoid the desire to practice a ‘French tuck’.

5) Oversized sweaters that are cut straight are great shapes on you. If you carry quite a bit of weight around your tummy, look for jumpers that hang from the shoulder. 

6) Don’t be afraid of stripes because they can trick the eye. Horizontal stripes can be slimming especially if they are variegated. But generally any other detail on the bust and torso is better avoided. 

7) If you’re busty, opt for an open neckline.

8) Fine to medium weight knits are your friends. Try Merino wool. 

9) Add a long scarf – it will give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette and provide focus. 

If you want a little more information you can read a handy guide I created about working out your own best colours and styles so you can start your own transformation.

Do leave me a comment too as I’d love to hear from you.

Stylishly yours,

Rosemary in pink

Jumpers featured from left to right: Celtic & Co, Principles at Debenhams, Wallis.

Of course you can wear black!

wear black

Colour Me Beautiful adopted a much more modern approach to colour analysis many years ago when they moved away from the seasonal (you’re a Winter / Autumn) approach.

This means that I show you how to wear colour, rather than being prescriptive. So, yes, you can wear black and during a consultation with me I’ll show you how.

Continue reading “Of course you can wear black!”

Best Image Consultant in Paris

I forgot to mention that I won, again 🙂

Voted best image Consultant in Paris

I had said I didn’t want to be involved this year.

However someone nominated me and I only realised I was on the list a week before voting closed!

Quandry. Leave yourself at the bottom of the list or let clients know you’re involved?

Belatedly, officially, thank you everyone for voting though I’m sure I gave everyone a virtual hug at the time.

Stylishly yours,

Rosemary in pink

Post Lockdown Shopping and how I can help

This isn’t a post that anyone thought would be written but 2020 hasn’t really shaped up to conform with the 21st Century has it? As clothes shops are reopening after lockdown, there’ll be a new normal – at least for a while.

Post Lockdown Shopping

Leisurely browsing with the occasional coffee stop is something that we can but dream of. Instead, we’ll be faced with the prospect of queuing as shops limit the number of customers at any one time, one-way systems, sanitiser stations, the loss of changing rooms and sometimes toilets and, of course, maintaining a strict social distance.

Continue reading “Post Lockdown Shopping and how I can help”

Dress to Impress

A Wonderful Article in Living France 🙂

What a wonderful way to end the year 😉

This is a lovely article written by Gillian Harvey in the December issue of Living France.

It’s about my 2 careers; combining being an award-winning Image Consultant whilst hosting guests at my central Paris B&B.

Hope you like it.

You can click here to read the whole article.

Continue reading “Dress to Impress”

Your Perfect Shade Of Red

Whilst red is the colour most often seen at this time of year, do you find it a difficult colour to wear?

I’ve heard many people say they shy away from wearing red because either they don’t believe they can wear it, or that IT wears them, but I promise you there’s a perfect shade of red for everyone so I’ve rounded up some fabulous shades that might tempt you, or even me, to change your mind.

Continue reading “Your Perfect Shade Of Red”

Go Green this Autumn / Winter

Each season different colours take centre stage and for Autumn / Winter 2018 how about going GREEN? It’s the perfect shade for Autumnal weather.

The key to embracing this trend is to choose YOUR GREEN and wear it in a way that complements your colour characteristics.

Here are some guidelines on how to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe for the season ahead…

Continue reading “Go Green this Autumn / Winter”

Confused about which colours and styles suit you?

I’ve been there too…

Rosemary in blue

I was totally confused in my late 30’s about what colours suited me. A Cruella De Vil white streak had appeared in my hair when I was quite young. As it progressed, less and less seemed to suit me anymore but I didn’t connect the two.

If asked, I used to say that the colour of my eyes were anything from light grey to dark blue ‘depending on the light’. How wrong was I to think the light had anything to do with it!

Going grey early is a family trait so I wasn’t very worried about that per se but eventually I realised that no matter what I was wearing, whilst I wanted to look tanned and healthy instead I just looked pale all the time!

Continue reading “Confused about which colours and styles suit you?”

“Attitude is everything”

No matter your age, dress size or clothing budget, how you wear your clothes and the attitude you adopt really is everything.

Adopt a positive, fun and optimistic attitude and this will flow through to your style and best of all, a change of attitude to how you dress doesn’t cost a penny!

“Attitude is Everything” – Diane von Furstenburg

Isn’t it just?

Continue reading ““Attitude is everything””