Every day I get to help women feel more beautiful. To say that I love what I do and that it is immensely rewarding, doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. But in my line of work, I see first-hand how critical women are of themselves. When I ask a new client to share what she loves about her appearance and what she is less enthusiastic about, 90% of the time I hear a long list of things she’d love to change and not even a nod to those features that are unique and beautiful and special.
Here’s my feeling. We all have great physical attributes…And it’s time to take inventory, stand tall, and embrace them.
If you’re not sure what yours are, ask a good friend or a family member. (Remember to respond in kind so she is aware of her fabulous qualities as well.) Then get ready to strut your stuff! Clothes and accessories are marvelous tools for highlighting your best features. Here is your guide to embracing and accentuating what is wonderful about you.
Make it all about your mane. If you have locks that you want to show off, there are many ways to do this. Wear your hair down, in all of its glory. Sport a headband embellished with pearls, jewels, or flowers. Use bedazzled bobby pins and place them strategically to decorate your do. Take a trip to your salon and get your hair styled. A professional blowout makes your fab hair look even better and can up to a week, so it’s worth the splurge.
Focus on your face. Forget a barely-there frame. Bring the attention to your face by updating your eyewear with a statement-making frame. To create a new look in sunglasses, try a nude colored frame or go for jewel-tone colors. Do you tend to go with the bare minimum and wear lip-gloss only? Instead, go for a lipstick shade in a stronger color: red, coral (spring’s hot hue), or your best pink. Pop your collar to frame your face and add a bit of visual ‘tude.
Notice your neck. Showcase your neck area with long, full chandelier earrings or a large-scale statement necklace. Statement collars (ruffles, cowl, halter and so on) will guide one’s eye to your neck. While scarves cover the neck, tying multiple, loosely tied loops can add drama to this area. Of course you can keep it simple and go with a V-neck, which draws the eye up.
Show me some shoulder. A nice straight shoulder line, along with great posture, can be stunning. Get this look with a boat-neck t-shirt or an off-the-shoulder blouse. Try a color-blocked dress with a contrast color moving across the shoulders for a dramatic look. If you want to build up your shoulder line, consider cap-sleeves or epaulets at the shoulder. Alternatively look for a jacket with a more substantial shoulder pad (i.e., a modified version of the 80’s shoulder).
Boast about your bustline. We all know that a lower cut neckline will draw attention to the bustline, but so will opening an extra button or two on a button-front blouse. (Bonus: this is a trick that can instantly take you from day-to-night, and back again.) What’s more, sporting a bustier underneath a sheer blouse will accentuate the positive, as will our friend, the push-up bra. Wearing neutral colored bottoms with a bold blouse will also let your top half get all the attention.
Hold up those hands. Even though hands aren’t always the go-to attention-getters, they can create intrigue and elegance if dressed up. Choose bold colors for a fun look or soft nudes for a classic look when picking out a nail polish color. Dress your hand with a chunky cocktail ring or wear more subtle rings but in multiples. Frame the hand with stacked bangles or a charm bracelet.
Worship your waist. Start with a wide-leg, high-waist trouser. Tuck in a blouse and then add a thin leather belt in a contrasting color to showcase the waist. For a skirt option, try one with a high waist or wide waist band. A wrap-style or ruched blouse or an empire-waist dress will help to put the emphasis right where you want it. Cropped jackets are also a friend and will move the eye to the waistline.
Hip, hip, hooray. Let your curves get noticed. In fact, accentuate them with peplum detailing in dresses or jackets. A jersey or knit dress that follows the lines of your body will also do the trick. Alternatively, tuck in your blouse and/or opt for a jacket that ends well above your hipline. For a polished look, choose a well-fitted pencil skirt with just a hint of stretch. A low slung-belt on a longer tunic will also help to highlight the hips.
Showcase those stems. If you’re proud of your legs, show them off with skirts and dresses. The length of your hem is up to you (and what’s appropriate), but a general rule of thumb is to end your hem at a place on the leg where you narrow, rather than widen. For extra emphasis, pair your dresses or skirts with fun patterned hosiery. Go with a long-sleeved dress to ensure that all eyes will be on your legs. If you prefer pants, opt for a skinny jean with a heel to add even more length to those gorgeous gams.
I delight in showing others how to celebrate and highlight their most amazing qualities. If you’d like help distinguishing and dressing your best features, please contact me. I can’t wait to help you discover your most beautiful self!
