Everyone has certain body features they are not happy with. Some people have larger hips and thighs, while others are heavier in the waist. Regardless of where your “problem” areas are, there are many fashion tricks you can use to minimize their appearance. Here are several tips on how to dress to look thinner.
The general rule is to wear clothing that gives your body a more symmetrical, or straight, look. If you wear clothing that is too small, your bulges will be emphasized. If you wear clothes that are too large, you will look bigger because you are adding bulk. Regardless of what your shape is, wearing diagonal stripes, zig-zags and similar patterns can detract from problem areas.
If you are heavier on the bottom, such as hips and thighs, there are several styles that will make you look thinner. Straight or bootcut pants deemphasize larger hips and thighs, giving a more symmetrical look. Wear prints only on the top and wear long tops that go past your hips. Also, look for jackets, tailored suits and shirtwaist dresses with straight, classic cuts.
If your waistline is your heaviest area, choose a dress with a high waistline (called an empire waist) because it will make your waist appear smaller. Avoid bulky scarves and belts that draw attention to your waist. Also, avoid pleats because they pull when you move and won’t make you look thinner.
If you are heavier on the top, such as your arms, try a pleated skirt – it will bring more attention to your lower half. Choose thin fabrics, such as cotton, that won’t add bulk. Long jackets without shoulder pads will balance your overall look.
Using these tips on how to dress to look thinner will give you a more symmetrical look.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Father's Day Menswear Sale at Bare Necessities
From now until June 17, enjoy 25% off your favorite menswear brands at Bare Necessities. In addition, Jockey men's styles are also 25% off until Father's Day. Now is the best time to stock up on boxers, briefs, T-shirts and more!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Evaluating Your Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is an individual's positive or negative beliefs about being valuable and capable. It describes how a person feels about herself or himself. Self-esteem is the amount of pride in oneself.
Many factors can affect one's self-esteem, either positively or negatively. Some of the things that can lower self-esteem are feelings of self-hate, guilt, shame and embarassment. It can seem difficut to break out of the negativity of a low self-esteem because the focus is on aspects of oneself that are disliked.
Dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance is often a cause of low self-esteem. This can be an issue for plus size women, for we are constantly being bombarded by images of "beautiful" women who are pencil thin. I personally feel this is a very distorted view of people in our society. The images we see on magazine covers, television and in movies represent only a very small percentage of the population.
Raising your self-esteem requires a simple shift in focus. For example, if you are unhappy about your physical appearance you are focusing on those traits you don't like. Instead, look at yourself and pay attention to what you do like about yourself. Maybe you have thick, shiny hair, long legs, great cleavage, or a fabulous neckline. Whatever feature(s) you are most proud of, give all your attention to those positive aspects. Then, find clothing that accentuates your most valued features - a skirt that shows off those great legs, a blouse that hints to your fabulous cleavage, or a belt that shows your hourglass figure.
This simple shift in focus will slowly begin to raise your self-esteem and your self-confidence.
Many factors can affect one's self-esteem, either positively or negatively. Some of the things that can lower self-esteem are feelings of self-hate, guilt, shame and embarassment. It can seem difficut to break out of the negativity of a low self-esteem because the focus is on aspects of oneself that are disliked.
Dissatisfaction with one's physical appearance is often a cause of low self-esteem. This can be an issue for plus size women, for we are constantly being bombarded by images of "beautiful" women who are pencil thin. I personally feel this is a very distorted view of people in our society. The images we see on magazine covers, television and in movies represent only a very small percentage of the population.
Raising your self-esteem requires a simple shift in focus. For example, if you are unhappy about your physical appearance you are focusing on those traits you don't like. Instead, look at yourself and pay attention to what you do like about yourself. Maybe you have thick, shiny hair, long legs, great cleavage, or a fabulous neckline. Whatever feature(s) you are most proud of, give all your attention to those positive aspects. Then, find clothing that accentuates your most valued features - a skirt that shows off those great legs, a blouse that hints to your fabulous cleavage, or a belt that shows your hourglass figure.
This simple shift in focus will slowly begin to raise your self-esteem and your self-confidence.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Dress For Success - Bras For A Cause!
During the month of May, Bare Necessities is partnering with Chantelle to support Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that helps low income women with career development and job retention. For every Chantelle bra purchased at Bare Necessities, Chantelle will make a 2% donation to Dress for Success, and Bare Necessities will match that donation!
Bare Necessities carries Chantelle bras in 8 different plus size styles, so support Dress for Success and buy your Chantelle bras at Bare Necessities
today!
Bare Necessities carries Chantelle bras in 8 different plus size styles, so support Dress for Success and buy your Chantelle bras at Bare Necessities
Monday, May 14, 2007
Shopping Online For Plus Size Clothing
The world wide web allows you to conveniently shop at home from your own computer. No longer do you have to fight the crowds at the department stores or make it to the store before closing time. When shopping for plus size clothing, the internet offers a wide range of prices and styles to choose from.
Online retailers are now carrying more styles in plus sizes, creating more availability for online shoppers. There are some designers that specialize in plus sizing, and most other designers include styles in a wide range of sizes. Regardless of your size or shape, there are lots of choices.
Shopping online for plus size clothing saves money. Online stores don't have the large overhead costs that traditional retail stores have. When buying online, you pay for the clothing and a little profit. Retail shores have to factor in employee salaries, rent, utilities and other extra costs.
There are a few things to keep in mind when ordering online. Make sure you are ordering from a reputable company. Look for a customer service number or "Contact Us" button on the website. If there is a problem with your order, you want to be able to communicate easily with the company. You can research the company at the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed against the website. Also check the shipping costs, shipping time, returns and refund policies before placing an order.
Shopping for plus size clothing is easier with the multitudes of online retailers carrying plus sizes. There is more variety in styles and prices whether you are shopping for casual wear, a special occasion dress, a business suit or lingerie.
In the "Related Sites" section of this blog, there are links to many websites that carry plus sizes.
Online retailers are now carrying more styles in plus sizes, creating more availability for online shoppers. There are some designers that specialize in plus sizing, and most other designers include styles in a wide range of sizes. Regardless of your size or shape, there are lots of choices.
Shopping online for plus size clothing saves money. Online stores don't have the large overhead costs that traditional retail stores have. When buying online, you pay for the clothing and a little profit. Retail shores have to factor in employee salaries, rent, utilities and other extra costs.
There are a few things to keep in mind when ordering online. Make sure you are ordering from a reputable company. Look for a customer service number or "Contact Us" button on the website. If there is a problem with your order, you want to be able to communicate easily with the company. You can research the company at the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed against the website. Also check the shipping costs, shipping time, returns and refund policies before placing an order.
Shopping for plus size clothing is easier with the multitudes of online retailers carrying plus sizes. There is more variety in styles and prices whether you are shopping for casual wear, a special occasion dress, a business suit or lingerie.
In the "Related Sites" section of this blog, there are links to many websites that carry plus sizes.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Measuring Yourself For Plus Size Apparel
When shopping online for plus size clothing, it is often difficult to decide what size is right for you. Here are some tips on how to measure yourself to ensure proper fit. All you will need is a standard measuring tape.
To begin, measure your bust with your bra on and your clothes off. Keep the tape straight across your back, and measure around the fullest part of the bust and under the arms. The measuring tape shouldn't be too loose or too tight.
When measuring your waist, make sure you are in a relaxed position. Wrap the tape around the narrowest part of yur natural waist. Again, it should be snug but still comfortably loose.
Next, measure your hips, inseam and sleeve. Stand with your legs and feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips. Then measure the inseam from the crotch to your ankle bone. Measure the sleeve by bending the elbow, and stretch the tape from the center of the back of the neck to the elbow and down to the wrist.
There are two measurements to find bra size: band and cup size. To determine the band size, wrap the tape measure under your arms, high across your back and around the top of your chest. If this number is even, them that is your band size. If it is odd, add "1" and that is your band size. For the cup size, measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust with your bra on. Subtract the band measurement from the cup measuremnt. Each inch in the difference is a cup size. For example, if the difference is 1, your cup size is "A". If the difference is 2, your cup size is "B", and so forth.
Finally, make sure you check the size charts for each website you order from because they can be different from each other. Remember that if you are between two sizes, choose the larger size.
Hopefully, this information will help you find the plus size fit that is right for you. Check out the "Related Sites" section of this blog to start shopping for plus size apparel.
To begin, measure your bust with your bra on and your clothes off. Keep the tape straight across your back, and measure around the fullest part of the bust and under the arms. The measuring tape shouldn't be too loose or too tight.
When measuring your waist, make sure you are in a relaxed position. Wrap the tape around the narrowest part of yur natural waist. Again, it should be snug but still comfortably loose.
Next, measure your hips, inseam and sleeve. Stand with your legs and feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips. Then measure the inseam from the crotch to your ankle bone. Measure the sleeve by bending the elbow, and stretch the tape from the center of the back of the neck to the elbow and down to the wrist.
There are two measurements to find bra size: band and cup size. To determine the band size, wrap the tape measure under your arms, high across your back and around the top of your chest. If this number is even, them that is your band size. If it is odd, add "1" and that is your band size. For the cup size, measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust with your bra on. Subtract the band measurement from the cup measuremnt. Each inch in the difference is a cup size. For example, if the difference is 1, your cup size is "A". If the difference is 2, your cup size is "B", and so forth.
Finally, make sure you check the size charts for each website you order from because they can be different from each other. Remember that if you are between two sizes, choose the larger size.
Hopefully, this information will help you find the plus size fit that is right for you. Check out the "Related Sites" section of this blog to start shopping for plus size apparel.
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