Petite & apple - Caryn Franklin's How to Look Good

Step One
Bardot style neckline
Step One. Style over fashion
Shoulders
Shoulder styles are only an
issue for those of you who
feel you have large shoulders
and want to minimise, or, for
those of you who have small
or
sloping shoulders where you
want to create the effect of
a squarer more in proportion
shape. For square or large
shoulders remember the
approved designs will be twice
as effective when teamed with
a skirt that has the ability to
widen the bottom half of the
body. This will give your body
balance and even up your
proportions.
Bardot style neck
This top has the widest of all necklines and
was popularised by the actress Brigitte
Bardot. It often has a stretchy element
to it, so that a ribbed band can hug the
shoulders and not fall down. It is worn
with nothing underneath for a very alluring
look (strapless bra required or a bra with
matching bra straps that are viewed for
a contemporary feel). It is also seen with
a contrasting vest underneath making it a
whole lot more practical to wear for
every day. This band will widen your
shoulders and give your body a
feeling of foreshortening.
My most important piece of advice to you is to celebrate your
strengths and play down your weaknesses; this is done by being
critical about what fashion has to offer each season and whether
it will work for you.
Unless you are very young, I feel very strongly that STYLISH should
be your aim. You need to know what the trends are when you are
buying clothes - of course this helps - but you don’t need to look like a
fashion spread. There are all kinds of debates about style and whether
it can be bought or learned. Let’s think…there are plenty of rich
people with no style whatsoever so it can’t be bought. And there are
plenty of women with a limited budget who always seem to look good
so it definitely isn’t expensive.
Most telling is when someone has understood what suits them and
wears clothing to suit their individual body shape and this is something
you can learn once you are familiar with your body and able to select
the styles you need to create the right balance for your body shape.
Style is what other women will notice and admire about you so make
that something that you can effortlessly achieve for yourself today.
If you are in doubt about that, here is my definition written for
another book in this series that I hope will help you organise
your thoughts.
Caryn Franklin’s How to Look Good 16