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

Step OneBardot style necklineStep One. Style over fashionShouldersShoulder styles are only anissue for those of you whofeel you have large shouldersand want to minimise, or, forthose of you who have smallorsloping shoulders where youwant to create the effect ofa squarer more in proportionshape. For square or largeshoulders remember theapproved designs will be twiceas effective when teamed witha skirt that has the ability towiden the bottom half of thebody. This will give your bodybalance and even up yourproportions.Bardot style neckThis top has the widest of all necklines andwas popularised by the actress BrigitteBardot. It often has a stretchy elementto it, so that a ribbed band can hug theshoulders and not fall down. It is wornwith nothing underneath for a very alluringlook (strapless bra required or a bra withmatching bra straps that are viewed fora contemporary feel). It is also seen witha contrasting vest underneath making it awhole lot more practical to wear forevery day. This band will widen yourshoulders and give your body afeeling of foreshortening.My most important piece of advice to you is to celebrate yourstrengths and play down your weaknesses; this is done by beingcritical about what fashion has to offer each season and whetherit will work for you.Unless you are very young, I feel very strongly that STYLISH shouldbe your aim. You need to know what the trends are when you arebuying clothes - of course this helps - but you don’t need to look like afashion spread. There are all kinds of debates about style and whetherit can be bought or learned. Let’s think…there are plenty of richpeople with no style whatsoever so it can’t be bought. And there areplenty of women with a limited budget who always seem to look goodso it definitely isn’t expensive.Most telling is when someone has understood what suits them andwears clothing to suit their individual body shape and this is somethingyou can learn once you are familiar with your body and able to selectthe styles you need to create the right balance for your body shape.Style is what other women will notice and admire about you so makethat something that you can effortlessly achieve for yourself today.If you are in doubt about that, here is my definition written foranother book in this series that I hope will help you organiseyour thoughts.Caryn Franklin’s How to Look Good 16