P.S. LOVE YOURSELF A Guide to a More Stylish, Confident, and Happier You

It is said that ‘the most beautiful thing a woman can wear is her confidence,’ but which comes first-confidence or what you wear? It has been shown that what you wear has a direct impact on the way you feel, act, and react to situations.  It is also proven that there is a direct correlation between how you look and how others perceive you.  It’s time to love yourself…and in doing so, gain confidence and begin looking, dressing, and feeling better

LOVE YOUR BODY

Undeniably the hardest part, dressing better begins with an honest look at your body, weight, clothing size, physical size, and perceived flaws.  Dressing can be just as much of a psychological task as it is a physical one.  Knowing and accepting the body you have now (not the body you had ten years ago) will drastically improve the way you look and dress.  Evaluating and knowing your body gives you the ability to dress your best; enhancing the best parts of you, and disguising the parts you are not as comfortable with. This evaluation will guide you to which silhouettes are best suited for your body type, which colors will enhance your natural color, and which design details and accessories will accentuate your best features.

LOVE YOUR SIZE

In an effort to disguise their size, most people tend to wear clothes that are oversized. Cocooning yourself in yards of billowing fabric will make you appear much larger. Instead, show your shape in clothing that silhouettes your curves-not too big and not too small. If you struggle with finding clothing that fits all parts of your body, focus on fitting the largest area (i.e. bust, hips) and have the rest altered to fit at a local tailor. When you do wear items with more volume, practice moderation and pair them with something more fitted. Volume on either the top or bottom is acceptable, as long as it’s not all over. A head-to-toe billowing look doesn’t flatter anyone.

LOVE YOUR AGE

Just because you can squeeze yourself into some of the trendy outfits you spied in the junior’s section at your favorite department store, doesn’t mean that you should. Much like wearing baggy clothes, dressing to look younger tends to have the opposite effect and illustrates the portrait of someone who is actually older and trying too hard.

This is not an ageist concept. It’s about understanding what makes your look your best.  Clothes should not only flatter your body, but your age and lifestyle as well. That doesn’t mean you should be covered head to toe, or that you shouldn’t experiment with new trends and styles, but it does mean understanding that one day you may have to retire your short skirts and six-inch stilettos.

Unsure which department you should be shopping in? Look around! A good rule to stick to when shopping is to take a look at the other people in the clothing section around you. If the majority of them are way out of your age bracket, then you might want to relocate to a different section.

LOVE YOUR COLOR

Most people have a favorite color, but your favorite may not be the best one for your wardrobe. Everyone has a unique group of colors that make them look their best and another that makes them look their worst. Wearing the wrong color can emphasize under-eye circles, wrinkles, or give your skin an unhealthy tone. Understanding which colors work best with your skin, hair, and eye color can help you look younger, healthier, and more awake.
However, knowing which colors work best with your natural coloration is not so easy. A quick search online will list countless articles and studies based around color-complexion compatibility, and color theory.  My advice is simply to pay attention.  Instead of focusing on the item of clothing when you try something on, focus on how YOU look it-not only your body; but your face, skin, and features as well.


bradBrad Schultz is a fashion designer and sewing teacher in Gainesville, FL specializing in special occasion apparel.

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