#9 SELECT SUITABLE CLOTHES-DRESS AND UNDRESS

Clothes are a necessary part of people’s lives

Clothing is a basic human need. For most people, clothing gives us protection from the weather. It gives the feeling of warmth and brings comfort to the body. While for me, clothing defines my fashion sense and creativity.

I know people who are really not particular to the clothes they wear. Most of them don’t even care about the color or if it is in style. What is important to them is something that could make them feel comfortable. For example it is winter, they will wear anything that could protect them from the cold. It doesn't matter if they will look good in it, or if they will look skinnier in it, but as long as it gives them warmth, that's what matters!

From my point of view, clothing is a very important aspect of my life as I use it as a way to express my personality. It is something I give a thought to weekly. Since my college days, I plan out the clothes I will wear every week. I never repeat my outfit for a month. It is a mortal sin for me to go outside with my shoes not complementing my dress. I'd rather not go and meet my friends if I’m not happy with what I wear. I make sure that the color of my dress, ensembles, nail polish, and hair go all together. It doesn't mean I have to spend a lot to buy new clothes every time, just to come up with my outfit for the day. Being creative; mixing and matching what I already have; and being able to come up with a new look after that is a big satisfaction for me.

Clothing might just be a necessity for some, however, in my opinion; it is a way to express one's creativity and fashion sense.

How to Choose Good Clothes

Having good clothes can boost your attitude and give you a sense of importance. The first step to confidence is having self confidence and liking what you see in a mirror... clothes can help with this if worn properly.

STEPS:

1

Wear the right kind of clothes for your body. Good clothing often starts with the fit.

• High collars shorten necks.
• Tight tops with short sleeves and breast pockets are detracting from your figure.
• Shoes with straps shorten your legs.
• The torso can be shortened or narrowed with seam lines, belts, bows, and collars.
• A short necklace can shorten your neck.
• A scarf or belt that hangs down toward the legs will make the legs appear longer. Knitted texture, lace, floras, prints, and plaids can assist in creating an illusion.
• Thicker vertical lines in plaids lengthens and slims.
• Wear a larger print where you want people to look and smaller print where you do not want them to look.
• An all over print can camouflage figure problems, but prints here and there can create a fuller you.
• Prints around the neck and over the shoulder can make your shoulders appear wider. Just wear prints near the parts of your figure's assets, because they are usually more eye-catching than a solid color.

When buying pants be sure they fit well. Defects are emphasized in a pair of pants that may go unnoticed in a skirt. Depending on your body type, different pants will flatter you in different ways.

2

Wear clothes that will emphasize your best parts and create the illusion of a very fit body.

• Thinner fabrics are more slimming, but wear a tank or camisole under things that you can see through.
• Tops and bottoms of one color will make you look thinner, but be sure to do different shades of the same color.
• Wear clothes that fit. Wearing clothes that are too tight or too big will make you look bigger.
• Wearing too large clothes will exaggerate your figure not hide it. But never wear a shirt that exaggerates your body too much.
• Avoid belts unless you have a slim waist.

Use accessories carefully. Looking at too many accessories will give you the illusion of being too big.

3

Wear a good bra and underwear when you try clothes on. Make sure the item fits well, is not too tight or loose and does not have any unsightly bulge.

4

Check the quality of clothes. Make sure they don't stretch too much, and make sure the material is good quality.

5

Look after your clothes. Read the labels so you know how to wash, dry and iron them.

6

Don't just follow fashions. Choose clothes that will flatter your figure and suit you. Not all fashionable clothes were meant for everybody, so find the clothes that are right for you.

7

Wear boy-shorts underneath your pants to make you look thinner and not have those embarrassing 'underwear lumps'.

 TIPS:

• Be careful not to wear clothes that are too clingy to your body or clothes that are huge on you. They will make your body appear larger than it really is.
• Good quality scarves are hand rolled and hand stitched
• A good way to tell real from fake designer is seeing if the patterns are matched at the seams. a knockoff will not have this, because it is wasteful of fabric and more time consuming.
• Go to a lingerie store or popular department and get measured properly if you can't figure out your bra size.
• Read "Dress Your Best" by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London or "What Not to Wear" by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. Clinton and Stacy also host a show called 'What Not to Wear', this may help you.
• Try to match your clothes for example if your wearing pastels than get a light color or another pastel to go with it. And try to get accessories that to flashy, also don't put on to much makeup or you will scare him away!

Don't be afraid to combine different styles in a combo, but limit it to two, maybe three items, else you will probably more look as a clown. Also same color or pattern, but with different textures that can be fun and nice to try.