The FastDay Forum

I was always taught to play with my assets, so if you have nice bazookers then a great bra and a low cut top will look nice with a pair of trousers or long skirt that does not look baggy. Stay away from high cut tops and polo necks. If you have a waist emerging, show it off with a dress and pull a nice belt around it.

The best investment I made last year was a pair of spanx. They work wonders and can make the cheapest of clothes look fabulous. I also bought an M&S smoothing slip (full control) which is great under dresses http://www.marksandspencer.com/firm-con ... /p20128685.

I have footballers legs and rarely wear dresses and skirts, but when I do they tend to be calf length, certainly below the knee and occasionally full length.

Love the scarf video, but I was completely confused by the end of it!

Fashionista's will be jealous to know that Peter Pilotto have done a range at Target here. I bought this today. http://www.target.com/p/peter-pilotto-f ... =large_2_7. I'm flat chested so can get away with it. Plan to wear with black trousers.

Great idea!
The only tip I have to pass on is that if I'm flagging on a fast day I try on some clothes at home or if I'm free I go shopping. It really helps to see how much nicer clothes look. I'm about 2/3 to my target, and it gives me the boost I need to keep going.
The hardest thing is working out what looks nice now that your size and figure have changed- and what size is right! Takes a few trips to the change room I find.

Wow, that scarf video is great!

Wear clothes that fit you well. I know that we can all get hung up over what number is inside the garment but what is most important is the fit.

What annoys me is that you can be one size in one shop and a completely different size in another shop. What helps you look better in your clothes is having the correct fit.

Do the shoulder seams line up on the correct part of the shoulder? (sometimes dropped shoulder is in fashion so keep that in mind, same with raglan sleeves they all hit at a different part of your anatomy).

Is the waist in the correct position (consider empire waist)?

Do the side seams hang perpendicular to the ground? When the side seams sway to the front or back of your figure the garment isn't fitting you well.

Are there any wrinkles that you can't smooth out? This is not about using an iron, this is about having a garment that is too small. As the garment is too small it rides up or down in an attempt to find an area of your body with a smaller circumference this is why we see wrinkles running across the body.

Consider taking better items to a tailor for alterations to help with the fit.

Don't be obsessed with the number inside the garment (cut it out if you have to). Just today I received a gift voucher in the mail from a dress shop so I went online to see what they had on offer. When I clicked on the size chart I discovered I was a Australian size 8 in that particular brand even though for the most part I have been buying size 10 (I purchased two new dresses last week from a different brand and they fit well). I don't believe I am a size 8 so I am going to head to my local store and try a few things on and see what size I really am.

I really encourage people to try on clothes to see which garment actually *fits* them as opposed to trying on different sizes, it's a subtle difference but walking down the street I see so many beautiful women wearing the wrong size clothing.

I found this website with a list of useful fitting tips. http://www.happyfitdiaries.com/2014/01/vanity-sizing-dress-by-fit-not-by-size.html FWIW, it's not my site.

Why can't you wear a knee length skirt, thick tights and high boots when you still have a long way to go? I think it's a flattering look for all shapes and sizes. In fact, I bet a skirt would look better than trousers. I wear that look all the time. The best I have is a skirt and top that are by chance the same colour and I always get flattering comments when I wear them. Wear a lovely scarf and it will cover up all sorts up top. Try it, I think you'll like it

@Wendy Darling Yes that's as far as my bravery has taken me since back end of last year and its always felt a too look yes I feel good.
Can't remember the last time I wore a dress must be all of 30years ago!!!

@TheFrog You're absolutely right about wearing clothes that fit well. The amount of times I'd try to squelch myself into a smaller size of jeans only to be left with a muffin top, or even having to do lunges to get my backside and thighs to fit in, is unbelievable!

I would go with a top to bottom monochromatic look in neutral colors and then pop with accessories. You will get a nice look and longevity from that until you can really buy out the store when you reach your goal.

This thread has made me LOL. I remember Gok saying that the throat and collar bone are the areas of the body with least amount of fat so show them off and if you are big busted v necks will flatter better. It's the only time I watched one of his shows and it was good advice. As for fashion and style I have no idea i just try and get what's comfortable and fits right.

[carieoates]

Great thread @Julieathome I found the m and s style thing very good. Shirt skirts, thick tights and boots are my fave. In fact that's going to be my meet up outfit this Saturday.
Don't Evans and Simply Be do boots for wider calves with elasticated panels in. My boots always need a bit of this as I've got boys legs!!
Can't wait for this summer by the way.

Yep, Simply Be do boots with a range of calf-widths so you should be able to find one that fits.

http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/wide-cal ... ide%20Calf

Here's the Amazon (US) link to a strange but nifty little book about tying scarves http://www.amazon.com/The-Knaughty-Look ... ewpoints=1
In the UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knaughty-Look-M ... t+knaughty . The "new" price is a shocker--must be out of print and in demand.

I've had the book for at least 15 years. It's strange because it's the size and shape of a steno pad and stands up like one so that you can easily look at it while tying the scarf.

I should add to the section of the book about head scarves and turbans that a cotton scarf stays in place; a silky one doesn't. Maybe everyone knew that except me.

Wow, that scarf video is great!

I agree @Annurca and @SianSgreat ideas..loved all of them and they look so easy to do..
The kimono is lovely..as @Julianna said

[wildmissus]

Having read an old post from you, I don't think you will like me for saying this but patterns hide all the lumps and bumps. The other thing I have to offer is to try on different colours, not necessarily the colour but the tone. Youngest daughter looks ill in pale shades but looks great in red, yellow and green. Oldest daughter will hate me for saying it but she looks great in pink of all tones but black makes her look like death. I suit dark pink, mauve, purple, teal and white.

Caryn Franklin's web site has lots of advice on how to find your style, she also has free pdf books you can download here...

http://www.howtolookgood.com/

I echo the advice about sizing. I showed hubby the other day that I was taking two swimsuits to the posh hotel we were staying at. One was labelled size UK 12 and the other UK 18! Ridiculous. Also, I've got two pairs of jeans bought from the same company and the same size, but they fit very differently.

Invest in long length, close fitting vests to wear under tops, and rediscover the slip for wearing under dresses and most skirts. The additional layer smooths without constricting, and the outer garment will fit, hang and flow much better in almost all cases. Very good for gliding over the midriff.

If you want control underwear, spanx ARE fab for that very snug frock moment, but hideously difficult to get on and dreadfully unsexy at the end of a lovely night. My blessedly devoted husband really couldn't care less , but a sexy thong underneath so you can whip the offending garment off before your partner spots it is a nice touch

The nicest control garment ever is the 'wear your own bra' slip, but they do vary a lot as to how effective they are.