Lets embark upon step two. This is the Are You Fit Challenge. This sounds simple but it will be one of the hardest challenges you'll face with your wardrobe. This is where the rubber hits the road, so to speak.
This applies to women that are very thin, to very not. All fitness levels too. There are parts of a woman's body that is prone to fat stores. Like it or not, we actually need it and out body is so efficient that it packs it for us, so we have it wherever we go. For a marathon runner, this is a good thing. For an over weight mother of eight on holiday--not so much. So how does this effect your wardrobe challenges?
Well, proper fit is elemental in how you appear in any types of attire. You need to stop looking at tags. Clothing sizes aren't your friend! They lie! It's true. Depending on how expensive the item/vendor is, will determine that size of your clothing, though the actual size isn't any smaller the more you spend, just the number on the tag in the garment is. This is all basic marketing. If you go to a Mega store and buy a T-shirt in a size 16 for $8.00, you can go to a high-end or boutique store and get a T-shirt that says it's a size 10/12 for $80.00. Wow! You just dropped 3-4 sizes when you walked through the special skinny laser they have at their door. So now they can expect a repeat customer.
Yes, there are some fabric content applications that are different. You can get what you pay for in some cases, but you need to know that you are paying the lion's share of that $80.00, or however much for their masterful marketing, and no they don't have skinny lasers. So does this mean you need to be stuck in the limited Mega Mart fashion hell? No! Just be aware that if you self soothe by looking at tags, you are being scammed. Know Your body and how to fit it.
If you think of fit as it applies to the health and wellness of your physical, emotional and spiritual being, then you need to add to that: your fashionable being too. Do those pants fit? Does that top fit? How about the dreaded under garments? Simply look for a few key elements.
Tops: They need to not cling. If you are wearing a a fitted knit fabric in something like a tank, then it needs to be fitted across the fullest breast, but not over every roll or dimple on your torso. Even a cotton/Lycra/Spandex blend should not bulge over your less fit area and then back in like a body tourniquet. This is not fit and it tells the world that you aren't either. Check the fit by holding your arms at a 90 degree position (picture invisible ski poles). Now turn your lower half just slightly back and forth. The top should cling to your breast, but stay still as your tummy moves underneath. If not, change the size. If the sizes become too lose on top and still are clinging in the mid section then change stores. You might have to pick this particular garment from a manufacturer that you've never dealt with before. And don't hesitate to have something made for you! Compared to the boutique prices, a seamstress is much more affordable.
Now that is an example of the snuggest fit. Looking at different types of tops can be simpler. If it's a fitted or tailored top/vest, them a two finger rule applies. You should be able to get two fingers (not laying flat either) in the rib/bust area in that garment with you without seeing any tugging or pulling. And three fingers at the waist area.
As the tops become less fitted focus on how they fit across the bust, underarm and back area. If you are a victim of back fat and you see those two half moon wedges that sit between your bra strap and your armpit...Stop wearing knits! Stretchy fabric feels good, but what are you saying to the rest of the world, 'I'm blind?' Keep the tunic, or T-shirt, or more often those poly stretch blouses for work, just have them in a different fabric content. That way it lays on your body instead of holding on for dear life and it will make a life altering transformation for you.
Bottoms: We previously discussed muffin tops, so the fit rule applies here. If you stick out farther than you garments waistline, then chooses a different size. The number on the tag does not determine how much you are loved and adored. GET OVER IT! Camel toe is not extinct, only on the endangered list, so be on the look out! If baby got back, don't buy a pant or short that stops before you do. Ladies...FIND YOUR WAIST! I see this more oft than not. Women are forgetting where their waist is and letting some mass quantity manufacturer that's looking to make a profit by reducing the amount of fabric they use determine where they think their waist is.
Hands on hips, do it. Hands on hips, now find the natural area where your body comes in. Great! Now making the 'L' for loser with your thumb and index finger only, run those pointers to your navel dragging your thumbs on an invisible line from those indents on your sides. Your fingers don't travel north or south only forward. Repeat the process in reverse to the rear dragging your finger tips and leading with your thumbs. that is your waist. Like it or not, there it is. Now bring your clothing to that line. I don't care if hip hugger's are the trend. Ask yourself if your hips are the the focal point that you want to world to notice? They aren't and here's why...They make a woman, ANY woman, look fatter. Think back to the 60s and 70s. Can you see them? Those white vinyl drop waist barely there shorts? Those bell bottom jeans? They were fun for some, but not at all flattering for ANY! We are here to help you find the best best You there is and low or drop waisted items are not it. This also applies to dresses, but I digress.
So now that you know where Your waistline is, you know how to see it so you can fit it. If you struggle with weight, then you will not love this process, but I promise that this will make you look better, not worse. Larger women have a more teacup shape in their jeans. Athletic figures are more cylindrical and hourglass figures are just that, while weight challenged figures struggle to carry much more than just barely covers their bones. No matter the shape, or weight, this rule applies to ALL! The variance is in the rise of a pant. In skirts it's the difference between standard and petite, but those are the two things that change the placement of the waistline, so ask, try on, change designers/stores...find Your fit!
What did you learn today? If you can see every ripple, keep moving. If you don't have enough ease in your fit, then it doesn't. If you have to suck it in to get it on, get a new pair! And most importantly...That tag does not define you! So go, define your own tag.
Comments and questions are highly encouraged.
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