Have You Ever Wished You Looked Taller - Choosing The Right Shoe Can Give You Inches!

Many of us have looked at photos of ourselves and wondered why we weren't the ones born with legs up to our armpits (or maybe slightly longer legs anyway). Sometimes, we are just petite all around, or some ladies are longer in the body relative to their leg length. However, there are ways, particularly by choosing the right shoe style, where we can visually increase our leg length. There are also styles of shoes we should avoid as well, so here are some "do's and don'ts" which will get you the long, lovely pins you desire.

Don't choose shoes which have..

• Ankle straps or are gladiator sandals as this visually cuts your leg off at the ankle.
• Straps which lace up and tie around the leg - visually cutting even more of your leg away.
• Heavy, chunky heels or square toes, which blunt the shape of the leg.
• Heels which are far too high for you - have you ever seen anything less desirable than a tiny girl tottering around in six inch heels - not a good look.
.

Do choose shoes which have..

• Peep toes, as they elongate the foot and look dainty and pretty, with the benefit of showing off a perfectly painted pedicure.
• Slingback straps - particularly where the strap stretches in a "v" shape from around the ankle to the front of the shoe as this again elongates the foot. Look for narrow straps rather than wide ones.
• Kitten heels - especially in a mule style, ie with a strap just across the front of the foot. Kitten heels are not very high themselves, but they display your ankles perfectly on a pretty, curved heel.
• Pointed toes - if you are looking for flats or pumps. Pointed toes elongate the foot again, rather than a rounded toe, and a "v" shaped opening in the shoe or a peep-toe flat will also add length.
• Classic pump heels - a pretty pump with a low cut front, a peep-toe and a mid sized heel will elongate legs, make calves more shapely and generally add height.

These tips are ideal now it's Spring as there are some beautiful floral skirts and dresses out there begging to be paired up with a lovely pair of new shoes.

Sarah's recommended read - Every shoe you need to get you through the season at www.handbag.com

Tips For Making The Most Of Your Figure And Looking Slimmer

We've looked at tips for dressing to be slimmer before, however, this is the time of year when many of us have made New Year resolutions to boost our exercise regimes, eat healthily and get rid of any extra pounds the recent festive season may have left us with. Along the way (as getting rid of extra pounds doesn't happen overnight) it's great to receive compliments from our friends on how great we are looking so here are some tips which will help you dress in fashion, with a slimmer profile.

Wide Hips

• Look for jackets that have wide collars which will match and not exagerate a wider bottom half.
• Jackets that are shaped to gently curve or flare out towards the bottom disguise larger hips.
• Look for skirts that have an A-line cut or those which flare out from a fitted panel at the top rather than skirts which are gathered from the waistband.
• Wider necklines also have the same effect as wide collars, eg boat necklines, as they draw the eye up and away from the hips.

Extra Pounds Around The Waistline

• Stay away from tops and jackets which end around the waistline - a bit unflattering if you have a bigger tummy.
• Look for hip length slinky tops which glide over your tummy. Smocks can be great, as long as they are not too full of gathered fabric around the front.
• Tunics or shift style dresses are great with slimline jeans or leggings and boots.
• Look for wrap-over tops which tie around the middle creating a waistline. Jackets with faux half-belts attached at the back also create a waistline effect.

The Larger Bust

• Wearing a hoodie or cardigan over a vest top or t-shirt creates a vertical line which disguises a larger chest.
• Scoop neck tops break up larger chest areas, especially if worn with a funky scarf or large piece of jewellery. Look for scoop neck tops which are not too clingy though.
• Darker colour tops are also the key and long v-necklines can look very glamorous and disguise a larger chest.

Tips On How To Choose The Right Shift Dress For You

Many of you will have seen the picture of Sarah Jessica Parker dressed in a Giambattista Valli pale blush shift dress at a gala in Manhatten (see picture courtesy of In Style and Getty Images). I thought this was certainly a more understated look for SJP, but loved it all the same, simply because of its simplicity and style. Shift dresses are the perfect "easy" way to dress, whether it's going out to a party or simply for everyday work as they are just to simple, flattering and downright elegant when dressed up the way SJP has it going on. If you are looking for a simple, but flattering dress here are some guidelines on what to look for.

What To Look For In A Shift Dress

• As the shift dress is very simple in design, it is worth spending more on this type of garment, as any mistakes in the dressmaking will show up immediately. Good quality seams and cut are very important.
• Many shift dresses are sleeveless (think of pictures of 60s icons such as Twiggy who made the dress style famous at that time). Sleeveless styles tend to hang very well and look really stylish. A sleeveless shift dress can be worn over another top, such as a turtleneck in a contrasting colour, and teamed up with high heeled knee boots will look fantastic.
• Think of black or dark red dresses for parties, a simple shift dress with either short sleeves or sleeveless dressed up with diamante or silver jewellery will look stunning for a party. Look for versions in black with lace sleeves for the latest gothic look too.
• With footless or opaque tights and leggings you can get away with amazingly short shift dresses - and remember that wearing black tights is fantastically slimming for legs - see the article on dressing to be slim.

What are your favourite dresses of the moment - let us know if you have seen anything great as we've all got Christmas parties to look fantastic at soon!

How To Choose The Best Style Of Dress For Your Figure

Hey, sorry it's been a few days since the last post, but it's been a busy few weeks what with a trip to Madrid and a birthday party so I apologise for my absence. However, when my birthday passes it always brings to mind that it's only two tiny little months until Christmas - and even less time until Christmas parties are in the diary, so I thought some tips on different styles of dresses for different figure sizes would be pretty useful around this time. The tips are listed below under each dress size.

The Perfect Size 10

• Choose either plain fabrics or ones with a small pattern - large and colourful patterns can swamp a smaller frame.
• If you want to create more of a bustline look for dresses with ruffles around the neckline or bodice to create more volume.
• If you have a tiny waist make sure you accentuate it with either a fitted bodice or use a belt to draw attention to this asset.

A Gorgeous Size 12

• If you are wearing a low-cut dress and need to break up the chest area (for those better endowed) a chunky or long necklace is perfect.
• If upper arms are not the favourite part of your anatomy, look for dresses with short sleeves or off-the-shoulder styles which are really flattering and a bit different from the normal "strappy" dress.
• Size 12s are generally pretty lucky as you can carry off patterns and chunkier styles that tinier girls can't but you still have the perfect figure for fitted dresses.

Luscious Size 14

• Empire line dresses are very glamourous and also provide some camouflage where required.
• Look for more floating styles, maybe dresses with layers, rather than something clingy in all the wrong places.
• Wraps, pashminas and bolero jackets are all fantastic at covering the shoulders, and adding extra style and coverage where needed.
• Wearing shoes with platform soles elongates the legs and are the latest style.

Sumptuous Size 16

• Look for smock style long sleeves which are great for slimming the arms.
• Look for peep-hole necklines which are cute and pretty for larger boobs.
• Don't be afraid of using a wide belt to accentuate your curves if you are wearing a fuller skirted dress.
• Make sure you accentuate your best features, and above all make sure you enjoy the party!

If you have been previewing the Christmas partywear in the last few weeks and can recommend anything super special let us know here at Fashion Tips.

How To Dress to Have Slimmer Legs and Thighs

Yes, it's official - one of the areas of the body that women feel most uncomfortable with is their thighs. It's probably the first place to add on the pounds with even a slight weight gain, and even going to the gym can accentuate the thighs as well if you opt for muscle pumping exercises. I guess if we are sensible we don't really want to slim down to the extremes of Amy Winehouse's spindly pins, but we can change some of the things we wear to show off our thighs and legs to the best advantage.

• Wearing a skirt - how many of us are stuck in the rut of wearing a trouser suit to work - I know I've worked with girls for years that I have never seen wear anything but trousers. Skirts are very feminine and also extremely practical and stylish for the winter when worn with opaque tights, boots and a jacket. It's easy to give the impression that you have made much more of an effort with this look - and it's so easy.
• If you are looking for trousers, wide legged pants hide a multitude of sins. Its brilliant this season as wide leg or slouch trousers are so in style. Wide legged pants fall much more elegantly from the hips and float over the thighs.
• If you have been looking for more fitted trousers or jeans it can be totally humiliating in the changing rooms when they get stuck just over your knees. This can be a problem as many women have small waists and larger thighs, so go for a size up from your normal one, and the tops of the trouser legs should fit neatly. The problem here that the waist will be too large and jeans will bag out at the back. It is worth having items professionally tailored in this situation when you are investing in designer jeans or tailored suits. Alterations can even be done online.
• Remember too that there are loads of great bodyshapers available such as Spanx which create a streamlined silhouette - see the entry "Top Tips for Dressing To Be Slim".

I guess we could all diet to the extreme, but where's the fun in that - after all that is what fashion is for - to make us feel great about ourselves.

If you would like to share any problems or tips or have any questions contact us here at fashion-tips.co.uk