Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...Make Me Skinny, Make Me Tall!
Today’s Bargain…Is Yesterday’s News
Remember when it was almost impossible to buy a bathing suit or a pair of sandals until just before summer? Winter traveling to “somewhere hot” required that you carried a list of apparel and accessories that had to be purchased immediately upon arrival…because you couldn’t get them back home. Today, many retailers cater to one’s every need with a selection of seasonal items all year long. As well, specialty stores offer just about any product or service you can think of, at any time of the year…tanning salons for that base before vacationing…pool & spa shops for those lucky enough to need anything outside of the summer months…party stores with all you could need for any holiday.
With today’s marketing bombardment of everything, we barely get finished with one “spectacular seasonal blow out” only to have the next practically shoved in our faces! Summer shopping now starts immediately following Mother’s Day, literally. We’ll barely shimmy into our swimsuits before we’re pulling on fall sweaters and racing back to school! Manufacturers are increasing their profitability margins like never before. We’re taunted by sale prices long before we actually need the item but know we’ll pay much more “in the height of its demand”. It’s common consensus that “end of season shopping” is where it’s at. Buying summer clothing & accessories from the reduced rack this year will save you a bundle next, as long as you don’t mind that today’s bargain…is yesterday’s news!
The GAP…is in the GENES!
Thinking back to “teenage years”, some of you may remember there were things your parents didn’t understand about your generation and other things they absolutely forbade. Perhaps it was wearing makeup, miniskirts or those skin-tight jeans that required a supine position, using a coat hanger, to zip them up. It may even have been the simple act of piercing your ears. I know there are those of you who left for school in the morning with the cleanest of faces only to arrive at school fully made-up. There are some too who wore the most respectable of clothing as they walked out their doors, but stopped at a friend’s to change into something “hot” behind their parents’ backs.
By today’s standards, our parents may have been overreacting but you can positively bet there are grandparents right now wondering why their granddaughters would wear a thong, let alone above their jeans! Dumbfounded as to why their grandsons would wear trousers that sit at the base of their butts, with the crotch hanging at their knees and their boxers on display! Of course, let’s not forget hair colourings that encompass every shade of the rainbow, mass piercings that occupy every available body space and tattoos that adorn places that used to be unseen!
It’s difficult to imagine why our children would want to do these things to their bodies or for that matter, what statement they’re trying to make in doing so, especially since some of today’s practices are permanent--picture those distorted tattoos and piercings at the age of 80 and traveling quickly south! Today’s youth may argue “self expression” and “no one owns their bodies” as strong ammo for their choices, but the fact remains that they inevitably reach a point of wanting to be as different from their parents as black is from white. It’s every teenager’s fate to fight for control outside of their upbringing and to become individuals.
As parents, we can only stand firm to delay these processes as long as possible which is around the age of 16. At this point, the reigns are ripped from our hands and there’s not much we can do about it. The only sure thing we can do, is hope we’ve built a solid enough foundation for our children to return to. We must remember their true characters and love them for who they are. We must pray faithfully that it’s just a passing phase! The bottom line is…it’s the qualities within that are important, not what’s on the outside. As much as the “generational issues” faced by parents may change, the response is generally the same…the GAP is in the GENES!
Fashion After Forty...What Can You Do?
Even a few of the following tips can make a big fashion statement in your life.
Quick Tips:
Say Yes to The Black Pant Suit! Own at least one well-designed pant suit for your body type. This will be one of the most versatile outfits in your wardrobe.
BLING! Touches of gems, crystal or glass, add some remarkable punch to your outfits.
Snap up your style with a great pair of sunglasses and metallic bag. A bit of lace goes a long way too. At the very least, keep shoes and purses trendy and updated.
Great shoes are a must! Opt for a comfort heel for all-day wearability. Stilettos do not belong in the office nor do they usually belong under a fuller-figured woman. Stacked or more stable heels are best for long-days and longer nights while adding balance to your look. It is more youthful to choose fashion boots over heels with skirts. Legs often remain the most sexy part of your body as you age. Make the most of them!
Pick contrasting colours to anchor or add punch–much easier than trying to match shades. Remember those old colour swatches that you packed away years ago? When combined with current colour forecasting they can be quite useful fashion tool.
Get a jazzy jacket! Blazers are also versatile fashion pieces. Short jackets look good on people with narrower hips–try a 3 button piece with sculpted or curved bottom. Longer flowing designs will be better for those with wider hips. Boxy jackets are uncomplimentary for most.
Camisoles are great at any age. Silk, satin and lace are graceful yet simple additions that make you look and feel feminine. Choose carefully! Some fabrics are unforgiving, showing every bump and bulge. Select coloured tops near face to brighten and freshen your look. Avoid tops that bag, lest you turn into one.
If your décolletage, or upper arms have not aged gracefully why announce it to the world? Opt for short or 3/4 length sleeves, and avoid plunging necklines.
You can wear jeans which are stretchy but do not have elasticized or scrunched waist bands. Make sure they fit you well so they don’t droop in the drawers or make you look like a sausage in a casing. Try jeans decorated with stones or findings on one hip or pant leg-–not all over, please let Liberace rest in peace.
Narrow pant legs are for birds. Save pencil thin pants for yoga class otherwise box them up for the Sally-Ann. Create a more balance look by choosing pants which compliment your figure type.
Older women may begin to notice sag at knee, choose skirt length accordingly. Try an A line skirt or one that flares out slightly. Wear capris instead of shorts for those with spidery legs.
Wrap dresses can work wonders on many figure types.
Pick a sweater style that offers balance between form fitting and bulk. (Unless you are built like a 12 year old of course.)
Avoid huge shoulder pads unless you play for the Dallas Cowboys.
Tiny cutesy prints, sweaters with embroidered flowers or fancy large buttons are a no-no. Take your mother or older companion shopping and if she thinks it’s nice, run to another store.
Make trendy, beautiful jewelry and fine fabrics fashion your signature of fashion. Redirect people’s eyes to areas of interest you want them to see. Complicated style details can draw too much attention to the wrong areas. Classic styles look great on most ‘any-bodies’.
Makeup Tips:
Opt for less makeup as you age.
Apply sun screen over moisturizer. Add foundation sparingly. Or consider a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation altogether.
Focus on slight blush closer to your eye–this will help visually raise your cheek bones.
Stick with neutrals for eye makeup! Use grey or brown mascaras not black, same with eyeliners. Try this tip from folk art painting: dip one half of your eye powder applicator in the lightest shade the other half in the darker shade. Swoop across your eye-lid, and voila you have highlighted your eye-lid and eye-crease in one smooth move.
Choose less dramatic lipstick. Top with a lip plumping gloss or add a touch of glimmer for an evening look.
Finally, "Think more beautiful thoughts, and you will become more beautiful…"
The ‘Skinny’ on Swimsuit Dieting…
Bathing suit season is around the corner, and so is your wardrobe from last year and/or ten years ago. Trying to fit in clothes from the past may not be suitable in 2006. Our hips and thighs (let alone our behinds) just might have grown a size or two! Lets face it, quick fixes that advertise to lose 2 - 5 pounds a week and two dress sizes in 4 to 6 weeks are hardly the answer. You may be healthier to let your clothing choices perform that “magic” for you, but if you are determined to try a new promising diet, there are some things to keep in mind.
Always read the fine print, research and consult your doctor first. Be aware of the long-term health risk for short-term effects. You know the saying “measure twice cut once”? Well, “think twice”, before believing in short cut diet solutions.
Things That You Should Be Aware Of:
- losing too much weight too fast
- skipping the most important meal of the day, breakfast, or not eating at all
- over exercising to the point of fainting or dizzy spells
- feeling fatigued
- craving sugary sweets diet promotions that promise to make your dreams come true--dream pills could end up being nightmares.
Things That Are Important To Your Health:
- healthy eating styles--full of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins
- restful sleep at least 8 hours each night
- plenty of water to keep you hydrated exercising
- introducing a healthy life style will benefit you on the outside and your heart will love you for it on the inside
By choosing a healthier way to live, you can follow the right track to swimsuit confidence.
