Here, here. Use a full-length mirror to see top to bottom, AND DON’T FORGET to look at your back, too. Too much bra bulge out there on otherwise very well-dressed beauties. I say: Slip on a Sassybax bra, brush the back of your hair, check for panty lines, and you’ll feel more confident all day long — I guarantee it!

It is handy to have a full-length mirror in your room, but there are days when I really, really wish mine was a “skinny” mirror!

How did you know I climbed on the bath, Angie?

LOL–I stand on the couch to look in the mirror above the fireplace!

Well, this is one area where I am actually all set. I have a full length mirror at the entry of my apartment, and my closet his sliding doors that are mirrors. Sometimes it is actually annoying to see yourself all the time.

I agree-now if someone could just solve the skinny mirror-fat mirror problem

Laura, ALL you mirrors are skinny because you are super slim and gorgeous.

LauraElizabeth, a little birdie told me. Rest assured you are not alone. Redhead shares your furniture climbing ability. And my favourite friend has been climbing for years! I think she may still be climbing. Her pant lengths are correct though and she’s well put together so she’s lucky she has stylish instincts.

Tanya, you crack me up and I sort of understand what you mean. One full length mirror is quite enough! We have a huge full length mirror in our bedroom that rests against a wall. It takes up a lot of space but it’s worth it.

So, if you could choose – would you opt for a skinny mirror, or a normal mirror at home?

I have always had a full length mirror available. I hate not being able to see my full outfit. I always make sure to check all angles in case something looks funny from the back.

I would opt for a normal mirror at home. I prefer to know how I really look because that is how someone would see me in person.

I would also choose a normal, not skinny mirror. I prefer to know the truth.

I think a necessary accompaniment is good lighting. We have only 1 full length mirror that is mounted to the back a bedroom door. However, the lighting used to be so bad in there (not much natural light and no overhead light) that you just couldn’t get an accurate idea of colors etc. Once we got a better lamp, it was so much easier!

Angie is right of course, she usually is.

I think I remember Angie posting about ‘skinny’ mirrors, mirrors that intentionally make one look thinner. They are so prevalent in retail stores (there is a skinny mirror in the bathroom of our local neiman marcus here in dallas. i remember always feeling better after looking in it, and hoping all the other mirrors in the mall were wrong).

If I had the available funds I’d purchase this mirror: http://www.mirrotek.com/profes.....seaq5guiv0.

We’ve always purchased inexpensive mirrors from target/wal mart. I have one in my closet as do my sons, but I fear them being cheap may affect the accuracy of the reflection (read: skinny).

I climb on the bed. It’s actually not too bad – I sort of have a 3/4 lengths mirror already, and just jump on the bed to make sure the full picture’s accurate – except that, well, I’m not getting my shoes on the bedding!

I do plan on getting a full-length mirror sometime this year, but I have to admit it’s behind other things on my home improvement list, like a sun lamp alarm clock, lighting in my living room, all that good stuff. But the first thing I’ll do when I get it is take photos and run to the forums here so I can finally know what kind of body type I have!

For Carissa: there is an even better 4-way mirror with a couple of little extras thrown in on HSN.com for $119.95. I hope that helps!

I had a really nice, heavy, high quality full-length mirror at our old house. When we moved, I INSISTED that we bring it, although my spouse thought it was a stupid frill. I MADE him go back to the house after we had moved and while it was still listed and remove it and bring it to our new house. It’s in a hallway where we have a skylight, so it gets fab natural light. I also turned a very small 8×10 bedroom we were not using into a walk-in closet complete with two-level ELFA rods and shelving and other accessories. The original closet in the room, which actually is quite roomy I use for shoe storage. Decadent? Absolutely. But so convenient for me to have all my clothing available and organized. Our house was custom built in the 1960s and has many amenities uncommon for homes of that era, including generous closets. But not nice walk-ins like many custom homes built today. My husband now has full use of the double closets in our bedroom and we no longer have closet issues.

Yes, a full length mirror is great to have. Lisa, you are so right to recommend looking at your backside. I am so happy with my mirror set up. When we remodeled our bedroom a few years ago, I had the opportunity to enlarge my closet and (my favorite idea of the whole remodel!) I put in french doors to the closet. They are more narrow than regular doors, but on the inside they each have a full length mirror. So when I open the doors and step between, I can see front and back. Love it!

Amen to this! In December we finally made the final move in a moving process that started with the sale of our house in August. Last week I finished organizing our walk-in closet (I CAN SEE EVERYTHING!) and hung a full-length mirror. It’s actually in our guest room, but I like it there because the guest room is kind of a ‘project’ room and I can lay outfits and pieces that need tailoring out on the bed there and experiement, etc.

And I frequently hold up a smaller mirror to see my back… also an important view.

I would never buy a ‘skinny’ mirror. I’d rather know what is truthfully flattering for me – that is what everyone else sees anyway.

I also climb on the tub. However, I have a large garden tub set in a nice wide tile boarder, so it is not a precarious place. I have not purchased a full length mirror because I have no good place for it (lighting-wise). The lighting over the tub is quite unforgiving and I would rather know the worst.

Good post Angie! Now I am going to think of you everytime I step on the tub…

I was (half) joking about the skinny mirror … of course it’s good to know the truth as Tanya and everyone correctly says … there are just certain puffy days of the month when it would be nice to get that extra “skinny mirror” boost of self-confidence

To take this to a another level: I don’t even trust a normal full length mirror. I’d like to take pictures of every outfit I put on if possible. However, a full length mirror is a must and I have two, one in the walk-in closet and one by the door to the Garage so I can see how it looks after I put on the shoes. Am I the only one who don’t store shoes in my closet?

I think a skinny mirror would be lovely for those bathing suit kinda days… As embarassing as this might sound, but I wouldn’t mind getting a false little boost for that specific “outfit”; it might just make me stride around the pool or beach a little more sassily. But for everything else, no way, I want to see the real me.

Target has a very nice selection if anyone is in the market for a new mirror. I am ordering a second one for my downstairs bedroom today.

Carissa and Shana, good point about the lighting. Violet, I look at my outfit from the back and sides from a full frontal mirror only. I think that’s okay. But it’s fun to go to stores to get a 360 glimpse though.

Kim, that’s impressive. Sounds like you managed the perfect closet solution for you and hubby. Eva, I’ve seen your nifty mirror and closet set up and it’s ideal.

Lissie, I’m touched that you’ll think of me each time you step into the tub (*chuckle*).

Ha, Antje! Interesting idea. I still vote no skinny mirror for any part of my life. It is what it is.

Julia, that’s super handy and thorough. I go to plenty of houses where shoes are stored next to the garage, but you kick it up a notch with your mirror practical mirror location.

Thank you Jeune, that does help!!

For years I was a furniture climber and ceiling head-bumper until got myself a full length mirror last year and mounted it on a wall next to the bathroom door. I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner. Before I got it I don’t think I ever knew what any outfit looked like with shoes on. And yes one of the first things I learned was that I needed to find longer pants.

So true. I don’t know what I would do with out my full length mirror.

This one has my name all over it! I don’t have a mirror that can enable me to see lower than mid-thigh level. One of the big advantages of taking photos to show on YLF is that of seeing my whole body – which has enable me to see that my main body challenge is my short legs.
But I hadn’t seriously considered going out and buying a mirror until today, so thanks Angie!

When I was staying in Sweden, the house I lived in had a full length mirror–right across from the toilet!

This post reminded me of that, of all things. It was probably the only truly unpleasant aspect of my trip.

I spent years climbing on tub and holding onto shower bar (back in college) so I was laughing very hard reading your post.
Ikea has some very nice full length mirrors (all price ranges) and they really do help!

Oh I’m all over the mirror. Mine is full-length and mounted inside the closet door. Now if I could just get in the closet ….

this is true! everyone needs a full length mirror! an ex-boyfriend of mine only had his bathroom mirror too… so it’s good to know i wasn’t the only one climbing on the tub or standing on top of the toilet seat and holding on to the wall for balance! LOL!

invest!

Good grief, Maya! That congers up hilarious visuals. I think the hotel that we stayed at in Barcelona had the same set up. Not so fab.

Anne, it’s always a pleasure.

Joelle and Chris, you crack me up. I’d forgotten to mention the head bumping and holding onto shower rods bit. I’m glad that’s in your past.

Great post and replies! I’d add that everyone needs a good magnifying mirror for checking their face, especially as you get older. It’s especially nice if it’s got its own light.

run, don’t walk, to your nearest ikea or target and buy a full length mirror! they are an absolute must as angie says. i couldnt live without one

I think I have a skinny mirror (full length, and I use a hand mirror to see from the back). I’m surprised people are so against this. I mean, you’re never going to see yourself as others see you anyway. I don’t think it’s either visually or conceptually possible. So you might as well go about feeling cute. Put in flattering lighting, too!

This is great advice. Just a couple days ago I thought for the first time, “Girl, you are getting too old to be climbing up on the toilet and leaning to the side and sticking one leg up to the side every time you want to see if your shoes match. ” How embarrassing. I got a full length mirror today at Target for $5.

It’s a skinny mirror; but the one in my bathroom is a pudge mirror. I figure between the two, it will balance out.

Wow ,

This is a timely topic.
I have been looking for full length mirror for weeks , just to take pics for YLF !
I made a small bedroom into a dressing room. It is wonderful….
I finally went to Lowes and bought a cheap beveled mirror and brought it to my local framing shop. I choose a frame that is the same I used for two vintage fashion posters in the room.
Now I am just waiting to hang it up and I will finally be able to post some pictures of clothes from Santa.