Be kind to your body because it works hard for you! If it isn’t perfect, give it a chance to redeem itself by putting it into the best possible swimsuit style. Once again, it’s about showing off the best part of you and concealing the rest.

If you are a little bigger on the bottom:

• You’ll look best in a one piece with dainty wrap. Your one piece should have broad structured straps, a strong neckline and top detail to create a balanced silhouette.
• If you prefer a two piece, choose one with briefs that have sides of at least 3 inches. Keeping the bottom plain and the top patterned will de-emphasize the larger part of you.
• Buy a bikini top and pair it up with board shorts instead.
• Avoid skimpy bottoms, boy shorts and bottoms with lots of hip detail.  

If you have a little extra in the middle:

• A one piece swimsuit with a built in tummy control panel is the best idea.
• One piece suits with side or centre ruching (fabric that has been gathered and stitched to maintain a rippled appearance) will also do wonders. Draping will mask the area you would rather conceal.
• Choose a patterned one piece as opposed to plain.
• A patterned two-piece tankini will also do the trick.
• Avoid bikinis.

If you are a little bigger on the top:

• Under wired bikini bra tops will offer you extra support.
• Double lined halter bikini tops with structured under bust bands and wide straps will hold your bust as well as show off cleavage!
• One pieces need to have build in shelf bras or under wire foam support. Broader straps will be more comfortable then spaghetti straps that may cut into you.
• Avoid strapless styles even if they have built in bras. 

Bikini with plain brief and patterned top (InStyleSwimwear.com), patterned one piece with tummy control panel (Land’s End), One piece with side-ruching for tummy concealment (Neiman Marcus), and one piece with built in underwire support for busty ladies (Neiman Marcus)

You won’t want to skimp when buying your swimsuit. Spend the money that you need to create your comfort and confidence. I’ve personally found joy in the Gottex range, which is available in most department stores. It’s an Israeli company that has been around for years and has won award after award for their excellent swimwear. 

You don’t need to be “all dressed up” to look stylish. If you work from home, have a casual dress-code at work, or are a stay at home Mum, then traipsing around in heels and fussy clothing that takes too long to think about is not appropriate. But neither is wearing sweats, running shoes and looking like you are off to go camping. The quintessential favourite American outfit of “jeans and a t-shirt” also needs seasonal updating.

The best news about t-shirts and knitted tops this season is that they are styled and longer in length. Not only is this more versatile and comfortable, but more flattering as well:

• Pulling more form fitting longer tees up a little so ruching that occurs on the sides of your hips disguises anything that you might want to hide in this area
• It’s a super layering garment underneath last years shorter length tees – perfect for pear shaped ladies in particular
• Pop a belt over your natural waistline and look ultra trendy; or pop one on lower on your hip bone and still be trendy but more comfortable
• Wear them underneath last season’s jackets, cardigans and shrugs and update your look completely
• Bend over to pick up your child and rest assured that you are completely covered and draft free
• Taller ladies and ladies with longer torsos will especially welcome this new t-shirt style change  

Below are some examples of new shape knitted tops. Stay tuned on how to wear them effortlessly with jeans for a casual and classy alternative!

Longer length styled tee’s and a layering camisole from Arden B.

Examples from Macy’s and Nordstrom.

By the way, for those of you who shop there – Banana Republic is currently on sale.

This is a subject where I have no formal training or experience, but I do have strong feelings about it nonetheless. The correct amount of make up can certainly enhance our features and therefore improve the way we look. The incorrect amount will make us look like an opera star. I cannot stress enough that “less is more”. Very few people can get away with wearing absolutely nothing on their faces, but chances are high that they are actually wearing more than you think – it just looks as though they aren’t. This is the trick!  With a little bit of attention to the right detail, you can look polished in an effortless and natural way.

• Skin – spend money on treatment rather than colour. Your skin is the most important part of your face. There is nothing more appealing than skin that is well taken care of (and remember to wear sunscreen every day).
• Make up – if you feel that you need to wear foundation, spend time finding the correct one for your skin type and tone. Most importantly, you’ll need to look like you aren’t wearing any.  
• Eyebrows – take special care grooming the second most important part of your face. A person’s face is framed by their brows. Eyes can be opened up and the face completely realigned by giving eyebrows the attention that they deserve. Have them shaped professionally if you can’t manage yourself. If they are light, dye them. If they are thin, pencil in the cracks. Make sure that the colour that you use matches your eyebrow colour perfectly. And apply the pencil in shadow form – harshly applied eyebrow pencil is unsightly.
• Eyelashes – if you were blessed with thick dark lashes then good for you. If not, use dark brown mascara instead of black unless you are very dark. It will always give you a softer and more natural look. Apply just enough to keep you clog free.
• Lips – gloss will look just as nice as colour. Keep your daytime colours extremely natural and go darker at night if you need to. The interest on your lips will always make you look more polished.
• Cheeks – if you don’t have naturally rosy cheeks, apply a bit of the correct colour blush to your cheekbones. This is especially true in winter when we tend to look a bit more pale. It will give the impression that you look healthy and well despite the fact that you feel you are on the verge of collapse.

Eye shadow, eye liner and lip liner are best left for Oscar night. At the very least, take care of your pretty skin, groom and colour those brows and pop a bit of colour on your lips. In my opinion, you in your “almost natural” form is most stylish!

Cameron Diaz, Paris Hilton, Sheryl Crow and Hillary Duff have their “boyish” rectangular frames in common. Your well proportioned body, lean limbs, straight waist and small chest make you look like an athlete without even trying. Despite the fact that you are easy to dress, you’ll still want to think about how clothing affects your body shape. Defining your waist and creating curvature both on top and on the bottom will do the trick.

Defining your waist and creating curves on top:

• Choose high necklines for your small chest. You can wear a v-neck if you wear a round neck tank top or t-shirt underneath. Avoid scooped and sweetheart necklines. You may feel that this is flattering, but all it will do is show off an empty space. Cru, slash, turtle, polo, funnel and Armani necklines are perfect for you. You look particularly good in capped sleeve baby tees and sleeveless tank tops – show those wonderful arms off.
• Choose tops with bust frills, rushing, breast pocket detail, front panel detail and pleating. Wrap tops are also good if appropriately layered underneath. Blouson tops will give you more shape. Blousing a tee or shirt slightly at the low waist with a belt will have the same effect.
• Show off your back as an alternative to your lack of cleavage. Halter necks are a great option.
• Your jackets are nicest at high hip bone and nipped in at the waist for shape. Avoid boxy styles. Choose tailored trenches and belted jackets or coats at any length to give you more shape and definition. You will look best in a classic single-breasted or double breasted coat.
• Layer fitted garments together subtly – this is key to creating the curves that you want.
• You are the only body shape that can wear a shift dress but will look equally good in bias cut dresses that are just below the knee.

Creating curves on the bottom:

• The best way to create curves on a straight bottom is by wearing something very tight but not constricting. In this way, your body will automatically create curves. Your body was made for jeans. You’ll be able to wear any style, shape or length with any amount of detail. You’ll still look best in flat front, semi low rise, hip skimming boot cuts. Make the most of this privilege and get what’s most fashion forward if that’s your personal style.
• Choose combat and cargo pocket pants at any length for casual attire. This type of detail will create the pretty mass that you need.
• Avoid ultra low rises as they will make your torso look disproportionately long.
• A pencil skirt just below the knee will also create curves. Tuck your blouse or shirt into your pants or skirt and have fun with belts as this will give you more shape. Heavier belts with eye catching interest will also help emphasize your waist.
• Choose bias and voluminous a-line skirts either on the knee or on the calf as they will add bulk appropriately.

Spring is “a pants season” – have fun with it and buy funky combat pants and walk shorts if you don’t already have them!