The Clothing Chronicles  February 24, 2005 #168 FashionForRealWomen.com ================================================ In This Issue: Message From Diana Feature Article: Have Your Clothes Transformed You Into the "Incredible Bulk"? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >> MESSAGE FROM DIANA The snow is falling outside my window as I write this, with 3-7 inches on the way today. Yikes! Even my kids, who LOVE to play in the snow, are getting tired of the white stuff. If it weren't for all the pretty spring clothes starting to fill the stores, I'd think there was no end in sight to all the wintry weather ... I need to add to some of the information I published last week regarding sales companies that offer a range of sizes for non-standard body types: Optionelle http://www.optionelle.com Contact: Catherine Garrett Email: wildfyrdezine@msn.com (Correction - improperly listed as Optinelle) Elana Line from Doncaster http://www.elanabytanner.com Contact: Customer service or Kim Linglebach to find   a consultant near you Phone: 1-828-287-4205 or 1-800-669-3662 (New website and contact information) Finally, I'm trying to compose a good list of fashion and beauty-related direct sales companies for another project I'm working on. If you're a direct sales rep for a company like Weekenders, Doncaster, Mary Kay, BeautiControl, etc., or if you know of a website that offers a comprehensive list of such companies, please let me know. Thanks! So what does today's article ask? Are your clothes making you look like the "Incredible Bulk"? The answer may surprise you. Enjoy! Diana diana@fashionforrealwomen.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Get Rid of Your Moles and Warts FOREVER! Have unsightly moles, warts, or skin tags that you just can't seem to get rid of? Tried every prescription and over-the-counter remedy on the market with little or no success? Then maybe it's time to try a different approach - one that's natural, pain-free, and FAST! Boost your confidence and self esteem with this little known secret that has turned event the most jaded sufferers into raving fans, http://www.dianaprefers.com/books/wartfree.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >> FEATURE ARTICLE Have Your Clothes Transformed You Into the "Incredible Bulk"? One of the biggest mistakes women make with their clothes is also one of the easiest ways to run aground: by adding too much bulk. They put on layers to stay warm or wear interesting fabrics to attract attention, and end up looking a whole lot heavier than they ever intended. Have you done the same? Unwittingly, perhaps. But no more after you read this article. Talk to any designer and they'll tell you that in fashion, it's all about the silhouette. If someone asked you to step behind a backlit screen right now, what would your silhouette show? Long and lean lines? A marshmallow on toothpicks? A barrel shape from neck to ankles? What? Most women never stop to think in these terms. They grab pieces that they like without ever considering the impact the clothes may be having on their overall line. But there's a certain aesthetic to a properly proportioned silhouette that draws the eyes and garners attention. Most best-dressed women know this. It's one of the reasons they're among the "best dressed." If you'd like to join their ranks - or just look your weight or less, not more - then consider these elements when choosing clothes and accessories: 1. Fabric Faux furs, cable knits, layer upon layer of sequins - all can look stunning when properly done. Or they can make you look like you've added twenty pounds if done wrong. Opt for styles that compliment your body without adding bulk to areas that already tend to have sufficient bulk, like tummies, hips, and thighs. Bouclé Sweater Newport-News.com 2. Embellishments Ruffles, trims, and other embellishments can make an ordinary piece extraordinary. But if you're not careful, they can also bulk you up unnecessarily. The key to success is to use embellishments to draw attention to the things you want people to notice (like beautiful hands, a swan-like neck, or a tiny waist) and away from the parts that you want to disguise (like heavy arms, thick waist, large hips). Newport-News.com 3. Layers Layers are a great way to both add flair and regulate your temperature. But using more than one layer of bulky fabric can make even the tiniest person seem like a line backer. So be careful. Choose your layers carefully to keep your silhouette properly proportioned. Newport-News.com 4. Excess Fabric Swathing yourself in a lot of excess fabric may be very fashionable right now, but it can also put you on the path to an excessively bulked up look, so have a care. What? You think draping yourself in a tent will hide those excess pounds? Think again - it will make you look even heavier than you are. Beware. Newport-News.com 5. Accessories Large accessories can garner attention and draw the eye away from pesky trouble spots you want to hide. But, like everything else you've read here, they can also add bulk and make you look heavier. Take note. Neck warmer Newport-News.com While adding bulk to the silhouette can lend substance to tiny bodies, it can make average or heavy bodies look bigger than they are. If your goal is to look taller and leaner, watch these bulk-inducing culprits when building your wardrobe. If they don't give you the silhouette you desire, leave them at the store. Need some more help in putting together a wardrobe that allows you to look fabulous every day? Download a copy of WARDROBE MAGIC, http://www.wardrobemagic.com to see how easy looking good can be. ************** Until next time, Diana Pemberton-Sikes diana@fashionforrealwomen.com http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com http://www.FashionSavvy.com http://www.WardrobeMagic.com http://www.FashionJobReview.com ------------------------ Published by: Top Drawer Publications, LLC 256 S. College Ave. Newark, DE 19711 USA Copyright © 2005 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. Want to get your wardrobe together in a flash? Try our best-selling ebook,  Wardrobe Magic Archives index   Terms of Use | Privacy Policy © 2005 Top Drawer Publications, LLC All rights reserved. 256 S. College Avenue • Newark, DE 19711 Phone/Fax 302-266-0156 • Email: sales@topdrawerpublications.com