READing Your Style: The Science of Sexy (Part 2 of 2)

Here are some rules of thumb continued from the first part of my "READing Your Style" post from Bradely Bayou’s book, The Science of Sexy that should help you further in choosing the right clothes for your body type. If followed, and executed correctly, I am sure your look will benefit and you will feel assured in the fact that whatever you are wearing, your look is one that is all your own and conjured solely for you, regardless of what anyone else thinks, for dressing to balance your body type is the best way to get some whistles from onlookers. Once you feel comfortable in what clothes you choose for yourself to look sexy in, that overwhelming feeling of internal confidence will surly find its way into your heart; it is that confidence that IMF.blog wants everyone to always have access to.

More in depth explanations to these commandments can be found by clicking through to read more…

The Right Bra: Enhances curves, holds in extra bounce, and isn’t so tight on any part of your torso that it creates lumps.

The Most Common Problem: Lumpy underarms and back fat.

The Trick: Try a lightweight, fitted cotton T-shirt on over your bra to see if it lies smoothly over your bra area.

The Right Panties: Covers up your bottom and isn’t so tight on any part of your lower body that it creates lumps or bulges.

The Most Common Problem: Visible panty lines

The Trick: Wear a pair of lightweight pants in a three-way mirror so you can see what the people behind you do.

The Right Control Garment: Smoothes out your flabby spots without just shifting your weight to another part of your body.

The Most Common Problem: Creating new bulges next to the ones you’re covering up.

The Trick: If you are putting on a control garment (like Spanx) to control the lumps in your middle, make sure it’s shifting the extra weight up. If it has to go somewhere, it may as well be up toward your chest!

It’s tempting to spend $35 on a pair of pants on sale from cheap store. Don’t do it. Why? Because those pants will not give you a high ratio of cost to wear.

For $210, you could buy sic pairs of $35 dollar pants or one pair of quality pants. And you’d wear those good pants for years to come. The more durable the quality of the item, the more wears for the buck.

All styles do NOT work for all women. In fact, certain styles will never look good on you. Period.

Shiny, charmeuse slip dresses should not be worn by women sizes 14 and up.

Low-rise jeans should NOT be worn hby women with large hips or bulging stomachs.

Short women should NOT wear dark, knee-high boots.

If you don’t have great legs, do NOT wear short skirts.

Skimpy little tank tops? Busty women who need more support on top should NOT be wearing them.

A peek of flesh can instantly draw the eye straight to the spot you’re showing off—and away from a flaw you’re trying to conceal.

If you are blessed with gorgeous legs, you can get away with a slightly shorter hemline. If you have a slender neck and a pretty collarbone, expose some skin there. If you have nice cleavage, wear a V-neck or U-neck that instantly attracts attention to one of you best features.

If you are not sure whether the item you want is worth spending your money on, run it through the quiz below.

Round 1:

-Does this style mirror my personality and the world of clothes I already own?

-Does this popular trend suit MY body?

*If NO to both, STOP, don’t buy, and opt for an accessory instead. If YES, go to round 2.

Round 2:

-Will this style be in style for the next six months?

-Do the buttons, seams, linings, zipper, and detailing look well made?

-Will the item be able to worn for the next two seasons?

*If NO to two of the questions, STOP, don’t buy if it is expensive. Don’t waste money on poor quality and quick trends that don’t suit you best, you will regret the purchase. If YES to all, go to Round 3.

Round 3:

-How many times can you wear it before someone notices a repeat and/or get bored with seeing a lot?

 -Can you wear it different ways?

*If you answer YES, you may have found a garment that will stand the test of time. If not, you should reconsider and/or spend less money on a similar item.

*If you have to ask yourself, “Do I really think this will look good in two years?” it probably won’t.*

Not all fabrics are created to make your body look the same, and some will make you look heavier or thinner depending on the fabric and the cuts.

Generally speaking:

v  Fabrics with a stiff texture or a heavyweight or shinny surface will add bulk or undue attention to the area which stops the eye at a horizontal point on your body and makes you look wider.

v  Fabrics that gently flow and drape over your body create more of a vertical line on your figure drawing the eye up and down making you seem slimmer.

v  To create your hourglass shape, you might have to add volume to some areas diminish other areas. Here are some things to keep in mind to make this easier to remember…

Fabrics that ADD weight:

-Heavy stiff fabrics (wool, leather, denim, suede)

-Textured fabrics (velvet, tweed, terry cloth)

-Shiny fabrics (taffeta, raw silk, charmeuse)

Fabrics that SUBTRACT weight:

-Mid-weight fabrics (matte jersey, fine-gauge knits, georgettes, crepes, soft cottons, polyester/spandex blends

-Dark fabrics (black, blue and monochromatic outfits which create the tallest look)

Cuts that ADD weight:
-Gathering of fabric (pleating, ruching, wrap–around skirts)

-Detatils (pockets, angles, appliqués)

Cuts that SUBTRACT weight:

-Straight, draping fabrics

-Verticle details (princess seams, pressed seams)

The number on the tag is NOT important. Some companies partake in vanity sizing where they add inches to their clothing so that when you try something on, you can fit into a size smaller that you are. That’s why you can be a 32 waist in one brand and a 34 in another. Simply try the garment on if you are not sure if it will fit right.

Definition of the “ideal fit”:

Fit: Clothing that traces your natural silhouette very closely without clinging, such that the fabric remains taut and unwrinkled. Synonym: Clothes that make people say, “Wow, you look amazing, have you lost weight?” Antonym: Big, baggy clothes that could be swapped for a burlap sack without noticing much difference; also stretchy clothes that fir so tight, your body looks like sausage meat.

Remember, it is always a great investment to utilize a tailor for better fit. Trust me, it will make a world of difference when it fits absolutely perfectly for you.

The top five reasons to pay more attention to accessories:

1. They can change an outfit from formal to casual (and vice versa) in just a few seconds.
2. They’re more affordable than clothes
3. They can play up your sexiest assets
4. They’re a great diversion from your flaws
5. They can add a trendy touch to your neutral basics

The scale of your print or pattern and the scale of your accessories must be in proportion to the scale of your body.

Scale rule No. 1:

The scale of your print pattern must be in scale with your body. If you want to make part of your body look larger or curvier, wear patterns with large spaces in between them, irregular print patterns, and strong color contrasts between the print and the background. If you want to make part of your body look smaller, wear patterns with regular spaces between them, regular patterns, and low color contrast between then print and the background.

Scale rule No. 2:

The scale of your accessories must be in scale with your body. Tiny girls who wear oversized bags, oversized necklaces, and oversized coats and sweaters look lost beside them. The more the items balance with the size of your figure, the better you will look.

If all else fails and you find yourself in a “What to wear?” panic, choose a shirt with a V-neck cut.

*Draw attention to the center of your body and away from your trouble spots and

create a slimming effect. By angling down toward your waist from both

shoulders and meeting at a point in the middle of your chest,

it mimics your torso. This will create the illusion of a

slimmer, skinnier

waist!*

Now, I am not usually a fan of following the rules, after all, in my fashion, fashion is not about following the rules, it’s about breaking them. If you find that breaking one of these rules leads to a more dynamic and interesting look, God speed, and follow your heart. After all, whatever makes you feel most comfortable is what’s most important, but keep in mind, we are all looking at you and what message you are sending with your clothes. The key is to have confidence and faith in your identity!