How to dress to look good?

by Jane of Style Makeover HQ
(Sydney, Australia)

The "what to wear" questions below are simply too general, or too broad, for me to answer individually. However, I thought it might be useful to group them together and to point you in the right direction!

Here on my website you will find lots of free articles that should help you get started with developing your style. I also have many suggestions for reasonably priced style resources and products. Or you may engage me as your image consultant directly for individual style coaching -- either by coming to see me here in Sydney, Australia, or by taking advantage of my remote style consultation service using Skype.

The best place to start is with the "6 steps to savvy style" article. That article contains links to other articles giving more details of each step.

The younger you are the more important it is for you to experiment with your look. Some tips for choosing what to wear to look good include...

• Try on lots of clothes in many different colors and styles -- take photos of yourself in the clothes, it can help you be more objective when you see yourself in a photo. Or stand in front of a full length mirror, close your eyes then open them -- what do you see first?




• Notice whether the colors are flattering for you (there's a balance and harmony between the coloring of your clothes and your coloring), or too dark (you notice the clothes first, before your face), or too pale (you look tired, pale and washed out)


• Notice whether the shapes are flattering on you




• Collect pictures of clothing, accessories and looks that you love and decide why you love them (how do they make you feel?) -- when buying items looking for similar design elements, or use the styling techniques you like


• Work out which areas of your body you should emphasize and which you should detract from -- make sure focal points are near the areas you want to emphasize and not over areas you want to diminish. Wear dark and muted colors (any dark color will do it, not just black!) over areas you want to look smaller

Also consider the activity or event and how formal or casual it is. Think about the people you'll be interacting with. How will they be dressed? How will they expect you to be dressed? Match your level of dressing to the event and the people you'll be with.

I do hope this helps. Now if you have any more specific questions feel free to ask away and I'll do my best to answer! These are great examples of more specific questions (notice the level of detail, and the photos, these readers supplies about the situation)...

• How to find comfortable extra wide high heel shoes?


• How can I make a wrong colour work?


• Mother of the bride

what looks good on me?

i have a pear shaped body, wheatish complexion , round face and waist length hair. please suggest some stylish casual looks for me in detail. i would want a complete makeover for college. please...

what can i do to wear hip clothes

by eesha
(india)

Im slim on my upper body like waist n bust but my thighs r big comparatively n i have cellulite on my thighs. Could u pls suggest what r the stylish clothes i can wear to enhance my upper body?

What type of clothes should I wear?

by Ammu
(Khanna,,Pinjab, India)

Am 23 yr old girl,, my height is 5 feet,, and weight is around 58,, what type of clothes should i wear to look attractive and bit tall,, and what type of footwear?

What should I wear?

by Ridhi
(jaipur)

i want to know wt kind of dresses i sud wear?
my details are:-
age=17
height=5'5
complexion=normal
weight=53 n having bal.body

what kind of clothes would suit me?

by vidushi
(India)

I am 22 and currently employed with a small co.

My height is 5.5 with figure 36,30,37.

Plese let me know my body type and what kind of clothes would suit me. I have broad shoulders. Can I wear body hugging tops as my stomach tends to appear in those?

Jane's answer... Hi Vidushi. I'm afraid I can't tell from measurements alone what body type you are (and I can't tell from your photo). Take a look at my pages on body type to try and work it out for yourself.

You have answered your own question about body hugging tops! If they emphasize your stomach and that makes you feel uncomfortable then I suggest you go for more figuring skimming styles. If you like your broad shoulders emphasize those. Or choose styles that bring attention to your face.

See my suggestions at the top of this page for how to go about deciding what kind of clothes will suit you.

You may also be interested in this article on choosing what to wear for work.