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Summer style's going swimmingly
by Riazat Butt30/ 6/2005
SUMMER, like a bad cold or a nasty spot, creeps up on you. You
can feel it coming and think you're ready to bare all on the beach
because you have gym membership, anti-cellulite serum and a
celebrity workout DVD.
But all the preparation in the world - bar plastic surgery - cannot
prevent the sinking realisation that your efforts have been in vain
and that, after many hours struggling with tiny pieces of Lycra in
a tiny changing room, no swimming costume flatters your
figure.
So here are some tips to help you get the best out of your love 'em
or hate 'em bits.
Stomach: Toned stomachs look great with low-rise
bikini bottoms. Try a belt detail on a swimsuit or bikini - think
the ultimate Bond girl Ursula Andress emerging from the sea.
Tankinis provide cover to give a feeling of confidence. The two
pieces are more becoming than one and give you a sporty look.
Ruching or draping across the tummy and hips is the most flattering
device you can choose to disguise soft or dimpled tummy areas.
Choose a fabric that skims the body rather than clings to it.
Chevron stripes create a streamlined shape for apple body shapes or
round tummies. If you really want to opt for a bikini - choose a
slightly higher rise bikini bottom as this will minimise overspill.
It goes without saying that horizontal stripes make you look
wider.
Bust: Choose a correctly fitted bikini top that
lifts and supports. Halter necks give more va va voom to small
busts. They're a great shape for petite figures needing some extra
inches.
Tankinis with built in support provide maximum control and added
cover for the larger bust. Block colours are best, but they don't
have to be boring. A shaped cup that plunges minimises a top-heavy
body or a full bust. Avoid a bandeau style that creates visual
volume and no shape.
Legs: Long-legged ladies should opt for low-rise
bikini bottoms, hipster pants or a standard brief with ties at the
side
Short legs look best in standard briefs. Avoid boy-shorts and
low-rise briefs at all costs. Wear with this season's cork wedges
to give you extra height.
Bottom: Show off a toned behind in boy shorts or
briefs. Detailing on the back - such as ruffles or stripes - will
really hot things up. Deep sided briefs in darker colours are
flattering option. Match them with a lighter top to draw attention
upwards.
Shy girls should take advantage of this season's Boho look by
slipping a floaty skirt over their bikini.
Sarongs: Whether it be the same pattern as your
cossie or a single block of colour - the longer ones are sexier,
offering a glimpse of tanned leg, but shorter ones look good if
your legs are your best asset.
Don't wear them tied at the bust if you have a large chest - it
only makes you look matronly. The sarong, when worn below the waist
or on the hips, gives a nice shape. Make sure it's not bunched up
around your waist - unless you want to look like a pillow with a
string tied round the middle.
Kaftans: Kaftans, tunics and overshirts are a
godsend this summer for those of us blessed with less than perfect
figures. They're cool cover-ups and can take your from the beach to
the bar without forcing you to hold your tummy in.
Profile: The fashion guru
IT'S easy to steal someone else's style. After all, imitation is
the sincerest form of flattery. But nobody wants to be accused of
lacking imagination or looking like a clone.
Sometimes a guiding hand is all that's needed.
Charlotte Swindlehurst is a style advisor at
fashion mecca
Top Shop, Market Street, and her
role is to ease people into trends without terrifying them.
She says: "It can be daunting when you walk into a shop that's full
of different fashions. You don't know where to start or what you
should be wearing.
"People should take into account what suits their age, their
lifestyle and their figure.
"You don't need to wear a trend head-to-toe to be stylish.
Sometimes it just takes an accessory or one item of clothing to
update your look."
At the tender age of 25 Charlotte has been a "personal shopper" for
nearly a year and she loves her job.
"It's very exciting. Not all our clients are the same age or have
the same needs. Sometimes I'll see a lady who's dressing for an
occasion, others want help in getting key pieces for their
wardrobe."
Charlotte headed down south to read fashion management at the
prestigious London College of Fashion - "there were no such things
as style degrees when I was a student" - where she learned about
finance, marketing and buying.
She then worked in fashion PR, before moving back oop north.
She says: "Manchester is a very stylish city and the high street
allows you to experiment with different trends without spending a
fortune.
"This summer everyone's going for bright colours, kaftans and
wedges. There's a real beach vibe going on.
"In autumn the mood changes. It becomes darker - we've called it
gothic fairytale - and there's a Victorian feel to clothes.
"There will be luxury fabrics and rich opulent colours. Slouchy
pirate boots make a comeback, which proves it's always worth
holding onto stuff."
To book an appointment with
Charlotte call 07913 473513.
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