FashBlog.com

By Christina VanGinkel

There is a new commercial on television that shows a woman walking past storefront after storefront, with signs declaring the clothing inside to be fun clothes, or work clothes, clothes that will get you hired, and clothes that will get you fired. The first time I saw the commercial I was astounded at how simple an idea for this commercial, is dead on for accuracy, and that this world we live in, or should I say the people who live in it, are very concerned about what the person next door is wearing.

Think about how many times you yourself have commented about what so and so are wearing. If you work in an office and a new girl shows up in a low cut top with a lot of something showing, chances are, you and those around you will have a comment to make about it. On the other hand, if an acquaintance shows up at a funeral of a good friend of yours wearing something not quite appropriate, again, you will have something to say about it, along with others.

The same holds true for the opposite gesture. Look at this scenario. A group of friends is heading out for a night on the town and is mostly dressed to the nines, and once again, your friend who has no taste in clothes whatsoever, shows up in the same old boring outfit. She has worn the same outfit every other time you have all gotten together over the past year, and more than one of you will notice and have something to say about it. This is human nature. Right or wrong, this is most often the outcome. Somebody will have a comment to make about how someone else is dressed.

Do not let any of these scenarios be you. Try to stay focused on how you look in each outfit you wear. Do not become trapped by labels or runway attire. Just because something looks good on a model that happens to be a size four, does not mean that it will make your body, which happens to be a size fourteen look just as good. Learn to judge every outfit and article of clothing you own or are considering purchasing on its own merit. Every body shape is so different from the one standing next to it at any given time, that the only way to find out if an outfit will look good on it, is for that body to try it on.

When trying clothes on, be sure to do so in a place where there are mirrors available that will show you the front, back, and side views. Take someone with you, if possible, who will be very truthful, even blatant, about whether an outfit works or does not. Try different styles, as you may be surprised at what styles fit your body type. Unless you try something, you will never know. If something obviously does not work though, no matter how good it looks on the hangar, be sure to pass!