In
all cultures dress provides a means of adornment and decoration. The physical
self can be made to seem more desirable and more attractive by the use
of certain clothing styles, hairstyles, cosmetics and even posture. The
need to feel we belong, to be like others, is one we all share. At the
same time we also have another need equally important: the need to be
individual.
The purpose of this newsletter is to deal with the elegance of personal adornment and its relation to fashion; the art of being well dressed concerning you, your identity, and your physical self and your role in life. This letter is a philosophical extension of my career in artistic dress design and teaching.
Sharing Secrets
Everyone admires a beautifully turned out woman. We all wonder what her secret is. What is the secret of the well-dressed woman? She appears to possess a harmony, which resembles beauty, but rather is a work of art; the spirit and intelligence to strive for her individua1ity. By the use of details and colors within the accepted mode and by application of "art elements" to clothing can accomplish a sense of pride in one's own unique individuality. This is the secret of the well-dressed woman. The Romans expressed it in one word, decorum, that which is suitable; suitable and in harmony with your character, your personality, the inside you and the outside you. That which is suited to your role in life.
The image you create can be an expression of a state of mind. Clothes have their personalities too. There are clothes that sing, clothes that weep, clothes that threaten. There are gay, mysterious, exciting, elegant and authoritative clothes. What a variety! What freedom we have to select whatever we desire, however we feel - so long as it is suitable to the time, circumstance and our role in life!
How can we approach this subject of dress-image with freedom to express ourselves? Well let's put first things first: Simplicity should be our aim, with traditional good taste while being contemporary in spirit. Simplicity is a word that has been used by artists for centuries and remains a principle of primary importance. Simplicity in a work of art is uncomplicated, defined and reduced to the fewest possible lines, shapes and colors. These elements are necessary for a design to communicate to the observer at first glance. Isn't this our goal? We too want to communicate at first glance
A rule of thumb that applies to good design, is one to which no more can be added, and at the same time, one to which nothing can be taken away without leaving an emptiness or a feeling of incompleteness. The well-dressed woman is aware of this rule in every look she creates. Stand before the mirror and give yourself the test! How does your Image rate?
Bare
Facts
Body!
Line! Shape! Silhouette! Geometry is in! Shape is now! Line is new!
What is your shape? What shape are you in? Are you afraid to look?
Don't worry help is on the way! Most of us are critical of our bodies.
We invent imaginary faults and exaggerate real ones. We rarely accept
ourselves happily for what we are. We diet, exercise and worry. Worry
no more! Aristotle once said, "Man, know thyself!" The well-dressed
woman knows who she is and where she is going. She is aware of what
she has to work with and what not! What about you? Take inventory
of yourself. Let's get the facts, the bare facts. Then we can produce
that illusion: the illusion of real proportions.
There is one simple way we can improve our appearance instantly: we can choose clothes designed to diminish our figure problems. We can select clothes that enhance. We can learn to understand and use the tools of designers: lines, color, shape, and texture. These help to create the illusion of a well-proportioned figure.
Few of us see ourselves objectively, we often focus on the wrong problem. To find your true shape, stand before a full length mirror in bra and panties. Let someone outline around your reflection with a crayon. Now, study yourself carefully. Do not be self-conscious. Very few women have perfect proportions, not even top fashion models. They learned early in life how to emphasize their assets and obscure their less perfect features.Analyze what you see. Are your shoulders slightly wider than your hips? Is your waist narrow enough to compliment both? Here is a formula to your ideal proportions:
 |
Top
of head to waist = 1/3 of total height. Waist to floor = 2/3 of height. Some
experts believe the following is a truer proportion: |
Write down the words that apply to you in this checklist:
- Is my figure average, plump, slender, short, tall
- What is the shape of my face: round, oval, long, angular?
- Is my neck long and thin, short and thick or average?
- Are my shoulders narrow, sloping, broad, square or round?
- Do I have a tummy bulge?
- Through the bust, am I extra full, medium, shallow busted or high?
- Am I short, long wasted, or average?
- Are my arms long and thin, long and full, short and fat, short and thin, or normal?
- Is my waistline large, medium or small?
- Are my hips too large, medium or average?
- Do I have a prominent derriere?
- How would I describe my legs?
- Are my ankles thick, thin or medium?
- Any other figure problems or assets?
Now that you have the bare facts, do not be dismayed! I promised you, help is on the way. You can produce the illusion of the ideal silhouette! Clothes can make the difference. You can appear taller, shorter, thinner, etc.
What do your clothes do for you?
In the Part Two of Efrocine's Wardrobe Hints, we'll discuss strategy, using the tools of design to create the ideal illusion of the bare facts. GO THERE NOW
"From Zion, in perfect beauty, God shines forth." (Psalm
50:2)
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