Stop - forget that tight dress, it will not fit and the damage you will do to your personal and professional reputation is hard to predict.
Take a good look at this year's version of your body and follow a few fashion rules before you become a picture that tells a thousand unkind words.
Short women: (less than 5" 4) Avoid full skirts, big hair and lots of layers. Think of children at beauty pageants and shriek in horror! Choose clean, simple lines to flatter your petite frame and still look like an adult. Avoid gowns that will overpower you.
Tall Women: (over 5' 9) Forget about mini skirts and mini dresses, they are too risky on women who are not models. Choose flouncy fabrics with lots of layers to break up the long lines and soften your silhouette.
Backless dresses look beautiful on tall women. Keep your hair simple and understated.
Big Bottoms: Clothing ideals suggest that a ten inch difference between your chest waist and hips indicate perfect proportions, so unless you are 34 - 24 - 34 chances are you have a figure problem to take into
consideration. The man in your life may love your curves but everyone else will appreciate your discretion. Big-bottomed girls should avoid form fitting dresses and clingy material. Choose an A-line dress to keep the attention moving upwards toward your face.
Untoned Arms: If you are unsure about your arms, do the wave test in the mirror or pretend you are hailing a taxi. Did you see something distracting? If the answer is yes, you have untoned arms like every women over thirty-five other than Madonna and yoga instructors.
Choose a dress with sleeves or use a wrap, pashmina, and shawl over a strapless dress to expose your shoulders and cover your arms. Use a piece of statement jewelry to bring the attention to your face.
Big Tummy: Oh God! Have you ever been asked if you are pregnant when you are not? If so, you carry weight on your stomach and should invest in a pair of Spanx to smooth out the bulge and find something drapey to fall across your mid section. Avoid anything tight or form
fitting.
Thick Legs / Thick Ankles: Thick legs, thick ankles or the sun damaged aging version of saggy wrinkled knees must be covered in dark opaque tights and hemlines that stop at or below the knee. High boots should not cut into your leg and strappy sandals shouldn't have a bulge from
your calf or ankle.
If you can't get your head around the rules find a good salesperson to help you find the right dress for the holiday season.
Plan ahead with your clothes to further your good reputation rather than ruining it. Tis the season.
