The Art of Disguise
August 20, 2021
Disguising an expanding waistline – my style secrets…

Whilst some people gained weight during lockdown, I put my mind to loosing a little. I think it was something I could have control over and it made me feel better about the chaos and uncertainty around me. But since restrictions have lifted, wining and dining has become my new normal. I know some people may look at these images and feel I have nothing to worry about, but this is about personal comfort zones and comfortable is something which several of my clothes are currently not! My wearable wardrobe is shrinking before my eyes, so until I get back into a healthier routine, I’II need to think creatively with my outfit choices.
These are my styling secrets to help disguise some of the summer holiday indulgences…
- Smock dresses – our saving grace this summer! Loose fitting, cool and comfortable and not a muffin top in sight.
- Shirt dresses – shirt dresses are so on trend this summer. By tying the belt above your tummy this keeps the focus on your slimmest part. A slightly fuller skirt can help to disguise the extent of the tummy bulge too!
- Try keeping bottoms more fitted and tops looser (or oversized) – stretchy high waisted jeggings (best in a relatively thick denim) will help secure any spare tyres. Team with a bubble hem top or tops tied at the bottom to skim over (not cling to) your stomach.
- Be brave with prints! A print will provide an excellent distraction from unwanted lumps or bumps – always a winner.
If you are anything like me, my weight fluctuates throughout the year. It doesn’t mean you need to buy more clothes, or size up. Personal styling is about finding the most flattering clothes to make the most of our bodies, so have a play with the clothes in your wardrobe to find your most flattering combinations.
For more personal styling advice visit www.styleandcolour.co.uk
or email me wendy@styleandcolour.co.uk

The short answer? Yes! But wait for it, there’s more to it than that! Shopping sustainably requires you to buy only things you know you will wear so let’s make sure you find the right yellow for you. Buying the wrong tone might leave you looking a tad under the weather and less likely to wear your new purchase again and again.

Now that the decorations are back in the loft (?), there is no better time for a fresh start, a declutter (or I prefer to use the word 'edit') - it's time to take back control. Of course, this will mean different things for different people. It might be eating more healthily, drinking less alcohol, sorting the finances, organising your wardrobe or clearing out the kitchen cupboards. For me, it's about re-evaluating my priorities in business and ensuring I am working as effectively as possible (oh and all of the above too of course!) .