Friday, February 11, 2011

Frazzled Fridays!

So What's a Body to Do?

Happy Friday to you!  I will announce the winner of last week's give-a-way in just a few minutes.

This week I will help you discover your body type!  The God of the universe created your body uniquely for you!  Oh, but you don't like your body?  Well, I suspect strongly that you are not alone.  However, I want to breathe some truth into your soul... In Psalm it says that God knit you together in your mother's womb.  Can you just picture that?  Do you have a family member who knits?  Or have you ever attempted it yourself?  I crocheted for a short period of time way, way back in my younger days.  My Granny taught me how.  It was really cool to just crochet until my little heart was content and have something to show for my time!  But I digress... I was hoping to put together a word picture for you with the whole knitting/crocheting thing.   God made your body specifically for you, for a purpose, on purpose... and He called it good.  Regardless of what we think of our body, the LORD calls it good.  Oh my, that just makes a girl smile!  

So let's get to discovering your body type.  First question to answer:  Where do you carry or gain the most weight?   There are four different body types: b, o, d, x.

If you are a B body type you generally gain or carry your weight in your belly and you have little to no rear end!
If you are an O body type you carry or gain weight in your bust and upper midriff area.  Generally a fuller figure and you have very nice legs!

If you are a D body type you carry and gain weight in your hips and thighs and generally have narrow shoulders and a small waist.

An X body type has shoulders and hips that are even (or balanced) and you have an indented waist.

The key to dressing is to look balanced and evenly proportioned like and X by the way we dress. The main thing you want to avoid is drawing attention to or accentuating your challenge area(s).

Ok, now what?  Here are some tips and tricks for each body type.

Someone who is a B body type should never tuck in their shirts. Be careful not to wear a shirt that is too tight around your belly.  These both draw the eye immediately to your belly.  Instead wear shirts (and jackets) that cover your fullest part.  A slimming trick is wearing v-neck shirts as it draws the eye upward.  Just be careful that these v-neck shirts are not too low cut.  The low cut shirts are a trend today, but you can always wear a tank or cami under it.

Stay away from pleated pants as they will make your midsection appear bigger.  Instead wear flat front or side zipper pants that are a relaxed fit/ full leg.   Tummy shapers are a nice addition to your wardrobe.

Slimming tricks: wear a top and bottom that are either the same color or of similar hue and intensity.  This is called   column or monochromatic dressing. Then wear a jacket that is in one of your pop colors.  You could wear a long scarf draping in front which draws the eye away from your tummy and lengthens you.  Accessorizing around the neck also draws the eye upward.

Now if you are an O body type YOUR BRA is the most important piece of your wardrobe!!  If you missed my post on bras, click here.   Beware of low cut or v-neck shirts.  You will most likely need a tank or cami under these.  I saw on TV there is this thing called Cami Secret.  I cannot specifically recommend this since I’ve not seen them personally or used them, but I thought it is a great idea so that you wouldn’t need an additional layer.
Prints look awesome on O body types as well as jackets!

Your pants need to have a slight flare, you may appear boxy if they are too wide at the bottom.  

Slimming tricks  for O's include the column/monochromatic dressing with the inside pieces the same color/hue; wear jackets; push sleeves up 3/4 length. 

For those who are a D body type, v-neck shirts are not the best because they make your shoulders/upper body look more narrow.  Better choices would be square or scoop neck or collars.  Shoulder pads which balance your shoulders and hips.  If you have questions about where and what kind of shoulder pads, please ask me!
 
Find pants that fit you in the hips and thighs and then have them taken in in the waist.  This may mean you need to go up a size but I'm telling you this really makes a difference when pants are taken in so they do not pull down in the back drawing more attention.  There are some manufacturers that are making pants for curvier shapes.  Hooray!  Make sure pants have a flared or wider leg; no skinny jeans.

Slimming tricks for D's: your monochromatic dressing should be with your outside pieces (outer shirt or jacket and pants).  Accessorize with necklaces or scarves drawing the eye upward.  And shoulder pads.

And for X body types, look for fuller tops (shirts) to go over skinnier bottoms and vice versa.  Belts are a must with pants.  With your body type you want to draw the eye in and then up.

The best slimming trick for X body types is look for dresses, shirts and jackets with a cinched in waist.  

The drawing was quite scientific; I wrote down all the names of those who commented on blogger as well as those who commented on Facebook in some form or fashion and then my sweet daughter drew a name from the bowl!  Ok...drum roll please... The winner of her very own swatch color kit is.... Shirley Bryant!  Congratulations Shirley!  I will touch base with you and will get your swatches to you asap!  


Blessings!


Dawn