Image Consultants
New Zealand Image Consultants
Look and feel great with advice from a New Zealand image consultant, or follow our guide to dressing for success. Read on for your own body shape style guide: whether you're a pear, an apple, a rectangle or an hourglass shape you can look fantastic.
If you weren't born with the fashion gene or you're lacking in confidence about your choice of clothing, consult a professional New Zealand image consultant or take our tips onboard for better fashion choices.
Do I need an NZ image consultant?
A New Zealand stylist will teach you to dress for success in both your personal and professional life. Rather than diagnosing your fashion ailments, a New Zealand image consultant will offer constructive advice and teach you how to look your best, with:
- Colour analysis: colour can enhance or detract from your appearance. Colours that suit you best will complement your skin tone and hair colour. An expert analysis will help you find these colours and teach you how to combine and co-ordinate them for best effect. You will be placed in one of the four seasons, according to which colour selection is right for you: summer, winter, autumn or spring. At the end of the session, you may be given a selection of material swats to make sure you can apply your new fashion know-how when you hit the shops.
- Style analysis: your body size and shape should be shown to good advantage by your choice of clothing. A professional style analysis will teach you which lines, cuts, styles and details suit your body (height, size and body shape). The most helpful consultants will offer you a booklet with clear illustrations of styles which will flatter your figure – it's all a matter of hemlines, accessories, styles and necklines!
- Wardrobe planning: often, the hardest thing is shopping efficiently and effectively. How many times have you bought something you love (which looks fantastic), only to find you've got nothing to wear it with? A stylist can help you avoid this frustration, by teaching you the art of co-ordination. Your wardrobe may not need to be so extensive, because you'll be able to co-ordinate individual items in a variety of ways, using accessories to complement and change the look of an outfit.
- Skin care and makeup: a stylist may also offer services in skin care and application of makeup. With this help, you'll be able to complement your fashion sense with great skin and immaculate makeup. Department stores and specialty shops offer affordable (or free) makeovers. If you choose this option, don't feel pressured to buy all the make-up they have used. Ask for a list of all products; you might want to shop around for more affordable options or buy a selected few products, rather than all those that have been suggested.
Can I decide for myself what to wear?
Follow these tips to be assured of fashion success for your body type:
You're a pear if your upper body is smaller than your lower body and you tend to gain weight on your hips and thighs. You might also have narrow shoulders, a small bust, a well-defined waist, and curvy hips and bottom. To be a perfect pear:
- Broaden the line of your shoulder with cowl necked or wide necked garments
- Bring the focus to your waist or above, with fitted or tailored tops
- Draw attention away from wide hips with dark colours on the bottom of your body and lighter colours on top
- Try wearing jeans or pants with a bootleg cut, rather than tapered jeans or pants with detail around the hip line
- Try an A-line skirt, rather than a straight fitted skirt
- Give the appearance of a bigger bust with shirts that have detail or pockets at the bustline
- Avoid plunging necklines – they will only emphasize a small bust
- Wear shirts and jackets that are either short or long, not ones that fall to the height of your hips
You're an apple if your upper body is larger than your lower body and you gain weight around your waist. You may have a full face, broad shoulders, an undefined waist, slim legs and a medium to full bust. To be an adorable apple:
- Wear straight tops that lengthen your upper body. Avoid fitted tops which emphasize a larger middle area
- Draw attention to your legs
- Avoid shoulder pads, horizontal stripes and sleeves which emphasize broad shoulders. V-necks are a good option
- Flatter your waist with empire line dresses and A-line skirts
- Wear skirts with a tailored fit and avoid gathered or bulky skirts.
- Wear a tunic style dress – this will draw attention away from an undefined waist and draw the eye to your great legs
You're an hourglass if you're curvy, with a well-defined waist and you gain weight evenly all over your body. You may have shoulders and hips of the same width, a full bust and shapely legs. To be an enviable hourglass:
- Wear clothes that give your body a more elongated appearance
- Accentuate your waist with waistbands, belts or wraparound tops which tie at the waist
- Soften your curves with looser fitting clothing
- Draw attention away from your bust with open necklines (V-neck or U-neck) and medium or long sleeves. Avoid clingy fabrics, large patterns or prints, and very short sleeves
You're a rectangle if you're straight up and down, without many curves, and you gain weight evenly all over your body. You may have a broad back, an undefined waist and slender legs. To be a right-on rectangle:
- Wear clothing that creates an illusion of curves
- Create a feminine look with V-neck and U-neck tops
- Draw attention to your legs and thighs
- Avoid belts that accentuate a thick waist
- Try wearing a longer jacket with a short skirt to visually lengthen the upper body
- Avoid gathered or pleated fabric at the waist
- Try wearing a drop-waisted skirt, which will slenderize the line of your body
Whatever your body type, and whether or not you choose to consult a professional New Zealand stylist, the most important thing to remember is that your body should be celebrated. You're born with a beautiful body and - with a healthy lifestyle - you can stay feeling and looking good. When you feel good in your skin, you'll look great, whatever your style.
Looking for more information? Find New Zealand image consultants in the NZS.com directory.
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Lifestyle images from Flickr: Purple Flowers, Yoga and Wine.
