Style Dr: Lockdown weight gain – Please help!

A: You are not alone! So many of us have gained weight due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not surprising, considering the increase in stress, gyms being closed, families being cooped up together and working home office with a limitless supply of munchies available! This has left many feeling low, but long as your health has not been negatively impacted, there is a lot to be thankful for:    A) You have an amazing, healthy body!  B) You have enough food 😉 C) Beauty does not come in one size- yes, it really doesn’t!   Looking attractive is dependent on dressing well for your shape rather than being some elusive “ideal weight”. Knowing what your body type is and how to dress it is key to loving your body and feeling good at any size. Your shape is unique, and the types of styles that will look good on you depend on where you put your weight on. This is largely determined by your genetics and not by how many lunges and crunches you have done.   This said, there are three effective tips I can give you that will help anyone who is feeling self conscious about their wobbly bits:  

1. Avoid eye catching prints, details, belts and ending hem lines across your wide bits – you know, the area you are most concerned about – this could be hips for some, waist for others, thighs or calves. Do, however show off and celebrate your best bits such as your shapely, slender parts or neckline and face.

 

2. Wear a “column of colour”- bring the same or similar colour from the bottom of your outfit all the way to the top – a suit or maxi dress would be obvious examples, but what about trying a matching top and bottom with a contrast jacket? This will emphasise the length of your body, automatically slenderise you, making you look slimmer, taller, and super slick!

 

3. Treat your body to right-sized clothing and buy a size up. Spilling over the top of your pants, or busting out of your shirt is not a good look, or a good feeling – and you deserve better. If you know this state will only be temporary, buy loose cut or stretch clothing that can shrink and expand with you, or be taken in later by a tailor.

  This fashion strategy should help tide you over until you have some normality in your life and are able to tackle “weighty issues”. You don’t need to let your weight stop you from feeling confident.  Often, we miss the good parts of our bodies and focus on the negatives. If you just can’t see any positives, get yourself to a trained stylist who can point them out to you and give you the know-how to show them off.    Wishing you body-positive thoughts!   Faye   Subscribe to my blog in the top right hand corner of this page and be kept up todate with FREE style tips and feel-good fashion advice. If you need personal coaching or would like your question answered by the style dr, post me a message in the chat box or fill out the contact form below. To explore personal stylist and colour services, go to my services page where you will find further details and pricing.