Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2013 | Page 87

FASHION HEALTH & BEAUTY Summer BRIGHTS Shade: Choose a colour and tone to flatter your natural colouring. As a general rule, the darker you are (hair/ eyes/skin tone), the clearer the colour. If you have a lighter overall look, colours should be softer and more muted. You don’t want the colour to overpower you! Tone: Again, as a general rule, if you have dark or olive skin, or skin that tans easily, choose warm colours which have a yellow undertone such as coral or apple green. If you have paler, more translucent skin that doesn’t tan easily, colours with blue undertones like lilac and pink, will be more flattering. Prints: Choose a print which is proportionate to your build. Large, bold prints can overpower petite ladies whilst small delicate designs tend to get lost on a larger frame. Trousers: The correct trouser length can make or break an outfit! If you are petite, make sure cropped trousers are not too long as they will make your legs look even shorter. Equally, trousers flapping around the ankles will make legs look shorter than they really are. Wear floor-sweeping trousers with heels or wedges to lengthen legs. Skirt Length: Aside from maxi dresses which should be floor-skimming, the most flattering length for skirts and dresses is on or just below the knee. This gives a good balance between the top and bottom half and shows some shapely lower leg! Dresses: One of the slimmest parts of the body is just below the bust. A seam or band at this point will make you appear slimmer whilst soft gathers will help disguise a fuller waist or tummy. If you have a shapely waist (not necessarily slim) a dress which nips in at the waist with a flared or A-line skirt, will give you a fabulous hourglass shape. Striped top £50: ELIZABETH PACK Turquoise vest £16.95, Ochre strappy vest £11.95, Blue/green print dress £65: MIA White long sleeved top £73.50: THE OLD SMITHY Scarf £12, White cut-off jeans £39.95: MIA Jersey print dress £79: ELIZABETH PACK Coral pink jersey dress £50: THE OLD SMITHY White linen trousers £64.95: MIA Spotted scarf £28.50, Tote Bag £39.95: THE OLD SMITHY Navy sandals £12, Turquoise beaded sandals £26: MIA Necklines: V-shaped necklines flatter most shapes, particularly a fuller bust. Wrap tops make the most of a smaller bust. www.visitislandlife.com 87