Fashion & Pageants
Fix the
Inside
to Flaunt the
Outside
Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe
M
any people seem to
believe that life is all
about having enough
money to slavishly follow every
passing fad. But when it comes to
fashion, nothing could be a bigger
lie. Just because it is the latest thing,
it does not mean that it will look good
on you.
It is all very well to admire something
on a celebrity on TV or another person
walking down the street. But it becomes
important to look at yourself honestly in
the mirror before you dash into a shop to
buy the exact same thing.
The brightly coloured figure-hugging
dresses that are currently in vogue are
a case in point. Most women are going
for them because they solve the colourblocking puzzle in one move. Because of
their many colours, the dresses give room
for one to try out different coloured shoes
and handbags, as well as jewelry.
For the women whose bodies go with
the look, it is a great looking style that just
says they are bold, sassy and not afraid
to try out new ideas. They just slip the
dress on and all they have to do is add their
accessories and they are good to go.
But the catch is that the styles of the
dresses and the thin materials may show some
aspects that the wearer may not have intended
to parade. I do not know if anyone really
intends to show their orange peel skin in some
unmentionable parts of the body to everyone.
Not to mention the jiggling bits of flesh that
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The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine
zero every eye inexorably on the things that you
may not want anyone focusing on.
So am I saying that people who are not slim
and firm-bodied should wear shapeless sacks
and be passed over by trends until they adopt a
diet plan and hit the gym? Not at all, but I think
one should devise a way of making the fashion
work for them as an individual. Every body size
and shape is beautiful in its own unique way,
but it is up to the owner to present it in the best
light.
For example, the use of cossets will improve
the silhouettes of any person, but is key for
those with flabby tummies, thighs and bottoms.
And the cosset of today is a far cry from the
uncomfortable ones that used to half-strangle
the wearer in the past. Women in the fifties and
sixties would squeeze themselves into the wire
and lace contraptions to create hourglass figures
and emerge at the end of the day with painful
bruises.
Thank goodness that someone finally decided
to show that comfort and style belong together
and designed some user-friendly upgrades. Now
you have a variety of flattering shapes, sizes,
colour and material that feel as good as ordinary
underwear.
With prices ranging from as low as US$5 for
a pair of body-firming tights, every fashionconscious woman can afford to invest in at least
two pairs to make sure that she looks good every
day. Some even come with matching sports-like
bras if extra help is needed in that department
for a complete support system.
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