Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

Swim wear for real women with real curves

By Image Development & Management, Inc

What are the bathing fashions this summer that will make you look your best?

Bathing suits can show us off at our best if we choose wisely but they can also show us off at our worst.

Not everyone should, or even want to wear the string bikinis you see in the magazines!

How do you choose a bathing suit that is right for you?

Bathing suits can vary so much, you really have to start with your body type and comfort level. What are your best assets, how can swim wear show them off? What are your least flattering assets, and how can one properly conceal them in a bathing suit?

• First: are you a one piece or two piece woman?  There are some really great, sexy one piece suits , so don’t feel that swim wear is boring just because you may not want to wear a bikini.  There are also some great two piece suits that are quite figure flattering and don’t completely reveal everything!
  
• Secondly: What type of neck line will best flatter you?  A large chest does better with a halter top or bras style top that separates the bosom.  If you are less endowed, or more athletic, a bandeau top shows off good shoulders and arms.
  

The coverage of the top can vary as well.  A sports bra type top will be more supportive but will make the chest look flat.   A string bikini top has no support but show it all off

• Thirdly: what will work best for your legs?   If you have thick short legs a higher leg opening will be more flattering.   Skinny or long legs can wear the lower rise or boy brief type leg.
  
• Finally: What kind of converage do you want for your bottom?  For maximum coverage find a “swim skirt” or a “swim short” which does not cling as tightly to the body.  A Full Coverage brief will give you more coverage then a Bikini brief, and of course the least coverage is the thong.

Now what about Design elements for modesty:  Show off the curves you want to be seen and hide the curves you’d like to keep unnoticed.

Rouching: a great design element that adds texture to the fabric and cleverly hides many extra curves we may not want to show off in our swim wear.

Ruffles: another design element that adds volume to the swim piece while hiding or distracting from volume on the body

Color block: uses bold shapes with contrast that create lines in the design These contrasting shapes can hide curves you don’t want to show off and create the illusion of curves were there may not be any

Seaming: also creates lines in the design by placing enhanced seams in the right places to help draw the eye in direction you want it to go.

Look for stores that have “mix and match” collections so you have more choices for the exact needs of your body.  We recommend J.Crew, Lands End, and Athleta.

What swimsuit do you have that you feel attractive and comfortable wearing?

What Does a Bride Wear for her Second Wedding?

By Image Development & Management, Inc.

It can be tricky to find the right dress for a second wedding – especially if you are the bride!

In a traditional first wedding the bride usually wears a full white gown in white to symbolize her “purity.” However, it may come across as inappropriate for a second wedding to resemble the first one especially if there are children from the first marriage.

More often a second wedding is somewhat reserved with less fuss and commotion. But every wedding is always a special day that represents and celebrates the union of two people who love each other.

So how do you choose a dress that is reserved enough for a tasteful wedding while still expressing the glamour of this splendid occasion? The bride’s dress should reflect the mood and feel of the wedding.

Consider the location. A barefoot-on-the-beach wedding calls for a completely different type of dress from a ceremony held in a church.

Time of day. A daytime wedding is going to be softer and less glitzy than an evening affair.

Number of guests. A full- length gown could be overwhelming at a small, intimate wedding.

Style of Wedding. Will the nuptials be a formal affair or a casual gathering? Your wedding dress should be in harmony with the suggested attire for the guests. Black tie requires a more formal gown then a garden party setting.

Color of dress. Try to stay away from white or ivory and other traditional colors for the second wedding. Bridal type dresses come in a variety of shades beyond white and ivory. In fact many mother –of- the- bride collections feature simple silhouettes such as a sheath. These can be elegant and flattering choices for a bride on her second wedding.

Mother –of- the- bride collections.

Jordan Fashions	Jordan Fashions	Alfred Angelo

If you really want to wear white at your second wedding look for a dress that combines white with another color to make it less traditional and “pure”.

Alfred Angelo	Alfred Angelo	Jordan Fashions

A gorgeous cocktail length dress can be as striking as a full length gown.

A cocktail-style dress is ideal for a more intimate evening wedding.  There are great bridesmaid collections that offer some wonderful selections in this style.

Alfred Angelo	Alfred Angelo

The shorter length dress for a Daytime second wedding is more casual in feel and is another great option.

A bride can find simple elegant dresses that are flattering and will not break the bank.

Donna Rico Bridal	J.Crew Bridal	Anne Taylor weddings

For a second wedding, go ahead and have fun with the accessories.

Find classic evening shoes with a bit of color and character.

Your Jewelry can make a bigger statement.  Traditionally, a bride does not want her jewelry to outshine her dress for her a second wedding, she can exercise a little more freedom.  If the dress is simple, she can really let her personality shine through with a fabulous necklace and other accessories.

Rather than a long veil, consider a cage veil or great hair accessories: they should be beautiful and composed, but can also be playful.

What do you think would be perfect look for a woman’s second wedding?