How To Find Your Style: Helpful Hints From Helene Esdaile (Part 2)

We’ve all seen women in the street or at a function that catch our eye. There’s something about the way they look that’s fantastic, but what is it?

Well, according to Helene Esdaile who has designed for and dressed women in Australia for over 40 years there are two essential things to consider:

To begin with, many of us wear the wrong colours. As we age we have to re-think what colours suit us - this applies to hair and make-up too. There are colour consultants who can help you with selecting the most flattering colours and don’t forget that all the make-up counters at the big department stores have make-up artists who can give personal consultations.

Secondly, we often buy clothes that don’t suit our body shape. We may wishfully think we can still wear certain styles but there are other choices that may be far more flattering.

Below are some hints and steps Helene suggests we all take to make a fresh, and maybe long overdue, assessment of our body shape and our strong points -

What’s a good way to assess our body shape?

• According to Helene, the illusion most women want to achieve is to look taller and slimmer.
• She recommends that we stand in front of the mirror in our underwear. (If you have a rear vision mirror to see your back too then so much the better.)
• Be realistic, without being too hard on yourself and  don’t be discouraged. You may not have done this exercise before but it’s well worth the time and effort. You’ll see a different ‘you’ emerging.

Look at your feet first and ask yourself -

• Do I look and feel better in a bit of a heel?
• If so, how high can I go and still feel comfortable?
• Do ‘low cut’ shapes that show the toe creases look good?
• Do straps suit my ankles and toes?
• Are my feet and toes a nice shape and well groomed? This is particularly important if you’re keen to wear peep-toes and sandals

Now for the legs. Are your legs your best feature?

• If yes, then show them off by finding a skirt or dress length that sits on or just above your knee where it looks best. Always make sure with skirts and dresses that the hem doesn’t finish at the widest part of the calf. Consider an uneven hem - it can be very flattering
• If your legs aren’t a strong point, then pants are the best solution but make sure you wear the right shaped leg to suit your proportions

Next, look at your torso. Fine-tuning this area can make such a difference.

• What do you want to hide - big thighs, hips, tummy, rolls of fat, no waist, big bust, round shoulders?
• What are your good points? - slim hips, little waist, straight shoulders, flat tummy?
• Note that clothes that are gently shaping are best, so avoid anything that’s just too tight or too baggy

Now move up to your shoulders -

• If they’re rounded or sloping make sure you wear clothes that have a well cut shoulder line
• Generally avoid dropped shoulder lines and raglan sleeves
• With sleeves, most of us like to cover our upper arms so make sure the sleeves are interesting and an integral part of the design - not just an add-on for the sake of it
• If you do want to go sleeveless, aim for a high cut under the arms and not too scooped on the chest
• If you like to wear a camisole-top, consider a sheer shirt in a fine cotton voile to provide that extra cover

And your neckline?

• Many women are very conscious of this area and try to cover it up but too much fabric around the face can be draining
• Consider some light fake tan as it covers blemishes and sets a flattering tone
• Big busts look best in V-shaped necklines
• Collars that stand away from the neck are very flattering
• Structured collars that sit flat like a man’s suit are not always great - they tend to look severe
• Women look best with softness around their face

back to top