The New Slimmer Me - Who Is She?

You have made the decision, stopped the excuses and faced your embarrassment. You have dropped weight and are well on your way to your target goal weight.

Suddenly you are scared. Who is this new woman who is emerging from under the protective layers of weight? There is less of you weight-wise but more of you emotional-wise that is being exposed. With less weight, people notice and compliment you more. How is the new you going to dress?

Dropping weight means changing your mindset and your dressing habits. Here are three smart dressing tips to help you dress for the new confident you.

Your Covering Changes not Your Basic Body Shape

Many women believe that when they drop weight, they change from a large, rounded apple shape to an hourglass shape. That is not true.

Your basic body shape is determined by your bones and the width of your shoulders. These do not change. Only your covering over them is changing. As you drop weight, your true body shape will become obvious and more defined. Now is the time to become excited about who you really are.

Look at your shoulder, waist and hip width in the mirror. If all three are the same width, you are rectangular. If your shoulders are the widest, you are inverted triangle. If your hips are the widest, you are pear-shaped. If your shoulders and hips are virtually equal and your waist is smaller, you are hour-glass. If your waist is the widest, you are an apple shape.

Read articles and books on body shapes and how to dress for yours or book a consultation with an Image Consultant.

Styles that Work for all Body Shapes

Crossover tops and jackets are great for changing body shapes. Choose ones with ties so that you can wrap them tighter as you drop dress sizes. Retailers, pattern books and some party plan clothing companies have wrap jackets that can be worn many different ways. This is a money-saving option to expand your wardrobe and look fashionable while continuing to lose weight.

Modern wrap dresses and classic shift dresses suit every woman. Wear one with a self-tie or belt and you can bring it in a few sizes as you slim down. Tops, shirts and dresses with a princess line from the shoulder flatter all body shapes. Take the side seams in as you get smaller. Do not safety-pin side seams. That is sending a negative message to your mind and body.

Clothes that skim your body make you feel good about yourself.

Quality or Cheap & Cheerful

It is your call. Both do the job. You can go to shops that sell classic styles in good quality fabrics at a reasonable price. If necessary, have them altered to fit. Alternatively go to a discount store, outlet centre or boutique stores that have cheaper, fashionable clothes. Try the second-chance or charity shops. It is not about the price. It is how you wear it.

Do buy new clothes and new underwear. Waiting until you reach your magic goal weight is denying yourself the pleasure of the journey. Tell yourself you are worth the effort and the cost of looking nice whatever your weight and size.

Magic Tip:

Raise your skirts and show some leg. Best skirt length is just below the knee. Second best is just below the widest part of your calf. Add nice shoes. People will love the new you because you are doing what many women over 40 are scared to do. You are showing your legs.

Discover the new you as you make dropping weight an exciting journey not a punishing chore.