Feel good, look good

Press, 4 August 1987, Page 4 (Supplement)

Feel good, look good

“Press Fashion” has a new columnist. Kirsty Lay, a top model and a partner in a Christchurch agency, begins writing this month on how to take a positive, practical approach to fashion.

Fashion for most of us, is simply what we wear, or would like to wear. We don’t analyse it too deeply. When buying a new outfit we ask ourselves: Is it attractive? Is it becoming? Is it going to fill a need? Can I afford it? But there was a time when such a list would seem incomplete without the crucial question: Is it correct for a woman of my age? Not that the answer then was difficult. There were hard and fast categories — the debutante, young matron, matron, elderly woman — all marked by different styles of dressing. Now attitudes have changed due to the expansion and change oi women’s role in society. No longer are we restricted by age — our biggest drawback is attitude. As the American designer, Calvin Klein, said: “If you feel good about yourself ... if you’re active, you’re bound to have a younger attitude. And it shows in everything.” Gone are fashion’s rigid rules of earlier years. We can now relate to personal taste and be true to ourselves. Don’t feel obliged to be your “age,” you are the age you project. Women of the 1980 s cannot be categorised. We have first mothers at 40, and career starters at 50. Learn to accept your age and welcome the idea. Exchange the uncertain dew of youth for the elegance and confidence of maturity. Looking younger is not looking like you did 10 years ago; beauty is about accepting and being yourself. Recognise your shortcomings and your qualities and be able to take from fashion what suits you, and not be dictated to or ruled by fashion fads and trends. Select aspects of fashion and apply them individually where suitable. However, beauty can only come with care and attention. No matter how young, how old, or what you have got on, if the grooming is not there, forget it It’s grooming and comfort then clothes. There is nothing more ageing than a dated make-up or a dated hairstyle, and there is nothing less elegant than a shabby appearance or ungroomed clothes.

Take time for yourself and trim or restyle your hair every 8 weeks. Learn about the latest make-up and pay attention to your over-all appearance. Look for a healthy lifestyle full of vitality and optimism. Assess your diet and exercise programme, level of stress, and self-esteem, and find areas of strengths and weaknesses. Do not be put off by your shortcomings, but look for ways to improve them.

You may not be someone who enjoys a rigid exercise programme and the chances of maintaining one may be unrealistic. Don’t fret, find areas of exercise you enjoy (e.g. walking, biking, swimming) and add these to your daily lifestyle. Change habits, instead of taking a lift use the stairs, do not drive your children to school or drive to the shops if they are within walking distance. Dieting is always hard, and is made harder if you cut out all the joys of eating with one big bang. Jot down everything you eat and drink for a period of a week. This makes it easy to see where your weaknesses lie. Then cut down one by one on the obvious fattening foods (e.g. sugar in your coffee, cakes, desserts, dressings, sauces, alcohol, etc.). With honest dedication, you will be amazed at the results. Ff

The whole routine of day-to-day living is riddled with stressful situations. The trick is to make this stress a positive, not a negative feeling. Think back to all the pleasurable experiences you have had and then try and remember if there was any stress involved. In most situations there would have been. The mere organising of a fun event can be a little stressful. So ... next time you are feeling a little weighed down, think of all the positive things that will result.

It is easy to look at others around you and experience a feeling of admiration or envy. It may be their beauty, their lifestyle, or any number of reasons. Work out why you feel this way and learn by it. With a willingness to change and a positive outlook you will feel better about yourself. And remember ... feeling good is looking good.