What can I wear? Or how to plan your winter wardrobe

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 17

What can I wear? Or how to plan your winter wardrobe

Liz Davies

| With ' the changing seasons comes the thought of winter clothes and what is necessary to add (o the wardrobe to be reasonably up-to-date. This is a very personal matter, but each,of.us has some problem. Take colour. We all have days when we receive compliments and cannojt think why! Often it is because the colour we have chosen really goes with our hair and skin. Most people are aware of a favourite, and make a wardrobe around that shade. Now-a-days there are professionals to help if you cannot seem to get it right.; Theirs is advice to be taken and added to' your personal knowledge, not necessarily treated as law! Personally, my problems! is that after being a brunette for many years my hair changed colour reasonably rapidly to what is kindly classified by my hairdresser as blond and by my family

as white. Old standby colours! just don’t look as good, and more vibrant colours seem to be needed. Tllis fact has to be thought of with any hair colobr change, as that striking new redhead will tell you. A Ishopper’s most handy help is an honest friend. When out to spend your harq-fought dollars having someone to look at the back view, still seen by 50 per bent of the population, is important. . Byyers usual!}' know their weaknesses. For instance. if shoulders tend to buckle on you take spaije . pair of shoulder pads in your purse and see -if popping one in place makes things hang bettier.

I recently saw ah attractive news reporter wearing a beautiful press — lovely at the neck and waist but with deep creases from the middle of her shoulders to| her armpits. I felt that it she had looked at herself before appearing on camera she would have realised an extra pad would, make the outfit perfect. Looking in the mirror is also a must. Faults seem to show up more distinctly in mirroii image, so allow time for buying and if necessary go back another ; day to inake sure. Many stores have skilled assistants who will not allow . you to buy something unflattering, and will gently steer you to more suitable

styles. Another myth is that if you are less than slender looser clothes will hide the fact. Actually, more tailored and well fitted pants and skirts can reduce the visual effect by centimetres while dark colours give a trimmer look. This season has many beautiful styles to choose from and, I think the great debate will be length. As the summer has progressed, skirts haveishortened. It gives a carefree feeling to be able to dash about without a trailing skirt and get into the car with no fear of a hem in .'the gutter. The swirling skirts are still there for occasions, but now is the time to try on a shorter length and often be pleased and excited by the newer look. As civilisation catches up with us and central heating becomes-more of a fact and not just mentioned in American magazines, so the fabrics are changing. We are seeing Coolwool so fine and light it is worn in the Northern Hemisphere summers, and is very suitable for winter here. So maybe a heavy overcoat for those frosty mornings ahead, but underneath a woolmix, Cool Wool, or manmade fibres will now be enough for heated workplaces and homes. ‘‘A little of what you fancy does you good" is a familiar saying and I think it applies to appearances. If you feel happy in something the chances are you will look good. But "remember to take advice and find out whether lengths and fit can be improved with the help of a pad or hem lift.