Ready to Wear is NOT Ready to Wear!

I recently attended two formal events. I LOVE dressing up and getting "fancy". It seems to be a bit of a lost art these days.

Dressing up makes you feel beautiful and what that does for your confidence is immeasurable.

As I shared photos of my dress and received many compliments on my dresses, it occurred to me that NO ONE understands that the dress I wore was different than the dress I ordered. As a Stylist, I feel like an awareness must be brought to this topic.

You see, when I ordered the two dresses, I looked at the size charts (as everyone SHOULD do when shopping online), but guess what?! The sizes were not perfect for my measurements! Here is a truth: READY TO WEAR IS NOT READY TO WEAR!

Our bodies are all unique. The way a size 10 fits one person will not fit her friend in a size 10 in the same way EVEN IF they are both a size 10! Our bodies are unique in that we all are different heights, we have different body types, different proportions.

One thing MUST be known: Tailoring and alterations are the key to feeling beautiful and not frumpy in your clothes!

Here are some top tips:

If you are going to purchase a piece of clothing, you MUST fit it to your largest part. If that is your hips, you will need to tailor the waist. If you don't like the size that tag says (and you don't resell your clothes), cut out the tag! Sizing is inconsistent anyway!
If you are not comfortable in a piece of clothing, you will not wear it!
You will get the most compliments on the clothes you wear when you feel fabulous in them, they are comfortable, and customized to your body.
If you are making a purchase, love it enough to make the needed adjustments. Tailoring is not always expensive. Make this a factor in your purchase decision making process.

So, back to my story. Here is my first gown. I had to have the length altered and I had to have the straps taken up because they were too loose.

Now, here is my second gown. I had to have the length altered and I had to have the chest area taken in.

What do you think?

If you want to get compliments on your clothes and, most importantly, FEEL AMAZING, get to know your Tailor. It will make the pieces you add to your closet the favorite pieces you own!

Stylishly Yours,

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