What do you see when you look in the mirror?

     How many of us look in the mirror and see only our flaws?

  I worked with a beautiful woman  yesterday, helping her go shopping in her own closet.   She has lovely, wavey red hair, hazel eyes, and a curvey body.  When she put items on and looked in the mirror she saw only her flaws.   She  has a defined waistline but has been most comfortable wearing baggy tops since she has not lost all of the weight she gained when she had her daughter seven years ago.  

 The baggy tops actually make her look heavier.   Because I know that women  are most likely to  wear what they feel comfortable in, I needed to find a way to help her feel comfortable and wear her tops in a  figure flattering manner.   

 I suggested she have the tops we both liked taken in slightly on the sides or have darts put in for  more waist definition.    She did own a few form fitting tops including a shell but did not feel comfortable wearing the tops because she thought her hips and bun looked too big.   When she put a jacket on and left it open over the shell she loved the look.   She called it “The Bomb .”   I also taught her a technique she could use when she looks in the mirror to determine if something flatters her.     I am  hopeful that with time and using this new technique to look at herself  she will be able to focus on her “real beauty,” instead of  her flaws.

She was able to eliminate many  items in her closet that did not work and she now has some  new ways to mix and match  her clothes.   When she gets the other pieces of clothing altered she will have many more things to wear.  We are going shopping next week to fill in the remaining gaps in her wardrobe.  Because she hates to shop, I am going to do a little preshopping to make sure the places we go have  the items she is looking for.

Nancy Goldblatt,  “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,”  is a professionally trained Color 1, personal image consultant.  She specializes in working with women whose size or shape has changed and who have lots of clothes and nothing to wear.  She is also available to work with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas.  Contact her at 410-235-5325/ nrgoldblatt@gmail.com/ www.WardrobeWiz.com