Disguise Abdominal Bloating

No matter what weight you are, abdominal bloating is unattractive, is uncomfortable and may make it difficult to fit into ones clothing. Whether you're rail thin or have a bit of extra padding, there is no reason to show the world your belly. Additionally, some clothing and foods will accentuate the problem—depending on the cause. Read on for tips on how to disguise abdominal bloating and minimize its effects.



Address the cause of the abdominal bloating if possible but do not risk your health to look a few pounds lighter. While a one-time use of a diuretic may not hurt and help you fit into a special occasion dress, frequent or regular use can cause mineral depletion and other imbalances. If gas is the culprit, consult with your physician about diet and gas-relieving remedies that may be safely taken.

Eliminate or reduce sodium, carbonated beverages and sugary drinks from your diet whether your bloating is caused by your menstrual period or intestinal irregularity. Depending on the cause, and your general health, you may wish to cut back on fiber and lactose or milk as well as any known offenders in your diet which produce gas.

Wear hip huggers rather than waist-cut jeans or low-riders to best disguise abdominal bloating. This creates an illusion of a smaller stomach, whereas the other styles actually accentuate a puffy tummy. The alternative is pants or skirts with a loose-fitting waist.

Wear tops that flow from the waist or above. If you detest the sloppy look of T-shirts this makes for an attractive option. If this style does not suit you, or is unavailable, you can wear a belt around your waist and gather the bottom of the shirt at your sides.

Wear pants or skirts in dark solid colors or with vertical pin-stripes to slim the body line. This helps both to disguise abdominal bloating and weight gain.

Consider a vest, cardigan, or blazer depending on your style and the weather. Layers are an effective way to draw the eye away from ones stomach.

Enhance your looks from your chest up so that few will be looking at your pouch. An attractive neckline, attention-getting jewelry, scarves, a pleasing hairstyle and makeup will have you feeling good about how you look as well as work to disguise abdominal bloating.

Read more...

Develop Personal Style

How can someone develop their own personal style? Here are a few steps you can take toward creating that individual look that you want. Your clothes are a way of expressing yourself so do it properly!


Take an assessment of your overall current style, deciding if you are traditional, modern, fashion-forward, casual, hippie natural, etc.

Determine what you are trying to accomplish with your signature style - to be more memorable, develop an always chic look or have more fun with fashion.

Study famous tastemakers -- for example Karl Lagerfeld with his ponytail! Don't hesitate to imitate a look and make it your own, making sure it fits into your current style and personality.

Decide what you would be most comfortable changing -- your hair, wardrobe colors or accessories.

If you're choosing a striking new hairstyle or color, try the new look in stages to see how it works.

If you are choosing a bold new wardrobe color, start by incorporating it as a shirt, tie or scarf color to see how well it works for you.

Relying on accessories -- sunglasses, big pins, bright hosiery or vintage handbags -- is a safe, easy and inexpensive way to start a personalized look.

Experiment and alter your signature style piece as you grow more confident.
Once you have the groove of your signature look, be sure to change your supporting wardrobe frequently enough so that you don't look the same everyday.

Read more...

Determine Your Size in a Sewing Pattern

Sewing pattern sizing is different from off-the-rack sizing. So forget about what size you buy in the store and start making clothes that actually fit!

Measure yourself, or better yet, have a friend help you. Wear normal undergarments and measure your bust at its fullest part, waist, and hips. These are three key areas for choosing your pattern size, although many more specific measurements may be used later to customize the fit of your sewn garment.

If you are larger than a B cup, also measure your high bust. Place the tape measure just under your armpits and measure your upper chest. For the purposes of choosing a pattern size, this is your bust measurement.

Bust, waist, and hip are stated in inches. The black bar above states the corresponding size. Write down your measurements on a card that you can keep in your purse so that it's handy when you are pattern shopping. Look at the back of the pattern envelope, usually on the top flap, and find a chart with measurements and corresponding sizes.

If choosing a pattern for a dress, blouse, shirt, or top, follow your bust measurement (for B cup and smaller) or your high bust measurement (for C cup and larger). If you have a C cup or larger and choose the pattern based on your bust measurement, the garment will be too big in the shoulders and torso. You must choose based on the high bust measurement and later do a full bust adjustment before cutting the fabric.

For example, someone with a bust measurement of 36", a D cup, and a high bust measurement of 32" would choose size 10 from the sample pattern above. Someone with a bust measurement of 36" and a B cup would choose size 14.

If choosing a pattern for pants or a skirt, follow your waist measurement. Hips are easier to adjust than the waist. In the case of very full pants or full skirts, no adjustment is necessary.

If your measurement falls between numbers, generally you should choose the larger size. Making slight adjustment to the pattern is easier when going a size down than a size up.

choosing the right pattern size

Read more...

Determine Your Body Shape

Everyone is born with a certain type of body shape that no amount of dieting and exercise is ever going to change. Use the following tips to determine your body shape. This knowledge can help you determine which clothes are the most flattering to wear, and it can even help you create a fitness routine that will benefit you the most.


Become aware of the basic body shapes for men and women. Women most commonly fit into the category of pear/spoon, hourglass, apple or ruler. Men are usually categorized as ruler, apple or cone-shaped.

Look at yourself in the mirror. Decide what type of shape you think your figure is.

Take your measurements to provide more accurate information for determining your body shape. It's best to get someone to help you take your measurements since it is difficult to do on your own. Measure the across the middle of your chest (men) or breasts (women), and always exhale before measuring. The waist is measured 1 inch above you belly button, and your hips are measured at the widest spot.

Read your measurements to find out if you're pear-shaped/spoon-shaped. You'll typically be heavier on the bottom compared to the rest of your body, but it does not mean you're fat. A pear-shaped person has a significant difference in the measurement of their hips and chest, but not their chest and waist.

Determine if you're apple-shaped. If you are, then your waist measurements will be significantly larger compared to your hip and chest measurements.

Find out if you're a ruler or a cone. Ruler-shaped people have little difference between the measurements of their chest, waist and hips. Cone-shaped people have chest and waist measurements that are fairly close, but have hips that are about six inches or so smaller than their chests.

See if you're an hourglass. Hourglass-shaped people have chest and hip measurements that are very close to one another, but have a small waist. To be classified as a true hourglass, you waist needs to be at least 6 inches between your waist and chest and your waist and hips.

Read more...