What we see vs What we are

October 13, 2023

I talk about this a lot with my customers, and mostly it's to make them feel comfortable about being at peace with their bodies.  It's my job to fit their body, not the other way around (their job to fit my garment).  That means when a client comes to me, I'm the first one to say - I don't care what the number on the measurement tape is, what I care about is making sure the garment drapes well, flatteringly and comfortably on my client.  Because when they go out into the world looking good, others notice;  they notice that my client is comfy, happy, projecting the 'tude she wants and most of all looks smashing.  That speaks to my talent which is exactly the way I like it.

But I have my own body image which means my shoulders are about a size 10, my waist is a size 8 and my butt is a size 425,235,2235!!!  Obviously that's off a little but in my mind it's not.  

So perusing around on a BMI site (actually it's about that intermittent fasting), I get this after I go through extensive survey:

NORMAL?!!!! These idiots have no idea what they are talking about.

Then I think, well, it is a professional assessment, and maybe my impression of my perfect weight is off just a tad.  And to be honest, I do like the extra little weight in my face which makes me look like I don't need a facelift (which I'm not up for anyway).  

Taking in the difference between these two, even though Liz had some facelifts, toward the end she looked much more like "Liz" that Joan.

So I've always thought a few extra pounds was better than going under the knife.  Of course that means there's a few extra elsewhere too.    

The point is that what we see is actually not what is true.  As we get older, it's okay to have a few extra.  It's not only okay, but it's natural.  Having that lean look that we sought after as a kid, isn't so much that great when we are older.

It's not that I don't like the wrinkles or even the age spots.  That's not what this is about for me.  It's the hollow-ness of the collar bone that's not even anything close to healthy and looks more like some starving refugee from a concentration camp.  

But a little bit of weight can fill in those hollowed-out points nicely and bring a voluptuous look that any woman would enjoy.

There's no way you could call this woman too thin, and at the same time she exudes sex appeal.  This was six years before she died at 74 years old.  She's obviously had some face work, but more importantly she is not have any sort of shrunk look.  

There are some other things going on here that make this work, and one of them is that she has a fabulous bra on that gives her support that keeps her bust looking at a more youthful height.  This is something that will always make you look 10 years younger - a good bra with good support.    The other is that she never had very wide hips and she never had much of a waist.  Her large bust made her waist look small, so to play on that same silhouette (her large bust making her waist look small) is exactly what she's doing in the above photo.  Look closely and there's hardly any difference from her waist to her hips, but because there is a clear indent under her bust, it makes her bust look large (hence the voluptuousness) and her waist look smaller.  

I wouldn't recommend this for any of you out there who have a large bust, but what I would recommend, is that you find an excellent bra that lifts and keeps your bust at a nice level (this will also help your posture by keeping your back straighter and not slumped over), and for your garment to indent slightly under the bust, to give the illusion of the waist, but not fit tightly under the bust, and then drop straight down, with a very slight flare to give the illusion of a hip.  This gives that hourglass look that every large-busted, no-waisted figure wants.  

I've decided to live with my large hips and be happy with them.  I have my core pattern that looks fabulous on me, and my Walt seems to think that my figure is just fine.  One day when I was complaining about my large derrière, he commented to me that he had changed his mind and likes large women with large butts!  I was flattered, and thought that because I'm always wearing my core pattern top that's flattering, he's gotten used to that.  And to be honest, in bed, a handful of "fullness" feels great even if there is a little (or a lot) more than a handful!!!!  OK TMI, sorry!

The bottom line (I promise that's not a pun), is that I feel good and comfy in my clothes.  I feel healthy and I get out and walk the dog every day.  My clothes look flattering and because they fit look wonderful on me.  

I also go back to my teacher who I mentored with.  She was teaching class one day, and she also complained about her butt.  She called it a shelf, and she was pretty right - she had a tiny waist and a large posterior that jutted out almost like a shelf.  But when she wore her clothes that were tailored to her shape, she looked stunning and didn't look fat at all.  
 

That's what well-fitted clothes look like.  They drape correctly and fit correctly, but not skin tight.  This is an art to do because frankly it's easy to go buy something that has a large percentage of stretch and stretch it across your body, but frankly, who wants to see that.  I don't want to see it at the grocery store, on the runway or on the red carpet.  It's all TMI and TMI leaves nothing to the imagination.  And any good director or film maker will tell you that leaving it to the imagination is far more horrifying than showing the complete act.  Why?  Because individuals imagination will imagine the best or the sexiest or the most horrifying better than what any director or film-maker could show.  

This is still the scariest scene of all

And this is probably one of the sexiest of all scenes

And they are still wearing their exotically, magically gorgeous clothes!  

The same way we sew, expecting and examining for any imperfections, and knowing deep down inside that if we looked at our garment with it's  minor imperfections, that we would buy it in a minute at a store, but expect perfection compared to a store.  And in the same way we look at our figures as not being perfect and in some cases the extra weight on a person can be much sexier and in fact, much better!

The SewingArtistry Resource Library is designed to contain information to not only make your sewing better, but to aid in you fitting and flattering your shape, size and style.  Check it out. 

The Ponte Jacket Class has been rescheduled.  We had so many who wanted to take it but couldn't get here for one reason or another so it didn't work out.  We've rescheduled it for September, when we are more interest in jackets, and particularly something that will make us look professional and responsible -- because there are times when we need that look.  You can click here to get more information for the class on September 20, 21, and 22.  If you need any information about places to stay or other accommodations, simply respond to this email and I will get back to you.  I love my city and love showing it off!

The Path of a Fashion Trend

Tracking a fashion trend isn't all that hard after seeing a few of them.  Living from Mid-Century Modern through Twiggy...

The Style of the Very Wealthy

It's worth the time to look at these styles, particularly today as there is a group of that wants to look....

WOW!

This is the way fashion used to be -- pretty, flattering and I can't wait to make some of...

To view in browser along with past emails, click here.

We respect your email privacy.

Follow us!