Hi everyone – I entered a blogging competition recently (in hindsight probably not my right age demographic or audience) but I thought I would share with you my non-winning entry aptly entitled “Great Surprises come in all Shapes & Sizes” ….

There comes a time in life when our lovely bodies start to change.  Whether it is through pregnancy, divorce, our lifestyle or health or just our age catching up with us – we all start to notice some little subtleties or perhaps for some, fairly major modifications happening.  The body we once knew is not the same anymore.

I have had a number of friends experience significant weight loss or gain, as a consequence of the above, with some keen to re-invent themselves, but have no idea where to start, as they can’t identify with the person they have become. How do we gracefully alter our style and fashion sense to take advantage of our new assets? Do we continue to shop in the same stores and style our hair and clothes as we always have? Do you turn to your best friend and ask her advice or do you risk going shopping and taking the advice of the well-informed shop assistant? (Hopefully she at least being older than your youngest child)!!

Having worked briefly in retail, I loved the ladies who came into the store and were wearing their size 14 jeans that were easily a size too big for them. They just didn’t have the knowledge or ability to take the next step to downsize to their current shape. The same principle applied to those that were wearing a size or two too small for them!! What do we all see when we look in the mirror?

To earn the customer’s trust and open their minds to try on more suitable clothing that complimented their current body shape was never easy. We seem to want to hide in clothes that would be better suited to ‘one size fits all’. Are we afraid of the attention we may get, or is there some age restriction for wearing more fitted/styled clothes – no matter what our shape? I will never forget the woman aged 55+ who came into the store in her size 16 trousers and left in a fabulous pair of size 14 jeans and a lovely merino fitted knit top. She literally skipped out of the shop looking and feeling amazing.

Perhaps it is hard for the majority of us to become more open-minded and leave our comfort zone behind us when it comes to our own fashion style and grace. But what a great experience it would be to dress to our full potential, and be proud of what and who we are.

If you ever want some fashion advice or a shopping friend, I am happy to offer my services.  I will always give you an honest and frank opinion.  (Perhaps that was why, my retail experience although a fantastic one, was a little short-lived).  Email me at stylebyyellowtulip@gmail.com.

Shop for who you are now, not the person you used to be.  Good Luck.

Yellow Tulip