Sunday, November 4, 2001
There is a perfect dress out there for you. But your version likely will be a little different from your mother's, sister's or best friend's.
The November issue of InStyle magazine offers a "best-dress guide" for several figure types:
� Bare shoulders and revealing necklines draw attention above your waist � and away from wide hips. A darker, flowing skirt that skims minimizes your bottom half.
� If you have a full bust, try beading or flounce to play it up but still give full coverage. Or, a keyhole detail at the neck makes you appear swanlike.
� If you've got shapely legs, flaunt them. Try short dresses paired with patterned hose and high-heeled sandals.
� Celebrate an hourglass shape in a dress that follows your curves without clinging to them. An A-line shape dress or a pattern print keep the eye from resting on one body part in particular.
� Boyish bodies look more feminine in dresses that create a waist using textural fabrics, shirring, belts or trim. Accessorize using "girlie" stuff, such as dangling earrings, flowered shoes or a fringed shawl.
� Opposites are attractive. If you're short-waisted, look for a strong vertical line, possibly a monochromatic look. Also knee-high boots can help elongate. Horizontal lines at the waist will help someone who is long-waisted appear less so.
With 5,000 pairs of shoes in her closet, Patti LaBelle calls herself a "shoe queen." Now she's sharing her passion with the public.
LaBelle teamed with Sears, Roebuck and Co. to create a limited-edition pump to benefit the Sears Fashion Takes Action � Clothes That Work! program and its philanthropic partner Women Work! The program provides work-appropriate apparel, accessories and footwear to women moving into the workplace from homelessness, domestic violence and public assistance.
LaBelle's leather pump with a herringbone inset and small fabric bow is available in black and camel. It retails for $42 and all proceeds will be donated to Women Work!
