Dressing the bottom half.....

Inevitable, that we this would be the next blog topic. After all the fuss about boobs, finally my child bearing hips will be getting some attention.

To use the words: voluptuous, curvy, pear-shaped and abundant is being very kind.  Usually it seems as if these parts are in constant mourning with all the black it is normally dressed in. So looking for variety or change is always a challenge. The garment has to cover me from waist to ankles as any piece of flesh showing would be suicidal. Love any stretch as it normally gets overstretched over the booty and then falls into shape straight over the thighs. Long pencil skirts, bootleg trousers to balance the hips and A-line skirts or dresses are best. Keeping the balance between the length of the top and bottom is important. A good way of checking is if you hold your arm straight down the side of your body, the point at which your thumb ends, is the recommended length, provided your pants or skirt is tapered. Length of trousers should be on your shoe as added length helps. Needless to say, a shoe with a heel best but if your body refuses to balance on heels, I find a platform does magic! Boots during Autumn and Winter is my best friend as it takes care of the bother of the absolute must of matching stockings and shoes. The other lazy trick I have is to wear slightly off-centre dresses, simple on top, and cut cleverly on the bias, hugging the hip and tapering a bit as it moves down towards a three quarter length. (see pics) I find it takes care of all the troublesome and wobbly bits but lends some much needed elegance.

So this is my favorite time of the year as it gives me the opportunity to clothe my cellulite infested thighs with warm and thicker fabrics, which will not leave any chance of a cellulite wave showing. My booty is normally wrapped firmer with fabric choices such as wool, viscose stretch and cotton knits  so the wobble is less.

Yes ladies at 40 plus, we can still be ambitious by lying on our beds, trying to close that zip over our favorite pair of denims or just gracefully wiggle our butts into a wonderful stretch pants, jodhpur style, as leggings as a main item a no-no!!! So with our tummies tucked in, butt sticking out, thighs skimmed, killer boots...... ready to kick butt anyone???

viscose and cotton dresses @ Harem from R550

Dressing the top half

Thought I would take you on my journey of dressing my top half with all of its flaws, after the age of 40!!First of all you have to lose the size label. SO there is no size 16 or 40. THere is judging with a naked eye and depending on cut and fabric I could still manage a size 36, maybe! So with my eye I can judge whether my size 36 DD boobs are going to be squashed or not. Most times Im sensitive about what the garment does to them, realizing lots of women pay to enlarge them to my size. Lucky for me after 5 kids of breastfeeding and I mean serious feeding.......they still able to talk to me, hello!!!!So if they sit pretty in a garment, Im good.

My next challenge is the neckline. Having adopted a modest style of dress and being the momma, the plunging neckline definetley a no-no. I find it tricky as have to get it just right, not too low, neither too high as Im not a nun after all. Now the funny part, what goes over the tummy? Nothing too fitted, else the muffin top starts showing, nothing loose else I might look like Im carrying the 6th and most unwanted child. The winner is everything cut on the bias, unstructured even uneven at the bottom can work. THis all deceives the eye as to the actual shape of the bodice.

No fancy sleeves, no bell sleeves, no sleeveless, no batwing, only a demure fitted three quarter or full sleeve.

And this is just dressing the top half????? Oh and did I mention, only natural and soft to the touch fabrics will do?

A few top ideas from Harem:

silk top R580

bamboo overtop R450