[nabs-l] Techniques for shopping and trends

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

First of all, not every sighted person dresses fashionably, nor do they
wear colors or styles that flatter their figure. So this isn't
necessarily a sight vs. blindness issue.

Black, white and beige/tan/brown are nuetral colors that tend to look
good on anyone and can go with pretty much any color. Having basic items
in neutral colors is a good idea because you can mix and match them with
other items. For example, with black slacks, you can wear multiple tops
and shoes making a versitile outfit. These neutral items broaden your
wardrobe and can make numerous outfits with just a few basic tops and
bottoms.

If shorter and rounder, avoiding certain prints will be better. Like no
geometric patterns or large floral prints. You don't have to always
stick with solids, just be aware of what patterns aren't flattering.

V-neck tops are great for a slimming effect. They create an inverted
point that grows smaller on the way down, which is how the eye sees it.
It gives the illusion of being slimmer because of this, whereas some
neck lines accentuate the width, making the eye go out instead of down.

Of course wearing all black is usually slimming, but again, just because
you stick with a solid doesn't mean you don't search for a style and cut
that flatters.

Being short, wear anything that lengthens. Fitted pants and tunics would
be good on a short frame, and with dresses and skirts, either have
hemlines reach to your ankle or mid-thigh. Hemlines hitting your calves
or knees will tend to shorten rather than lengthen. Heels, even half an
inch to one inch of course help with height.

You can learn what colors flatter your skin tone. There are warm tones
and cool tones. Usually people are placed into a certain category such
as spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each season has its own set of
warm and cool tones. Once you know your season and tone, you can carry a
fabric swatch around when shopping to show sale clerks. Some people can
fit into more than one tone. I'm a summer/winter who can wear the warm
and cool tones. You want colors that accentuate and flatter your skin
tone, not wash you out or accentuate anything like blotchy skin.

There are plenty of resources that detail this kind of information.
Books and online material can be found.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 14
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:10:03 -0400
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Techniques for shopping and trends
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Good information. But I wonder how you pick a set of colors and 
complimenting styles. I wish I had a sighted sister or cousin that lives

nearby! We'd have fun shopping together.
If I stick with what I was raised with and told what looks good on me,
its 
solid colors. I am five feet tall, and a little overweight. My legs are
a 
little muscular but not long. I was told I look good in black, red and
pink 
blouses/tops. For casual or dressy slacks I have mostly black and blue;
some 
cacki. I was told black and blue slacks look good on me too. I have V
neck 
shirts for dressier ocasions.

Maybe I could shop with my brother's new wife. She might be able to shop

with me, but at the same time not take over the whole experience; thanks
for 
the reminder that sighted people touch and pick up merchandise. We just
need 
to do it a bit more.
I wonder if there any books about colors and body image/type.
Ashley