When it comes to Mother’s Day, there’s nothing more than wanting to treat the number-one woman in our lives to all the love (and presents!) that she deserves.
That’s why Woman’s Day stylist Elle decided to celebrate Mother’s Day the fashionable way by showing four Aussie mamas how to nix their retail therapy woes for good.
Here, Elle quizzes each mum about her biggest body hang-up and gives her one helluva beaut makeover – and if you just take one look at their smiles, you’ll see how proud as punch they are of their new looks!
Mandy, 64, “Pants fail to flatter my bottom.”
MANDY BEFORE: “Shopping is tricky, because what I perceive as covering up my bottom is probably making me look bigger.”
Mother to Sally, Diana and Eleanor (that’s Elle our stylist!) size 14.
THE SHOPPING ISSUE: “As I’ve got older, things have changed- my waist thickened and bottom changed. You can’t get back to the way you were so you have to accept the way you are and dress accordingly, which for me is proving difficult. Shopping is tricky, because what I perceive as covering up my bottom is probably making me look bigger.”
ELLE’S ADVICE: “If your derriere doesn’t have quite the same lift it used to, fear not. Technology can now lift and sculpt your backside, transforming it into the peach you knew and loved! NYDJ – Not Your Daughters Jeans – has a fantastic range using a special weaving technique to stop jeans stretching vertically. Strategically placed pockets add to the lifting effect. They also feature a front crisscross panel that seriously makes you appear a size smaller.”
MANDY’S VERDICT: “This experience has been good because I’ve learned you don’t need to cover up. Perhaps I can just wear a shorter top rather than a tunic top. I will shop with different eyes now as I’ve always had this preconceived idea of covering up. I think I’ll look more into layering and showing that area off!”
TIP: Not loving the love handles? Look for jeans that feature a thicker waist band and sit at or just above your belly button.
Top Uniqlo
$39.90 (XS-XL).
Blazer Zara
$139 (XS-XL).
Jeans NYDJ
$219 (4-22).
Earrings Colette by Colette Hayman
$5.99.
Shoes Wittner
$199.95.
MANDY AFTER: “This experience has been good because I’ve learned you don’t need to cover up.”
Jane, 51, “My arms aren’t toned so I avoid sleeveless tops.”
JANE BEFORE: “Sleeveless tops or singlet tops sit close to my face so it gives me an older appearance overall.”
Mother-of-three, size 12.
THE SHOPPING ISSUE: “Sleeveless tops or singlet tops sit close to my face so it gives me an older appearance overall. I’m always trying to maintain my best features,
like my face and legs, and hide my less-best features!”
ELLE’S ADVICE: “Statement sleeves are on trend and a fun way to show a bit of personality in how we dress. If your problem area is your arms, the simplest solution is often the best – wear a top or dress with some sort of sleeve. Kimono-style is a winner because it will hide the largest part of your arm and yet still expose dainty forearms and wrists.”
JANE’S VERDICT: “[My makeover] is a really good example of the diversity of fashion. You’ve got the ability to wear a beautiful dress that’s also a bit sexy but also have a lovely bell sleeve that adds to the style and has enough cover [for my arms]. It allows you to focus on the better features.”
Dress Veronika Maine
$199(S-L).
Earrings Colette by Colette Hayman
$14.99.
Heels I Love Billy at Styletread
$79.95.
JANE AFTER: “[My makeover] is a really good example of the diversity of fashion.”
Tracey, 52, “My stomach is my problem area.”
TRACEY BEFORE: “I tend to feel self-conscious about my stomach and I don’t wear slim-fitting clothes.”
Mother to Daniel, Taylah and Matthew, size 12-14.
THE SHOPPING ISSUE: “I tend to feel self-conscious about my stomach and I don’t wear slim-fitting clothes. I don’t like going into shops or dressing rooms because I find it quite daunting, so I tend to buy a lot more online but I’m always conscious of the fact that I don’t want anything to enhance my belly. If I find something I really like [that might show off my stomach] then I modify it. So I may wear a jacket so it will come down to my waist so it camouflages my stomach.”
ELLE’S ADVICE: “Weight around the midsection is so easy to put on yet so hard to lose! There are a few things you can do to conceal such a problematic area. Meet ruching, your new best friend. It’s very forgiving as it covers up ripples in the area and also allows you to wear bold colours with confidence. Also, invest in a quality pair of shaping shorts. The high compression will flatten your stomach and the small length in the leg will disguise VPL (visible panty line).”
TRACEY’S VERDICT: “It’s amazing the colours Elle has put me in because they’re the ones I’d usually stick to – pastels and neutrals. She did really well!”
TIP: Clingy fabrics can accentuate any problem areas including the stomach. Stick to structured or thicker fabrics and make sure the piece skims your problem areas rather than sticks to them.
Top Portmans
$59.95 (6-16).
Skirt Portmans
$169.95 (6-16).
Shaping shorts Nancy Ganz
$94.95 (S-XL).
Necklace Sussan
$49.95.
Heels Next $49
TRACEY AFTER: “It’s amazing the colours Elle has put me in because they’re the ones I’d usually stick to – pastels and neutrals. She did really well!”
Elizabeth, 59, “It’s very difficult to find any clothes that fit me properly.”
ELIZABETH BEFORE: Shopping for clothes is very stressful. [I have bought outfits] quite a few times and as soon as I get home it doesn’t sit right on me, so I’ve got to go back and change it.”
Mother to Shaamila, Salwa, Nadia, Zayd, Riyaadh and Rafeeq, size 18.
THE SHOPPING ISSUE: “Clothing always shows off my problem areas like my stomach, so I’ve got to be really careful with what kind of clothes I wear– but it’s limited. Shopping for clothes is very stressful. [I have bought outfits] quite a few times and as soon as I get home it doesn’t sit right on me, so I’ve got to go back and change it.”
ELLE’S ADVICE: “There’s a good reason a wrap dress is renowned for being the most figure- flattering option on the market. Its V-neckline will subtly enhance your bust, the tie waist cinches you in at the smallest part of your torso, and the A-line skirt will skim lightly over the hips. The result? An ultra-slimming effect that balances out your body and conceals any lumps and bumps. Opt for a longer sleeve if you prefer more coverage.”
ELIZABETH’S VERDICT: “I feel glamorous and beautiful and really excited. I love the style of the dress because it hides all the flaws and I can stand in front of a camera.”
TIP: Statement jewellery like necklaces or earrings are a fantastic way to distract the eye away from problem areas.
Dress City Chic
$139.95 (14-24).
Earrings Colette by Colette Hayman
$19.99.
Heels Wittner
$179.95.
ELIZABETH AFTER: “I feel glamorous and beautiful and really excited.”
Struggling with plus-size options that actually look good? We’re loving Myer’s range of stunning frocks that always tap into seasonal trends while remaining comfortable and true to size. TRY Dress Estelle at Myer $169(16-22).
