by The weather may not have gotten the message yet, but spring is in full swing, and we’re starting to think about making room for a few new dresses to see us through the warmer months, whether it’s a versatile number that you can quickly. throw on and feel great in, or a standout choice for a special occasion.
While shopping for a new midi dress might seem like a simple chore, it can often feel overwhelming and a never-ending quest, with thousands of styles, lengths, colors and materials to choose from. So if this spring you are struggling to find the frock that makes you look and feel your best, we asked the experts to make your next dress decision a breeze.
And who better than style influencers Claire Hall and Nina Ambrose? The duo who together have over 250k followers on Instagram, and are famous for their Size by Side series, where they try on high street outfits and show how they look on different body sizes (Claire is a UK size 10, though that Nina United Kingdom). size 18).
Claire, a stylist, and Nina, a singer and presenter, are on a mission to show women of all body shapes, sizes and ages, how much a difference a few style tricks can make to your look, using minor changes to do. great impact. So if we can trust anyone to recommend some tips and tricks on how to find the perfect dress for you this spring and summer, it’s these two.
Reflecting on what she’s learned from Claire since they started posting Size by Side videos, Nina tells Yahoo UK: “I used to wear tent dresses all the time – it wasn’t because I didn’t I liked the way I looked, but I didn’t know what to wear and I hid without even realizing it.
I will always tell women to please just try something new, even if you feel doubtful about it. Try it anyway because then you will learn what your body looks like in a different style, and you might like it.Clergy
“Now I realize that the cinched waist is so much more flattering on me, or a little height on my shoulders with a puff or a structured sleeve makes such a difference, it makes me stand taller. know your body, try things and see what works for you.”
Claire says: “I often feel sad when women, especially in middle age, shy away from fashion because they don’t think anything works for them. Fashion can be so much fun and way great for showing your personality!I always say ladies, please just try something new, even if you feel doubtful about it.
Here are Claire and Nina’s top tips on what to think about when it comes to finding the perfect dress to suit you, as well as the best options for 2024, whether you want wear a new dress in the office or at a wedding. guest dress.
👗 Tip 1: Balance the silhouette and highlight the areas you want
When trying to figure out what styles, cuts and lengths to go for, Claire says it’s useful to imagine yourself as an ‘architect’ when planning an outfit.
“Putting outfits together is about balance, just like an architect builds a building. They know how to make proportions work together, how to highlight certain features and how to hide others,” she explains. the stylist. “It’s all about how you fit pieces and how clothes work for your body – I always say you’re the wearer, you’re not wearing the clothes.”
Style is not about asking women to look smaller, but rather how they can look more defined.Nina
For example, if you have broad shoulders, choose a dress that draws attention to your waist; or if you have a chunky thigh, choose shorts with a wider leg opening that will be more comfortable and flattering.
“You can create optical illusions with what you wear,” says Claire.
Nina says: “The style is not about trying to make women look smaller, but rather how they can look more defined. And if there are things they want to hide, which is completely normal when there are many your body changes during midlife, then there are ways to hide some bits and draw attention to others in a way that makes you feel better about yourself.”
👗 Tip 2: Choose the right length
Dress length is also important and can make a big difference in the way you look. Too long and it swallows you up, too short and it could throw off your proportions.
Claire says: “For me, I like midaxi, it’s not midi but it’s not maxi either. Anything shorter looks frumpy, which we want to avoid.”
“If you are petite, do not be afraid to wear a longer dress. As long as the silhouette is defined, it will not swamp you and can indeed make you look taller.”
Claire says “If you’re overweight, you also need a bit of length to balance out your frame.”
However, if you want to show off your legs in a shorter dress, don’t be afraid to do so. Claire recommends choosing a V-neck or dress with sleeves to give you a little height, so that it squares off your shoulders and pay attention to your shoulder line.
👗 Tip 3: Don’t shy away from color
Going with bright colors and patterns can be intimidating, but both Claire and Nina love color. If you’re stuck on what colors to go for, Claire’s rule of thumb is to use the color wheel.
“The color wheel is really useful for trying to see what colors might go together. Colors that are next to each other on the wheel or directly opposite each other tend to work really well. good.”
Pay attention to your complexion, eye color and hair color to find complementary colors. Nina says: “Recently, I discovered that orange suits my blue eyes as well, because they are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. I was very surprised!”
Wear a color that complements your skin tone and brightens your eyes. People notice that there is much more, and when you wear something that makes you feel good in it, that comes through.Clergy
Claire also wants to encourage more women not to shy away from color in their wardrobe. “A lot of women who are bigger will go back to black or dark colors, but don’t,” she insists. “Wear a color that complements your skin tone and makes your eyes light up. People notice that much more, and when you wear something you feel good in, that comes through.”
👗 Tip 4: Take accessories
One of the best ways to elevate an outfit is through your accessories. Often times, wearing a dress can be the difference between styling it – the latter is what makes you look good.
Both Claire and Nina are big fans of accessories. They love big glasses and sunglasses to frame their faces, as well as bags to really pull an outfit together.
When it comes to jewellery, Claire’s rule of thumb is: “Choose big earrings or a big necklace, but don’t have both at the same time because they’ll just avoid each other.”
As your arm candy? “Go crazy!” she says. “Pile on as much as you want. You can really let your personality shine through your jewellery.”
👗 Claire and Nina choose the best dress for every occasion 👗
Knowing how to choose the right dress is one thing, but with so many options out there, deciding on one can be overwhelming. But fear not, we asked Claire and Nina for their top five dress picks for summer 2024 that will see you through a range of occasions. Here are their great, affordable and flattering recommendations.
Nobody’s Child
Claire and Nina say: “Often called a ‘picnic dress’ this style is easy to wear with slides, sandals or trainers. The fullness of the dress is offset by the structured waist and it has pockets. – what’s not to love? !?”
£89 for Anyone
Monsoon
Claire and Nina say: “An eye-catching color and print, this dress has a v-neckline and a universal empire line with generous sleeves, so there’s no need for a jacket.”
£160 at Monsoon
Hobbs
Claire and Nina say: “Simple and slim – the cap sleeves frame the body and create a classic, no-nonsense silhouette while the oversized buttons add length.”
£159 at Hobbs
Marks & Spencer
Claire and Nina say: “Cool, cotton fabric in this relaxed style and this boho print is perfect for casual wear – worn over a bikini or for a day trip.”
£65 at Marks & Spencer
Freemans
Claire and Nina say: “Elegant style dress with the hot combo of leopard and lace! The angel sleeves and lace visually slim trim the waist giving a gorgeous hourglass shape.”
£40 at Freemans
