One of the most common questions I get asked is where do I start? I want to look my best but have no idea what my body shape is and I am hopeless at shopping.

Well the good news is that you are not alone; we all have talents, some of us can sing (a talent I really wish I had), some of us are great with numbers, some of us can draw a pretty picture and some of us are great at shopping....

Shopping is a talent, and there is nothing wrong with getting some help in this area. So often we get caught up being everything to everyone else that we can lose ourselves. I will regularly be giving advice to Chelsey readers on looking and feeling your very best, as well as what’s hot and what’s not in Fashion.

We are just about to get summer fashion in stores (in my next column I will showcase a what’s hot and what’s not to summer fashion) so I thought I would give you my top 5 tips to looking your best before you look to update your current wardrobe...

1: Buy the right size. 

Whether you are a size 8 or 28, wearing the wrong size clothes is guaranteed to make you look bigger. If you wear clothes that are too tight you will end up looking like you are bulging at the seams and will accentuate every little bump, on the opposite end of the scale if we try and hide our flaws with baggy ill-fitting clothes we can end up looking 10 sizes too big. Try things on before you buy them, be your own harshest critic – and please don’t be afraid of the size, if you don't like the size on the tag... cut it off!!

 2: Disguise the areas you hate.

If you have an area that you dislike, detract away from it into areas you love... for example, if you are a pear shape (are larger through the hip area than through the bust) then accentuate your top half, try frills around the neckline, a patterned top or exaggerated shoulders - these will take peoples focus off your behind and upwards to your top half.  There are many, many tricks to help create a better looking body... this summer patterns can be your best or worst friend, be careful with your selection, look at accessorising - simple accessories can make a real difference to the way we look and....don't be shy to show off your best bits - as the old cliché goes, if you got it, flaunt it! Research about your body type and what suits you, a stylist can be a great investment into getting to know how to best dress your body.

3: Wear the right underwear. 

This is so very important, 90% of the ladies I see are wearing the wrong bra!! Now I am all for the G-string, they are cute and sexy, but if you want to give the illusion of a leaner figure, watch Bridgette Jones and go for supportive styles, these help pull in all the bulging bits, and although not as cute they will make you look great. Take the time to go get a bra fitting at an underwear store (most offer this service for free) and get a bra that is right for your shape. Putting your bust in the right spot can take kilos off... and please don't worry about what you look like underneath, the majority of the most unattractive under garments actually make you look the best... if need be, take a cute G with you in your handbag for hot dates – make sure the first impression counts, you can always change into something cuter in the bathroom later!!

4: Make sure you have the right posture.

I know this sounds simple but standing up straight is the cheapest way to look leaner. Not only will this add inches and make you look taller but it will also make you feel more confident. Practice pulling in your stomach, pushing your shoulders back and your bust out. This is so easy but most of us don’t do it! Practice here makes perfect - I am absolutely the worst culprit at this and it is something I have to be really conscious of, but it is amazing when you make an effort to hold yourself right how many compliments you get... trust me this is one of the most important tips I can give you!

And last but certainly not least.....

5: Don’t be afraid to wear black.

So often I have ladies come to see me feeling bad as most of their wardrobe is black...it is not a myth that black makes you appear slimmer so of course we are going to be attracted to wearing it, and it is often the over-riding colour that is available. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying go all black (although during the RWC games it is definitely recommended) but black is slimming to almost everyone - it reduces the appearance of curves and rolls, it makes you appear leaner and is great at shadowing away all the bad bits!! Wear black in your problem area and accentuate your great areas with colour. For example, if you are top-heavy, wear a black top with jeans or a colourful skirt. If you are bottom heavy, invest in a black skirt or black pants/tights and compliment this with a lighter coloured top or jacket. Don't be dull this summer as colours are very ‘in’ but you don’t need to shy away from black either.

If you want to know more about how to make the most of your figure or would like to attend our LOVE YOUR LOOK Summer Style Retreat contact me at -  www.juliaturnwald.co.nz or if you have any questions you would like me to cover in my upcoming columns please email me at julia@juliaturnwald.co.nz