Certified Image Consultant and Fashion Stylist David A. McKnight Offers The Summer Styling Guide: How to Hide All Flaws and Enhance Assets

NEW YORK, NY – July 6, 2009 – Summer is finally here – and so is the weight you packed on while hiding away from the winter’s cold and spring’s showers. More than half of the U.S. population is facing this problem where they have gained extra, unwanted weight during the off-season. However, with summer being the season to wear as little clothes as possible and showing off your confidence with your summer body, what do you do with the excess weight? The easiest solution would be to exercise and change your diet. But – for those who want to walk fiercely down any street, exercise and a change of diet may not be the easiest resolution.

Certified image consultant and contributing fashion and style editor for top fashion web portals what’s Wear and POSHGLAM, David A. McKnight believes people can feel good about their body image if they find the right type of styles to hide those flaws and compliment the assets they love. McKnight owns his own image and lifestyle consulting agency DAMstyle where he consults with several clients who want to look good in current trends, but don’t have that model image.

“Looking good isn’t about being the skinniest girl or the most muscular guy, it’s about wearing clothes with confidence,” says McKnight. “An average shaped woman, wearing a tight green neon tank with a mini skirt can make that fashion statement look fierce if she wears it with confidence, not cockiness. Some people just need my help to find the right looks to give them that boost of confidence that will help them appreciate their bodies more this summer.”

Here is a guide McKnight shares with his clients regarding how you can hide certain flaws and enhance some aspects of your body:

Small Chest - To camouflage a small bust, you want to add dimension and volume over the bust by wearing ruffles, bows, layers, or draping. You shouldn’t do all three, just select one. The key isn’t to overdo it.

Large Bottom - If you have a large bottom and you want to camouflage it, wear darker colors below the waist and lighter colors above the waist. Dark colors recede and makes things appear smaller where lighter colors will enhance your upper torso.

Also, wear a long light-weight jacket or shirt that skims over the derriere. Women with this body characteristic should also look for A-line skirts that gently fall away from the body in addition to wearing pointy toe shoes as opposed to round-toe chunky shoes because the sleek pointed toe creates a slimming effect.

Large Bust - If you have a large bust, avoid wearing short sleeves that end at the apex of the bust, as this only draws the eye to the bust. Instead, opt for a capped sleeve or a 3/4 length sleeve. A wide leg pant adds the volume needed to balance a larger bust.

Large Middle - If you have a larger mid-section, always look for pants that have a straight crease and a slightly wider straight leg. The crease will elongate the body, while the wider leg will balance the larger mid-section. When shopping, look for structured jackets or shirts with a taut fabric, as opposed to a draping fabric. A fitted blazer or jacket worn open adds visual length, while camouflaging the mid-section. Try wearing this with a v-neck top underneath to add an addition vertical line while keeping the attention focused on the face.

For those who started exercising late, but still want to walk the streets with confidence, try these styles to give that optical illusion as if you been in the gym all day long. Just think, fall and winter are just around the corner again.




About DAMstyle/David A. McKnight
Launched in 2005, DAMstyle helps executives and people from all walks of life maximize their potential and achieve success through personal image. Image consultants with experience at major corporations and management consulting firms make up the DAMstyle team. We work with clients to develop and implement a style improvement program to achieve each individual's unique goals.

Founder David A. McKnight's combination of style sense and consulting experience sets DAMstyle apart. Over ten years of experience as a management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, both domestic and abroad, enables David to accurately assess a client's personal style choices and needs. Expertise in the field of personal success strategies allows him to leverage this understanding to address clients' unique goals. For more information, please visit www.damstyle.com or e-mail David at David@damstyle.com.