| As the weather gets colder more and more of us | | | | consultant I notice that for some reason clients find |
| reach for knitwear and the insulation it gives us. | | | | buying knitwear more difficult than other items and |
| However, as an image consultant I notice that often, | | | | they can end up having knitwear where the colour |
| even people who are normally well dressed (in that | | | | isn't flattering. This is particularly important near the |
| they wear colours and styles that suit them) seem | | | | face. |
| to find it difficult to follow their own rules when it | | | | 4. Lengths |
| comes to knitwear. | | | | If you have had a style and image consultation you |
| Consider the following tips when choosing knitwear. | | | | will know how lengths of tops and skirts can affect |
| 1. Fibres | | | | your overall look. Don't forget this advice for |
| Look at the label to discover what fibre the garment | | | | knitwear particularly in terms of length of top and |
| is made from. The actual fibre will contribute greatly | | | | sleeve length. Even if a jumper has full length sleeves, |
| to the drape and overall 'give' of the garment. Animal | | | | pulling them up to three quarters may be just what is |
| fibres are generally soft to touch; how fine the yarn | | | | needed for you and your unique body. |
| is also affects the drape, ranging from the finest | | | | 5. Details |
| cashmere to thickly spun yarns which can be very | | | | This is an important consideration in knitwear. Does |
| heavy. Do look for some of the newer fibres, soya | | | | the item have its own inbuilt detail or could you add |
| has the lustre of silk but tends to be less dense and | | | | some of your own- either to the garment (eg. |
| not so prone to droop when it is spun more thickly. | | | | buttons, sequins, bows) or buy wearing jewellery (eg. |
| Plant fibres such as linen tend to be stiffer. | | | | corsage, scarf or bangles.) Again go with your body |
| Synthetics such as acrylic may initially suggest they | | | | shape and draw the eye to where you want it to be. |
| simulate natural fibre, however you need to take | | | | 6. Washing instructions |
| care with this fibre as garments may change | | | | Once you have chosen knitwear that is a real asset |
| considerably during washing. | | | | to you and your wardrobe do take care of it. It |
| 2. Texture | | | | takes very little time to hand-wash an item in |
| This should be a very important consideration when | | | | lukewarm water, wrap it in a towel and then lay it |
| purchasing knitwear. Consider your scale, a very | | | | out to dry slowly. This can prolong the life of the |
| bulky item can swamp you. Instead, go for finer | | | | garment and ensure that it stays in tiptop condition. |
| textures and consider layers. Whatever your scale, | | | | Even items that indicate they are machine washable |
| do consider body shape- keep the texture to the | | | | can benefit from this care. |
| areas where you want to draw attention. Avoid your | | | | If you've had a color, style and image consultation |
| more challenging regions, for example a stiff or bulky | | | | then these tips should act as a reminder. Treat |
| rib on a top can add inches to hips if the top ends | | | | buying knitwear with the same care as you do other |
| there! | | | | items, rather than just think of it, for example, as |
| 3. Colour | | | | buying a jumper to keep warm. If you haven't yet |
| Do take just as much care over choosing knitwear | | | | benefited from such consultations, now is the time to |
| as you do over non-knitwear items. There is an | | | | do this; you too can learn how to have knitwear that |
| increasing choice of colours in the shops. As an image | | | | really does work for you. |