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Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success
Tall and SlenderQuestion: I am a tall, 6-foot, fairly slender woman who will be 62 in Feb. I work part-time in a casual workplace, am on a restricted budget, and live in So. California. Suddenly I'm having an awful time putting together some sort of "look". Everything seems to be too short-waisted, or short for my long legs. I like comfort, and like to wear cotton. Also, I've read that wearing lighter colors on the bottom, and darker on the top will shorten a tall body. What do you think? (Did I mention I have silver hair, which I would like to work with, although I find it annoying to pick those stray hairs off a dark top.)
What would be your advice?
Answer: Dear Bev, I advise you to be proud of your height. A six-foot woman is no longer an oddity; today that height is considered gorgeous -- supermodel material. Forget this business of trying to look shorter. Speaking of trying to appear shorter, a dark top worn with lighter bottoms shortens you only in that it brings the attention to the lower half of your body. The eye always goes to the lightest area; the lightest colored part of anything stands out above and beyond the dark tones. It also places the emphasis upon the hip line, making it appear wider and larger. Do you want your lower half emphasized over and above all of your other features? Another pertinent drawback to wearing a dark top with lighter bottoms is this: the dark top (dark color worn on the top only) minimizes your bust line, which in turn can distort your overall proportion. For example, if you are small busted, you appear even more so, and your hips appear even larger. Wear this look only if you have a generous bosom and if you have small or narrow hips. Your silver hair must look quite dynamic with black or other dark, rich colors. Just keep a lint roller handy for any stray hairs. The striking look is worth the effort. If you hair is truly a silver tone, wear white, not beige, for a light-toned neutral that will make your hair sparkle. You can thank fashion designers for the problem you are experiencing with putting together a "look." Cropped pants and tops have been in vogue, especially in resort areas, which Southern California qualifies. That trend has carried over to other fashions, even though scaled down. The length problem could also be that you are not buying quality merchandise. I understand that you're on a limited budget. But I advise you to think quality over quantity. In addition, don't forget that cotton has a big shrinkage factor even when properly washed and dried. Cotton even shrinks a little when dry-cleaned, but not as much as when it is laundered. Although cotton is comfortable in most cases, preferring it exclusively could cost you extra money needlessly. How is that? Because cotton shrinks when laundered frequently, you then have to keep buying more on a regular basis to have clothing that fits you properly. On the whole, cotton does not have as long a life span as wool or silk. Yes, wool and silk must be dry-cleaned, but their overall wear-ability is greater. Check out the lightweight tropical wool fabrics. They are cool because the fibers breathe and they are amazingly comfortable in a warm climate. Enjoy being tall in stature. Those who are tall are perceived as having a lot of personal power on first impression. Yes, people will notice you when you dress in a striking way. Their stares say that they are admiring you. Or at the least, they're admiring your height.
Best of luck to you,
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