by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Created on: May 06, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Summer conjures up warmth, sunshine, light and happiness. Let's live this longed for season as stress free and comfortable as possible. Summer gives us the opportunity to shed the winter woollies and pull out the glad rags to make us feel free and beautiful in our own body, regardless of shape, size and age. Every age has it's own beauty and it is up to us to show ours to best advantage and to overcome any body image issues we may have.

The first thing we have to do, is to assess our own body. Bear in mind, that there is no human being who does not have at least one beautiful feature. It can be your hair, your eyes, your legs or your smile. Take courage, find it and enhance it.

Summer in the city means heat, crowds and sticky environments. Absolute priority must be given to feeling fresh and comfortable. After your morning shower, apply a particularly refreshing deodorant. Scents of 'sea breeze' or 'lemon' are better than strong floral ones. Cover your body with body lotion and don't forget your feet. Be careful to apply only a thin layer, as too much lotion can clog your pores. After that comes the secret trick: slap on handfuls of cologne or after bath splash. The lovely smell will stay with you all day long and make you feel relaxed because you don't need to worry about possible BO. Give a good handful to the back of your neck and slap lightly.

Once you have laid the foundation so to speak, give attention to your underwear. I find a one piece body more comfortable in summer than a bra and panties. Both can cut into your skin and the pantie can leave the dreaded pantie-line under your thinner summer clothes. No such problems occur with a body, which has the added advantage of keeping your tummy in without restricting it too much.

Whatever your occupation or the occasion you have to dress for, choose light, wrinkle-free material and, most important, clothes that flow. If you have good legs, now is the opportunity to show them off. A hemline grazing the knee is the most flattering style for all ages. Avoid anything tight and go for dresses. Waistbands are restricting and uncomfortable in the heat and do nothing for a not absolutely flat stomach. If you want to wear trousers, go for elastic waistbands and a flowing style which swishes around your legs. Maybe your best feature is a pretty bust. Wear V-shaped necklines or wrap-around tops or blouses, but be careful not to reveal too much.

Attention must be given to the shoes. Sandals are nice and comfortable bearing in mind, that your feet will swell in summer. For that same reason, avoid ankle straps which can cut into your flesh. Ankle straps also shorten your legs optically and make stout legs look even stouter.

Otherwise, forget about fashion magazines, tight, black and clinging. Choose light colors, walk tall and confident and-move slower. Rushing around only provokes perspiration and makes you hot and flush. Take a leaf out of the book of Latino ladies: float, smile, move with grace and you will have the summer of your life. Never forget: if you feel good in your own skin, you will look good, whether your body is model perfect or far from it.

Learn more about this author, Inka Piegsa-Quischotte.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.