How do you know what looks best?

This is a bit of advice that was passed on to me a long time ago by a stylist, that may help somebody, somewhere. Hope I've explained it clearly.

- if you want to elongate your body don't cut it across the middle i.e. no straight lines going straight across the body
- wear shoes the same colour as your skirt/trousers so the colour carries on the length of the body
- wear the same colour at the top of your body as the bottom (can be just bits of the same colour)
- wear clothes that skim but don't hug
- distract the eye with layers in different lengths

Maybe wear a long line cardi over the dress that is slightly longer? Lots of long lines help to elongate the shape. The small pattern on the dress also helps.

I like the colour and style is it a jersey stretch material I don't wear anything in this material I find it to clingy and shows all the lumps and bumps I find good supportive underwear helps

Scentia - I think you look great in your jeans and jacket picture. The only thing I might change is to wear maybe an asymmetrical top under the jacket to get rid of the straight line across your waist. A shirt partially tucked in gives the same effect - allows more colour from your jeans to show up to the waist (so elongates your legs) but disrupts the straight line across your tummy. I also think you're very brave posting pics.