Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing to Wear!: The Go-To Guide for All Shapes and Sizes - Softcover

Braendel, Shari

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310339758 ISBN 13: 9780310339755

Publisher: Zondervan, 2014

Synopsis

In Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing To Wear! Shari Braendel teaches you how to finally love the body God gave you and how to look your best―from discovering your body shape and learning to dress it, to finding your best colors, to wearing jeans that flatter your thighs and hips, to finding the best places to shop to suit your unique personal style.

Many of us are watching reality TV shows to get a clue on how to dress right and look good. We hungrily purchase fashion magazines any time the cover article has something to do with how we can hide our despised body parts. We make mad dashes to the local department store to pick up the new anti-wrinkle cream Dr. Oz promised will take ten years away from our face.

We care about how we look. Why is that? Because we’re women, and women love to look and feel good. God made us that way. And this is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a wonderful thing! God loves beauty. We should reflect his image by remembering that fashion meets faith the minute we decide what to wear each day. How we dress reveals to the world who we are, on the inside.

This comprehensive style guidewill show you how to look and feel your best, no matter what day it is or what the occasion. And it will stop you from screaming at the top of your lungs, “Help me, Jesus! I have nothing to wear!”

About this title

About the Author

Shari Braendel is founder of Fashion meets Faith and America's #1 Christian Personal Style Coach. She graduated from Bauder Fashion College with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and created her own image consulting firm, Images by Shari. She joined the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker team and became one of the most sought-after speakers for Christian women's retreats, conferences, and youth events all over the nation. Now with her own Fashion Meets Faith brand, she regularly hosts workshops for women to help them appreciate their beauty, discover their natural assets, and learn what to wear so they can look and feel their best. Shari lives with her husband, Dave, in Charlotte, NC.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing to Wear!

Formerly Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad

By Shari Braendel

ZONDERVAN

Copyright © 2010 Shari Braendel
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-310-33975-5

Contents

What's So Christian about Looking Good?, 11, 
1 This Is My Bod: Determine Your Real Body Type, 23, 
2 The Truth about Black: Meet Your True Colors, 49, 
3 What's Your Score? Making the Count in the Accessory Game, 65, 
4 Whaddya Got Under There? The Art of Undergarments, 85, 
5 Survival of the Smartest: How to Divide and Conquer Swimwear, 97, 
6 Make a Statement: With Hair and Makeup, 115, 
7 Jeans: A Girl's Real Best Friend, 145, 
8 Hit the Mall: Stop, Drop, and Shop, 163, 
9 Skin Isn't In: Be In without Letting It All Hang Out, 175, 
A Word from Shari, 187, 
Acknowledgments, 193, 
Resource List, 197, 
Notes and Image Credits, 199, 

CHAPTER 1

This Is My BodThis Is My Bod: Determine Your Real Body Type

Here's an email I received when I first began speaking in churches all over the country. Jeanne, a woman from Michigan, wrote:

I have always felt that I could never really look good in clothes because I am short and I can never find clothes to fit me properly. What I didn't understand was that I was buying clothes that didn't work for my body shape. After you taught me about my body type and the correct styles to look for, I have a whole new outlook on my wardrobe. Although learning about my shape was a little intimidating at first, it ended up being a very eye-opening and life-changing experience.

I Love My Body!

Does the idea of discussing your body type cause you to break into a cold sweat? If I asked you to do an assessment of your body, would you list more things you like about how you look or more things you hate about your appearance? For most women, like Jeanne, learning and talking about their body can be quite a harrowing experience. The reason is obvious.

Many of us are dissatisfied with our bodies. We don't like our thighs. We don't like our stomachs. We don't like our waists. Some of us even have a problem with our knees. Many of us cringe at the number on the size tags of our clothes. Are we really a size ___?

Before I can tell you how to determine your body type and then teach you the best way to dress it up, there is something you have to do first. Something all of us have to do. We have to let go of our hang-ups about our bodies. I know it's not easy. I know it won't happen overnight.

Loving and accepting your body is one of the core truths behind this book. To want to look your best is to first look at yourself and admire God's handiwork. Not to moan that your body doesn't look like that of the latest Hollywood "It" girl.

Intermixed with this principle is the idea that because our body belongs to the Lord, we should care for it and love it the way God would want us to.

I was reminded of this through something that happened to my husband. Some time ago, he came down with a nasty respiratory infection that put him in the hospital. I was worried about him and couldn't sleep one night. It was also his birthday. I got to thinking about the condition of his health and his body, and then I got to thinking about mine.

You see, I typically fluctuate between a size 12 and 14. And I am quite alright with it. Seriously. I'm not kidding you. In fact, I think I've even come to be proud of it. Are your eyes bugging out as you think, "Whaaaaat?"

Yes, dear reader, I'm proud of my size. 'Cause really, I don't think I look like it. Now I might to others, but I've completely convinced myself I'm thin. I figure if I think I look alright, then who cares what anyone else thinks!

As I tossed and turned, I kept on thinking. I stand in front of hundreds of women every single weekend and tell them my height (5'11") and my size. I do that so women will honestly know that beauty is not about the size of our clothes. We are not a reflection of the number on that tag. God gave us exactly the body He wants us to have, the exact frame size, and everything else that goes along with that. We are made in His image, and we are all so incredibly beautiful.

As I thought about my husband in the emergency room, I realized that we all need to pay better attention to our health. The way I look at it, I can be a fluffy size 14 or I can be a firm size 14. And maybe firming up will make me a size 12, and that's okay too. The point is to be healthy.

Now I'm not talking about doing things in an unrealistic, obsessive, or unhealthy way, like crash dieting or exercising four hours a day. I'm talking about making better choices when it comes to our health. There are two simple things we can do to take a step in the right direction: Eat better and exercise. Like I've said before, we have a responsibility to our Lord. He wants us to accept our bodies, be grateful for them, and know we are gorgeous inside and out. And He also wants us to take care of those bodies, from the smallest of us to the largest of us.

So as you dive into learning about your individual body type and as you read through this book, remember to love yourself and take care of yourself. Doing that is one way of thanking God for creating you! Unique and special you!

The Perfect Body

Throughout this book I'm going to ask you to do a number of things, from looking at yourself through new eyes to shopping with a new mind-set. I hope you'll take me up on the activities and challenges I suggest because any time we make a change, it always begins with movement. Will you do this?

Here's your first assignment: Take a good look at your body. You might not have done this in a very long time and it may be difficult for you to see yourself objectively, but you need to do it. Make sure you are observing yourself in front of a full-length mirror, if possible.

What do you like about your body? What are some of your great attributes? Perhaps you like your athletic build, your curvy waistline, or the shape of your arms. List a few of those things here:

________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

I know this first task may not have been that easy, so here's something else for you to do: Write down some of your body's challenges. Specifically think about where you gain your weight. Does your extra fluffiness (it's not fat anymore, girls, it's fluff!) show up in your tummy, your hips and thighs, your upper body and bust area, or do you pretty much gain weight evenly all over? List those trouble spots here:

________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

You may be one of those women who does not have trouble with weight gain and has a somewhat balanced body. This brings me to the idea of the "perfect body." What does that mean for you? In America, it seems the perfect body is over 5'10" and a size 4. Think supermodels, celebrities, and the airbrushed women you see gracing the cover pages of fashion and beauty magazines.

Looking your best means knowing what your body shape is and dressing for it so your body looks proportional. That's what this is all about. It's not about looking like a beanpole (and if you do, that's okay too); it's about making your body seem perfectly proportional. You don't have to camouflage the body parts you don't like. Instead, you can dress so those parts look better balanced with the rest of your body.

It's time to stop throwing on an oversized tunic. It's time to stop wrapping a bulky sweater around your waist. It's time to stop wearing sweat suits every single day because you think it's the only thing that will cover you up. It's time to dress balanced!

Let's get back to your body assessment. If you are completely honest with yourself, your body really isn't all bad, is it? I bet you have a few challenges, but once you understand how you can make them look better, you might not mind them anymore.

The bod-x System

There are four specific body shapes we're going to discuss. Wherever you gain weight determines your body type. I'm sure you've heard all kinds of names for body shapes, from pears and apples to squares and rectangles. They're all good, but for our purposes I'm going to be referring to them by the bod-x system. Most women gain the majority of their weight in one of four places:

• Tummy

• Upper midriff and bust

• Booty and hips/thigh area

• Even gain all over

Are you nodding your head already, knowing exactly where you fit in? This correlates exactly with what you have identified as your trouble spots above. It is possible to gain weight in multiple areas, such as in your tummy and your hips. If this is the case, then you are a combination of types and you'll want to follow the guidelines for both.

The following few pages contain a description of each of the body types. Check off those traits that describe you and note where you have the most checks. This will be your body type. Generally speaking, if you gain your weight primarily in your belly, you are a b body type. The o body is the overly endowed, busty gal and may gain weight in her tummy and upper midriff. The d body will gain her weight in her derrière, hips, and thighs, and the x body will have a balanced figure, whether she is at her ideal weight or not.

Body Type b

• Balanced shoulders and hips

• Gains weight in belly

• Fuller waist or muffin top

• Straight figure

• Not too much in the rear

Body Type o

• Overly endowed bust

• Rounded on top, bust, and upper midriff area

• Full figure

• Nice legs

• Usually size 14 and up

Body Type d

• Gains weight in hips, thighs, and derrière

• Narrow waist

• Small- to medium-width shoulders

• Minimal bustline

• Full bottom

Body Type x

• Shoulders and hips are balanced

• Narrow waist

• Gains weight evenly all over

• Ideal weight

• Balanced proportions

Which body type are you? Circle one of the letters below.

b o d - x

Which body shape best describes you? Which one has the most check marks?

Keep in mind the bod-x system is not an exact science. It's like a compass that points you in the general direction of the kind of proportions you have. My job is to tell you what you can do to make every part look its best.

The reason it's important to know our challenge areas is that, even though God did not make a blunder with giving you the type of body you have, we can better understand, appreciate, and make our challenge areas appear less obvious.

As you think about your body type and determine which letter you are, don't be discouraged. If you are a b, don't wish you were an x. If you are a d, don't start belittling your booty. Don't be so hard on yourself. Be kind. Love every inch of you. Accept who you are. Appreciate the uniqueness with which you were made. And be thankful you don't look like everyone else. Wouldn't life be dull if we all looked the same?

Keep reading and go to the heading labeled with your identified body type. Get to know how to dress to look balanced. Oh, and for you x's, just because you're more balanced than the rest of us, don't stop reading. Continue on to your section. Even x's have some challenge areas every now and then. Occasionally an x develops into a different body type, so you may want to learn about the other body types as they apply.

I am a stay-at-home mom and I struggle with knowing what clothes to buy so I can look nice, yet not spend too much money since we live on a pretty tight budget. I definitely don't always put the effort in every day to get out of my sweats, but after hearing you at our church conference, I know I need to do a better job at that. I am trying to learn the "rules" for my body type so I can look my best. I am totally inspired to do it!

Jennifer

b Body Type

If you are a b, then your challenge area is your belly. You may wish that you had a little more junk in your trunk, but hey, it's not the end of the world. There are many women out there who would trade their shape for yours. Here are some tips that will help you accentuate your body and make you look great.

Never tuck in your tops. This is a definite no-no. Whenever you tuck shirts in, attention is immediately drawn to the tummy area. Use caution with belts. Don't wear them around your waist, as this will draw attention to the area you are trying to hide. If you want to wear a belt, make it a wider one that is slung low across your tummy at an angle. It's kind of a funky look (in a trendy way) and will disguise the trouble spot.

The shirts and jackets you wear should always cover the fullest part of your body. The perfect place for them to fall is just below your tummy. Stay away from short jackets that hit at the waistline or just below the waist. Stick with a longer length jacket that falls right above the hips. You can even try a duster type that hits just above the knees.

Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize! Do this especially at the neckline. It's a great way to draw attention away from your middle and toward your face and neck. Don't be afraid of chunky necklaces.

Nix the shoulder pads. I know this is very 1980's-esque, but styles always come back. For you, this style should be one you never indulge in. The great part about your shape is that your shoulders are already balanced with your hips. You've got that great proportion going for you. If you purchase clothes with shoulder pads already attached, take them out and throw them away.

Stay away from slacks with pleated fronts. This will make your midsection appear bigger than it is. Flat front or side zip slacks are a better option. Relaxed fit or full leg trousers are great for a b body type. A b looks best in monochromatic dressing with solids of colors near matching. Try wearing longer scarves and drape them in the front of your body.

A tummy shaper is a must-have item in your wardrobe. As with all body types, make sure you are properly fitted for the right bra. We'll talk about these two things later on.

It's very important for a b to wear the correct size, especially as it concerns tops. If you wear a shirt a size too small, it will cling to your tummy and make this challenge area appear bigger.

Column dressing — wearing three pieces of clothing like a shirt, a jacket, and pants — is a great way to appear slimmer. To create a column for a b, match the color of your inside pieces (the top and pants are the inside pieces, while the jacket is the outside one) or keep them near the same hue.

o Body Type

Whenever you're having one of those days when you wish your body wasn't so "upwardly blessed," remember there are a lot of women who'd like a little of what you have. As a matter of fact, many of these women are running to the nearest plastic surgeon to get it.

The most important item in your wardrobe is your bra. You have got to have it fit properly (see chapter 4 for more details). A good bra is necessary for all body types, but your health particularly depends on it; you can suffer from back problems with a heavy bust. The right bra will be an amazing asset to your body. You'll be surprised when you see the difference between an ill-fitted bra and one that is the right fit.

You most likely have great legs. Don't be shy. Don't hide them. Show them off! Go ahead and wear a shorter length skirt that falls right at the knee. This is a very classic look and flatters everyone, but especially you. As far as pants, look for ones that have only a slight flare to them. You don't want to look boxy by wearing slacks that are too full or wide at the bottom.

Jackets look fabulous on you. Stay away from ones that fit snug around your bosom. Always give your bust some breathing room. You will want to wear a ¾-length sleeve, so push your sleeves up if your jacket has long ones. A swing jacket is a timeless piece that will flatter you marvelously! This type of jacket is not a straight fit but has a little flare at the bottom. It almost looks as if it is swinging ... hence the name.

You will probably not be tucking many tops in, but if you do, make sure you don't wear wide belts. Stick with the skinny ones.

Prints make a full bust appear smaller. When wearing solids, add a jacket to your outfit to minimize your upper body.

Because you have a beautiful bustline, you need to pay extra attention to how it looks. Be modest. Don't show them off to everyone around you. Leave your cleavage at home behind closed doors. Camisoles should be a staple in your wardrobe since so many tops seem to be low cut. You'll want to have plenty on hand so you don't look like you are putting your bustline on display for the world to see. When you wear necklaces, be sure they don't fall on or into the bustline.

Similar to a b, column dressing works great for o's. This body type needs to build its column with the inside pieces as described on page 32. Remember, column dressing happens when you wear three pieces of clothing and two of the three are the same or near the same color.

d Body Type

Calling all d's, calling all d's! I can already hear your frustration, girlfriend. I bet you have a tough time finding a pair of pants that fit both your hips and your waist, right? This is the biggest complaint I hear from d's. You know what? You probably never will, although some manufacturers are beginning to address this issue. Though that's the bad news, there is good news. You probably have a tailor in your neighborhood who can fix this problem for you. Buy pants that fit your hips and you can have someone take in the waist area. Voilà! Problem solved! When buying pants, make sure they have a flared leg at the bottom. The flare will always balance your hips, so keep plenty of them in your wardrobe.

If you don't want to have your pants altered, there is another solution called isABelt]TM]. This is a thin, strong, and flexible clear plastic belt that virtually disappears when worn. It provides you with the assurance that all is secure without even knowing it's there. isABelt prevents back gap and slippage, making it perfect for the d body type. You can find one at www.isABelt.com for under $20. It may become your new best friend!

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing to Wear! by Shari Braendel. Copyright © 2010 Shari Braendel. Excerpted by permission of ZONDERVAN.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0310339758
• ISBN 13: 9780310339755
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208