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Author: Scarlett De Bease

Clothing Size Doesn’t Matter

Clothing Size Doesn’t Matter

Ever find yourself in your bedroom or a dressing room determined to get into a pair of pants no matter how long it may take to get them on?

If the label is showing a size that you have worn before, surely it will fit again because darn it, your willpower is way bigger than your thighs, right? Wrong. In the case of finding clothes that fit and flatter, size doesn’t and shouldn’t matter.

Way too often a woman beats herself up because the size she used to wear or wants to be in is no longer is an option. Rather than once again vowing you won’t eat much that day or actually use your gym membership, try not to focus on the size label but instead concentrate on how your clothes fit the body you have.

I am not trying to discourage women from healthy diets and exercise, but if it has been awhile since you swore you would lose that baby fat 25 years ago, or the extra weight you gained attending college and you are close to attending your own child’s college graduation, isn’t it time to let go of the smaller size label and focus instead on properly fitting into the size you are now? Imagine a man going into a store looking for a new pair of pants and discovering that the 34 waist he typically wears is a bit snug. He doesn’t storm out irritated or squeeze into the too-tight pants barely able to walk. Rather the angel of men’s clothing departments, also known as the tailor, descends upon him and his salesperson with his magic tape measure and turns the next size up into the perfect fitting pair of pants.

Ladies, you too can have your own fit angel, except you have to seek him or her out in better stores or in your locality. So if the size 10 pants, top or dress is snug in some spots go up one size, and have a tailor take in the loose fitting areas. Then you will have clothes that fit like they were made just for you.

Keep in mind that nobody gets a compliment based on the size printed on his or her clothing. Compliments and comfort occur from how great your clothes fit when tailored for your curves. Being a size six does not equal happiness and success. Having a wardrobe that opens up doors for you can lead you to possibilities beyond your wildest dreams.

I have size 18 clients who are far better dressed than the Twenty Somethings they work with, because they stopped waiting to lose weight before investing in proper fitting and flattering clothes.

Alert: Try not to have distaste for the larger size labels. One of my clients once did. She so hated seeing what size she wore, that she had cut out the size tag out of EVERY single piece of clothing she owned, so that when I got to her home she had no idea what size she or any of her clothes were.

What was also interesting is that she disliked almost all of her clothes and had not gone shopping for new ones for years. She complained so much about never having anything to wear despite a closet full of tagless pieces, that her husband hired me to end her daily lament.

After I showed her what clothes would look great on her and how size wasn’t what was causing her fear of figuring out what to wear, it was time to go shopping for the right clothes. This was a very easy decision to make. What size to select for her to try on was not. So do yourself a favor, and think of size tags the same as those tags on mattresses with the warning label; Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law.

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Step Back From The Rack

Shopping Tip

Step Back From The Rack

You decide to do some clothes shopping, and there it is, a top or pair of pants that is practically calling your name. You seem to already know each other so well; after all it knows just what to whisper to your sub-conscious mind, hugs you like a an old friend, and makes you feel safe, protected and secure.

Wait a minute! I bet you already have an item in your closet verging on identical to the one you are being attracted to like a magnet.

If so, you are not alone. It is very common to be drawn to what we already have, know and like, even if it isn’t any good for you.

Remember that boy or girlfriend that made you feel like hell, yet you kept waiting for the phone to ring, or that potato chip you knew you shouldn’t eat, because like the rest of us, you couldn’t eat just one?

It is typical human behavior to want more of what we already have, despite the fact that the familiar is not always in our best interest.
Try to step back from the rack, but especially from the black. Women have a tendency to purchase yet another pair of black pants, despite already owning enough pairs to make blackout curtains for your bedroom.

Force yourself to move past the black clothes and the things that look like what you already have, and only buy what is NOT like what is already in your wardrobe.

If many of your clothes are similar then all your outfits will be as well. Hey, the expression variety is the spice of life resonates for a reason, right?

The real-life proof is in the photos below of my daughter who couldn’t resist checking out a few tops.

I was with my daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law when he giggled, watching his wife look at a sweater pretty much identical to what she was wearing.

Exhibit A

Shopping tip

After pointing the similarity out to her, I kid you not, she did this.

Shopping tip

Note: I hope she doesn’t read this blog.



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Narrow Shoulders or a Wide middle?

Narrow shoulders? Wide middle?

Follow these styling tips, and you’ll get a defined waistline in less than 30 seconds!

If you are very narrow on top or have extra in your middle, look for patterns that visually widen your shoulders, like the sweater below.

This will make you visually slimmer and get a defined waistline

Note: If you are wide on top, avoid any pattern from shoulder to shoulder.

get a defined waistline

Dressing for your body shape is all about balance and knowing what details, styles, and proportions work best for you.

Once you learn how getting dressed will no longer stress you out!

Learn how to get personalized style advice when you Book a call with me, and I’ll tell you how I find clothes that will make you feel and look amazing. 

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Don’t Shop Till You Drop

Don’t Shop Till You Drop

Whether you love or hate to shop for clothes, there are a few guidelines that I suggest, which make shopping more productive, way less painful, exhaustive and far less wasteful.

One: Shop alone. No friends, sisters, mothers or mother in laws.

Why? For starters I have never met a woman that wants to dress like her mother or mother-in-law. Not ever!

Unless your shopping partner is able to determine what looks great on YOU, and not what she likes, you will end up spending money on items you will unlikely wear, and I know this because of all the times a client has told me the history of her closet’s unworn and unloved mistakes.

As an example, let’s say your shopping sidekick loves to wear floral prints in bright neon colors, so she urges you to try on a top or dress that meets her personal choices. Now she cannot stop shrieking with delight, urging you to buy this colorful beauty, while you look and feel like a tropical drink at a Tiki bar.

Despite knowing in your gut, that this is not what you should buy, you do not want to disappoint your beaming pal and ruin a fun, or let’s just get it over with, day. Besides, the salesperson can’t stop telling you how terrific you look. And that leads me to:

Two: Don’t let a complete stranger, who makes commission tell you how great you look. Yes, your butt might actually look big, but it is doubtful she will tell you the truth.

Of course, there are some great salespeople and be sure to shop with them whenever possible, but unless you know she or he will be completely honest and creative with you, put on some earplugs and trust your gut. I promise that your first reaction to how you look is the one that counts.

Three: Don’t Leave Your Dressing Room.

There you are in the dressing room, but you need to see how you look from all sides before you can decide if this is the outfit for you. No problem, all you have to do is step out of your dressing room and take a look in the three-way mirror all the rooms share.

Then you hear those reassuring words; “Oh Honey, that looks wonderful on you!” In case you couldn’t hear her, as you were too busy jumping up and down trying to see how you would look in heels, a neighboring customer also tells you how wonderful you look. SOLD.

So what if the color is all wrong, and you are having a hard time breathing in this outfit as your lungs and stomach are being compressed by the fit. Two strangers love it on you and despite the fact that one of them happens to be on commission, you now love this outfit on you as well. You love it, because their compliments have caused you to unconsciously become attached, and have clouded your ability to make your own decision.

Four: Be aware that stores deliberately place three-way mirrors in communal spaces, so that you get the ‘compliments’ from strangers that will seal the deal.

Five: If you do step out so you can see how you look from behind, follow my advice above, and listen to music or pretend to be on a call. Do whatever it takes to avoid being influenced by strangers and above all, avoid eye contact. Okay, that one I made up from all my younger years of watching too much science fiction TV.

Here is a segment of an email send to me by a participant from one of my presentations:

PS. “I laughed when you suggested that we shop alone, and not with a friend who will dress us in her tastes and not mine. This was my recent experience. A friend we’ll call “Floral freak” selected an orange, yep, ORANGE floral top for me and she enthusiastically said it complimented my looks. Upon reflection, I do think it was the top she was admired and not me in it. It was half price and we could not resist!

When my wits returned and I was home again with buyer’s remorse, I decided to donate it to someone who actually looks good in orange. And that I will. Thanks again!”

Shopping for clothes doesn’t have to be a stressful, wasteful experience. By shopping alone, trusting your instincts, and staying true to your personal style, you can build a wardrobe that makes you feel amazing every day. Remember, it’s not about pleasing others or following trends—it’s about feeling confident and comfortable in what you wear.


And then she said:
I was on a mission to create more space for myself, and there was Scarlett to the rescue!! It was overwhelming to have 3 closets filled with clothes, most of which I didn’t wear. In addition, I had built-in drawers that held my sweater collection, a chest of drawers just for scarves, a downstairs closet for seasonal coats and jackets, and the basement for off-season coats, jackets, and boots. Scarlett helped me go through it all via Zoom piece by piece until we curated my collection to fit in just one upstairs closet plus a separate space for displaying my scarfs on hangers, so cool! (I donated the chest of drawers). I now have one coat closet for all seasons and my shoes and boots all fit there too!! I feel terrific, unburdened, delighting in all my empty spaces. I could never have gotten up the courage to part with so many things on my own and have a great time doing so! Yay for Scarlett!! My prayers have been answered!!”
Gayle Buff


Don’t Shop Till YOU Drop, because that hasn’t worked!

Need help finding the clothes perfect for you?

Book a complimentary call, and I’ll show you how.

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Woman Of Value

I’m leaving on a jet plane because of something I said

Five years after being on The Woman Of Value podcast, I was invited to fly to Minnesota to speak to a large group of women next month.

Here is the podcast, and in it, I share a story I repressed for over 30 years!

You’ll also get some makeup and styling tips.


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Munro is going out of business

Munro is going out of business.

Last Chance for these Comfy Shoe Lovers!

One of my amazing clients told me that the shoe company I recommend to ALL of my clients is closing shop.

Munro is going out of business, and that is a shame.

They make shoes in widths, from narrow to triple-wide, that are extremely comfortable, very well made, and very friendly to various foot issues. 

The fit is not always consistent, so sometimes I’m a 9 M, 9.5 M, or 9 W, so I often need to try a few sizes, just like in clothes, to get the best fit.

Now is the time to get a pair or two on sale while they last. I just bought six pairs!

You can get them at Nordstrom, where you can return them, or at Munro.com, but there all sales are final.

I say Nordstrom is your best bet for now.

I will miss this brand soooo much.

Let me know if you’re a Munro devote, too.

Munro is going out of business

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Best Styling Tips of 2024

Best Styling Tips of 2024 For You

Start the new year with confidence! Check out my 5 most popular styling tips and find the perfect fit.

1. Stop Ignoring Regular Sized Women

2. Two Women, One Great Dress! Seeing Double?

3. Bathing Suit Shopping Tips for Battling the Bathing Suit Blues

4. Here’s How To Get Your Money Back!

5. Have Your Contents Shifted?

6. Ever Have Back Cleavage? Advice for Women Over 40

 If you have a topic you’d like me to cover, please email me at Scarlett@ScarlettImage.com.


You deserve to love seeing your
reflection in the mirror!

I understand that want to finally love the clothes you wear and how you look in them. Start your year knowing which style of clothes you should be wearing and buying.

Get the transformation you’ve been dreaming about inside and out when you Book a complimentary 30-minute Know What to Wear Zoom call with me. You’ll learn how to feel confident, stylish, and excited to get dressed every day!

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