When we think about improving our style, we often focus on buying new clothes, finding flattering colours or updating our wardrobe.

But one thing I regularly encourage clients to think about during wardrobe sessions is something we rarely talk about enough:

Good underwear and the right foundations.

You can have the perfect dress, beautiful trousers or a gorgeous jacket, but if the foundations underneath are not working properly, clothes simply won’t sit as well as they could.

Christian Dior famously said:

“Without proper foundations there can be no fashion.”

And honestly? I couldn’t agree more.

The right underwear can completely change how clothing fits and feels. Good foundations can help:
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• Clothes sit more smoothly
• Improve comfort throughout the day
• Create cleaner outfit lines
• Help clothing fit more as intended
• Boost confidence when getting dressed

It is not about changing your body. It is about helping your clothes work better for you.

This is one of the biggest things I notice when helping women review their wardrobe. A poorly fitting bra can affect:
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• How tops sit
• Jacket fit
• Dress shape
• Overall proportions

My advice? Get professionally measured. A proper fitting can make an enormous difference. Good lingerie shops will often fit you correctly and advise on both back size and cup size.

You may want to consider a bra fitting if:

• The strap rides up your back - If the back of your bra sits too high, it may be too loose.
• You use the tightest strap on purchase - A bra should fasten on loosest hook when purchased and over time with wear you will need to go onto the tightest hook.
  
• You notice gaping space or overflow of breast tissue - If the cup area feels too small or too large, sizing may need adjusted.
• You have marks after removing your bra - Some light marks can happen, but discomfort or digging in may indicate poor fit.

One thing I often remind clients: 

The correct fit can make clothes sit better and often improves overall proportions too.

Shapewear has changed enormously over the years. Modern shapewear is not about trying to completely change your shape.

It is often designed to:

• Smooth clothing lines
• Improve comfort
• Help fabrics sit more neatly
• Create a polished finish under clothing

And thankfully . . . we have moved on significantly from uncomfortable options of years gone by!

There is no single answer. The right choice depends on:
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• Your outfit
• Fabric type
• Comfort preferences
• Personal style

Options now include:
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• Seamless styles
• High-waisted designs
• Shorts
• Smoothing styles
• Everyday comfort options

One tip I often give clients: If underwear is visible through clothing or creating lines you do not love, it may simply be time to explore different options. Comfort and confidence should always come first.

Surprisingly — yes.

Well-fitting underwear often helps clothes:

• Hang better
• Sit better
• Feel better

And when we feel comfortable, it usually shows. Style is rarely about buying more. More often, it is about making small changes that help what you already own work harder.

During my Wardrobe Makeover sessions, we often look at the bigger picture, not simply clothing, but how everything works together.

From wardrobe organisation and outfit combinations to styling advice and proportions, small changes can make a huge difference.

Because feeling stylish starts long before you buy something new.

Stay Stylish,

Karen x

For your next pub quiz question . . . the very first sewing machine was introduced in 1829 by Barthelemy Thimonnier. And what an invention it turned out to be!

Now, I’ll be honest . . . sewing, alterations and threading needles are definitely not my area of expertise. That’s why I always rely on talented seamstresses and tailors when clothes need adjusted to create the perfect fit.
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One person I regularly recommend is the extremely talented Dalia at Altered Images in Milngavie, who works wonders altering and updating clothing.

​One thing I often hear from clients during wardrobe makeovers is:

​"I love this, but it just doesn’t sit properly.”

The reality is that high street clothing is designed around averages but none of us are average.

We all have different proportions:
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• Shorter or longer legs
• Fuller busts
• Narrow shoulders
• Longer arms
• Different waistlines

This is why one size can fit beautifully in one area and not at all in another.

Absolutely. I always say:

"We should wear our clothes, not let the clothes wear us!"

When clothes fit properly they instantly look:
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• More flattering
• More polished
• More stylish
• More balanced in proportion

And often, they help us feel far more confident too.

Sometimes the smallest alterations can completely transform a piece of clothing.
Common alterations include:
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• Shortening sleeves
• Adjusting hems
• Taking waistbands in or out
• Altering seams
• Removing or adding sleeves
• Updating older garments
• Adding small details or embellishments

I also love the idea of updating older pieces you already love rather than replacing them straight away. A few small changes can often bring something right up to date again.

This is something I talk about regularly with clients during my Wardrobe Makeover sessions, where we focus on the philosophy:

“Shop your wardrobe first.”

Before deciding whether to alter something, I always encourage clients to ask themselves:

• Do I genuinely love this item?
• Would I wear it more if it fitted better?
• Is it worth investing in?

If the answer is yes, tailoring can completely refresh a piece and help you get far more wear from it.
It’s also a much more sustainable way to approach fashion and your wardrobe.

Most clothing can be altered beautifully, although knitwear can sometimes be more difficult depending on the fabric and style.
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But honestly, before giving up on something you love, it’s always worth asking the question first.

Many women tell me they struggle to know:
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• What still suits them
• What fits properly
• What’s worth keeping
• What could be altered
• What no longer works for them

This is something I help with regularly during my Wardrobe Makeover sessions.

Together we:

• Review your wardrobe
• Create outfit combinations
• Identify pieces worth altering
• Rediscover clothes you already own
• Help you feel more confident in what you wear

Sometimes a few small tweaks can completely transform your wardrobe and how you feel wearing it.
Stay Stylish,
​
Karen x

If you are looking for alterations locally, I highly recommend:

Altered Images Alterations
7 Mugdock Road
Milngavie
G62 8PD
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📞 0141 956 5045
🌐 www.alteredimagesglasgow.co.uk