Students customize fashion to their strengths

“You wear the clothes, the clothes don’t wear you” was the theme of the “Dress To Impress” fashion workshop Tuesday at the Campus Recreation Center. Staff members talked to students about fashion tips and provided information on how to dress according to their physical strengths.

Jessica Weiderspon, the UNC Fitness and Wellness program graduate assistant, was a presenter at the workshop. 

“We want you to dress for your own body type and feel comfortable in your clothing,” Weiderspon said. “As long as you feel confident and hold your head high, that’s all that really matters in fashion.”

Information was provided about the six basic body types, basics for a wardrobe and flattering styles for special occasions, the gym, beach and professional setting. 

Alexis Jakuszeit, a junior sports and exercise science major, was also a presenter.

“Everyone is unique in body type,” Jakuszeit said. “You may be in between two body types, and that’s not something to feel ashamed about, because we can always work with it.”

Tips included wearing darker jeans for a slimmer look and avoiding denims with drastic fading.

“If the fading on the thigh is a lot lighter in contrast from the rest of the jean, your thighs are going to look a lot larger, so watch out for fading and always be sure to try the jeans on,” Jakuszeit said. 

Jakuszeit said wearing larger earrings tends to make the face appear smaller; longer necklaces give length to the torso and buying colored or printed dress tops help enhance personal style."

It adds a lot of personality to your style,” Jakuszeit said. “Fun colors, print and fabrics make your wardrobe more exciting and make you feel happy when you wear them.”

Jakuszeit said money isn’t the key to finding nice clothes and looking your best. 

“If you know your body type and goals of your personal style, you can shop cheap and achieve great results,” Jakuszeit said. 

Weiderspon said flattering and inexpensive clothes can be found with time and effort.

“Smart fashion is like smart eating,” Weiderspon said. “You can buy frugal and still eat really well, but it takes time and effort. The same thing goes with clothes, if you look for the sales and know when to go shopping, you can dress nice inexpensively.”

Staff members gave students personal assessments by identifying their body types and recommending styles that accentuated their best features and complimented their figures. 

“I appreciated the one-on-one attention that they gave each person,” said Marissa Holland, a junior special education major. “It was fun to analyze my body type and figure out what styles are most fitting.”

The event concluded with staff members modeling their best and worst outfits as examples of “friendly” and “frightening” fashion.