The Visual Appeal of Balance

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt dissatisfied with what you see, yet you’re not too sure what isn’t right? In these instances it is very likely the issue is one of balance, or more precisely, the lack thereof.  Balance is defined as the harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole. Visual balance exists everywhere in nature, so it should not be surprising that the human eye finds balance aesthetically pleasing; balance is comforting and attractive. Visual imbalance can actually make us feel unsettled, disconcerted or disturbed. Who doesn’t feel compelled to straighten a crooked picture on the wall or rearrange the cushions on a sofa to get the balance right?

Creating visual balance when we dress is an important part of looking fabulous. So, how do we achieve visual balance? Well, the answer comes in two parts.

• Firstly, we need to create the illusion of a balanced body.

 This means balancing our shoulder line with our hips and our length of leg with our length of torso. To do this we may need to minimise or maximise our bust/waist/ hips/neck. When one element of our body’s shape is disproportionately larger or smaller than the rest of us, balance is lost.

• Secondly, our clothing needs to reflect the proportions of our body. With the waist as the dividing line, the body’s proportions can be expressed as either two parts above the waist and three parts below or three parts above and five parts below. So, a garment or an outfit that can be divided into uneven or unequal parts creates better balance than one that is divided one to one or two to four. A 1:3 ratio or 2:3 ratio is more attractive than a 1:1 ratio.

“Have enough difference for interest, but not so much that it creates imbalance”. (Mathis and Connor, 1994).  In design, even halves is usually perceived as dull while uneven sections or parts is visually more interesting. This is true in fashion as well.

In dressing, even halves can appear staid, matronly or even frumpy. Uneven divisions between our top and bottom halves, gives us more chance of looking youthful, trendy or edgy.

Here are a couple of (imperfect) examples but hopefully they illustrate the point.

What woman doesn’t want to have a pair of great looking pins?  But what we want and what we get in life are often two different things. Some of us are born with long, shapely legs and some of us aren’t. However, there are strategies we can employ and things to avoid doing, in order to make the most of what we’ve got. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to help you have the longest, shapeliest legs possible.

1. DO end your hemline on a part of the leg that tapers in. Choose the length that suits your age and circumstance. Note, for the mature woman, the universally flattering leg length is 1 ½cms below the knee; short enough to be youthful, long enough to cover a few wobbly bits.
2. DON’T end a hem at the widest point of your calf or thigh. The horizontal influence of the hem only serves to widen the area of the leg as well as draw attention there.
3. DO opt for shorter lengths if you are short to medium height or you are tall with a longer body and relatively shorter legs.
4. DON’T wear light or white stockings!!! EVER!
5. DO wear dark stockings (when the climate allows) especially if your legs are full or heavy.
6. DO wear stockings with a vertical pattern.
7. DO wear heels 2 ½ cms at least. If comfort is just too important opt for a wedge heel.
8. DON’T wear an ankle strap. I know, Jennifer Hawkins and Miranda Kerr look fantastic in them. But their legs are so, so long and slim. If you have legs like them, feel free to disregard this point.
9. DON’T wear gladiator sandals. Read the point above!
10. DO wear a low vamp pump.
11. DON’T wear a very rounded toe. Pointy toes elongate the leg. Don’t like pointy toes? Then choose an almond shaped toe instead.
12. DO wear shoes and stockings that are a similar shade and if possible also blend in with your skirt or dress.

Here are just a few reasons why enlisting in the services of professional  image consultants can change the way you look, feel and put you on a new path on how to dress and always look absolutely fabulous.