Proof that bloggers are asserting themselves more over brands and marketing comes with the news that retail giant Marks & Spencer has turned to five bloggers to help give styling advice to customers. 
With over 10,000 people searching online for advice around body shapes each month¹ and the BBC reporting that more than half of the public has a negative body image², M&S hopes that the bloggers will give women the confidence they need to make an informed decision when choosing dresses for their body shape.
Working collaboratively on the project fashion bloggers Muireann Carey-Campbell, Amanda Carr, Kate Sutton, Gemma Cartwright and Harriet Thorn offer their personal styling expertise and can be seen self-modelling the dresses, proving that there’s a style for all women at M&S.
The online advice hub has an informative video and styling tips page, giving clear information on how to identify the five main body shapes.
Rectangle shaped, Muireann of Bangsandabun.com, says, “For me it’s all kind of about the optical illusion of creating a bit of a waist. I tend to go for classic shift dresses but if there’s gathering in that area it always helps. I’ll experiment more with different fabrics, colours and patterns.”
But for curvy hour-glass shaped Kate of WitWitWoo.com, it’s all about the right amount of cleavage, “I can’t really avoid it, but [I tend to show] my cleavage area – but I don’t like to show too much off, just enough! I would tend to wear a maxi dress in the day, something free-flowing and comfortable. In the evening, something more fitted, probably a bit sexier and just below the knee. “
Amanda of TheWomensRoomBlog.com is more concerned with support and structure, “Because I’m slightly older – I’m over fifty – I’m looking to cover up that ‘fifty-roll’ you get as you get older, around the waist. So I really love dresses, often with a bit of structure in them. As you get older you like a bit of structure in your dresses.“
Gemma of BigGirlsBrowse.com and Harriet of WhereIsHarriet.com, who are pear and hour glass shapes respectively, agree that nipped in waists and fuller skirts are the most flattering on their frames.
The body shape advice hub also offers a free to download ‘buyer’s guide’ with tips from assistant dresses buyer, Barbara Bobadilla, which customers can print and take to store with them to assist in the purchasing journey. Barbara says, “Pop the guide in your handbag and bring to your local M&S, so you’ll always have some key pointers to stick to when dressing your body shape”.
View the ‘How To Dress For My Body Shape’ advice hub online within the dresses section of marksandspencer.com.
The body shapes advice hub (featuring the video and downloadable buyer’s guide) can be viewed here: Dress Your Body Shape.
Photo: Kate, a mum of two from from WitWitWoo wears The Secret Support Circle Print Dress and Bold Floral Maxi Dress from Marks and Spencer.
See all the bloggers in their dresses: Click here
