Clothes that you buy at stores are sized based on standards set by the pattern makers. These sizes are based on average body proportions and dimensions. As you are most likely well aware of, few bodies have these exact dimensions and shapes and that is why clothing off the rack doesn't always fit or flatter your body's shape. Fortunately, there are ways to make off the rack clothes fit your body better.

Tip #1 - Use Belts

One simple way to make adjustments to the shape and fit of clothing is to utilize a belt. Belts can be used with jeans and slacks to help bring in the waist of pants that are a little too big, or they can be added to a shirt to create a more tailored look. You can also use belts of different colors and textures to add a point of visual interest to your outfit.

Tip #2 - Make Adjustments to the Seams

If you are between sizes then you will want to buy the next size up and then make adjustments to the seams. You can do this simply by figuring out where the clothing is too big and then by taking in the seams. Usually you will only need to take in the side seams to make a shirt or a pair of pants fit your shape better. When you take in the seams you need to do it evenly on both sides so that the clothing item will fit properly on your body.

Tip #3 - Make Adjustments to the Length of the Item

Another dimension that may not fit your body properly is the length of the clothing item. If the item is too long then you can hem the bottom of the item. This is a very simple fix that even novices can handle. Keep in mind that you can shorten shirts and jackets, as well as pants, shorts and skirts. Hemming can be done by hand with a needle and thread, or it can be done using a sewing machine. There are also hemming tapes that you can use to quickly set a hem. You can use the tape to hold the hem for a day while you wear the item, or you can use it to hold the hem in place while you stitch it up with a needle and thread.

Today, fitness activities are a major part of people's schedules. However, many people don't give their fitness wardrobe much thought. As a result their workout outfits are ill fitted, they are not flattering and they do not provide the person with the protection that they need from chafing and rashes. Fortunately, all of these problems can be resolved by simply giving your fitness wardrobe a little thought.

Sizing Fitness Clothing
While you may not think that the size of your fitness clothing makes much of a difference it is actually very important to wear fitness clothes that actually fit your body. Clothes that are too tight can keep your body parts from completing their full range of motion, they can cause serious chafing and they can cause rashes and sores from rubbing on your skin. Fitness clothing that is too loose can also cause problems. For example, loose clothing can get caught up in fitness machines, it can cause chafing and it can make completing exercises difficult to do because the material gets in the way.

The best way to avoid all of these problems is to select fitness clothing that fits your body properly. This means that it is lose enough that you can bend, twist and stretch without discomfort and that it is form fitting enough to prevent material from getting caught in fitness equipment or bunching up on you. If you don't know what size to get look at the sizing chart found on the clothing item or on the website.

Selecting Fitness Clothing Pieces
To develop a fitness wardrobe you will want to start at your feet and work your way up. To begin with you will want to buy socks that are designed for sports. These socks will give you a little more padding at the Achilles' tendon, they will be more absorbent and they will provide you more cushioning on the soles of your feet. Next, you will want to select a couple of pairs of workout shoes. They should fit your feet both length wise and width wise.

Your workout undergarments should be made from material that will breathe and that will also wick about moisture from your skin. They should also provide you with the support that you need for your exercises of choice. Finally you will want to select tops and bottoms that fit your body shape, that are appropriate for the exercises that you do and that are made from a material that breathes well.

Staying fashionable in a recession seems like it would be impossible to do, but it is actually very easy. The key is to build a versatile base wardrobe with pieces of clothing that will last, that will coordinately easily with the other pieces in your wardrobe and that can be accessorized. Your base wardrobe will carry you from season to season and fashion trend to fashion trend and will allow you to quickly and inexpensively update your wardrobe each season with only one or two minor purchases.

The Base Wardrobe
Your base wardrobe is what will be the heart of your fashion statement. These pieces won't be show stoppers on their own, but they will provide you with the base on which to build a great looking and fashionable ensemble. Your base wardrobe will include a great fitting pair of dark denim jeans that are the right shape and fit for your body type, camisoles of various colors, a structured jacket in a neutral color, a pair of black dress pants, a black pencil skirt, a pair of black pointy toed heels and a collection of neutral colored pants and tops.

Jazzing Up Your Seasonal Wardrobe
Since your base wardrobe is constructed with clothing items that have neutral colors, you will jazz up your seasonal wardrobe by buying colorful accent pieces that have the colors that are "in" for the season. For example, if you are trying to update your spring wardrobe, you can buy scarves, tops or skirts that have pastel colors that are in this spring. These pieces can be used with your base wardrobe pieces to create a variety of new outfits that will look fresh, crisp and fashion-forward for the current season.

Accessorizing on a Budget
If you have pieces that will work for this season then you can upgrade or update your wardrobe by purchasing a few simple accessories. By adding accessories like a great pair of earrings, a necklace or a simple scarf, you can turn a basic outfit constructed from a tank top and a pencil skirt into an outfit that is appropriate for work, a night on the town or a beach picnic. The key is to select items that have colors that will work with more than one piece or outfit in your wardrobe and also make a statement.