I went to a fashion launch a couple of weeks ago. It was very exciting and I loved the choice of location and atmosphere. Months of work must have gone into the launch and it was extremely well organized so my compliments to those involved.

The theme or idea behind the clothing line was that the clothes are gender neutral and can be worn by both males and females. The pants and tops featured great design details with sequins and beading. I think it is a great concept but it was definitely targeting a particular audience. My guess is that the clothes would appeal to the under 25 age group who are not afraid to add sparkle and drama to their clothing.

The point to all of this is that not all clothing designs are meant to suit all body shapes. Sounds simple, yet many women struggle to identify which styles of clothing suit them. There are so many options available; it can be easy to be left feeling confused. Most designers tend to design with particular body shapes and personalities in mind. The personality of the designer will also influence the detailing and colour of their designs. This is pretty normal as we generally create what inspires us and what we naturally gravitate towards.

The trick is identifying which designers design for your body shape and personality. So next time you go shopping and wonder why a particular design just doesn't seem to work for you, think about whether the colour, style and personality are right for you. Our personalities influence the way we choose and wear our clothes and will decide what we feel comfortable in. There are varying levels of dramatic clothing and not everyone will feel comfortable in clothes that are extremely dramatic and out there. Select the types of clothes that feel right for you. If your clothes are a natural extension of you then you will feel much more confident and happy with the way you look.

Fashion is not always about going out and buying the latest styles and trends and expecting them to look good on you. Fashion and style is about selecting the clothing (both colour and style) lines that compliment and work with your body line. The clothes should work for you. After all, you wear the clothes, they don't wear you.

Things to remember when selecting clothes that are right for your personality:

• Think about the colour, design details and any prints. Do they feel comfortable or part of you when you put them on? If you don't feel comfortable wearing the clothes in the shop, it is unlikely that you will feel any more comfortable in them when you get home
• What occasion will you be wearing the clothes for? Dramatic designs and sparkles are great for social occasions but might not be appreciated at work
• There is no right or wrong when it comes to personality types, just your way!

Anna Martin is the co-founder of Izziana Image Consultants and believes that personal image is an important part of increasing people's confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing. Izziana Image specializes in assisting individuals to enhance their personal image and confidence through their clothing style. For further information contact Izziana Image on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text44041 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.izzianaimage.com.au