Ask Teresa

Teresa is principal and founder of Image Consultant, Teresa Chew International (M) Sdn Bhd. Readers are encouraged to send queries in Image related topics to Teresa at teresa@teresachew.com.

Questions from Readers:


Ask Teresa:


Ques 1) Dear Teresa.,


Is it true that white works best for people with a certain physique and complexion?


John, white works well with most skin complexions. However, if you do not have a tan skin, then wearing all white might not be the most flattering option for your skin tone. I suggest you try to contrast your lighter features with brighter colours like red, pale blue, yellow, light orange, and even some earth tones like beige.


In terms of physique, white tends to emphasize most parts of the body, so if you are on the heavy side, then you might want to wear less white, especially near your concern areas. So, for example, if you’re heavier around the waist, then avoid wearing white pants because they will make your bottom look larger, drawing people’s eyes away from your charming smile and straight to your belly.


Ques 2) Dear Teresa,


I am a bachelor of 42 years old and I have recently met a girl of my dream. I wish to impress and create an impact on my first date with her, please assist on what colours to wear.


Keep it clean and simple. Be conservative and avoid extremes. Do not wear any fleshy of distracting designs. Avoid wearing bright yellow ( too intense, may irritate the eyes), bright green or olive green (it creates too much of a calming and relax effect, save it for another occasion) , grey (not friendly), and brown ( too boring for a special event).


It is best to wear colours that you feel good in as well as colours that express your personality. It’s important that you feel relaxed and friendly- not contrived or phony.


If you are uncertain about what colour to wear, consider red. It gives you courage, vitality and self-confidence and most of all, will mark your sex appeal. Red is a commanding colour that should be worn once in a while and special event, for those times when you really want to make a statement and be different. A nice shade of turquoise blue is also a great colour for a positive ( and more subtle) effect- and it flatters all skin-tones.


Ques 3) Dear Teresa,


For years I was a very successful entrepreneur, but my life changed dramatically with the death of my husband. It’s been two and half years now, and I’m trying to find myself again. My two daughters both got married last year, few months apart. Please advise.


Cassandra, I reckon you were overwhelmed by your busy life and now you might wish to consider taking on a self immersion thirty-day program. The last thing I want you to do is to take on something that feels like more stress. The self indulgent 30 days program is totally loving and fun project for your client, the is YOU. Let’s talk about money first. This program does not require spending your savings on ball gowns or list of essentials that are requisite to your lifestyle. But it does require making a list of needs and allocating funds for them. These may include a long overdue haircut of colouring, start investing in quality things that you’ll wear for several seasons instead of spending impulsively on trendy items that will be “out” in few months. You will end up saving money.


Break old habits and create new ones by listing and placing yourself in a unique setting for a while. There’s a lot more to you than you may think. Beyond your family and loved ones, there is a seed inside of you. To find yourself, you need to separate yourself from day-to-day concerns so you can get to the wholeness that lies within. To find it, you have to be more engaged with yourself.