Fashion needs models. Designers select the models most suitable for their designs, depending on the project, their theme, the circumstances, and their preferences and when the chosen models don their designs, they showcase them at their very best. As a result, the designer’s fashions are a success and their work sells or is adopted or imitated by others. What makes a good model? When we think of a successful fashion model, as well as their looks and figure, we picture their walk, their stance and their general posture.
A fashion model’s posture
The posture of a model is iconic. A catwalk model walks with power, thrust and confidence. They take large strides, their head is held high, and often their arms sway at their sides. When they stand still, they don’t just hang there, they present the fashion to the onlookers. Usually, head is up, shoulders are back, chest is forward, and stomach is held tightly in. The clothes and the model look fantastic. After all, it just would not have the same effect if they slouched forward or their stomach bulged, whether it is loose fitting sportswear, sexy underwear or sophisticated evening wear that they are exhibiting. Fashion and posture are connected – having good posture makes a person and the clothes they are wearing look their absolute best.
How to have good posture
Look after your body; that is, do not neglect your feet, legs, back and stomach. Take care of your feet by wearing footwear suitable for the occasion and the season. Badly fitting shoes can cause blisters and ingrown toenails. Wear the right training shoes for physical exercise to support your feet and enable them to breathe; wear open shoes to let the air get to your feet when it is hot; choose suitable shoes or boots for walking, hiking or climbing. High heel shoes and stilettos should be worn in moderation, for a special occasion and for as short a time as possible.
The damage caused by high heel shoes
Feet act like spring-loaded shock absorbers, distributing your weight when you walk. Wearing high heels puts the mass of your weight onto the balls of your feet, which causes an unnatural strain to your body. The higher the heel, the worse it is. The way you walk in heels is completely different to how you would naturally walk because your ordinary, healthy stride becomes stilted; this can cause bone and nerve damage. Consider the following problems that can occur if high heels are worn too long, too often:
- The Achilles tendons anchor your calf muscles to your heels, but high heels cause the Achilles tendons to bunch up.
- Spider veins can result from restricted circulation when high heels force the ankles to bend forward.
- Stilettos can cause chronically taut ankle and calf tendons, eventually making walking painful.
- Wearing high heels can put extra stress on the inner knees, which in the long term could lead to osteoarthritis.
- When you wear high heels, you have to walk with your hips thrust forward, make sure your back is arched, and push out your chest. It works the outer hip muscles and tendons hard.
- To walk in high heels, your spine needs to sway unnaturally; this stretches your muscles and causes a sore lower back.
Looking after your back and stomach to encourage good posture
Consider the following exercises to strengthen your core body strength, stomach and back muscles and for overall health and fitness. Try yoga or Pilates to improve body strength and posture. Lower back pain may be due to lumbar muscle strain; if you have any back pain, Healthquest Chiropractic back treatment clinic specializes in the relief of chronic back pain through non-surgical chiropractic back pain treatment techniques.
Most people admit that good posture can make you look thinner, more elegant and more confident, as well as helping the clothes you are wearing make you look your best. Some even feel that good posture will make you look younger and smarter and is also good for your digestion. Work on improving your posture by strengthening your body through exercise, making an effort not to slump or slouch, sitting up straight, keeping shoulders back and head up, and sucking that tummy in. You could even ask a friend or work colleague to point out when you have let your posture slip and return the favor for him or her. After all, if we are really honest, anything we can do to make us appear taller and slimmer is something we could benefit from!
