Style anatomy: Salima Feerasta

The chief editor of Karachista, a leading fashion and lifestyle blog, breaks down her style for us. Find out how she works her physique to her advantage while dressing herself

Understanding your body is the key to looking good and a trait found amongst all impeccably dressed fashionistas. While people shy away from talking about their bodies, these brave souls explain how they work their anatomies to their advantage



How would you describe your body type?

Miraculous — it’s incredible that a collection of cells and tissues can have children, create stories, walk, talk and simply be. To be honest, I’ve never really thought about my body type but when I Googled it, I guess I’m somewhere between a straight and an hourglass.

Has your body type changed over the last five years?

I had my youngest son five years ago and breastfed for over a year. So I have bounced back from my pregnancy chubbiness to something approximating my normal self. My metabolism has slowed down, but I think as you age that is natural.

How has your style changed over the years?

I was never interested in fashion as a teenager or even at college. I was a classic geek: more interested in books and astrophysics than fashion. When I first took an interest in fashion my choices were fairly safe, but now I have more fun with my style — though the overall look remains fairly classic.

In your opinion what is your most troublesome area?

My posture. I have a terrible, slouchy posture and can end up looking pregnant in pictures if I’m not careful.

How do you dress your body according to your body type?

Consciously I don’t do anything. I know what looks good on me but I also love trying out different styles. I don’t have the confidence to pull off just anything, but as long as an outfit isn’t too revealing, I’ll happily experiment.



In your opinion what is the biggest mistake a person can make while dressing here?

Blindly following trends no matter what your age! I dislike seeing teenagers and 40 year olds in the same outfits — it happens. I think women should be more willing to break from the pack — at any age. Also wearing clothes that are too tight or wearing the wrong undergarments can ruin even the prettiest outfit. They are all major no-nos in my book!

Which silhouettes suit your body the most?

It depends on my mood. If I’m bloated and pre-menstrual I’m too miserable to look good in anything, but if I’m happy I can look good in a sack!

What is the one piece of clothing that you shy away from wearing and why?

Low-rise, skinny jeans. They aren’t fashionable any more but I avoided them even when they were. After three kids, I have an appreciable muffin top, even when I’m at my slimmest.