Tim Gunn at the Hirshhorn Gallery
Is there a style fan around who doesn’t adore the impeccable Mr. Tim Gunn?
So what a treat it was to attend a panel at the Hirshhorn Gallery in Washington, DC on the artist Anne Truitt moderated by none other than Tim Gunn himself, a former sculpture student of Ms. Truitt’s at the Corcoran in the ’70s.
And what a further treat to wander through the retrospective itself and be greeted by the sight of Tim Gunn, also experiencing the works for himself.
As he is on TV, he was gracious, impeccable and charming. And he peers over his glasses, hand on chin, in appreciation of anything beautiful or creative, whether a designer’s work in progress, or an artist’s body of work.
- What’s your favorite fashion celebrity sighting?
The fabulous Tim Gunn dispenses many pearls of fashion wisdom in his Guide to Quality, Taste and Style
. One of the best is this: snip out the size tags in your clothes.
Tim Gunn's Guide to Quality, Taste and Style
Sounds a bit extreme? Perhaps it is. But his larger point is about focusing on the way your clothes fit you, not the number on the tag inside the waistband or collar.
After all, women’s clothing sizes are notoriously inconsistent across brands and stores. One label flatters you that you’re a 6. Another tells you you’re suddenly wearing a size 10. Meanwhile, most of your pants are an 8. Except for the junior sizes, where you might be a 7, or even a 9.
And no matter what the number on the tag, you’re going to have to try them on anyway, aren’t you?
So don’t let the scale be your guide; pay attention to the full-length mirror. Fit is about more than weight, after all. It’s about clothing in proportion to your body, just the way it is.
Is the waistband pulling apart at the buttonhole? Does the seat of your pants fit smoothly or are you straining at the seams? Do your shoulder seams fit at the shoulders, or do they hang off?
And if you find that perfect garment but it doesn’t fit quite right, consider the services of a talented tailor. He or she cannot make a too-small item larger, but your tailor can make most every item fit better.
