I always used to think that if I was on one of those makeover shows, like Trinny & Susannah or “How To Look Good Naked” it would just transform my life. And perhaps it would have but somehow I doubt it. Having someone with flair and knowledge shop with me would undoubtedly have been a huge boost but I’m a person who likes to take things slow. You’ll never see me catching the first wave of technology, or jumping on a trend when it’s just a whisper. So I suspect if I’d ever been on one of those shows as soon as the cameras were gone I’ve been back in my sweat pants quicker than you can say “you look … ah, comfy?”.
One of the main catalysts for me in changing how I look has been a willingness to actively follow my dreams. For years and years I’ve had the same fantasies about how my life could be. You’ve probably got them too. They usually end with a wistful “…one day”. When I discovered the law of attraction and began applying it in my life some amazing things began to happen. Suddenly I was thinking about my dreams in terms of right now. How would it feel to have them happen right now? Pretty damn good was my first reaction followed closely by oh-my-god-what-am-I-wearing?
In my dreams I look fabulous – just like in the movies, with not a hair out of place, my makeup understated but flawless and not a hint of morning breath when I wake up next to Brad Pitt. I’m aware I have no chance of replicating anything in that fantasy but the reality of how I really looked just didn’t stack up at all. And the joy of the process with law of attraction is that the daydreams and visualizing spur you to action, to prepare you for having that dream come true and for me that’s meant revamping the way I look. Not hugely, but one wardrobe item at a time, and now I’m beginning to look like a women who just might fit into that dream. Not that I’m ever going to be Angelina Jolie, but I can be the makeover girl who looks fabulously stylish and just beams with happiness.
I love clothes, I always have, which rather makes a mockery of my extensive collection of frumpy sweat suits. For me the barrier has always been my size. I still struggle with being a size 16, looking at all the skinny girls and wishing that were me. I promised myself that when I lost weight I would buy nice clothes. I put the weight on when I had my son, the strapping six foot 16 year old, so I figure I’ve pretty much waited long enough. I still dream of suddenly shedding 30 pounds but I refuse to do it whilst looking, and feeling fat and ugly.
But can a good outfit take those feelings away? You bet it can! Absolutely. Just think of all those makeover shows where the woman is crying happy tears because she feels just great. If I can look in the mirror before I leave home and think, ok, not bad, my whole day is colored by it. It’s not that I focus on how I look, it’s that I completely forget it. I don’t think about what I’m wearing, and more importantly I don’t think about my big ass, or my wobbly middle or my honking great hooters. Instead I’m getting on with it, whatever it might be and when I catch a glimpse in a window instead of that sinking feeling now I think, wow, killer shoes. I love the boost of looking good but that feeling of acceptance I get from wearing clothes that fit and flatter my body shape is priceless.
For me working with my shape has been a way to take the emphasis off of my size and back onto how beautiful I am, right now, and that has transformed my life. I hope that it can have the same impact for you.
If you have broad shoulders, wide hips and not a lot of waist in between then you’re a rectangle, or as the fashion industry would call you an Apple. You might be tempted to cover up with shapeless, baggy clothes but then you’d be missing out on a whole lot of fun creating curves right where you want them to be…
For you it’s all about creating the illusion of a waist by using clever tailoring and styling tips to create interest elsewhere.
Wide belts are your friend, you lucky devil. It’s a great look and you can carry it off with ease. Sit them a little higher than your natural waist line for best effect.
Prints on dresses are a great way to create some interest and distract from a straight up and down torso, BUT beware, make sure your prints are in proportion.
Layering is another great way to create interest. A hint of silky camisole showing through the neckline of a great dress will look fabulous and draw the eye.
Choose wrap dresses – the wrap belt will give you a definite waist and the deep v-neck will slice up your torso and make you look thinner.
Volume on the sleeves of shirts will make your torso look slimmer. Sleeveless tops make your torso seem even straighter.
Avoid slash neck tops or boat necks – you need a v-neck or u-neck to break up your body.
Look for details around your waist.
Go for fitted styles that have a definite waist line. A corset style is perfect.
Tops should finish at the hemline and if they have a little flare at the hem it will give the illusion of curves.
Avoid skinny straps that will make your body look huge in contrast.
Another great dress is a strapless A-line. It will broaden your shoulders and balance out your hips giving the illusion of an hourglass.
Avoid any straight up and down dress or jacket – it will emphasize your shape rather than break it up.
Avoid empire lines as the fall of fabric will emphasize your lack of waist.
Choose straight leg or wide leg trousers to make your waist look smaller.
Wear your trousers slightly too long and wear with pointy heels. It will make you look taller and curvier.
A low slung waistband will make you look shorter and your body longer, which draws the eye to your waist.
A curved waistband will give the impression of …well curves.
Avoid elastic waist bands – they add inches where you’re trying to take them away.
Avoid pleated pants for the same reason.
Avoid straight pencil skirts or you’ll turn into a giant ruler.
Choose A-line skirts or a gored skirt with a slightly flared hem. It will soften your silhouette and make you look curvy.
Choose a high stance jacket with a peplum hem. The higher button will make your waist look longer and the curvy hem-line will give the appearance of a waist.
Jackets should finish just below the waist.
A cropped jacket that sits on your waist will draw attention to your waist.
Wear your jacket open to give a long vertical line of clothing underneath which makes you look slimmer and longer.
If you’re an hourglass then you have a classically elegant shape that is the very essence of femininity. You are lush and curvaceous and just all round sexy. Lucky you! For making the most of your curves remember:
Don’t cover up! Accept you’re a red hot sexy woman and work with it. To cover up is to look frumpy and bigger.
Forget clingy clothes as well. For you there’s a fine line between awesomely hot and tragically trashy. Fit is everything – you clothes should skim your shape showing your amazing silhouette.
Accent your waist. Lift up your bust, slim down your belly and hips and keep all eyes on your waist.
Opt for open necklines and low necklines. V-necks, scoop necks or sweetheart necklines are great – really anything that shows your collarbones will work.
A-line dresses with fitted tops and waists will look fabulous.
Stay away from stretchy jersey dresses as they’ll show far too many lumps and bumps.
Wear a dress with a belt at your waist to highlight your waist.
A wrap dress is great because it can be adjusted to fit your proportions.Avoid any pencil shape skirts or dresses that narrow at the knees – they will over emphasize your hips.
A-line skirts with fitted waists are a good option.
Shorts and skirts should finish at your knee line to show your sexy calves.
When looking for tops think fitted – anything that fits below your chest. Wrap tops are particularly good, as is anything in a corset shape.
Open neckline always. Anything high necked like a polo shirt will make you look like frumpy and bigger.
Avoid loose, square-cut knits as they will mask your waist. For the same reason think twice before buying an empire line top.
Belts will work great to accent your waist, BUT, be careful if you are bigger. They can make you look like a loaf of bread that’s been squished in the middle.
Opt for high waisted, wide legged trousers. This will skim hips, hiding any unsightly bumps and lumps but emphasizing your waist.
Avoid cropped pants – they make your legs look shorter and wider.
Straight leg or parallel cut trousers will suit you, as will a men’s cut, but remember, fit is everything.
Jeans should be plain and dark. Any detailing on the front will make your hips and thighs look bigger.
Classic straight cut jeans are your best option. Aim for the waistband fitting just below your belly button to avoid ‘muffin top’.
Jackets should be short and fitted to flatter your waist and make your legs look longer.
Look for jackets with vertical princess seams to really flatter and make you look thinner.
Avoid double breasted jackets or those that button up to the neck. Open is always better.
Wear pants and jeans a little longer over your shoes so you can boost height with a heel.
Avoid round toes ballet pumps. They will make your legs look shorter and wider. Instead opt for a pointed toe with a kitten heel.Or heels; heels will always suit your classically elegant shape.
If you’re slender then there’s a whole world of clothes available out there for you, and even better almost everything will look great on you. Congratulations you have the look of the moment and designers are falling all over themselves churning out stuff especially for you. If you’re confident in your body, try all sorts of different looks, different styles. Find what works with your personality and lifestyle and style it up!
If you’re not so confident then we have a bit of a problem, because your body shape is all about long sexy lines and flashy, effortless sex appeal – you’re the she-could-wear-a-garbage-bag-and-look-fabulous body shape. However, if you don’t feel sexy and feminine to begin with it’s highly unlikely you’ll manage to carry it off in your garbage bag. So for you it’s all about creating curves and making the most of your figure without loosing yourself in folds of clothes.
Stay away from loose clothes; they just make you look skinny.
Stay away from skin tight clothes as it does exactly the same thing.
Fit is important. Work with your shape, don’t try and conceal it.
Necklines on dresses and tops can go as high as you like. In fact, be careful with showing too much chest as it can emphasize how small you really are. For the same reason avoid strapless dresses and tops.
If you choose a v-neck make it a deep slash that still covers your collarbones. Go as low as you dare but keep it narrow. Where other girls would look slutty you will look uber cool.
If you have small breasts avoid anything designed to reveal breasts, like a corset. Instead opt for a high halter neck.
Avoid empire line dresses and tops as they will smother you in fabric.
Look for dresses with some shape in them before you put them on. Look for tailoring details like princess seams or piping, ruffles or pockets on the hips. Anything that is going to create the illusion of curves.
Try a bubble skirt. Anything that will taper at the waist and give you curvy hips.
Keep necklines high to cover your slenderness but sex it up with a plunging back.
Stay away from black. It’s very slimming and you’re already slim. Opt for colors and prints BUT keep prints in proportion to your size. A large print will emphasize how small you are in comparison.
Go for masculine tailoring in pants. You’ll make the severe style look feminine and sexy.
Choose stiffer fabrics like thicker cotton, denim or velvet. It will give you more bulk.
Don’t choose flat tops. Opt for ruffles, bows, puffy sleeves or large cuffs and collars. BUT beware of ending up looking too little girly. Keep it sophisticated. Match a shirt with a big bow with a severe looking waistcoat.
Layering is a great way for you to add volume.
A slash neck horizontal stripe will widen your top. Think Audrey Hepburn.
No lycra. It clings, but in your case, to what?
Stay away from A-lines as they will make your legs look thinner.
Opt for a pencil skirt that widens your hips – look for good tailoring, pleats, pockets, anything that’s going to give you some shape.
Boot-cut jeans and skinny stretch jeans are out. Neither will work well with your shape.
Opt for a straight-leg boy cut jean that will emphasize your slim hips. Low waisted or high waisted – either will work, but always wear a belt to really define your waist.
Choose boxy shapes in jackets to give you more definition. A double breasted jacket will look fabulous as the extra business in the front gives you added volume.
Accessories need to be in proportion to your shape. A large bag will make you look small, however be sensible. A tiny bag will make you look enormous.
Go for round toes, ankle straps, flat ballet pumps and round toed boots. They will all cut up your legs which will make your calves look rounder. Avoid pointy toes shoes as they will make you look slimmer, as will stretch boots that will cling to something that isn’t there.
Does my butt look big in this? How men hate that phrase. It’s a mine field, particularly if the answer is yes, but I really don’t think it’s the pants. And really the women who asks it is either fishing for a compliment or seeking validation on her outfit, which at the end of the day is really the same thing. We want to be told that we look beautiful.
For all our evolution and slick technology, rules of engagement and political correctness, scratch any man or woman and underneath is the lurking hormonal conditioning that kept our caveman ancestors alive and reproducing. For men it’s all about performance. The best hunter, the strongest warrior, the man who managed to stay alive the longest got the most opportunity to, well, get laid. To this day men remain focussed on performance and seek validation based on that. Men love to be appreciated for what they do, particularly what they do for their woman. A simple ‘great job with that garbage honey’ can garner flawless rubbish removal in the future, often for days at a time, or at least until a good show comes on.
For women it’s about how we look, after all it was our attractiveness that got us the strongest, best performing men and allowed us to have babies and, you know, continue the human race. A million years of evolution and we’re still ridiculously flattered by ‘hey baby, great rack’. It would be funny were it not quite such an exploited and distorted subject. I’ve not met any women, myself included, who hasn’t at some stage in her life felt unattractive, and as a result, unworthy. Several billion dollar industries have evolved based on exploiting the frailties of women’s beauty, the biggest of course being clothing.
All women are beautiful. In some way, something about each and every one of us is breathtaking. We usually don’t see it because we’re too busy comparing ourselves to Angelina Jolie or Cameron Diaz or the really hot chic who lives next door our husband keeps gawking at. So we work out, we buy expensive clothes and cosmetics; we cut up our bodies in an effort to be thought more beautiful.
But that’s the point; thought by whom? Do we want to be voted most beautiful woman in the world in some man’s magazine? Or maybe we want to attract the man of our dreams, and then keep him. Its as if the more people who compliment us and are attracted to us the more worth we have, the more value in the eyes of the world. And correspondingly the less we’re told how beautiful we are the less worthy we feel.
The reality is the most important person who needs to know you’re beautiful is you. What does it matter what anyone else thinks if YOU believe you’re sexy and beautiful and just an all round great person. A healthy self love is the single most important style tip, and beauty tip for that matter. A women who loves herself just glows. Shes confident and relaxed and stylish and attracts all sorts of wonderful people and events into her life with her happiness. She doesn’t need to ask ‘does my butt look big in this?’ because she accepts that’s her butt and she kind of likes it just the way it is, and what does it matter if it’s big, because the overall package is fun or sexy or whatever you are.
So get to know yourself. Fall in love with yourself. Quit saying nasty things to yourself! Look in the mirror and instead of remonstrating over the size of your thighs, or your butt or whatever your personal demon and look for something your like. For me it started with my eyes. I hated everything else about my body except my eyes. Then I got to love my hair. Now days I can look in the mirror and think ‘hey baby, great rack’ and it makes me feel almost as good as if some super hot guy had said it to me.
Style and beauty come from the inside out, so checkout your inner person. She’s gorgeous and if you know everyone else will too. But guess what. It won’t matter what they think, that’s just icing on the cake.
Ok, there’s no other way to say it, you’re short. Basically if you’re under 5’4” then you’re petite. Finding clothes can be a challenge akin to scaling Everest, particularly if you want to avoid looking like a little girl, or worse, a little old lady. Keep these tips in mind on your quest:
Less is more: no fuss, no clutter, keep it simple.
Your clothes must fit – nothing baggy! Baggy clothes make you look wider, then you look shorter.
Show lots of leg, it will make you look taller.
Choose trousers that lengthen your legs and make you look taller – wear your hemline to the floor and your waistband slightly higher.
Go for soft draping fabrics like wool.
No pleats, pockets, detailing, cropped pants or turn-ups. They will all distract from the lines and make you look shorter.
Avoid blocky patterns and jumbles of color. Opt for very small prints or better yet a bright color.
Straight cut jeans are the best. Avoid wide leg, boot-cut or anything fussy as they will just add width and make you look shorter.
Tuck your top into your jeans or wear it just hitting the waist to elongate your frame. Skip belts because they will simply break up the line of your body making you appear shorter.
Dresses are the best choice for you, preferably in one color from shoulder to knee.
Avoid two tone dresses as they cut up your body and make you look shorter.
A sheath dress or slip dress is ideal.
Try to avoid high necklines though or it’ll look like the dress is wearing you.
Empire lines are great as they’ll bring the focus to your legs making your look taller. Go as high as you dare with hemlines.
A slim pencil skirt is perfect for you. A higher waisted skirt will also make your body look longer and taller.
An A-line will make you look wider, hence shorter.
Vertical pleating or seaming on a dress or skirt will draw the eye down and make you look taller.
Keep tops simple, simple, simple.
A one color v-neck knit will look great. Avoid layering if you can help it as it’s will add width and make you look shorter.
Jackets should be tailored with a waist slightly higher than your actual line and finishing on top of your hip to make you look longer.
Narrow pinstripes are great for elongating your body.
Keep sleeves thin to keep your width as narrow as possible.
Boots are not a good idea as they cut your leg and make you look shorter.
So will ankle straps. A pointy toe cut away arch gives maximum leg exposure.
Proportion is key – keep your bags and heels a size that flatters rather than overwhelms your small frame.
The same with accessories – they’re meant to highlight not overwhelm.
WARDROBE IDEAS
Your best look is always going to be dresses; something that A simple sheath dress in one color is perfect for you. Wear it with your favorite heels to spice it up and you’ll look leggy and fabulous.
Usually it’s best to avoid a belt, or anything that will detract from your overall shape and cut your body and spoil the long lovely lines we’re trying to create. If the belt is the same color as the dress then it will give you a little more definition at your waist.
Go for casual chic for daytime wear.
A high waisted pencil skirt in a neutral shade will be great because you can pair it with your favorite top. The higher waist makes your body look longer and you taller.
Slender shoulders a small waist and big ole hips – ah the classic pear shape. The majority of women are pear shaped, and the majority of those who are have found many a reason to curse and cry over that fact, usually following a frustrating attempt to find clothes that fit. But, truly the pear shaped women is feminine and sensual and beautiful. You just need to put a little more thought and planning into your wardrobe because there’s nothing ‘off the rack’ about you. Its a question of celebrating your curves and playing them up to their graceful best. Here are some tips to do just that:
Proportion is all important – widen your shoulders and draw attention to your upper body to offset your kick ass curves.
Avoid covering your bottom with longer-line tops and jackets as you’ll just end up drawing attention to the area you’re trying to hide. As with anything the best way to disguise it is to put it on show and draw the attention elsewhere.
A push up bra is your best friend. Balance out your curvy hips with your curvy top.
A halterneck dress or top will widen your shoulders and broaden your top half.
A wrap dress was just made for you. The v-neck will lengthen your top and draw attention to your breasts whilst the belt defines your waist and the adjustable skirt will flow over your hips. Perfect!
A strapless dress in an A-line shape is also a great option for you, broadening your top half and evening out your hips.
Look for stiffer fabrics in your dresses, like crisp cotton or chiffon. They will add a structure.
Stay away from any horizontal detailing like ruching or stripes on your waist on lower half. Horizontal stripes on the top half will widen your top.
A-line skirts in stiffer fabrics, such as denim or thick cotton will offset the width of your hips, as will a skirt with a bit of volume to it.
Hem lines should hit just below the knee to show off ankles and calves.
Opt for asymetrical or handkerchief hems to take the focus away from your hips.
Avoid clingy fabrics like jersey and bias cut clothing. Just plain avoid anything that is going to cling to your hips and thighs.
Avoid clingy tops and t-shirts, or cropped tops. They make your top look smaller and that will just focus every ones attention on your hips.
Choose three quarter sleeves to draw attention to your waist.
Choose wide-collared shirts or capped sleeves to widen your shoulders as well. Strapless or halter tops are also good options.
Because your hips are wide this will correspondingly make you look shorter. Avoid cropped or capri pants as they will make you look even shorter.
Skinny or straight leg pants will emphasize your hips and make them look broader.
Opt for straight or wide legged pants that just skim the curves of your hips before falling straight down. It will make you look taller and your hips narrower.
If you wear your waistband on the widest part of your hips you will appear even hippier. Opt for a waistbands a little higher. Get your trousers tailored if necessary to fit.
Pleats in pants or skirts will add volume to your hips.
Jeans and trousers should fall to the floor when you are standing in bare feet. Wear them with heels and you instantly gain a few added inches in height, again narrowing your hips.
Select jackets that have structures shoulders, wide lapels and a definite waist. You need the added oomph on your top half to offset your hips.
Jackets should end at the top of your hips – the narrowest part.
Stay away from loose, long line jackets. They make you look bigger.
Choose pointy heeled shoes to make you seem taller. Avoid ankle straps as it will make you look shorter.
A bag that sits on your hip will draw attention to your hips.
Jewellery should be on your top half, such as great chandelier earrings that highlight your slender neck.
A tightly belted waist will make your hips look bigger.
Most of you will have heard about the supposed “rules” of fashion – things like never wear white before labor day, or your shoes should always be darker than your hemline. These sort of rules are notoriously broken, usually by some fashion forward model or celebrity. There are however a few basics that are essential to dressing stylishly, which from me means in a way that makes YOU feel fabulous and feminine.
Get to know your own body shape and what will and won’t work for you. There is no point trying to dress like Nicole Richie if you’re shaped like Oprah Winfrey. It simply won’t work. We are the shape that we are and the sooner we accept that the sooner it will be that we dress to suit our individual shape in a way that flatters and is comfortable. Not every style and shape of clothes will work for you. Get to know what will and won’t work for you.
Play up your best features and downplay those that you don’t like. Everyone is different. We may have the same basic shape but I might like my butt a whole lot more than you like yours, or as is more likely to be the case, vice versa. Dress for you; how you feel comfortable and sexy, not to meet some stereotype or because that’s what you think looks good. Trust you own instincts. Half of looking good is feeling good.
Get to know clothes, especially the cuts and styles that suit your shape. Learn what styles and fabrics and cuts work to add weight and those that work to take it off. For instance a monochormatic outfit will subtract weight if it’s in a darker color. It will also make you look taller, something you might want to avoid if you’re already tall and slender. Get to know what styles, shapes and colors work for you. Repeat as needed.
Good underwearis the foundation of style. A good bra is just fundamental to style. Even the most expensively cut designer outfit will be ruined if you have saggy breasts or baggy briefs. It’s actually possible to go down a dress size just be putting on a bra that fits perfectly and works with the shape of your body, not to mention the wonders of support underwear. There’s a reason they call them magic knickers.
Your size is the one that fits. Do not get caught up in what size the tag reads. No one knows if you’re wearing a size 8, 10 or 16 unless you tell them, so don’t let someone else tell you what size you are. The tags are only a guideline to distinguish between the different sizes of the same type clothes. What matters is that your clothes fit. No gaping necklines or shoulder seams that are halfway down your arms. You clothes need to fit all over. Never buy a size too small. Only ever buy a larger size if you’re going to have it tailored to fit properly.
Buy the best cut and fabric you can afford: Think of your wardrobe in terms of cost-per-wear. A really fabulous pair of classic cut black wool pants that might cost $300 will actually work out a lot cheaper than an average pair of lycra blend that cost $50. The more expensive pair will last longer and if you wore them once per month for five years that’s $5 per wear, and you’ve looked fabulous the entire time. You might wear the lycra blend five times before they start looking a bit shabby which is $10 per wear.
Do not buy expensive ‘trendy’ pieces: There is no reason to spend more than a few dollars on something that will be out of fashion at the end of the year, or even sooner in some cases. It’s a waste of money. See item 5 above re cost per wear. Certainly buy the trend if it suits you and you like it but make sure you spend you’re serious money on classic pieces that will stay in your wardrobe for years to come.
Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise. What really sets the stylish apart is not so much their wardrobe as their accessories. A few simple, classic outfits that look fabulous can be dressed up, or down, and changed completely depending on what accessories you pair them with. Put together an eclectic selection of bags, shoes and jewellery and you’re well on your way to being a style queen. It’s much cheaper than buying lots and lots of clothes.
Wear a V-neck shirt, top or dress. A v-neck will suit every woman because it dissects the middle of the body pointing toward your waist giving the illusion your waist is thinner than it really is.
Use your natural beauty as the canvas for every outfit. Your skin, your shape, your hair, your gorgeous face. These are the basic building blocks of style. Use them, showcase them, but never overwhelm them. In one of her more reflective moments Paris Hilton said “you should always be more important than your clothes” and, though it pains me to say it, shes completely right. Style is about reflecting who you are, not wearing the latest outfit.
A lot of women really dislike their bellies. In fact four out of five women wish they were smaller around the middle, me included. However you feel about your stomach if you want to conceal it this is how to do it:
Don’t wear clingy lycra clothing to try and hold your tummy in. It won’t work and will only emphasize how big your belly is.
Buy clothes that fit your stomach not your hips, otherwise you end up with muffin top; bulges over the top of your waistband. Have the piece altered to fit lower if necessary.
Opt for dresses – separates bring the focus to the midriff, the area you’re trying to draw the eye away from.
Distract attention from your stomach by drawing it to your breasts. Get a padded or push up bra. An empire line dress or top with a plunging neckline is also a great option.
Don’t wear fabrics that are tight across your stomach, BUT be careful because looser styles can be shapeless. You want to just skim your tummy and highlight your waist.
Use detailing over your stomach to detract from the bulge; ruching at the side to make your waist look smaller, princess seams that give you a more shapely silhouette or vertical panels of pleats. The eye will skip over any bulge and follow the detailing.
If you have smaller breasts square off your body by wearing low-waisted dresses.
If you have larger breasts then a wrap dress is ideal, with it’s empire line drawing attention to your top and the balance skimming over your belly and hips.
Consider sleeveless tops to draw attention to your arms and shoulders, as well as knee length dresses and skirts to highlight your legs.
Wear mid rise trousers that hit the crest of your tummy cutting that area in half. A wider waistband will help hold your in without cutting into your belly and making an unsightly bulge.
Avoid skinny style pants and jeans as they will make your stomach look wider in comparison. Look for straight leg pants to balance things out.
The bigger your belly, the wider the leg to even you out.
Ideally the front of your trousers and jeans should be completely smooth and streamlined, giving you a smooth and streamlined appearance. Look for pants flat-fronted pants with a side zip.
Avoid silky slip dresses as they will focus attention onto your belly.
Avoid skirts with elasticized waistbands as they will actually add inches to your midriff (plus they make you look old).
A high-waisted pencil skirt will look great, especially if there are darts below the waistband to smooth over your stomach.
Hemlines should hit at your knee.
Angled side pockets will always bag out giving a saddle-bag silhouette.
A side split can be really flattering and will slice up your lower body and emphasize your legs. It will also stop the fabric from gathering around your waist.
Belts worn to tight at the waist will make your belly bulge more.
A jacket is best with a cinched-in waistband slightly higher than your natural waistline to elongate your body and draw the eye higher. Look for a hem that flares out slightly to disguise your stomach.
Interesting lapels will draw the eye away from your middle.
Stay away from double breasted jackets that will just add width.
Cropped jackets that end at your waist will draw attention to your stomach. Look for a fitted jacket with a hem that flows just over your stomach or a longer line jacket.
Try to avoid tops that are too long – aim for those that end at the base of your stomach but avoid tops that hug the underside of your belly.
Don’t tuck in your tops.
Opt for cap sleeves as this will broaden your shoulders. Three quarter length sleeves will draw attention where they end, which is your middle.
Buttonless wrap styles will be more flattering, avoiding any unnecessary bulges and drawing attention to your upper body by cinching the waist.
V-neck tops will slim the upper body.
Ruching over your stomach will give the impression its hanging loose, even if it isn’t.
Heels will make you look taller and slimmer. Long boots will emphasize your legs.
Chunky heeled, round-toes styles will make your lower body heavier, great for balancing a bigger midsection.
Shoes with ankle straps will break up your legs and make you look shorter and dumpier.
Any women with large breast can tell you there’s a fine line between a sensual look and a slutty one, a night spent captivating attention or one spent constantly tugging up your top. If you go to far then most people will either look away in embarrassment, or stare unashamedly. But when you get it right you look and feel amazing – sexy, stylish and confident.
The trick is to look sexy without going overboard. And that doesn’t mean cover up, because that’s lethal. A high neckline on a women with big breasts is instantly frumpy and even worse can lead to the dreaded uniboob where it seems you’ve got a shelf instead of two clearly defined breasts.
To get to gripes with your breasts remember the following:
Your tops and shirts should be fitted beneath the bust line. A loose top will swathe you in fabric and make your breasts look huge. Find tops that follow the natural curve of your body.
If you wear a low cut top then wear a modest skirt or pants to offset your silhouette. Nothing too tight either. There is nothing wrong with people noticing your chest, but there is more to you than fabulous breasts. If you go sexy on top, demur on the lower half is essential.
One word – v-neck. Dresses, shirts, jackets, tops. All v-neck, or a deep round neck. Keep your neckline open. It will draw attention to your face and away from your breasts. And that doesn’t necessarily mean lots of cleavage. Work with what suits you but make sure your upper chest and neck is open.
A deep neckline lengthens the vertical line of your upper body and will divide your breasts for a more natural and attractive look.
Wear darker colors on your top than the bottom. BUT beware if you’re big on the bottom as well. I’ll talk about this more in a later post.
An empire-line is a great top as it will lengthen your torso and lessen the impact of your breasts. BUT beware. Sometimes an empire-line top doesn’t give you enough cup size. The hemline should fit snuggly under your breasts at your narrowest part, never halfway up, or worse across your nipples. Pull it right down into place. You may find that you’re displaying much more of your breasts than you’re comfortable with.
No fussy detailing. No pockets on shirts, no ruffles, nothing that’s going to add extra bulk. Try to stay away from prints as well. Wear them on the bottom half.
Turtlenecks are a no-no. You’ll look like you swallowed a couple of melons. Also avoid slash neck or boat neck tops. In fact just avoid anything with a high neck line. It will not flatter you.
A shirt is a great asset because you can vary the amount of cleavage shown. But, beware of the fit. If it bags around your waist go and get it tailored to fit more snuggly.
Showing some collarbone along with your cleavage will widen you look and take the focus away from your boobs. Look for v-necks with a wider opening.
Avoid off-the-shoulder tops. They widen the top half and draw attention. Your aim is to create an overall sexy look.
Avoid short sleeves. The eye is drawn to where the fabric finishes, which in the case of short sleeves is your breasts. Go for three quarter length sleeves that will draw the eye to your waist and sleeveless styles that highlight your arms and the beautiful curve of your shoulder.
Fine knits are great, t-shirts or wrap tops as they will cling gently and clearly define your waist.
High waisted pants are out. They shorten and broaden the upper body.
Add volume to your lower half with a straight skirt with flirty hem to balance out your stacked top half.
A straight skirt will draw the eye straight up to the chest.
Look for soft A-line skirts and dresses that finish on or just below the knee. They will add some structure to your lower half and balance out your breasts.
Choose jeans with a low rise to make your torso look longer.
Pockets on the hips of pants and jeans will add more structure to your bottom half and even you out.
Choose a boot leg jean or pant. It will hug the curve of your thighs to avoid making you look badly fitted then flare out from the knee to offset your top half.
Look for Jackets in a light weigh stretch fabric for a slimming effect. Avoid heavy fabrics like tweed or fur as they just bulk you up.
Your waist needs to be emphasized in order to offset your breasts so avoid boxy jackets that do not skim the waist. Fitted is your watchword.
No shoulder pads. They will add bulk where it doesn’t need to be and draw the eye to your breasts.
Don’t wear belted styles as they make your breasts look even bigger. Sorry that trenchcoat is out, well, unless you wear it open.
A longer line jacket will elongate your torso, always a good thing.
Look for jackets with princess seaming. They vertical seaming will draw a slimmer line on your body and make your silhouette look instantly slimmer.
TRY THESE WARDROBE ESSENTIALS
A Cashmere sweater. It feels wonderful. It looks fabulous and I think sweaters are just perfect for big breasts. Wear it with nothing underneath but your bra and it will look sexy and elegant.
A jacket that hugs your curves but has a bit of support in it like the one below. Another excellent option is a corset style jacket.
