Style Your Body Shape

A surplice top is like a wrap top but without all the fussing with the ties. It is made with two separate pieces of material ‘wrapped’ across the body and secured at the side seam sometimes with a button or tie but most often actually sewn into the seam. The cross over of the material creates a deep v-neck which is flattering to everyone but the flat chested. The wrapped pieces are joined creating a ruching effect over the breasts and stomach.

A Surplice Shirt Will…

• Separate and define your breasts so is ideal for bigger breasted women to avoid a uni boob look. Plus the ruching over the bust will disguise any ‘pull’ over the breasts.
• It’s a fitted style so will mold to breasts and follow the curve of the waist – ie boost your boobs and narrow your waist.
• Open up your chest and draw attention to your face and away from your lower half.
• The ruching over the stomach is a great way to disguise any bulges.

How To Wear It

• This top will draw attention upwards. It will minimise the top half.
• If you are bigger on top look for a plain shirt in this style, preferably in a darker color, that fits nicely following the curve of your body and then pair with a eye-catching skirt, jean or pant. Creating interest on your bottom half and minimising, though still flattering the top, will give you a more even silhouette.
• To draw attention to your top half choose in a bright color or with a eye-catching pattern and match with plain, darker colored skirt, pant or jean.
• Wear with a camisole underneath for a more restrained daytime look or without for a sexy evening outfit.

This Will Flatter

This style will work for almost anyone however it is better for:

• Pear Shaped – brings all eyes upward
• Curvy – will work well with your killer curves
• Big Breasted – a very forgiving, yet flattering style
• Rectangular – works to create a waist through the deep v and ruching over stomach
• Large tummy – ruching covers bulges whilst the deep v draws eyes

There’s a famous quote by Edna Woolman Chase – “Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.” You’ve no doubt heard it, and if you’re anything like me looked down at your sweat pants and thought, well damn! But don’t be discouraged; when you give your inner style queen a little bit of room to breath you’ll find she’s alive and kicking and has lots to say for herself. So here are a few easy steps to take to give her that room.

1. Make an effort – It sounds simple but there’s a huge number of people who get up in the morning, reach for what ever is clean and that’s it. Style takes effort. Every morning make an effort to reach for the ‘best’ outfit you can put together, whatever your day holds. That doesn’t mean wear a floor length frock with a tiara to work or a suit to drop the kids at daycare, but it does mean take the time and effort to put together a suitable, comfortable outfit that shows you’ve put thought and effort into what you’re wearing.
2. Grooming – You’re going to find it hard to present a stylish image if your hair needs a cut, your makeup’s stuck in the 80’s which handily is the last time your eyebrows were plucked. Again, you don’t need to go to extremes with this, personally I hate fussing with my hair, but being unkempt is not an option. Tame those eyebrows, get a good haircut – regularly! – and keep your nails trimmed. If you’re not a great fan of makeup then invest in some good skincare products and a tinted moisturizer. It’s all about your attitude and it should be “I care about me.”
3. Care for your clothes – You’ve got your favorite jumper stashed somewhere haven’t you – the one with the big hole. Or maybe it’s your favorite shirt which now has the big stain on the back. It’s sad, devastating in fact, but they have to go. The clothes you wear need to be hole free, wrinkle free, spot free, smell free and above all else, clean. Yes, even your favorite but scuffed beyond repair shoes.
4. Forget size, fit is king – The key element of dressing with style is fit. Don’t buy clothes that are a size too small because you’re going to loose weight. Don’t buy clothes that are a size too big because you think you’re too fat. Both will make you look bigger than what you are. Clothes that fit are instantly slimming and always chic, be it a jeans and t shirt or a little black dress.
5. Flatter your shape - Whatever your size or shape there is a cut that flatters you more than others, just as there will be those cuts that will never in a million years work for you. Learn what they are. Slavishly go with the first and pretend the second doesn’t even exist. Forget trends. Never get sucked into the ‘latest it thing’; well … unless you know it’s something that’s going to flatter you outrageously.
6. Accessories are everything - Accessories are the icing on the cake, the shine on the diamond, the alcohol in your favorite adult beverage. Without them the world will still turn but it’s a much sadder and less bright place. With the right accessories even the most banal outfit can be transformed into a stylish comment about you. Incidentally accessories are a great place to start changing your look. Investing in a pair of earrings is cheaper than buying a pair of pants and you’ll feel a lot less upset if you never wear them.
7. Shoes are not just an accessory – If accessories are the icing on the cake shoes are the difference between Brad Pitt and Homer Simpson. Shoes are of the utmost importance to an outfit and they should good quality – you can dress up practically anything else but a cheap shoe looks like a cheap shoe. Buy the best that you can afford. Go for different shapes, colors and styles. The more shoes you have the more outfits you can construct. And, yes, some of them will need to be heels. Alternatively, for all you diva’s, a pair of flats is going to be essential at some stage as well.
8. Keep shopping – Looks change, makeup changes, hair styles change and of course fashion changes at the speed of light. There is no necessity to keep up with the trends but a great wardrobe is going to be a mix of timeless classics and modern fabrics, colors and styles. Regularly clean out your closet getting rid of anything old or that you haven’t worn in a while, or possibly at all and replace them with modern items. BUT, keep all your classics or those things that make you look fabulous and have a copy made from it’s carcase when it passes on.
9. Steal the best looks – Always keep your eyes open for an outfit or look that totally screams style and is somehow just… you, be it on tv, movies, on the street, your boss, your sister, your best-est friend in the whole wide world, and then ruthlessly steal it. Be sure you adapt it to flatter your shape and coloring but then wear it with pride. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and no one, but no one with even a modicum of style got that way on their own.
10. Take some risks – Try something different; for you. I’m not suggesting that you suddenly decide you’re going to dress like the latest ‘it girl’, but maybe you could wear a sequined top to work, or jeans and t shirt with a string of pearls or maybe a hat of some description. Something outside of your comfort zone. Something funky and fun. OK, it may end up a shameful memory, but more than likely it will pass in a blur of nobody-even-noticed, and it’s always possible you’ll find out something new an amazing about yourself, and that is what style is all about.

Ahh, summer. Time to dust off the swimwear and head to the beach. I don’t know about you but for me this can be quite a trying time. Particularly as where I live in Australia it’s summer for practically six months of the year. I’m generally pretty happy with my shape but that’s all challenged when it comes time to bare all in a swimsuit. Eeeep! Still this year, armed with a little knowledge I figure I can choose a swimsuit that’s functional, comfortable and stylish, and so can you.

I’ve broken this up into general body shapes but you should really consider it from a point of view of what do YOU personally want to reveal or conceal. You may be a pear shaped but have issues with your stomach, In which case you probably won’t be opting for a bikini, so read through the whole thing and then apply the bits that you need to.

Big Breasts – dealing with a bigger top

• You need to hoist those babies up there for best effect. Anyone over a C cup needs to look for underwired cups to give you the support you need. Yes, even in a halter neck!
  
• Try a style that will spread you breasts further apart as this will have a minimizing effect. Wide placed straps are perfect.
  
• Avoid something that just squishes you down – think of the sausage effect; it will ruin the line of your body. Most halter tops will have this effect, but there are some good ones out there.
• If you choose a bikini opt for substantial briefs. The size of the top that contains your rack needs to be offset and a little string bottom won’t do that. Look for something that supports your butt.
• To balance out a bigger top highlight your waist with banding or a change in color.

Rectangle – creating a waist

• Your aim is to create curves. A simple way to do that is to look for swimwear that has a detailing or pattern on it suggesting curves.
  
• A strapless suit will do the same thing.
  
• Avoid a bikini. You need to accent you waist which is not easy in a bikini. If you do opt for a bikini choose one with wider straps (unless you’re very small on top) and a low leg or boy leg pant to elongate your waist and make it seem curvier.
• A belted swimsuit will give you a very definite waist.
  
• Look for suits with detailing on the hips as this again creates curves where you want them.

Pear Shaped – taming the booty

• Your aim is to draw the eyes upward. The best choice for you might be a string bikini, preferable a halter top as it will broaden your shoulders, but anything that is going to draw the eyes upward is ideal.
  
• A high cut bottom will elongate the length of your leg and reduce the size of your bottom.
• Avoid a swim skirt as it will draw eyes to your thighs. Draw the eye to your top instead.
• To conceal a big butt look for a bright print or detailing that draws the eye upward instead.
  
• If your bottom is big it needs support. Look for a substantial brief or a suit with good support.
• A long sarong tied at the waist and open down the length of one leg will minimize a large thigh will remaining sexy and stylish.
  

Conceal Your Stomach

• If you have larger breasts (anything from a C cup upward) you need good support. Hoisting your boobs up is a simple way to make your stomach look smaller.
• Look for the Miraclesuit swimwear link the link below. There is a double layer of material for extra hold.
  
• Ruching on a one piece suit along the sides a good way to confuse the eye and draw it away from your stomach.
  
• One part of your body needs to be the focus. Its best to draw the eye upward.
• Avoid metalics or busy patterns as they will draw the eye. Simple is better.
• Look for vertical lines or detailing that give the illusion of curves where there are none.
• A boy leg cut will not offer as much support for your stomach as a higher cut swimsuit.

Petite and Slender

• A high cut suit will extend the length of your leg and make you look taller.
• For the very slender look for horizontal stripes – they will add volume to your upper half.
• Those cute triangles are made for the very slender and not so well endowed. The size of the suit is perfect for your small proportions.
• Any bows, ruffles, flounces will add volume to your top half will

Curvy

• Don’t just cover up – think about which body part is your most favorite and work to reveal that and conceal everything else. If you cannot decide then opt for your chest and face. Refer above for ideas on how to flatter breasts, stomach or bottom and thighs.
• Darker colors will conceal. Lighter colors will reveal.
• Ruching is great for confusing the eye – what is part of the suit and what is a little extra flesh.
  

General Tips

• As with all outfits there should be one element that is the focus be it a great rack, fabulous thighs, flat toned stomach or your beautiful face. Choose one and deal with the rest.
• Fit, as always, is important both in terms of personal comfort and style. You may need a different size for your top and bottom so don’t be afraid to go to a bikini or tankini.
• If you’re bigger on either the top or the bottom mix plain blocks of color with prints, the prints being on the smaller portion to create interest and the plains on the area to minimize.
• If you tempted to cover up in a big oversize t-shirt get yourself a wrap instead. They come in a variety of styles and fabrics and you will feel a lot more feminine and sexy.

I hope this has been helpful. I’ve certainly enjoyed writing it and researching all the different types of swimsuits and what they do. Thanks for reading.

LISA

I love to read. I love to learn and I love to share what I learn with others. Sometimes I learn things that I think are interesting but not that interesting, if you know what I mean. Little bits and bobs that I couldn’t really write a whole post about but which are useful all the same. I’m sorry to say I cannot let it go without first having made use of it so I’ve decided to lump them all together as ‘Quick Tips’. So …

1. A miniskirt with a blazer only works if you’re a teenager or a starlet, or preferable, both. A blazer is very professional and a miniskirt is … well, not. Better to match that blazer with a pencil skirt for sleek, touch-me-not sexiness and the miniskirt with a killer top and heels.
2. A Black jacket is not that easy to contrast other colors, except of course more black, but then you look like a corporate wannabe, which is ok, if that’s the what you’re aiming for. Charcoal grey or chocolate brown are better options.
3. Boots with a skirt is an awesome look, if done well. To avoid looking frumpy show a little bit of skin between the top of the boot and the hem of the skirt.
4. When buying a handbag check where on your body that handbag is going to rest. Is it somewhere you’re trying to direct eye’s away from? For instance if it sits on your hip it will draw the eye. Maybe a better height is on your waist.
5. A pointy shoe always helps make legs look longer and slimmer, but make sure there’s no ankle strap, which actually has the opposite effect of making legs look shorter and fatter.
6. A suit doesn’t always have to be jacket-and-pant or jacket-and-skirt. Look for a jacket-and-dress combination to stand out from the crowd.
7. Brown and pink together are sensational. Who’d have thunk it!
8. By using two strongly contrasting colors you can create a distinct waistline and that emphasizes a narrow waist. This is why a black skirt with a white top always looks chic.
9. Keep your shoes darker than your hemline – ever heard that one. It only applies if you’re wearing white shoes which really don’t go with a lot, and even then if your outfit is suitable funky you can probably get away with it. Shoes are the ultimate accessory and their impact on an outfit is huge. Don’t be afraid to mix it up.
10. Layering is a great way to mix things up, especially under a jacket. Try starting with a camisole, adding a thin knit and then topping with a jacket. It will give you a polished look while adding interest to an otherwise boring work outfit.

I hope you find something useful in that lot and now I can safely forget them having I have now shared them with the world.

Good Shopping,

LISA

The The Body Shape Bibleby Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine is exactly what is says: A bible for those looking to dress to suit their shape. If you’re in the market for a book on dressing for your body shape this is the one to get, study and take shopping with you.

I have to admit I was sceptical when I first got it. I thought, wonderful, I’ve just shelled out thirty odd dollars to find that instead of a quarter of the book being about my particular shape it’s actually a twelfth. Yes, Trinny and Susannah have broken the four basic types down even further into twelve distinct types: Goblet, Hourglass, Cello, Skittle, Vase, Pear, Apple, Column, Bell, Cornet, Brick and Lollipop. Each of the categories comes with it’s own description to help you choose what shape your body is. For instance a Lollipop is someone with ‘big tits, slight waist, slim hips and long legs’ and a Cello is someone with ‘big tits, short waist, big hips, big bottom, big thighs and slim lower legs’. Whatever your particular ’stats’ you’ll fit into one of the 12 groups.

For those of you who don’t know Trinny and Susannah are the UK based hosts of ITV’s “What Not To Wear” which they started about six years ago. The ground breaking show has spawned books, the spin off’s “How To Look Good Naked” and “Undressing The Nation” as well as other shows both in the US and all over the world. The Body Shape Bibletheir latest book, is written with their trademark depreciative humor, brutal honesty and gentle but insistent nudging in the right direction.

I find that I agree a lot more with Trinny and Susannah than with other author’s in the genre. One of the items I struggle with is shoes. Don’t get me wrong, I love shoes, but I tend to prefer peep toed heels and round toed shoes. However I’m quite short and my legs are pretty thick so other writers have suggested pointed toed shoes as the best option to elongate my leg and make me look taller and slimmer. In The Body Shape Bibleit’s suggested that a curvy larger lady like myself is better suited to curvy shoes with a sturdy heel rather than a stiletto, something that I would naturally choose myself. I love the boost of confidence I feel that my instincts are right as to what would suit me. A lot of what they suggest is almost common sense.

I really recommend this as a great book for someone who wants a ready reference for styling your shape. It’s easy reading and easy to apply. Make sure you read the whole book as well. I found there were two or three shapes that I could fit into and correspondingly clothes from both that would work for me. More importantly it’s important to know what’s suggested for other body types to grow you list of things to AVOID like the plague. Seriously if a dress suits someone who fits the ‘tits on a stick’ category, it’s unlikely it will work for someone with a little extra around the middle or lots of junk in the trunk. Forewarned is forearmed as the old saying goes.
Buy the book today – you won’t regret it.

LISA