Trinny and Susannah: The Bell

The Bell is described a small shoulders, small tits, small waist, short waist, big thighs and big bottom.

The Bell, along with the Pear and the Skittle is from the family of those bigger on the bottom. The Bell shares similar proportions on the bottom half as the Skittle with a short waist, wide hips, big bottom. If you have very large thighs, proportionately of course, you’re more likely to be a skittle. A Pear also has a big bottom and heavier legs but on a Pear the waist is longer, the stomach flatter, the hips narrower with the widest part being the outer thighs.

A Bell, like the Pear will be trimmer on the top half with smaller breast and narrow shoulders.

Dressing the Bell

Your narrow shoulders in proportion to your wide hips and big butt are the problem. As much balance needs to be restored as possible and that means lessening the impact of your bottom whilst widening your shoulders. One of the key tricks for the bell is to make use of your waist.

The biggest issue for the bell is not trying. You can look and feel feminine with some fairly easy choices.

Don’t – wear one colour all over as it will simply highlight the difference between your bottom and top halves ie make your butt look big

Do – use volume and bulk to increase the size of your upper body to bring in balance

Don’t - ignore your body and wear just anything; you can look and feel good with the right choices

Do – make your face the central focus of our outfits

Clothes – what to avoid

Wide V neck-lines – v-necks open up the top half and minimise the bust, which also has the added affect of widening the lower half. Definitely something you want to avoid. This includes all wide neck-lines.

Tapered trousers – you know the ones, with the elastic in the waist, usually made of polyester and some hideous colour. Step away from the old lady pants. They are simply going to highlight you slender calves and make your bottom look enormous.

Bias cut skirts / dresses – a bias cut dress will, as its designed to do, cling to every curve, which in this case is not the best option.

Long jackets – it may be tempting to wear a jacket that covers your bottom and thighs but it will make your legs look shorter and consequenty, your bottom wider.

Delicate jewellry – delicate jewellry on your trim top half simply reinforces the fact that the bottom half is not trim at all.

Clothes – what shapes to look for

Cowl neck jumper – a bell needs to add volume to her top half and that means bulky, textured fabrics and added extras on shirts and jackets. A cowl neck jumper offers both elegance and added volume. Worn on its own or with a jacket over the top volume will be added to your top half and this diminishes your lower half.

Gillet or Vest – bulk can be added with a gillet or vest worn over a figure hugging t-shirt or jumper. It will instantly make you upper half look bigger which instantly makes your lower half look smaller. Cinching in your waist is a good idea as well as it further brings balance to your frame.

Elaborate necklaces – a bright statement piece at your throat is a great attention catcher and draws the eye right where you want it – look at your face. Indulge your personal style and gather a collection of elaborate necklaces that fill up your decolletage.

Jacket – the jacket should finish just on your hip bone. A longer jacket cuts across your legs and will make them look shorter again. Utilise the full length of your leg by having a hem that finishes on your hip. Your jacket can be as eye-popping as you want although it’s best to avoid princess seams as these will make your top half look narrower and hence the bottom half wider.

Pleated skirt – look for a sturdy skirt in a heavy fabric like suede, tweed or denim. The heavier the fabric the easier it is to contain your bottom. Choose a simple style with a kick pleat. That way your bottom is contained and then there’s movement in the lower part of the skirt.

Frilly shirt – the bell is one of the few shapes that can really go wild on their top half. Have bows and frills or zips and doilies or whatever you find most attractive. Anything that’s going to add bulk to your upper half is going to be a good choice.

A line shirt dress – an a-line is the perfect shape to hide a larger lower half. Avoid pleats a the waist if possible and find something that starts lower, to contain your bottom in the same way as the skirt. Keep the neckline narrow and pair with an eye-popping necklace. Choose cap sleeves or three quarter length sleeves optimally.

Wide leg trousers – opt for wide leg trousers in a flowing material which will fall straight down from you widest part. Do not chose pants with pockets as they will simply gape and make your shape distorted. Side fastening pants are best. Wear them all the way to the floor to make you seem taller and your lower half narrower. Always opt for subdued and darker colours.

Simple shoes – you have slender ankles underneath a quite substantial leg and bottom so keep things simple. Avoid any sort of straps if you can and opt for something with a smaller heel but still sexy and feminine.

If you want to find out more about Trinny and Susannah’s Body Shape Bible please click here.