Style Your Body Shape

I came across this video I wanted to share about accessorizing for petite women.

The basic idea is that if you’re little then you need little accessories. The video shows how to choose what will work best.

So what if you’re petite but not necessarily little? You need to balance your frame. Bigger girls can wear bigger accessories so experiment with what works for your size.

Keep in mind if you’re petite you have two main goals – 1) elongate your frame and 2) keep things simple.

Lisa

I saw this gorgeous dress on one of the style blogs I subscribe to. Truly this is a beautiful dress but since the post was entitled “must buy for autumn” or words to that effect I just had to laugh because this dress is actually not going to flatter a lot of shapes.

Avoid this dress, or another like it if:

• You have big breasts – the turtle-neck will smother your boobs and make them look bigger.
• If you’re bigger on top – the same with big breasts. You need the open cleavage to de-emphasize.
• If you have a little extra in the middle – again it’s just going to emphasize everything.
• If you’re bigger on the bottom – this style is going to cling everywhere and emphasize the difference. Clingy on top is ok, but opt for a flared skirt to offset.
• If you’re a rectangular or brick shape – this dress highlights the waist and if there’s no waist then that is highlighted as well.
• If you’re extra curvy – this is going to show every single curve and roll and imperfection. It’ also going to emphasize what’s there so unless you’re very comfortable with your curve this is one to miss. If you’re curves are kick ass then break out the spanex and go for it.
• If you’re not curvy – you need more structure in your clothes. Something that clings like this is going to highlight that there’s not much to cling too.

Try this dress, or another like it if:

• You’re an hourglass and you don’t have any of the issues mentioned above. It will look sensational.

Despite that this dress is actually sold out.

There is no such thing as a must-have in clothes. We just come in far to many different shapes. Don’t get sucked in to buying something just because its what the shops are selling this season. Sometimes its better to go without than jump on a trend.

Good shopping,

LISA

The other day I read an article about a piece published in the Observer, a British paper. They’d taken a couple of size 16 women, models, and done a photo shoot. The idea being that size 16 is the average size of British women. They were shocked by the results feeling that the women were too overtly feminine. “Almost fetishistic” was the phrase they used, suggesting the only people that could find these women attractive are in some way perverted.

I was gob-smacked when I read that. Not because someone thinks fat women are unattractive, hello, where’s the surprise in that; but because I believed it! My whole life I’ve lived by a premise that covering up is my god given duty because I’m fat. I always thought that was to hide my shame but I see now it’s so that other people don’t feel embarrassed. And not embarrassed on my behalf; it actually makes more sense that they feel confronted by my ‘overtly feminine’ curves. As if it’s a crime to be curvy.

The worse thing is that I want to change. All my life I’ve believed all those messages telling me to change, to be thinner, that I’m not good enough the way I am. And yet secretly I love my curves. I think they’re totally kick ass. It’s no wonder I spend so much time confused about my body.

So I’ve decided to declare myself as a ‘pervert’ because I think these woman look incredibly sexy and beautiful. Of course this means that I’m going to have to let go of some of my own preconceptions about myself and that actually sounds like a really good idea.

So, are you a pervert?

LISA

The more I learn about body shape the more resistant I am to actually defining a shape. One of the things that I, personally, have gained from writing this website is a greater measure of understanding of my own body and the shape that it is. How that translates into choosing clothing is still somewhat confusing and something I’m working my way through, actually as I write this website.

I do know that I don’t like the four categories I started off with. The issues with the use of the term pear basically highlighted the need for more appropriate classification. I want to further illustrate this point by examining the 12 shapes that Trinny and Susannah have identified – hourglass, cello, vase, bell, skittle, goblet, pear, lollipop, cornet, apple, column and brick.

The four categories I started with are hourglass, triangle, pear and rectangle. What shape you fall into is simple enough to define based on some simple measurements. These categories can be broken down even further into the types that Trinny and Susannah have identified.

HOURGLASS = PROPORTIONATE

1. HOURGLASS – big tits, small waist, short waist, big hips, generous thighs

What really defines an hourglass is her tiny waist.

2. CELLO – big boobs, short waist, big hips, big bottom, big thighs, slim lower legs

A cello is an hourglass with a little extra around the middle which pretty much removes the tiny waist.

3. VASE - big tits, gently curving longer waist, hips equal tits, slim thighs and legs

A vase is sort of stretched out hourglass. A vase is very much defined by her height.

PEAR SHAPE = BIGGER ON BOTTOM

4. BELL – small shoulders, small tits, small waist, big thighs, big bottom

A bell’s breasts and waist are fairly similar size with all the extra on the bottom.

5. SKITTLE – average tits, slim waist, ok tummy, big thighs, chunky calves

A skittle has curvaceous thighs and bottom but is smaller on top.

6. PEAR – small tits, long waist, flat tummy, saddlebags, heavy legs

A pear is characterized by extra weight on the outer thighs.

TRIANGLE – BIGGER ON TOP

7. LOLLIPOP – big tits, slight waist, slim hips, long legs

The majority of celebrities fall into this category.

8. CORNET – broad shoulders, small boobs, no waist, slim hips, long slim legs

Take away the big breasts and the shape becomes almost boyish.

9. GOBLET – broad shoulders, big boobs, no waist, narrow hips, long legs

And sometimes you’re just plain bigger on top.

RECTANGLE = EXTRA IN THE MIDDLE

10. APPLE – average tits, tummy bigger than tips, quiet flat bottom, OK legs

For this shape your stomach dictates how your dress, being the widest part.

11. COLUMN – shoulder width the same as hips, slight waist, longer legs

A column is tall and has no waist rather than extra – like an, um, column.

12. BRICK – Broad shoulders, no waist, average tummy, flat bum, chunky thighs, chunky calves

A shorter and wider version of the column, again with no waist.

And there you have the 12 shapes of Trinny and Susannah. I think these definitions are more useful that the simple four simply because it begins to really breakdown the categories in each group.

So what category are you? I am a cello.

LISA

Susana Monaco skirt – $47.40 from JBandme.com

I’ve had quite a few queries about pencil skirts and pear shapes so wanted to address that. I love this awesome pencil skirt and it’s definitely something that I might wear and I’m a pear shape. But then not all pear shapes are created equal. Technically I am a pear shape in that I’m bigger on the bottom BUT the majority of weight is around my hips and if I gain weight it goes to my inner thighs and hips. For me a pencil skirt is a good way to disguise my thighs but make use of the curves of my hips and bottom.

If you are a true pear shape in that your widest part is around the outside of your thighs a pencil skirt will not work for you. A pencil skirt highlights the curves of the thigh and in the case of the true pear it’s a question of getting your thighs back into proportion with the rest of your slender frame. A minimizing strategy is a far better option.

So … who does suit a pencil skirt? If you have a big bootie – think J Lo or Kim Kardashian – then the pencil skirt is ideal for you. Anyone with an hourglass frame it will play up your figure. If you’re extra curvy definitely try a pencil skirt, or the close cousins the straight or fluted skirt, to play up those curves. If you’re slender a pencil skirt will work to make the most of the curves you have.

AVOID – if you’re pear shaped. Also avoid if you have extra in the middle as you need to offset that extra on the lower half and a pencil skirt won’t help. The same applies if you’re bigger on top. You both need to add volume to your lower half and this isn’t the best option.

Good shopping,

LISA

This is a list of things that will make you look bigger. I’ve tried to concentrate of things that we unintentionally wear not realizing the effect they will have, so I haven’t mentioned the obvious things like a downy parka or a thick knit sweater – because, well, duh! Weed these things that will make you look fat out of your closet.

1. Elastisized Waistbands The problem with elastisized waistbands, at least for everyone but those with boyish figures, is not only the way the material puffs out instantly creating more volume where most of us just don’t need it but also the instability of the garment. If you have any sort of curves the waistband will move either up or down as you go about your day. The band is going to find the slimmest place to sit and again, unless you have the boyish figure it’s going to be a lot higher than you want. Basically it just doesn’t fit properly. A tighter band that does sit where you want it doesn’t work well either. Unless you’re toned all the way around the midsection you’re going to get the ’squished bread’ look, which is very unflattering. Keep the elastisized waistbands on your gym clothes.

2. Pleats Pleats that fall from the waistband of your pants and skirts create volume. Their mission in life is to create a better fit, to follow the curves of the body more comfortably and stylishly. They highlight. Since they sit on your hips and tummy they will highlight your hips and tummy. It’s like wearing glad wrap, so unless your hips and tummy are so fabulous they deserve to be highlighted give pleats a miss.

TIP: A paneled and pleated skirt, like the one pictured, or one with inverted pleats that start below the stomach are great options for those wanting to conceal their stomach.

3. Horizontal Stripes Horizontal stripes trick the eye into thinking ‘wider’. The smaller and closer together the stripes the more pronounced the effect. A wider stripe still has the same effect, though not so pronounced. This is actually a shame because horizontal stripes are a classic – think Audrey Hepburn. Certainly wear them, BUT, keep them in proportion. If you’re a small person go for a small stripe. If you’re a large person go for a larger stripe. If you’re big busted or plus size, skip it altogether.

TIP: Horizontal stripes are an excellent way for pear-shaped people to add volume to their upper body and offset wider hips.

4. Metallic and Shiny Clothes Shiny or reflective clothes … um, well, they reflect. The effect is to make whatever they’re covering look bigger. So when you reach for those satin pants or that gold jacket be aware of what the overall effect is going to be. Actually this is a great way to get proportion back into your shape. If you’re bigger on top opt for the satin skirt matched with more subdued top or a shiny camisole matched with black pants if you’re bigger on the bottom. 5. A Small Handbag If you’re a big person and you go with a small handbag it’s not the handbag that’s going to stand out. Comparisons will be made and since your body is approximately 30 times larger than the handbag the size of your body will be emphasized, even if you’re not particularly big in the first place. Your bag should mirror your size. If you’re smaller and wear a bigger bag – same comparison, different conclusion – you will seem small.

TIP: For best effect your handbag should be the opposite of your shape. If you’re a curvy person go with a more structured handbag like the one pictures. If you’re angular go with an unstructured tote.

6. Zips, pockets, ruffles, feathers, fur Anything extra added onto clothes is going to draw the eye and make the piece of body it’s covering look bigger. So if you have big boobs then no ruffles or flounces or anything extra other than what you already have. The same if you got lots of booty – keep things calm and minimal there. Added extras are best kept as the province of the slender or used to remedy proportion issues, and then only very sparingly. Anyone who is plus sized should avoid like the plague. Color and texture are better options.

Baggy Clothes I just wanted to finish with a word about baggy clothes. You can instantly make yourself look slimmer by wearing fitting clothes. If you’re big and you wear baggy clothes rather than conceal it simply highlights how big you are. If you’re small it will highlight how small you are. Wearing fitted clothes will make you look slimmer but you will also feel more confident. Trust me, it works.

Good shopping,

LISA

One of the things that I’ve found to be really important is to keep an eye on what other people are wearing and when I see something that I like I steal it. One of my favorite casual outfits to wear was inspired by a picture I once saw of Uma Thurman. Not that I look like Uma Thurman in any way shape or form; in fact it’s pretty safe to say I’m the anti-Uma. The point is take inspiration from every where and then adapt.

The is a casual but classy look that America Ferrera seems to be fond of, probably because it’s simple but elegant.

Why It Works?

America is an hourglass shape and is curvy, well, curvier than most actresses. She’s also short. Overall her goal will be to work with her curves without over emphasizing them and create the illusion of length in her legs. And, like all curvy women, and petite women for that matter, she needs to keep it simple.

SHOES

A curvy lady needs a curvy shoe; in this case the peep-toe is perfect to complement America’s body shape. Note that there are no straps around her ankle or over her foot which would breakup the lengthening line of the shoe.

Petite ladies need to be careful with heels. Certainly opt or a heel, even select flats with a little lift to help extend the length of your leg but keep a heel small and in proportion with your stature or you can look off-balance.

Steve Madden Tetra Pump $38.47 from Endless.com.

PANTS

To give the illusion of being taller it’s important to elongate the leg. This has been achieved here with use of a belt sitting higher than America’s natural waist. Combined with the skinny leg jeans it makes her legs look longer than they really are and America tall and lean.

The dark wash of the jeans does a good job of camouflaging that America’s thighs are curvy. Notice how the dark blue does a better job than the black. I wouldn’t recommend straight leg jeans for anyone with larger thighs; rather opt for a wide leg but go with the darker wash.

Silver Sienna Straight Leg Jeans $75-00 from Jbandme.com.

Belt

It’s usually not a good idea for petite women to wear a belt as it breaks up the line of the body. In this case it works because it actually helps elongate.

A thin belt is better for curvy women although be careful if you’re extra curvy as it can give the impression of a loaf of bread squished in the middle.

Matching the belt to the shoes gives a polished look.

Merona Skinny Belt $19.99 from Amazon.com.

Top

This V neck top draws our eyes up to America’s gorgeous face and also gives the illusion of slenderness by dissecting the body.

The top is voluminous which disguises any lumps and bumps and the belt cinches in the waist giving an hourglass look.

Notice where the hem of the shirt hits America’s waist. She looks slimmer on the left and this is a combination of the wash on the pants and the place the top finishes. The eye is drawn where the fabric ends and on the left that is slightly lower and flows more smoothly into the pants. The way the hem curves also complements her shape and gives the illusion of slenderness. But beware; the outfit on the right probably looks better from the back as it will showcase the curve of her bottom which will be disguised by the shirt on the left. It’s all a matter of which part you want to show and which you want to conceal.

Where the sleeves finish is also helps each outfit. On the left the eyes are drawn again to the hem of her shirt which helps the eye flow downwards and contributes to the slimmer image. On the right the sleeves finish at her waist again emphasizing that hourglass look.

Vince Short Sleeve Tunic $93.00 from Labelspree.com

Who will this work for?

This is a style that will work for, obviously, anyone petite and curvy. It will work for the taller and curvy as well but watch the placement of the belt as you could end up looking freakishly long legged.

If you’re very curvy then try matching the belt to the shirt – it will still define your waist but be more slimming as well.

It will work for someone with a little extra in the middle as the voluminous shirt can hide a multiple of sins, however opt for a bootleg or slightly flared jeans instead.

If you’re a rectangle go for a wider belt.

AVOID if you have big breasts or you’re pear shaped. There are better options.

Good shopping

LISA

It was pointed out to me just recently that a lot of women, well actually a lot of men, prefer a women’s ass to look big. They find it incredibly sexy. And we do like to please our men. So for those women who want to make your bottom the focus of an outfit here is how to do it.

NOTE: Fit is always the most important thing to keep in mind. You clothes should skim your body hugging your curves. Not tight and not loose. A figure hugging outfit is always sexier no matter what your shape.

TO PLAY UP YOUR BOTTOM HALF

• A pencil skirt hugs the hips and bottom, follows the curve of the thighs before narrowing at the knee. It will highlight hips and bottom as the widest part. This is your best weapon.
• A straight skirt is a good alternative – a similar shape but it does not narrow at the knees. It is better for someone who is extra curvy as it will contain thighs better than a pencil.
• AVOID a pencil skirt if you are a pear shape. It will highlight your thighs instead.
• Avoid an A-line skirt as it minimizes hips and bottoms.
• Mid knee length is the best hem length.
• Opt for a shorter hem and higher waist if you are petite. It will make your torso look shorter and your legs longer.
• If you have a tummy to conceal opt for a heavier fabric like denim or corduroy to offer more support and avoid bulges.
• A bias cut chiffon is a good option to cling to the curves of your thighs and bottom. Again AVOID if you are a pear shape.
• Pockets, buckles, buttons on the hips will accentuate the hips but work best on the very slender.
• Pockets on the bottom will accentuate the bottom but should be in proportion to your size. A big pocket on a small bottom will make the bottom look smaller and vice versa.
• A godet skirt (flicks out at the bottom) will balance your hips by creating volume around your knees. This is a minimizing strategy but showcases the bottom and upper thighs.
• A skinny leg jean will highlight your thighs more than your bottom.
• Pants should cup and mould your bottom and then fall from the waist in a straight or wide leg. This is a minimizing strategy but gain it looks fabulous.
• A bootleg jean highlights the thigh. A flare will give the suggestion of curves (this is actually a great way to balance out a full stomach).
• A darker color will minimize the lower half, particularly paired with a brighter top. Opt for a bright color on the lower half. The brighter the color the more the more it catches the eye. Balance with a neutral or soft color on top.
• A patterned skirt or pant will draw the eye and highlight the lower half.
• If you are narrower on your top half then wear a structured jacket to broaden your top half and maintain proportion.
• Look for dresses in jersey fabric to cling to curves. Wear with shapewear to get rid of any bulges.
• Look for dresses that echo the pencil shape.

Pencil Skirt

Godet Skirt

Glitterati Dress

Celebrate your curves. Make the most of them. They area an integral part of your signature look and if it includes a fine rear end, make the most of it.

Remember your shapewear to iron out any bulges if you go for a look like this!

Have a good day,
LISA

I spend a lot of time talking about the pear shape, mostly because it’s the most talked about and most recognizable shape. But the more research I do the more I realize that it’s really impossible to define body shapes that accurately. For instance lets examine the pear shape. The standard definition of a pear is that your bottom half measured around the hips is larger than your shoulders by more than 5%. That seems fairly straight forward. But all pears are not created equal. Lets really examine this.

Some of you will have heard of Kim Kardashian who appears to have become famous by being rich and beautiful and having a big butt. Saving any discussion on good taste lets look at this famous butt. Baby’s got back or junk in her trunk or a big ole bubble butt which basically means that her bottom is round and full and the rest of her body is slender by comparison. Women with this shape tend to accumulate weight on their bottoms. There’s no doubt this shape is bigger on the bottom hence, by our definition a pear shape.

But that is only part of the story. Other women are bigger in other places. For example Jennifer Hudson is wider around her hips and her bottom is quite flat. Women with this shape, me included, tend to have bigger thighs and a little something extra around the waist. When they gain weight it’s stored on their hips and belly – the spare tire – and their inner thighs. This shape is particularly susceptible to the ‘muffin-top’ look. Whether or not they fall into the pear shape category will largely depend on the size of their upper bodies. Jennifer has slender shoulders so would be a pear shape on measurement but the fact that she’s quite busty offsets that by creating the hourglass look.

But wait there’s more. Some women are wider around the top of their thighs and when they gain weight it is stored on the outside of the thighs first. ‘Saddlebags’ is the term and from this photo of Jennifer Love Hewitt, a size 4 on a bad day, it’s easy to see it’s a specific shape rather than a lack of diet and exercise. Women with saddlebags tend to have flatter stomachs and smaller top halves. This is the actual pear shape for which the term was created.

Each of these women will face different issues. Those shaped like Kim Kardashian will look more proportionate from the front while from the rear it’s a different story, for which a lot of men are profoundly grateful. Kim’s best strategy will always be to play up her bottom half – it’s there, it’s not going away, work with it.

A pear shape by contrast will always be better off playing up her top half to bring more proportion to her look – a small slip and you’re a caricature rather than overtly feminine.

And someone like Jennifer Hudson, who has the goods on top as well, is going to be better off playing up her waist to even out her whole torso.

The purpose of this post is to illustrate the differences in our bodies even within the same basic category. Trinny and Susannah in their book The Body Shape Bible address this issue by identifying 12 different body types. Kim Kardashian would be a vase, Jennifer Hudson a cello and Jennifer Love Hewitt a pear. Then there’s the skittle which I haven’t even talked about but is those with wide hips and big thighs like Jennifer Hudson paired with a small top half. It’s great to have so many different categories but it all still seems very confusing.

FOCUS ON YOUR OWN…ISSUES

No one is going to fit exactly into one category no matter how many you break it into. It’s a much better idea to examine your own shape to find out what you think of your body. You will feel differently about different areas that another woman of a similar shape. When you know what you want to achieve then look for tips on how to do that. For instance you may be bigger on the bottom and want to minimize your bottom, accentuate your waist and add volume to your top half. Someone else who is the same shape may want to maximize their bottom and add volume to their top half. And this is before the issue of height has even been added to the mix.

Notice I don’t mention weight: Shape is consistent. If you are a size 4 pear shape like Jennifer Love Hewitt you can gain a hundred pounds and you’ll still be a pear shape and the same shape clothes in bigger sizes will still work for or against you.

When I talk about a pear shape I mean someone with ’saddlebags’. When I talk about bigger on the bottom I mean exactly that – it may apply any shape that fits into that criteria, even a pear. I am going to reorganize the categories on this site along those lines so any feedback you give me will be greatly appreciated.

My advice is to look at all categories that might have any application for you. Then trust your own judgement and pick and choose what works for you.

Thanks for reading,

LISA

If you have a small bust then you need to go with sleek, chic clothes.

OPT FOR

• Halter necklines
• Crew necklines
• Subtle revelations (eg fitted blazer with nothing underneath)
• Girly details like ruffles, bows etc

AVOID

• Structured bodices
• Scoop necklines
• Clingy fabrics
• Corset style tops

CELEBRITIES WITH SMALL BUST

• Debra Messing
• Selma Blair
• Kylie Minogue
• Sarah Michelle Gellar