Style Your Body Shape

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

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.