I just love the pattern on this dress. Patterns and detailing on the clothes you wear are a great way to add extra definition to your frame, to trick the eye into seeing what it is that you want it to see. For instance with this dress the eye is drawn first to the neckline of the dress where the v-neck cuts the body creating the illusion of slenderness (though it’s not much of an illusion on this particular model). The stripes change from being on an angle to vertical just below the breasts effectively reinforcing that slimming effect by creating an empire waist. From there the stripes look as if they flow straight down when actually the fabric is draped so the stripes on both the arms and the body of the garment are actually getting further apart as they go down giving the illusion that the model is straight up and down. Without the colored band on the skirt the effect of the stripes would be more apparent and the dress would look quite severe. The waves also add a hint of curviness in the lower part of the body to counteract the stripes. This is a cleverly designed dress, which is probably why it retailed for $1,000 (sold out now).
It’s amazing how much difference seams, patterns and just plain the way the garment is put together can work with your shape. Sometimes they flatter, make you look thinner, like the dress above, and sometimes they just work against you. So be aware of the detailing on your clothes.
Jennifer Love Hewitt in a casual yet feminine outfit on the 4th of July. The wide legged jeans are baggy and do a good job of distracting from the width of her hips and any saddlebags while the extra length covers her heels and makes her legs appear longer than they really are. The tiered top is ultra feminine, which perfectly reflects Jennifer’s style and it resists crossing over into girly territory with it’s simpleness. With a u shape neckline it opens up her chest drawing attention to her face which is great for Jennifer as shes quite .. um stacked. The sleeveless top keeps the eye very much centered on her top half.
On the downside this outfit could easily cross the line into frumpy without the right hair, jewellrey and makeup, or flat shoes with those ultra baggy pants. The layers could easily overwhelm such a small frame. but the length on the pants, combined with the heels gives Jennifer the extra height to make here whole body look longer.
This is a great casual outfit but could easily be turned into something a little more dressy with a different top and shoes.
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.
I bought a gorgeous little top the other day – a chiffon top with an empire waist and awesome drape perfect for concealing a big stomach. I fell in love when I saw it, tried it on and it looked fabulous. Just like that a wonderful relationship began. But, sadly it was not to be. The first, and only time, I wore it, the entire day I felt really uncomfortable. By the end of the day I’d worked out that the problem was that it just revealed more than I was comfortable with, which is pretty confusing given that the neckline wasn’t particularly low cut or sheer and did in fact cover more of my chest that I would usually go for. What it did do was draw attention to my breasts, which hey, usually I’m happy with cause then it means they’re not looking at my butt or worse my stomach, but in this particular case I felt over exposed. I felt like my breasts were the only thing anyone saw of me that day and I hate when people have conversations with my breasts. They’re not overly talkative as a rule.
What parts of our body that we choose to reveal and conceal is a deeply personal issue and it rarely has anything to do with shape. For instance you might find two pear-shaped ladies of approximately the same size and one hates her butt with a passion bordering on psychotic and the other loves her generous feminine curves. Its simply a matter of personal choice.
Dressing to flatter your particular body shape is all about misdirection – directing eyes away from flaws and to parts of your body that you find more attractive. Much of what I’ve already shared with you is about creating a more even silhouette and it assumes if you have a big ass then you’re going to be comfortable showing off your breasts in order to balance things out. But, as for me, that may not be the case. Each person needs to decide for themselves what parts of their body they want to reveal and what they want to conceal.
No, concealing the whole lot is not an option! Every stylish outfit has one point of interest. If you have a beautiful top with a bright pattern, or lovely beading then it will be the focus of the outfit and it should be paired with a more understated bottom half, like fabulous jeans or a plain well-cut skirt. If you show lots of leg then your top half needs to be more conservative, or vice versa for a low cut top. It’s all about balance. One of the things I’ve been guilty of in the past is wearing clothes that are all neutral which pretty much makes me slide into the background. Instead now I pair the plain jeans and sweater with a big piece of jewellery, or fantastic shoes or handbag to bring some interest.
My lesson with my gorgeous blouse, my very expensive gorgeous blouse that I only ever wore once before gifting to my delighted daughter, is that I need to pay particular attention to what I put on top and whether it reveals more than I’m comfortable with. What works for you? . I’ll be focusing on particular clothes in the future and the way to use them to reveal or conceal particular parts of your body, so get to know what your personal preferences.
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.
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.
I just love the pattern on this dress. Patterns and detailing on the clothes you wear are a great way to add extra definition to your frame, to trick the eye into seeing what it is that you want it to see. For instance with this dress the eye is drawn first to the neckline of the dress where the v-neck cuts the body creating the illusion of slenderness (though it’s not much of an illusion on this particular model). The stripes change from being on an angle to vertical just below the breasts effectively reinforcing that slimming effect by creating an empire waist. From there the stripes look as if they flow straight down when actually the fabric is draped so the stripes on both the arms and the body of the garment are actually getting further apart as they go down giving the illusion that the model is straight up and down. Without the colored band on the skirt the effect of the stripes would be more apparent and the dress would look quite severe. The waves also add a hint of curviness in the lower part of the body to counteract the stripes. This is a cleverly designed dress, which is probably why it retailed for $1,000 (sold out now).
