Style Your Body Shape

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

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

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.