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

Whilst cleaning out my computer I found this review that I wrote of What Not To Wear by Trinny & Susannah. I decided to post it because it’s quite funny but also because this was the first book I read when I began this journey and its interesting to see where I was then.

13/2/2008: Trinny and Susannah have a very popular TV show, What Not To Wear, where they take some woefully dressed woman and make her over. I’ve seen one episode of the show and enjoyed it thoroughly. They emphasise dressing to your best right now, big bums, thunder thighs and saggy boobs included, and hopefully successfully disguised.

The book sets out the rules of clothes to wear to showcase your body to best advantage if you’re sadly afflicted with a fashion resistant area of your body such as an enormous arse or no breasts to speak of. As important it sets out what clothes to avoid which I found to be particularly useful, if only to enable me to condemn my entire wardrobe.

Chapters include big tits, no tits, big arms, big bum, no waist, short legs, flabby tummy, saddlebags, short neck and thick ankles and calves. Clearly the book is targeted at women who have issues with their bodies. However, it’s not done in a way that’s critical or judgemental, rather focusing on real women who have real issues and promoting the idea that despite that any woman can still look fabulous. The outfits are shown in full colour and it really is easy to see the difference the cut and shape of clothes can make to where the eye is drawn and the overall appeal of an outfit. The writing style is straight to the point and often funny as well as practical and always clearly explains why or why not to choose a particular style of clothing.

I loved this book. As someone who’s spent quite a considerable amount of her life with a crap wardrobe because I’ve been waiting until I lost ‘the weight’ its an absolute godsend to learn some guidelines on how to look good without shrouding myself in a caftan as some manufacturers of plus sized clothing seem to think is mandatory. Now I have a much clearer idea of what to buy and what to avoid.

On the downside the authors are English and so unfortunately are the clothes shown, which does me no good at all as I’m not likely to be able to pop down the high street and find what they’re wearing. This applies to type of clothing as well. England is miserably cold ten months of the year so their outfits include jackets, boots and sweaters which aren’t really practical wardrobe inclusions for someone who lives in Australia.

I also found that the book raised as many questions as it did provide answers. Firstly I wouldn’t know an empire line or bias cut if they jumped up and bit me. Secondly I found that, as someone with multiple afflictions, some of the clothes to avoid to disguise one area included clothes to use to disguise another, leaving me confused about what to do.

So, whilst I found the book very helpful, I also found it’s only a first step. I would certainly recommend it to any woman who, like me, is a little tentative about what suits them and what doesn’t.

Find a link to buy the book here.

So now that we know what to avoid if over 40 what should we be doing?

I’m 39 and until quite recently I used to borrow clothes out of my teenage daughters wardrobe. I’ve always loved clothes but was ‘too fat’ to have them myself so bought for my baby instead. It never occured to me to try any of the stuff on until one day I needed a pair of jeans and found that hers fit like a glove. Much to her very vocal disgust I began borrowing her clothes. Then I read a wonderful book What Your Clothes Say About You by Trinny & Susannah and realized dressing like a teenager is … well, lets be kind and say lazy.

So what should someone of my age be doing? Well there are five simple things to keep in mind.

1. Act Your Age

Just because your teenage daughter’s clothes fit is not a good reason to wear them. Oooh, my bad. Teenagers are pushing boundaries, examining who they are and who they want to be, and that is never more apparent than in what they wear. Trends are inspired by, carried along and aimed at teenagers and those in their 20’s. A women over 40 is more in touch with who she is. She knows what she likes, what she doesn’t and experimentation is not so important as getting on and living her life. It shows in our faces, the way we carry ourselves and the things we do. We’re interesting! And again, this is reflected in our wardrobes. We may have a ‘uniform’ that we constantly wear, but it’s not really a uniform so much as our signature look. Define what that is for you and expand it.

2. Accept You’re Vital, Beautiful and Sexy

Being over 40 is not the end of your life; in fact it’s not even close. It’s only in our late 30’s that we come into our full beauty and into our 40’s we really hit our stride. It’s definitely not time to pack away the sexy underwear. So … step away from the sensible clothing, or at least combine them with totally impractical but very sexy cerise heels. Split up your sweater sets, reintroduce color and femininity back into your daily rotation and enjoy being a mature, sexy woman. Don’t dress old!

3. Get Out Your Checkbook

Darling, that’s not a knock off, that’s the real thing! Let’s face it ladies the real difference between us and our younger sisters is money. Generally speaking we have more money coming in and correspondingly more disposable income to spend on clothes. We’ve also had more time to accumulate some truly fabulous pieces which form the backbone of our wardrobe. This is the proverbial ‘we’ because if you’re anything like me this does not describe your situation at all, but don’t worry there are ways to fake it but that’s another post. The main idea is that when you’re over 40 spend a little more on those really special pieces and a lot less on trends.

4. Get Classical

The key wardrobe element for a women over 40 is classic pieces. Think Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis, Catherine and Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren - whomever best reflects your personal style. Elegance is the goal. That means simpler, more enduring cuts, less embellishment, and richer, more sumptuous fabrics. Don’t go overboard or you’ll look like an overstuffed chair but a beautifully cut velvet jacket over a silk camisole combined with a well fitting pair of jeans will look fabulous and would overwhelm someone younger. But, be aware, getting retro inspired is a double edged sword for someone over 40. Make sure you go back far enough.

5. Polish, polish, polish

The older you get the more polish is going to be important, but that doesn’t mean that you always need to be ‘done up’. Actually it’s better to go with a more natural look, it’s more well, natural, but also effortless and confirms the impression that you’ve totally confident and have it all together. Keep your hairstyle modern and well trimmed and colored, your makeup barely there (which actually takes longer to apply - go figure) and pay attention to the little background things like moisturizing and plucking eyebrows. Attention to detail is vital. Then make it look as if you’ve done nothing at all.

So there you have it, five must-do’s for the over 40’s. I would just like to add that clothes, style, at any age is about expressing ourselves. I met a woman the other day who looked fabulous. She was wearing brown, straight leg cords with a cream, lace-edged camisole under a fitted denim jacket with a gorgeous vintage marcasite necklace. She was 73 and looked every inch of her age and really sexy to boot. She was a former model and what she was wearing expressed how she felt about herself and clothes. If you’re a person who’s worn jeans every day of your life for 50 years then giving up jeans because you’re older is not something you want to do. Equally if you’re 50 and have never worn jeans, ever, then suddenly taking up wearing them is not you either. Your style should reflect who you are, but what I really want to get across is that being over 40 does not mean you need to sacrifice wearing clothes that you love or expressing how sexy and beautiful you are.

Good shopping.

LISA

I’ve been doing a little research and here is a list of seven things any women over the age of 40 should keep in mind when selecting a wardrobe.

1. Covering Up

Nothing says past-her-use-by-date better than being swathed head to toe in baggy shapeless clothes. So, no baggy cardigans allowed, no shapeless polyester frocks and no boxy t-shirts. They are old lady clothes. Being over 40, or over 50 or even over 60 is no reason to give up looking hot. I met a women the other day who looked classically casual and down right sexy and she was 73. She looked it too. There was no attempt to hide her age but she certainly didn’t look dated. She looked fantastic; like a elderly Grace Kelly, all classic understatement.

2. Elastic Waistbands

An elastic waistband will immediately make you look ten years older than you are. It will also make you look fatter, a double whammy, so it’s really confusing why so many people buy them. Manufacturers make them because people buy them; STOP buying them! I don’t want to here any cries of ‘but they’re comfortable’ because a well fitting skirt or pair of pants will be as comfortable, possible even more so, and will look fabulous as well. Pleated skirts have the same effect if you have even the faintest hint of a spare tire around the middle.

3. Any Revival Trend

One of the latest trends to hit the shops is a blouse tied at the throat, a signature look for Margaret Thatcher circa the 80’s. In those days it was the height of sensible, steady good sense but now it’s a sign that you’re hip and well dressed. Go figure. Sadly that’s for everyone under the age of 40. If you were an adult the first time the trend hit forget jumping on it a second time. Rather than look modern you will just look like the women that time forgot ie old.

4. Missing Modernizations

What’s a trend and what’s a modernization? A trend will be in and gone faster than the latest pop song. Sometimes the way we wear things start out as trends but then they become evolutions. For instance, nothing says late 90’s more than a pant hemline that finishes above the shoe. The modern style is that hem lines finish about 1/2 an inch above the ground covering most of your shoe. Another example of an evolution is wearing colored shoes rather than matching your shoe to your hemline. A black outfit with black shoes will instantly age you and it’s also kind of drab. Pair it with a pair of bright colored heels and you’ll instantly look modern and chic.

5. Pleated pants with tapered legs

I have no idea when this style was popular but it’s just unflattering to practically everyone, regardless of body shape. It’s not a question of fit rather of style, or more specifically lack of it. For everyone but a select few they will make you look bigger than what you are, or for the slender, you’ll look positively anemic. To me this style says “I’ve given up looking good; now I just want cheap, comfy pants”, which is not a bad thing but there are other, more stylish ways of saying it. For almost all body shapes a flat front, straight leg pant with a side zip is going to be more comfortable and, since it’s a classic, instantly chic.

6. Red and Black; Black and Pastels

Red and black together is a very matronly look. Red’s are usually vibrant and pep up an outfit but when paired with black it seems to leach the liveliness away and become staid and frumpy. Like a football uniform. It can be transformed immediately by adding a neutral color - for instance a black skirt with a red shirt and a camel jacket.

Similarly pairing black and pastels is aging, which is bad news for curvy women as the majority of plus size clothing tends to be black and/or pastel. Black actually works best with other shades of black, but if your wardrobe is mostly black then look for brights, white or other neutrals to pair it with. Match your pastels together or pair them with neutrals and denim.

7. Long Skirts and Clumpy Heels

A long skirt, mid calf or longer, is predominantly the most unflattering length because it hides your shape. Combined them with clumpy heels and your ankles will look like twigs set in concrete supporting a big blob of color; a cartoon stick person. Those long skirts look better paired with a finer heel that will showcase the turn of your ankle and your foot. Clumpy heels are best paired with a delicate, feminine skirt to toughen it up. Together they just say “old maid”.

The best length of skirt is just below the knee, particularly if your legs are heavier, as it shows the curve of your calf which is thinner than the rest of your leg.

Check out these tips of things to do over 40 for ideas how to look sexy.

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

The goal of looking slimmer is about feeling more attractive and at the end of the day that’s a mindset rather than a practical solution. Simply feeling good about how you look will do more for your confidence than any optical illusion you might create. That said it’s really a catch 22 because creating the illusion of being slimmer will help make you feel better about yourself and give you confidence that. Try these tips to even out your silhouette for a slender more confident you.

1. Wear Clothes That Fit

Some of you might be thinking, hello, of course they fit or I wouldn’t be wearing it. Let’s clear this up right now. If it’s tight, it doesn’t fit and it will simply draw attention to every imperfection. If it’s loose, it doesn’t fit and it will make you appear bigger than you actually are. It also makes you look old. If it skims the curves of your body barely touching then it fits.

Wearing clothes that fit is the single most important thing to do to look slimmer, and correspondingly it’s the hardest thing to achieve. And not because of your body; it’s the clothes that are available. A one-size-fits-all approach cannot possibly address myriad body shapes we come in. Keep looking because you will find items that work. When you find a brand that fits, stick with it. This is also the reason it’s a good idea to buy investment pieces, like a pair of wool pants. Good quality fabrics wear better so it’s worth investing a little more to get a classic style tailored to fit perfectly.

The extra added bonus of fit is that your clothes will be comfortable to wear. Say goodbye to wedgies forever.

2. Wear Clothes That Flatter

No this is not the same thing as fit. It will be possible to find a pair of skinny leg jeans to fit most sizes and yet for all but a handful of people they will be instantly unflattering. Dressing to flatter is about dressing strategically to minimize your flaws and maximize your assets. It’s about style and acceptance. Your body is the shape that it is. Embrace it, learn to love it and especially learn what flatters and what doesn’t.

The thing that I love the most about wearing clothes that flatter is that I don’t feel self-conscious any more. I sometimes even go a whole day without remembering the size of my butt. Everyone can look good just by wearing a shape that suits their shape and looking good makes you feel good.

Clothes flatter you if they create an illusion of proportion. For women that means an hourglass shape. Working with shape is all about misdirecting the eye to create that illusion.

Just a subtle hint: this website is about what flatters your shape. Bookmark it, digg it, stumble it, tell your friends. Thanks.

3. Stand Up Straight

Its sounds really simple and it is. It’s truly amazing how many people stoop - the shoulders just kind of hunch forward and the neck pokes out, or, another exciting version, the stomach leads the way and the butt follows behind. Incorrect posture makes you look shorter and fatter. Correspondingly by standing up straight you will look and feel slimmer. This is particularly important for those who are bigger on the bottom. Hunching your shoulders makes your top half look smaller again and hence your bottom half bigger than Ben Hur.

4. Wear A Supportive Bra

If your breasts are anything over a B-cup then putting on a supportive bra can actually make you look up to a size smaller. Particularly if you have a little extra around the middle. A supportive bra will lift your breasts into the position they would be had gravity not had it’s way, and separate them into two individual breasts. A uni-boob - where your breasts look like a shelf or one big undefined blob - is aging and adds extra pounds. Get a bra that fits properly and you will instantly look slimmer.

Knowing what bra will work with your body shape is a great idea as well.

5. Use Color, Texture And Pattern To Camouflage

Darker colors camouflage and lighter colors highlight ergo wear the darker colors on areas that you want to hide and lighter colors on areas where you want to draw the eye. And the same works with pattern. The eye is drawn where the pattern is so wear it where you want people to look. For instance say you’re bigger on top. Opt for a plain darker colored top like a chocolate brown (over your supportive bra!) and pair it with a brightly colored A-line skirt with a busy pattern. The eye will be drawn away from your top and onto your bottom half.

Textured fabric is a way to create the illusion of volume without sacrificing fit. So if you’re bigger on top then wearing a boucle (nobbly) skirt on the bottom half, say with a tweed pattern, will create the illusion that the bottom half is bigger and more in proportion to the top.

If you’re camouflaging an area remember to have somewhere on your outfit that draws the eye. If there isn’t anywhere to look then by default the biggest area on your body will become the focus.

6. Shapewear

When all else fails bring out the heavy guns - shapewear. Shapewear is support underwear - the modern day version of the corset, except now you can get shapewear to minimize your waist and hips as well as slim your thighs or lift your butt or hold in everything from bust to knee if that’s what you want. Made from many layers of spandex shapewear comes in a multitude of shapes and sizes and will instantly slim and shape your body without benefit of hours of exercise.

Shapewear should only be used for special occasions, times when you want to look particularly spectacular.

Good shopping,

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

You know how sometimes you get up in the morning, chuck on some clothes, maybe try some different combinations, and create the perfect outfit for how you’re feeling. Mission accomplished - I look fabulous. Oh but wait, possibly this pair of jeans is not the best idea for work. Don’t give up just yet; any outfit can be dressed up, or as the stylists say, torn down.

A great piece of clothing makes a statement all by itself but it’s what it’s paired with that makes the outfit. Take for instance this sequined skirt that Rachel Bilson wore to a day-time event. Generally sequins are a strictly after-dark item but in this case the pairing with the very casual blouse, plain shoes and casual loose hair detracts from the formalness of the skirt. If she’d paired this with a dressier shirt, even a black shirt, she would have looked overdressed. It’s the boxiness of the shirt, the I’m-really-ordinary-ness of it that detracts from the movie-star-glamour of the skirt and vice versa. With anything other than the sequined shirt Rachel would have looked as if she were heading for the gym rather than making a public appearance.

In our example above re jeans for work the idea is to smarten up the jeans enough that they become suitable for work.

These great wide leg jeans will flatter big bottoms, wide hips and heavy thighs. The classic rise will cut across the stomach so will flatter larger bellies as well.

This elegant blazer is a three button blazer with a shaped hem. The tabs at the waist with bows and the detail stitching describe a slender waist and the deep open v-neck, notched collar will draw eyes upward and keep them there. It’s perfect for defining a waist and will work for a rectangle or someone wanting to conceal a little extra in the middle.

Pair the blazer with some classic jewelry to further dress up the jeans and simple classic pumps for a very dressy look that’s torn down by the jeans. It’s a great way to mix up day and evening wear.

Good shopping.
LISA

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.

Good shopping.

LISA