Trinny and Susannah: The Brick

Trinny and Susannah’s the Brick is described as broad shoulders, no waist, average tummy, flat bum, chunky thighs and chunky calves.

Basically a Brick is straight up and down, but, unlike a Column which is also straight up and down, you’re likely to be stockier. A Column is tall and slender with no discernable waist, where a Brick is shorter and wider but again with no waist.

DRESSING THE BRICK

Bricks look almost masculine from the back with their strong, straight up and down shape so the challenge here is not so much to find balance but to bring in some curves.

Do – go for drapey fabrics with clever gathers and knots and lots of swirly movement to help create curves.

Don’t – wear jeans and t-shirt with no shape to them. Your shape can be quite masculine without adding mens clothes.

Do – look for wide lapels that go out to your shoulders on shirts and jackets which then open into deep v-neck. It will open up your chest and give the illusion of curves.

Don’t – choose anything square, like unstructured t-shirts or boxy jackets. They simply mirror the shape you have and remove any trace of curviness.

CLOTHING – WHAT TO AVOID

Boxy jackets – a boxy jacket is going to echo the straight up and downness of your body. Opt for something that creates a waist.

Strapless tops and dresses – a strapless top or dress broadens the shoulders which in itself is not too much of an issue. The straight across neckline however will “square off” your top half, and if you’re already square, well, it just makes things worse.

Mini skirts – essentially a mini skirt is a small rectangle of clothe that you wear on your lower half. Wearing a rectangle on your lower half will make the rest of you look rectangular as well.

Double breasted jackts – double breasted jackets is too heavy through the middle of the Bricks body. Your breasts are too big to handle such a jacket.

Heavy, wedge shoes – a wedge shaped shoe mirrors the look of your boxiness. A curvy shoe is better by far.

CLOTHING – WHAT SHAPES TO LOOK FOR

Fitted tank top – a fitted tank top or vest is a Bricks best friend.

Find one with a bit of curve in it and use it over other tops to cling to your frame and cinch in your waist.

Jacket – outer layers can be an issue for the Brick. When choosing a jacket look for wide lapels that will open up your chest and something with a belt.

Keep the length of the jacket finishing just on or below the hip line and tie the belt at your waist to give the illusion of curves.

Fitted Knit – a knit will cling to your body and with the right detailing will help to create the waist that you need. This particular top will open up your chest and the banding at the waist effectively draws a waist-line in. The black collar and lapels that run down the centre of the body break up the width of the body and gives the illusion of slenderness across the middle.

Floppy trousers – a Brick needs movement in her pants so choose a fabric with lots of drape and flow. This will allow the fabric to lovingly swathe your lower half and move with your shape.

Draping jersey top – a draping top gives the illusion of curves. This top fits through and around the breasts opening up the chest and broadening the shoulders before wrapping around the waist. The illusion is of a smaller waist.

Asymmetrical skirt – a draping skirt with lots of movement is the Bricks best friend. The skirt will fit and highlight your hips and bottom before swirling around your legs. the Asymmetrical hem further creates the illusion of movement and hence curves.

Patterned top – Bricks need patterns and detailing to breakup the straight up and down-ness of their frame.

This top literally draws curves onto the body. The eye is fooled into seeing curves where there aren’t any.

High wrap dress – a wrap dress is great for anyone except those with very small breasts and particularly so for the Brick. The band hits the body at the narrowest part, just under the breasts. The skirt of the dress is flowing and gives the illusion of movement.

Panelled skirt – a panelled skirt will hold your waist and stomach before flaring out with draping and flowing with any movement. The fitted waist band coupled with flowing skirt creates the illusion of a waist.

Chunky, curvy shoes – a Brick is trying to add curves and this extends to your shoes as well. Avoid delicate spindly heels as they will highlight your Brickness. Look for a chunkier, curvier heel in a great pattern.