Posts filed under 'Figure Flattery Guide'
Visually raise your waistline and create the illusion of longer legs.
Look for…
- Anything that visually raises your waistline.
- Short tops over long bottoms.
- Jackets & Coats
- Empire-waisted styles.
- Cropped styles.
- Medium length semi-fitted styles.
- Styles that taper above your natural waistline.
- Cropped jean jackets.
- Cropped biker jackets.
- Snug-fitting bomber jackets.
- Tops
- High-waisted styles.
- Empire-waist styles.
- Off-the-shoulder styles.
- Tucked-in styles with a raised waistline.
- Horizontal detailing: yokes, wide collars, square necklines.
- Pants & Jeans
- High-waisted bottoms.
- Slim legged pants.
- Pants without cuffs.
- Straight-leg jeans that hit near your natural waist.
- Skirts & Dresses
- Empire-waist styles.
- Straight styles.
- Off-center slits make legs look longer.
- Vertical detailing.
- Single pleats in soft, fluid fabrics.
- Empire waist styles.
- Coat dresses.
- Semifitted sheath dresses.
- A-line dresses.
- Fitted styles that nip in above your natural waistline.
- Detailing above the waist.
- Horizontals on the torso.
- Suits
- Pick skirts over pants, as they help obscure the exact point where your torso ends and legs begin.
- Narrow bottoms.
- Cropped jackets.
- Swimsuits
- Two-piece suits or one-piece suits made for long torsos.
- Tankinis.
- Horizontal detailing on the torso.
- Higher leg cuts.
- Accessories
- Belts placed above waist level.
- Belts that match your bottoms.
- Slim, elevating shoes that match bottoms.
- Pantyhose that matches shoes and bottoms.
Run from…
- Anything that visually shortens your legs.
- Bottoms with loud patterns.
- Jackets & Coats
- Long jackets and coats.
- Coats that belt at your natural waist.
- Tops
- Long shirts.
- Excessively fitted styles.
- Long, narrow lapels.
- Princess seams.
- Vertical detailing.
- Pants & Jeans
- Cropped pants.
- Cuffed pants.
- Low-waisted bottoms.
- Tight pants.
- Flared jeans.
- Wide-legged styles.
- Baggy styles.
- Skirts & Dresses
- Anything that calls attention to your natural waistline.
- Horizontal patterns.
- Hem detailing.
- Belted styles.
- Stiff fabrics.
- Suits
- Long jackets.
- Bottoms with hem detailing.
- Swimsuits
- One piece suits that are too short in the torso.
- Boy-cut shorts.
- Accessories
- Belts placed below waist level.
May 16th, 2005
Create the illusion of a waist.
Look for…
- Fitted tops and jackets.
- Nipped in waistlines.
- Contoured waistbands.
- Tailored styles that naturally flare out at the hips, creating the illusion of a waist.
- ¾ length coats with waist definition.
- Fitted styles.
- Corset tops.
- Deep V-necklines.
- Wrap tops.
- Flared skirts.
- Full skirts.
- Pencil skirts.
- Wrap dresses.
- Fitted dresses made of drapey materials.
- Dresses made of soft, delicate fabrics for movement.
- Thick belts, worn around the hips, to make the waist appear smaller by comparison.
- Thin belts give your waist some definition.
Run from…
- Garments that are cut straight up and down with no waist definition.
- Double-breasted coats.
- Extremely cropped styles, such as bolero jackets.
- Trenchcoats.Straight-cut overcoats.
- Baggy tops.
- Boxy tops and sweaters.
- Shift dresses with no definition.
May 12th, 2005
Direct attention away from your middle. Create the illusion of a long vertical line.
Look for…
- Drapey fabrics.
- Monochromatic and tonal outfits.
- Semi-fitted styles.
- Straight-cut styles.
- Long styles: Jackets should reach at least below the derriere.
- Coats: mid-hip length or longer.
- Vertical detailing.
- Deep V-necklines.
- Single breasted styles.
- Tailored styles.
- Subtle A-line styles.
- High armholes and natural shoulders for a leaner look.
- Biker jackets.
- Long tops.
- Semifitted styles that don’t tuck in.
- Empire-waist styles.
- V-necklines.
- Elongated ovals.
- Tunics.
- Cardigans.
- Untucked shirts.
- Vertical detailing.
- Flat-front or side zip bottoms.
- No pockets.
- Waistbands 1†or smaller.
- No waistband is preferable.
- Jean styles that sit slightly lower than your natural waist.
- Waistbands 1†or smaller.
- Styles without waistbands.
- Flat front skirts.
- Dark colors and flat textures.
- Dresses that obscure the waistline.
- Coat dresses.
- Subtle A-line shapes.
- Empire-waist styles.
- Dresses with matching jackets.
- Semifitted shift dresses.
- Vertical detailing.
- Open necklines.
- V-necklines.
- Vertical detailing.
- Semifitted styles.
- Diagonal lines.
- Chevron patterns.
- Verticals: necklines, piping, patterns, seams.
- Lower necklines.
- Side shirring.
- Dark side panels.
- High Lycra content.
Run from…
- Fabrics that cling.
- Bias cut fabrics.
- Excessively stiff fabrics.
- Highly defined waistlines.
- Belts.
- Cinched waistlines.
- Garments with detailing at the waistline—pockets or otherwise.
- Cropped styles.
- Bulky flap or patch pockets.
- Double breasted styles.
- Wide collars and lapels.
- Styles with belts.
- Extremely fitted styles.
- Anything with horizontal detail across the middle.
- Tops with waistbands.
- Belted styles.
- Cropped styles.
- Excessive detailing.
- Bulky pockets.
- Contrasting color belts.
- High waisted styles.
- Pleats.
- Anything that cinches the waist.
- Bias cuts.
- Pleats.
- Wrap styles.
- Front darts.
- Bulky, gathered styles.
- Front pockets.
- Belts.
- Stiff fabrics.
- Horizontal detailing.
- Anything too tight.
- Anything that creates a horizontal line.
- Two piece suits that dig into your body.
May 11th, 2005
Flaunt the curves you have, while suggesting the appearance of more volume.
Look for…
- Push-up bras.
- Drapey fabrics.
- Fitted tops.
- Styles with horizontal lines.
- Styles with embellishments at the bustline.
- Fitted styles.
- Straight, tailored cuts.
- Wide lapels and collars.
- Flattering details on top, such as breast pockets, seaming, and/or draping.
- Lower necklines.
- High armholes.
- Biker jackets.
- Bomber jackets.
- Boxy jackets.
- Fitted styles.
- Styles with breast pockets.
- Empire-waist styles.
- Halter tops.
- Keyhole tops.
- Narrow V-necks.
- Wide lapels and collars.
- Flared, short sleeves.
- Tabbed sleeves.
- Empire waist styles.
- Wrap dresses.
- Coat dresses.
- A-line styles.
- Semifitted sheath dresses.
- Chemise dresses.
- Shirtdresses.
- Low V-necklines.
- Fullness at bust through embellishment.
- Soft styles.
- String bikinis.
- Bra-top styles.
- Slight padding.
- Bright colors at the bustline.
- Embellishment for volume at the bustline.
- Lower necklines.
Run from…
- Dropped-sleeve styles.
- Loose fitting styles.
- Loose fitting tops.
- Overly structured tops that you can’t fill out.
- Raglan, kimono, or dolman sleeves.
- Voluminous tops.
- Voluminous shapes.
- Dresses that you can’t fill out.
- Overly structured suits.
- Excessive padding in the bust area.
May 10th, 2005
Elongate your upper body, both torso and neck, while subtly showing your curves.
Look for…
- Garments that drape nicely over your curves.
- Dark colored tops and light colored bottoms.
- Garments that add vertical lines above the waist.
- Long, vertical, and narrow collars.
- Styles that button right under the bustline.
- Jean jackets without pocket detailing.
- Biker jackets without detailing.
- Single breasted boxy jackets.
- Simple styles without much embellishment.
- Quiet vertical detailing.
- Styles that subtly reveal cleavage.
- Open-neck tops.
- Wrap styles.
- Deep vertical lines.
- Styles with bust darts.
- Long sleeves that flare below the elbow.
- Semifitted styles with open necklines.
- Shirtdresses.
- Sheath dresses.
- Dropped waistlines.
- Wrap dresses.
- Vertical V-necklines.
- Sweetheart necklines.
- Spaghetti straps.
- Vertical seaming.
- Hem detailing.
- Dresses that are darker on top than on the bottom.
- Narrow skirts with flare at hem.
- Soft, drapey fabrics.
- Vertical detailing.
- Suits with built in support.
- Wider straps.
- Halter suits.
- Ruffles, shirring, and draping below the chest.
- Dark, solid colors on top, and light fabrics on the bottom.
- Dark, slimming side panels.
- Lower necklines.
Run from…
- Prominent detailing at the bustline.
- Garments that add bulk around the neck.
- Wide belts.
- Double breasted styles.
- Breast pockets on jackets and coats.
- Wide lapels on collars.
- High necklines.
- Patch pockets.
- Loose fitting styles.
- Belted styles.
- Horizontal detailing.
- Oversized tops.
- Chunky knits.
- Tops with large patterns.
- Double breasted styles.
- Wide waistbands.
- Short flared sleeves.
- Big lapels and collars.
- Large prints.
- Stiff fabrics.
- Sleeves with a baggy fit.
- Raglan, dolman, and kimono sleeves.
- Tabbed sleeves.
- High necklines.
- Boatnecks.
- A-line dresses.
- Tunics.
- Wide belts.
- Stiff fabrics.
- Suits without adequate support.
May 9th, 2005
Visually slim and elongate your arms and torso.
Look for…
- Three-quarter sleeves.
- Handkerchief sleeves.
- Raglan, dolman, or kimono sleeves (all provide extra room in the armhole).
- Cape sleeves.
- Long sleeves that flare below the elbow.
- Tops with subtle vertical lines—such as seamlines or lapels.
- Tops with a small puff at the shoulder.
Run from…
- Tight or clingy fitted sleeves.
- Elastic or tabbed sleeves.
- Short, flared sleeves.
- Tight cuffs.
- No sleeves.
- One-shoulder styles.
- Strapless styles.
- Off-the-shoulder styles.
- Stiff fabrics.
- Sleeveless tops.
- Tops with very short sleeves.
May 5th, 2005
Visually broaden your shoulders. Create a visual balance between your shoulders and hips.
Look for…
- Shoulder pads.
- Horizontal lines at the shoulder.
- Wide neck openings.
- Set in, puffed, or gathered sleeves: especially those that are placed slightly outside the shoulder bone.
- Horizontal piping or stripes.
- Structured, tailored styles.
- Boxy Chanel-style jackets.
- Double breasted styles.
- Epaulettes.
- Collared shirts.
- Tops with breast pockets.
- Tops with lapels.
- Horizontal lines at the shoulder.
- Boatnecked tops.
- Square necked tops.
- V-Necklines.
- Sweetheart necklines.
- Puffy, gathered sleeves.
- Yokes.
- Wide collars.
- Sailor collars.
- Peaked lapels.
- Wrap tops.
Run from…
- Set-in sleeves that do not extend beyond shoulder bones.
- Dropped sleeves.
- Deep armholes.
- Raglan sleeves.
- Unstructured styles.
- Halter tops.
- Camisoles.
- Raglan, dolman, or kimono sleeves.
- Capped sleeves.
- Gathered necklines.
- Off the shoulder styles.
May 4th, 2005
Downplay the width of your shoulders by softening them.
Look for…
- Set-in sleeves that do not extend beyond shoulder bones.
- Dark colored tops.
- V-necklines.
- Vertical seaming.
- Balance narrow hips with pockets at the hipline.
- Longer styles.
- Loose, unstructured jackets.
- Deep armholes.
- Raglan sleeves.
- Kimono sleeves.
- Dropped sleeves.
- Small lapels.
- Small, narrow collars.
- Single breasted styles.
- Notch or shawl collars.
- Vertical seaming.
- Deep V-neck tops.
- Raglan sleeves.
- Deep, narrow v-neck tops.
- Narrow collars and lapels.
- Cuffed sleeves.
Swimsuits
- Straps that hit at mid-shoulder.
- Wider straps.
- V-necks.
- Scoop necklines.
- Vertical details.
- Diagonal lines.
Run from…
- Anything that will draw extra attention to the shoulder area.
- Shoulder pads.
- Horizontal lines at the shoulder.
- Colorblocking on shoulders.
- High, closed necklines.
- Double breasted styles.
- Horizontal detailing.
- Fitted styles.
- Wide lapels on collars.
- Short, rolled lapels.
- Yokes.
- Breast pockets.
- Puffed or gathered sleeves.
- Epaulettes.
- Asymmetrical closures.
- High, closed, round necks.
- Tops made of shiny fabrics.
- Horizontal lines at the shoulder, or anywhere above the bustline.
- Shoulder detailing.
- Boat necked tops.
- Square necked tops.
- Wrap-style tops.
- Wide collars.
- Puffy sleeves.
- One-shoulder necklines.
- Wide necklines.
- Halter tops.
- Racerback suits.
- Halter necklines.
May 3rd, 2005
Visually elongate your neck!
Look for…
- V-necked styles.
- Deep V-necklines are especially flattering.
- Tops with open necklines (e.g. square necklines, sweetheart necklines, camisoles, etc).
- Drapey, long necklaces.
Run from…
- Garments that add bulk around the neck.
- Turtlenecks.
- Scarves.
- Tops with high collars.
- Mandarin collars.
- Choker necklaces.
May 2nd, 2005
Elongate your silhouette and enhance specific focal points.
Look for…
- When choosing an outfit, pick a focal point and play it up: neck and shoulders, back, cleavage, forearms, legs, etc.
- Monochromatic and tonal outfits.
- Items with drape and stretch.
- Garments with soft texture, vertical patterns, and prints.
- Straight cuts.
- Mid-hip lengths or longer.
- Single breasted styles.
- Tailored styles.
- Subtle A-line styles.
- High armholes and natural shoulders for a leaner look.
- Biker jackets.
- Boxy jackets.
- Semifitted styles that can be tucked in.
- Wrap styles.
- Off-the-shoulder necklines.
- Styles with bust darts.
- Deep V-necks.
- Flat-front straight leg trousers with no pockets.
- Waistbands 1†or smaller.
- Jean styles that sit slightly below your natural waist.
- Dresses with all-over patterns to keep the eyes moving.
- Dark colors and flat textures.
- Waistbands 1†or smaller.
- Styles without waistbands.
- A-line styles.
- Flat front skirts.
- Play up cleavage or legs as your focal point.
- Vertical detailing.
- Semifitted styles.
- Simple styles.
- Diagonal lines.
- Chevron patterns.
- Verticals: necklines, piping, patterns, seams.
- Lower necklines.
- Side shirring.
- Dark side panels.
- High Lycra content.
Run from…
- Clingy or tight fitting items.
- Oversized clothing.
- Ill-fitting clothing.
- Stiff fabrics.
- Bulky pockets.
- Double breasted styles.
- Belted styles.
- Bulky flap or patch pockets.
- Hems that end at the widest part of your hips.
- Overembellishment.
- Anything too tight.
- Pants tapered at the ankle.
- Baggy pants.
- Pants with pleated waists.
- Peg top pants with elastic waists.
- Bulky, gathered styles.
- Boxy shapes.
- Horizontal detailing.
- Bias cuts.
- Wrap styles.
- Front darts.
- Pleats.
- Front pockets.
- Anything too tight.
- Complicated cuts.
- Horizontal detailing.
- Anything that creates a horizontal line.
- Two piece suits that dig into your body.
April 28th, 2005
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