Posts filed under 'Figure Flattery Guide'
Soften your silhouette by adding the appearance of curves.
Look for…
- Fitted styles.
- Styles with embellishments at the bustline (e.g. ruching, pleating).
- Fitted styles.
- Straight styles.
- Jackets with nipped in waists.
- Belted styles.
- Styles that end at mid-hip.
- Double breasted styles.
- Jackets in heavier fabrics and textures.
- Pocket detailing, especially breast pockets.
- Peplum jackets.
- Biker jackets.
- Bomber jackets.
- Straight, boxy jackets.
- Horizontal detailing.
- Tops with nipped in waists.
- Halter Tops.
- Tops with embellishments at the bustline: shirring or gathers.
- Shrunken versions of men’s shirts.
- Empire-waist styles.
- Narrow V-necks.
- Flared short sleeves.
- Tabbed sleeves.
- Breast pockets.
- Wide collars and lapels.
- Flat-front, straight-leg trousers.
- Slight flare at hem.
- Pleats will help create curves.
- Wide waistbands and a lower rise pant will visually add curves.
- Low rise styles.
- Low-rise, straight leg jean styles work best.
- Jeans with a fitted derrière create instant curves.
- Almost any style works.
- For broad shoulders, avoid very full skirts.
- Sarong skirts.
- Bias cut skirts.
- A-line skirts.
- Pleating.
- Slanted pockets for added hip shape.
- Gathers.
- Patch pockets.
- Belts.
- Thicker waistbands.
- Shirtdresses.
- Wrap dresses.
- Horizontal detailing.
- Contrast color at bustline.
- Waist detailing.
Run from…
- Garments that are cut straight up and down with no waist definition.
- Anything with built in curves.
- Shoulder pads.
- Horizontal lines at the shoulder.
- Raglan, dolman, or kimono sleeves.
- Horizontal lines at the shoulder.
- Raglan, dolman, or kimono sleeves.
- Stiff fabrics.
- Voluminous, structured tops that you don’t fill out.
- Fitted capris and clamdiggers.
April 27th, 2005
Elongate your figure while featuring your waist.
Showcase your curves.
- Garments that drape nicely over your curves.
- Styles with simple lines.
- Semi-fitted styles that just cover your derrière.
- Closure (button or otherwise) just below the bustline.
- Vertical lines through seams and/or lapels.
- Snug fit, high collared biker jacket.
- Single breasted boxy styles.
Tops
- Semifitted styles that end below the belt and can be tucked in.
- Tops that subtly reveal cleavage.
- Classic flat-front straight-leg pants that rest at your natural waistline.
- Side or back zip pants (invisible zipper) reduce bulk and can be more flattering.
- Subtle flare at ankle is flattering on taller women.
- Wide pants can be tapered slightly at calf-height on heavy women.
- Stretch jeans are perfect for showcasing curves.
- For a look that’s less form-fitting, try straight-leg jeans one size up.
- Slitted skirts and dresses that showcase your legs.
- Bottoms that narrow at your knees.
- Flat front styles with side or back zipper.
- For a thin waistline, show your waist with a belt or prominent waistline.
- For a thicker waistline, look for dropped-waist styles.
- Medium-weight knits and drapey fabrics are flattering.
- Fitted jackets and skirts.
Run From…
- Oversized clothes.
- Overly tight clothing.
- Clothes that are cut straight up and down, without regards to curves.
- Horizontal lines at the fullest part of your hips.
- Jackets without waist definition (e.g. those that are loosely buttoned at the waistline).
- Styles that end at the fullest part of your hips.
- Jean jacket with pocket detailing.
- Styles that end at the fullest part of your hips.
- Suits without enough support.
April 26th, 2005
Elongate your silhouette by making your legs look longer.
Look for…
- Items in the petites department: they’re proportioned for a shorter woman.
- Monochromatic ensembles.
- Narrow silhouettes.
- Drapey, fluid fabrics.
- Vertical lines and detailing: seams, closures, embellishment, etc.
- Princess and/or center seams.
- Small prints.
- Skirts are better than pants because they conceal the point where your legs begin, allowing you to create the illusion of longer legs by raising the waistline.
- Cropped styles.
- Styles with simple lines.
- One or two button closures.
- Narrow lapels that end above the natural waistline.
- Coats should be no longer than one inch above the knee.
- Empire-waist styles.
- Belts, if any, should be placed above the natural waistline.
- High necklines create the illusion of height.
- Simple, fitted styles.
- High-waisted tops.
- Empire line tops.
- Cropped tops and sweaters.
- Tops in fluid, drapey fabrics.
- Straight leg pants with front creases.
- Longer cut styles work best; wear these with heels for a longer line.
- Classic 5-pocket jean styles.
- Natural waist styles to visually lengthen leg.
- Above-the-knee and knee-length skirts and dresses.
- Tapered straight skirts.
- A-line skirts.
- Button-front skirts.
- Wraparound skirts.
- Slim dress silhouettes.
- High-waisted dresses.
- Empire line dresses.
- Wrap dresses.
- Semifitted to fitted sheath dresses.
- Off center slit to elongate legs.
- Vertical detailing: buttons, seamlines, trimmings, etc.
- Higher neckline for a taller look.
- Minimal accessories.
- Medium height shoes.
- Pointed toe shoes to elongate foot and leg.
- Shoes with a low vamp (toe opening is long and narrow) for a longer line for your foot and leg.
Run from…
- Stiff, tailored clothing.
- Baggy clothing.
- Big horizontal lines.
- Large prints.
- Excess detailing.
- Double breasted styles.
- Long coats.
- Voluminous styles.
- Styles with wide lapels.
- Tops that hit at your natural waistline.
- Baggy tops.
- Highly embellished tops.
- Tops made of stiff fabrics.
- Pleated pants.
- Cropped pants.
- Low rise pants.
- Cuffed pants.
- Wide-leg pants.
- Flared pants.
- Skirts that hit at mid-calf.
- Long, ankle length skirts.
- Hem detailing.
- Overly girly styles.
- Overembellishment.
- Extremely full skirts (think Cinderella).
- Very High Heels.
- Overembellished styles.
- Styles that disproportionately large for your frame.
April 25th, 2005
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