What’s your shape? Are you short and round or tall and top heavy? Don’t stress – whatever shape you’re in, these tips can help.
First you need to figure out what shape you are. Stand naked in front of the mirror and really look at yourself. Then ask yourself what you like about your figure and what you don’t. That’ll let you know what body parts you want to show and the bits you want to hide – check out the tips below to find out what you should be wearing to make the most of what you’ve got!
If you’re short:
- Don’t wear horizontal stripes, too many colours at once, or too many or big accessories. Avoid the layered look.
- Don’t wear trousers with turn-ups or wide legs. Avoid short A-line skirts and large prints.
- Do wear outfits in one colour & slim-fitting straight-leg trousers.
- You can look leggy by wearing a skirt, tights and shoes in the same tones.
- Wear simple lines and keep to small accessories.
- Do scour petite ranges and teenage girls’ sections.
- Wear one button jackets done up above the waistline.
If you’re tall:
- Don’t wear clothes with vertical lines, patterns or pinstripes.
- Don’t wear one colour head to toe or crop tops.
- Don’t carry tiny handbags or wear small earrings or necklaces.
- Do wear low kitten heels rather than completely flat shoes.
- Try layering and skirts with a frill around the bottom or a patterned hem.
- Do wear low-waisted bootcut or straight-leg trousers and jeans.
- Don’t be afraid to carry bigger handbags.
If you have large breasts:
- Don’t wear the wrong size bra and spill out.
- Don’t wear tops with ruffles or pastel shades, thin spaghetti straps, delicate camisole tops or complicated necklines.
- Don’t wear bulky tops, necklines that are too revealing or tops in spangly fabrics.
- Watch out for ’pulling’ on shirts.
- Do wear subtle v-neck tops that hint at cleavage, dark colours in matt fabrics on your top half, and tailored shirts.
- Wear wide-leg, bootleg trousers or fuller skirts to balance your heavier top half.
- Try scoop necklines in plain fabrics.
If you have small breasts:
- Don’t assume any bra with padding will work. It must fit so the seams and padding can’t be seen.
- Don’t go braless under flimsy fabrics.
- Do wear jewellery such as chokers that detract from a flat chest and balance your outfit.
- Halterneck tops give shoulder width.
- Do wear pretty tops or dresses with spaghetti straps.
- Other good choices include curvy jackets nipped in at the waist, tops in lighter fabric than your bottom half and cardigans.
If you have large hips/thighs:
- Don’t wear bias cut skirts or dresses that cling, narrow-leg trousers or jeans, flat shoes, any kind of cropped top or tapered knee-length skirts.
- Don’t wear cargo pants or combats with side pockets, jackets or coats with belts that will flare out over your hips, belts that cinch the waist.
- Do wear bootleg or flare-cut dark denim stretch for a relaxed line over curves. Combine with heels, low-slung belts and fine-knit cardigans with just the top button done up.
- Do wear close-fitting denim skirts to below the knee with split, loose cotton trousers, and knee-length jackets with structured shoulders that will balance out a heavier bottom half.
- Take out pockets in trousers or sew them down.
If you have a Big bottom:
- Don’t wear light colours below your waist.
- Also avoid narrow legs, shiny fabric, leather trousers or thin heels.
- Don’t wear oversized, baggy trousers, jeans with detailing and pockets, short skirts, anything half a size too small or bias-cut dresses that hug the bum.
- Do wear looser fitting, lower slung trousers that skim, longer length jackets that end below your bottom in a single breasted simple shape, and open-toe shoes.
- Do wear dark colours on your bottom half. Jeans in dark denim stretch will minimise baggy waist problems, or try trousers with no back pockets and pinstripe trousers.
If you have a large tummy:
- Don’t wear skirts or dresses in flimsy fabrics that offer no support, drawstring waist trousers or low-cut hipsters, elastic waist tops, big prints or tiny floral prints.
- Don’t wear support knickers that are too small or tops that contain lycra – they just emphasise spare tyres.
- Don’t wear tops designed to be tucked in.
- Do wear denim skirts with a zip or buttons at the front – the fabric really holds your stomach in.
- Do wear shirts or cardigans with buttons, leaving the last three or four unbuttoned to skim over tummy.
- Wear longer length jackets, trousers that zip at the side and flat-fronted skirts.
- Do wear big chunky belts slung around the lower stomach.
- Try long and lean stretch jeans and slightly low-slung waistbands to elongate your body.
If you have plump legs/ankles:
- Don’t wear mid-length skirts that end at your calves, short mini skirts, calf-length or ankle boots, light coloured or shiny tights.
- Don’t let your hem fall at the fattest part of your leg.
- Don’t wear very delicate strappy shoes, ankle straps or ankle chains.
- Do wear wedges, low-cut shoes, black knee-length boots in suede or stretch fabric (if they won’t do up around calves).
- Skirts that end just below the knee make lower legs look longer.
- Do wear sandals with broader straps across the foot to disguise puffy ankles.
- Wear dark coloured plain tights or fake tan.
Source: ourbrisbane.com