Every woman has something
about her body she'd like to
hide, whether it's heavy thighs, a
pudgy tummy or a too-round
bottom. With just a few visual
tricks, your problem areas will
disappear and let your true
beauty shine through!
Bottom-heavy
If your hips are wider than your
shoulders and your thighs are
round, you have a classic pear-
shaped body. Dressing is a snap
if you remember to accentuate
the positives: a shapely waist,
delicate upper body and
attractive shoulders and arms.
Bottoms
Avoid anything too tight.
A-line skirts that hit around
the knee area are ideal
because they draw attention
away from problem areas.
Miniskirts are generally a bad
idea because they accentuate
heavy thighs.
Pant waists should fall
somewhere below the natural
waistline for a better fit. A
straight or slightly bootcut leg
is the most flattering. Avoid
patterned or light-colored
pants. Skip fussy details like
big cargo pockets, rouching or
excessive zippers around the
hip area.
Shorts can be tricky, but for
workouts and casual wear
choose lightweight, loose-
fitting shorts (no bike shorts).
Slimming side stripes on
shorts can give the illusion of
sleekness.
Tops
Avoid too-baggy tops or too-
tight tops: the looser tops will
make you look large all over,
the tight tops will make you
look out of proportion to your
hips. Look for fitted -- not
skintight -- T-shirts
(something with some stretch)
and button-front tops. V-
necks, turtlenecks and open
collars all call attention to the
face, which is always a good
thing.
Jackets and blazers should hit
anywhere but the widest point
of your hips. That could mean
right below the waist to mid-
thigh, depending on your
height. Wear jackets and
blazers open for the best
vertical lines.
Dresses
Look for dresses that nip in at
the waist and slightly flare out
over hips and thighs.
You can pull off a full-skirted
ballgown because it will hide
heavy hips and thighs.
Try sleeveless and strapless
dresses to play up pretty
shoulders and arms.
An empire, or raised waist
dress brings the eye up away
from problem areas. Careful,
though. Sometimes this gets
mistaken for a maternity look
with fuller figures.
Top-heavy
The apple-shaped body is
usually softer around the middle
and has heavier breasts, with
narrower hips and slimmer legs.
Make the most of your womanly
figure by showing off your legs
and great cleavage.
Tops
Avoid too tight (plays up large
breasts too much) and too
baggy (just makes you look
heavier). Opt for fabrics that
skim the body, preferably
knits and wovens with stretch
for a better fit.
V-neck, boatneck, turtle and
mock necks and shirt collars
are your most flattering
necklines.
Play up nice cleavage with a
peek, not a Dolly Parton-sized
slice. Especially appealing: a
pretty lace-trimmed cami
showing under a jacket or top.
Avoid full sleeves or puffy
sleeves.
Bottoms
Balance out a top-heavy
figure with an A-line skirt that
will give you the look of a
waist and more of an
hourglass look.
Choose flat-front, never
pleated, pants that have a
lower rise than the natural
waist.
Five-pocket jeans are your
friend! Front pockets on jeans
help disguise a tummy
problem, while back pockets
can help define a flatter rear
common to top-heavy
women.
Avoid anything too tight --
from pencil skirts to skintight
jeans -- because it will only
accentuate top heaviness.
Play up nice legs with shorter
(an inch above the knee)
skirts.
Dresses
One-piece dressing is tricky
for you. Best bets: A
sleeveless black sheath, a soft
princess seamed dress, a
strapless dress with corseted
top.
Resist the urge to cover up
head-to-toe: showing a little
skin, whether it's bare arms or
shoulders, is much more
flattering.
Body basics for every figure
Wear colors that look great on
you. Not sure what those are?
Grab a trusted friend and
head to the mall. Hold up tons
of colors next to your face
and get feedback from your
friend. Hues that compliment
most complexions: pink, blue,
white (you'll just need to
change the intensity of these
colors to suit your coloring,
i.e. hot pink for darker skins,
carnation for fairer, ivory for
olive tones, etc.)
Nobody looks good in high-
waisted, pleated pants with
narrow ankle openings, but
manufacturers still turn these
out in droves. Avoid!
Don't worry about being
trendy when you look at what
suits your figure: concentrate
on what flatters, and add up-
to-date shoes, handbags and
accessories later.
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