Tuesday, 21 May 2013

WORKIN' IT GIRL...


(Disclaimer: All the advice given below is unashamedly only my opinion and based largely on harsh but honest critique given by my Mother)

Today I have decided to take a different tack and write about something a bit fun but also something I take very seriously... DRESSING FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE

Although I am very keen to lose the extra weight I am carrying at the moment, I find that dressing in a way that flatters my figure can make all the difference to the way I look and feel. We all want to be fashionable and take inspiration from what we see in magazines, in movies, and on the runway- the trick is picking what elements of the seasonal trends, cuts, and colours actually work on you and not just on that 6 foot tall model or size 0 celeb!! I believe that this applies to women of all shapes and sizes; petite, curvaceous, thin, tall, bottom-heavy. There is always some things that work and some that don’t. If you can make yourself look slimmer and more attractive without hitting the gym or cutting one carb why wouldn't you do it?! I also believe that focusing on flaunting your best features fosters body confidence which is an integral part of looking and more importantly feeling fabulous. 

I have listed a few common body shapes below but please note you may have elements of 2 or more types e.g. A top heavy hourglass.



               

Pear – The width of your torso is smaller than the width of your hips. Your aim is to balance the difference between the top and bottom part of your body.

Hourglass – You are well proportioned with a shapely bust and defined waist. Your aim is to look taller and slimmer.

Rectangle – You are well proportioned and relatively lean but lack curves. Your aim is to create more curves in your silhouette.

Apple – You are well proportioned but with a little bit of extra around the middle. Your aim is to create shape and disguise your midriff.

Inverted Triangle – The width of your shoulders and torso is wider than the width of your hips. Your aim is to soften your shoulders and bust line, and add volume to the lower part of your body.

Once you know which body type you are, you can begin to select clothes that bring more balance to your silhouette. This is not SEASONAL knowledge- you need to apply this every time you buy something new regardless of what shapes or styles are 'in vogue'. I thought I would get the ball rolling with the lovely hourglass...


HOURGLASS

 First things first- what defines an hourglass body shape? Traditionally an hourglass shape requires your hip and bust measurement to be the same (or very similar) and your waist measurement to be at least 22cm less than that measurement eg. 100cm bust- 78cm waist-100cm hip. You may have an hourglass shape as a size 6 or a size 16- the definition is based on the proportions.

Fabulous on YOU:    

·         Foundation first- you MUST have a well fitted bra to lift and separate your bust- this alone can make you look INCHES smaller in the waist!

·         V neck, scoop neck, boat necks, open shirt collars, V necked halters and cowl necks- these will all visually slim your wide chest and/or lengthen your neck

·         Boot cut or relaxed straight cut jeans - this will help to balance your wide hips

·         You CAN wear skinnies if you match them with an A line top or tunic OR if you wear them 7/8 style and show some ankle to lengthen your leg

·         Wrap and A line dresses- Every hourglass women’s best friend

·         Pencil skirts- Accentuate the waist to hip ratio

·         Sleeves- Fluted sleeves can instantly slim larger arms.

·         Waist cinching belts- draw attention to the smallest part of your body

·         Peplum skirts/dresses- accentuate your small waist

·         Mermaid shape dresses- add balance to your full hips
 
This v neck is slimming and the rouching down the
centre of the dress accentuates her small waist

Here the peplum accentuates her tiny waist







The mermaid skirt adds balance
 to Sophia's full hips



Frumpy on YOU:
·         High neck tops (especially turtle necks)- this is the best way to create a ‘uni-boob’

·         Low rise or ‘hipster’ jeans- this draws attention to the widest point of your hips

·         Cap sleeves- the devil for those who carry weight on top

·         Shoestring straps- Not only does this encourage you to forego the well-fitted and supportive bra, the thin straps can get lost on an expansive chest/shoulders.

·         Chunky knits and heavy fabrics which add weight to your frame

·         Bermuda length shorts- not friends with your wide hips

·         Low slung thick belts- Only accentuate the hips

·         Baby doll dresses that fall from the bust- Be warned this can make you look pregnant

·         Drop waist 1920s style shift dresses- whilst an A line shift can look fabulous if you are lucky enough to have slim legs, a true ‘flapper’ style with a loose top and more fitted band on the hips has the same effect as a low slung belt

·         Short ra-ra skirts- this adds unnecessary volume to your hips


 

Turtleneck= No neck and uniboob



Once again by covering her whole chest
Christina appears matronly 

An example of how a belt right under
the bust can make you look chunky

I hope this has been helpful for the hourglass babes out there! Other body shapes to follow so watch this space...

Night,
Chloe x

(Shbam, not weighing in this week, Tired zzzzz)

No comments:

Post a Comment