Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: Long Waisted

Visually raise your waistline and create the illusion of longer legs.

• Anything that visually raises your waistline.
• Short tops over long bottoms.

• Jackets & Coats
  • High-belted styles.
  • 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.

• 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.

4 comments May 16th, 2005

Ready Made Outfit: Refined Biker | Men’s Edition

For a stylish look that is one part one part polished and one part hip.

Biker Jacket | $150.00 at Kenneth Cole
Just a great addition to any man’s casual jacket collection. You can dress it up and dress it down to suit your mood, and the biker jacket’s detailing adds a extra dash of style to almost any outfit.

Cashmere V-Neck | $178.00 at JCrew
Look for a sweater in an interesting color. The V-neckline shows off the collared shirt and tie underneath.

Solid Tie | $39.50 at JCrew
Pick a tie complementary in color to the shirt(s) it is accompanying. Here, I’ve chosen a tie whose purplish tint forms a stylish complement to both the blue and white collared shirt and the bright green sweater.

Washed Chain-Stripe Shirt | $49.50 at JCrew
Stripes, to give the outfit some visual texture through pattern.

7 For All Mankind Relaxed Fit Jean | $143 at Nordstrom
A versatile, comfortable fit that is equally at home with the casual biker jacket and the more formal sweater/collared shirt/tie combination.

Add comment May 13th, 2005

Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: No Waist

Create the illusion of a waist.

• Fitted tops and jackets.
• Nipped in waistlines.
• Contoured waistbands.

• Jackets & Coats

• Tailored styles that naturally flare out at the hips, creating the illusion of a waist.
• ¾ length coats with waist definition.

• Tops

• Fitted styles.
• Corset tops.
• Deep V-necklines.
• Wrap tops.

• Skirts & Dresses

• Flared skirts.
• Full skirts.
• Pencil skirts.
• Wrap dresses.
• Fitted dresses made of drapey materials.
• Dresses made of soft, delicate fabrics for movement.

• Accessories

• Thick belts, worn around the hips, to make the waist appear smaller by comparison.
• Thin belts give your waist some definition.

• Garments that are cut straight up and down with no waist definition.

• Jackets & Coats

• Double-breasted coats.
• Extremely cropped styles, such as bolero jackets.
• Trenchcoats.Straight-cut overcoats.

• Tops

• Baggy tops.
• Boxy tops and sweaters.

• Skirts & Dresses

• Shift dresses with no definition.

Add comment May 12th, 2005

Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: Tummy

Direct attention away from your middle. Create the illusion of a long vertical line.

• Drapey fabrics.
• Monochromatic and tonal outfits.

• Jackets & Coats

• 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.

• Tops

• Long tops.
• Semifitted styles that don’t tuck in.
• Empire-waist styles.
• V-necklines.
• Elongated ovals.
• Tunics.
• Cardigans.
• Untucked shirts.
• Vertical detailing.

• Pants & Jeans

• 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.

• Skirts & Dresses

• 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.

• Suits

• Vertical detailing.
• Semifitted styles.

• Swimsuits

• Diagonal lines.
• Chevron patterns.
• Verticals: necklines, piping, patterns, seams.
• Lower necklines.
• Side shirring.
• Dark side panels.
• High Lycra content.

• Fabrics that cling.
• Bias cut fabrics.
• Excessively stiff fabrics.
• Highly defined waistlines.
• Belts.
• Cinched waistlines.
• Garments with detailing at the waistline—pockets or otherwise.

• Jackets & Coats

• Cropped styles.
• Bulky flap or patch pockets.
• Double breasted styles.
• Wide collars and lapels.
• Styles with belts.

• Tops

• Extremely fitted styles.
• Anything with horizontal detail across the middle.
• Tops with waistbands.
• Belted styles.
• Cropped styles.
• Excessive detailing.

• Pants & Jeans

• Bulky pockets.
• Contrasting color belts.
• High waisted styles.
• Pleats.

• Skirts & Dresses

• Anything that cinches the waist.
• Bias cuts.
• Pleats.
• Wrap styles.
• Front darts.
• Bulky, gathered styles.
• Front pockets.
• Belts.
• Stiff fabrics.

• Suits

• Horizontal detailing.
• Anything too tight.

• Swimsuits

• Anything that creates a horizontal line.
• Two piece suits that dig into your body.

Add comment May 11th, 2005

Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: Small Bust

Flaunt the curves you have, while suggesting the appearance of more volume.

• Push-up bras.
• Drapey fabrics.
• Fitted tops.
• Styles with horizontal lines.
• Styles with embellishments at the bustline.

• Jackets & Coats

• 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.

• Tops

• 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.

• Dresses

• Empire waist styles.
• Wrap dresses.
• Coat dresses.
• A-line styles.
• Semifitted sheath dresses.
• Chemise dresses.
• Shirtdresses.
• Low V-necklines.
• Fullness at bust through embellishment.

• Swimsuits

• Soft styles.
• String bikinis.
• Bra-top styles.
• Slight padding.
• Bright colors at the bustline.
• Embellishment for volume at the bustline.
• Lower necklines.

• Stiff fabrics.

• Jackets & Coats

• Dropped-sleeve styles.
• Loose fitting styles.

• Tops

• Loose fitting tops.
• Overly structured tops that you can’t fill out.
• Raglan, kimono, or dolman sleeves.
• Voluminous tops.

• Dresses

• Voluminous shapes.
• Dresses that you can’t fill out.

• Swimsuits

• Overly structured suits.
• Excessive padding in the bust area.

5 comments May 10th, 2005

Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: Full Bust

Elongate your upper body, both torso and neck, while subtly showing your curves.

• Garments that drape nicely over your curves.
• Dark colored tops and light colored bottoms.
• Garments that add vertical lines above the waist.

• Jackets & Coats

• Single breasted styles.

• Semifitted styles.

• Long, vertical, and narrow collars.

• Styles that button right under the bustline.

• Jean jackets without pocket detailing.

• Biker jackets without detailing.

• Bomber jackets.

• Single breasted boxy jackets.

• Tops

• 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.

• Dresses

• 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.

• Swimsuits

• 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.

• Prominent detailing at the bustline.
• Garments that add bulk around the neck.
• Wide belts.

• Jackets & Coats

• Double breasted styles.
• Breast pockets on jackets and coats.
• Wide lapels on collars.
• High necklines.
• Patch pockets.
• Loose fitting styles.
• Belted styles.

• Tops

• 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.

• Dresses

• High necklines.
• Boatnecks.
• A-line dresses.
• Tunics.
• Wide belts.
• Stiff fabrics.

• Swimsuits

• Suits without adequate support.

• Suits with belts.

Add comment May 9th, 2005

Ready Made Outfit: SoCal Casual Chic | Men’s Edition

Radiate the essence of the beachy Southern California lifestyle with a casual, yet fashion forward, ensemble.

Scunthorpe Soho Fit Shirt | $79.00 at Ben Sherman
Patterned for a dash of style! For a more metro look, go for a fitted cut in the shirt. For a more casual look, try a shirt in a looser fit.

No Tag Fitted Ringer Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic
Nice and simple.

Braided Cotton Belt | $24 at JCrew
A nod to the nautical style of the season.

Nashville Slim Jean | $98 at Lucky Brand Jeans
Narrow-leg jeans cut in a dark, slimming wash.

Tulum Leather Sandals | $65 at JCrew
Leather sandals for a more polished look.

Add comment May 6th, 2005

Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: Heavy Arms

Visually slim and elongate your arms and torso.

• 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.

• 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.

1 comment May 5th, 2005

Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: Narrow Shoulders

Visually broaden your shoulders. Create a visual balance between your shoulders and hips.

• 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.

• Jackets & Coats

• Boxy Chanel-style jackets.
• Double breasted styles.
• Epaulettes.

• Tops

• 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.

• Set-in sleeves that do not extend beyond shoulder bones.

• Jackets & Coats

• Dropped sleeves.
• Deep armholes.
• Raglan sleeves.
• Unstructured styles.

• Tops

• Halter tops.
• Camisoles.
• Raglan, dolman, or kimono sleeves.
• Capped sleeves.
• Gathered necklines.
• Off the shoulder styles.

Add comment May 4th, 2005

Women’s Figure Flattery Guide: Broad Shoulders

• 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.

• Jackets & Coats

• 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.

• Tops

• Deep V-neck tops.
• Raglan sleeves.
• Deep, narrow v-neck tops.
• Narrow collars and lapels.
• Cuffed sleeves.

• Straps that hit at mid-shoulder.
• Wider straps.
• V-necks.
• Scoop necklines.
• Vertical details.
• Diagonal lines.

• Anything that will draw extra attention to the shoulder area.
• Shoulder pads.
• Horizontal lines at the shoulder.
• Colorblocking on shoulders.
• High, closed necklines.

• Jackets & Coats

• 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

• 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.

• Swimsuits

• Racerback suits.
• Halter necklines.

Add comment May 3rd, 2005