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Figure-Flattering Clothes for Women
Everyone knows that women come in an infinite combination of sizes and shapes. And all women have the potential to feel beautiful in their own skin. Hopefully you can also find dresses,  skirts and other clothing to highlight that beauty, not conceal it. Here are some tips for some of the most common body shapes.
Remember that you decide what looks good on you. Just because you have a small bust, large hips, or are very tall does not mean you have to dress to somehow camouflage those areas and get them to conform to an unrealistic body shape promoted by the diet industry. If you want to emphasize an area that a fashion magazine would call a "problem zone" then go right ahead. One request? Do it with pride.
Want to know more about the fashion styles of the moment? Check out our Style Resources for Women.
| Style Basics |
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When dressing, fashion options can either make you look bigger or smaller. Where you choose to emphasize your figure dictates which parts of you will look bigger or smaller in relation to the other parts of your body. Playing with these proportions, contrasts, lines, and depths is what works with your natural figure to give you the desired look in an outfit. Some basics concepts to consider:
Enlarging/Emphasizing: Utilize light colors, horizontal lines, chunky fabrics, layering, hemlines, body-hugging tightness, body enveloping looseness, embroidered details, big prints, sparkles, ruffles, sashes, bows, and showing skin.
Minimizing/Hiding: Try dark colors, vertical lines, thin fabrics smoothly layered, body-skimming tailoring, solid colors, small prints, diet and exercise. |
Style Advice
To Look Taller - A pinstripe suit that is impeccably tailored.
- Monochromatic looks.
- Slim silhouettes that skip the fussy details.
- And the simplest solution: high-heeled shoes.
To Look Shorter - Wear big cuffs at the bottom of your pants, and add a wide belt at the waist to chop up the vertical line.
- Long flowing, shapeless skirts and/or boldly printed tops make you look shorter.
- Oversized shirts or pants will make you look like you're too small for your clothing. But if they're too wide and too long, they'll make you look fatter in the process.
- Ballerina slippers or other flat heeled shoes.
To Look Bustier - Try pairing a shirt that has some gathered fabric (rouching) or detailing around the neckline.
- Fitted, clingy fabrics will best show off your assets.
- Padded or push up Bras are the high-heels of cleavage.
- If your bust is dainty enough that nothing would ever give you cleavage, don't try to pretend otherwise. You'll just be calling undue attention.
To Look Less Busty - Tops that call attention other parts of your body are usually a good way to keep your cleavage out of the conversation.
- How about a boatneck top that highlights your shoulders?
- An open-backed top or sleeveless top may bring the eyes off your chest.
- Exciting bottoms, be they a leg-revealing skirt, curve-caressing jeans or a fabulously loud printed golf pant, paired with a solid, dark top can also distract from your decolletage.
- Minimizer bras actually flatten your chest so that everything gets redistributed and your chest appears smaller, at least while you're wearing them.
To Narrow the Waist, Hips and Rear - The best way to narrow your waist is to emphasize other parts of your body.
- If you are going to want a splash of color wear it on top to draw attention to your face and bust.
- Pair light colored tops with dark pants or skirts.
- Angled back pockets can work with what you've got to narrow your backside.
- Jeans with horizontal distress lines on either side of the zipper make your hips look much wider. Try to get your distressing vertically-oriented instead, like up the legs.
- Great legs? Try a slim fit skirt that shows them off. An A-line skirt or a trumpet skirt (that conforms to your curves with a flair towards the bottom) can emphasize your gams.
- Try to keep your look more structured. Big belts, elastic waists, clingy fabrics, bunches and ruffles near the waist are a terrible idea. The idea is to "streamline."
To Create Curves - Belts are a great way to define the waist area.
- Ruffled shirts can add volume to a slighter woman.
- How about a curve-creating flared skirt and a textured sweater in a bright color?
- Feel free layer a few items on top (camisole + shirt + jacket )
To Slim Down Shoulders - Avoid wide lapels, boatnecks, or shoulder pads.
- Try a nice V-neck top in a dark color with print pants or skirt.
To Slim Down Thighs - Wide-leg pants give you the space you need, but if they're too wide you risk magnifying your size.
- Dark socks and pants with an elegant top give you a streamlined look.
- Mid-calf skirts, dark stockings with medium-heeled, elegant shoes are very refined.
Advice by Body Type
Petite - Get clothes that are fitted and tailored. Don't let your clothing overwhelm your frame.
- Wide collars highlight your shoulders.
- Miniskirts and high heels are your friends.
- Chunky jewelry is too overpowering.
Curvy - If you want to avoid drawing attention to your curves skip chucky fabrics, stripes, cinched belts, and ruffles.
- Flared skirts hide and flow with your body shape.
Curve-Free - Details at the waist and trumpet-shaped skirts give the illusion of curves.
- Lush, thick sweaters, patterns, necklaces, scarves, and accessories could differentiate between your top and bottom.
- Embrace prints and patterns.
Pear-Shaped - V-neck tops draw attention to the top of the body.
- Side-slit, just past the knee, A-lines and straight cuts skirts.
- Longer tops, past the hips.
- Straight, tailored jackets, suits, and shirtdresses.
- Light colors on top, dark on the bottom.
- Thin fabrics with few patterns.
- Monochrome looks, top to bottom.
Top Heavy - No shoulder pads, ever.
- Avoid ruffled blouses and light, clingy fabrics.
- Draw the eyes down with waist hugging shirts, belts, pleats, short skirts.
- Flat shoes, unless you're short.
- Empire waists may show off your cleavage, but be careful that they don't make your torso looks enormous.
Please Don't Wear (Even if it Fits)- Pleated, tapered leg, elastic-waist, and/or high-waisted pants (especially jeans).
- Non-dress shirts tucked into pants (especially if you have any tummy).
- Suit jackets with jeans.
- Heels that are much thinner than you are. (Proportional to a jury of peers, of course.)
- See-through shirts and/or a dark bra under a light top.
- A braless outfit if your breasts can't handle it.
- Skirts that show everything when you sit or bend over.
- Anything so tight that you have fat rolls showing (also known as the muffin top syndrome).
- An outfit that looks complicated.
- More than one racy item in a single outfit looks inappropriate. Mix your miniskirts with your long sleeves.
External Links- American Baby -- Maternity clothes for different body types.
- Ann Taylor -- Petite fit guide and sizing chart.
- eBay -- How to measure clothes to see if they'll fit.
- FitLogic -- A women's clothing revolution, bringing standardization to the ladies.
- LL Bean -- Find the perfect swimsuit for your shape.
- Nordstrom -- A seemingly comprehensive sizing guide. Includes rings, hats, shoes, and lots of body types.
- Three Fat Chicks -- How to shop when you're plus-size and dieting.
- Ulla Popken -- A sensitive and comprehensive fit guide for plus-size women.
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