Dress Well for Any Body Type

You know that co-worker that always looks fabulous, even on “casual Friday”? Do you catch yourself saying “if only I had her figure, I’d look great every day too!”?

Chances are she has just as many issues with her figure as you do. The difference? She has learned somewhere in her life how to flatter and flaunt her figure rather than making it worse in an attempt to hide it.

Some basic rules:

1. Never repeat a line that you consider a flaw. For example, if you have a “pointy” chin, avoid v-neck blouses or shirts. If you have a round face, avoid large round earrings or short necklaces that create a round circle. For long, thin faces, avoid long necklaces that produce an elongated line. With thin legs, avoid skirts with thin, vertical stripes, or even knife-pleat skirts.

2. Light colors stand out (look larger) and dark colors recede (look smaller). This basic premise can enable you to change the APPEARANCE of your body’s shape and size. For example, most women are larger on the bottom than on the top, so a black skirt worn with a white blouse or jacket will be more effective in creating a balanced figure than with the colors reversed.

3. A solid sweep of color elongates the body and slims it. The eye tends to take in the color in a sweep, without any distractions, and easily rests its gaze on the face. Whenever two different colors meet, the eye is drawn to investigate. Since the face is the focal point, the eye is usually drawn downward, so the sweeping effect is lost. Furthermore, you are cut in half, which inevitably makes you appear slightly less tall and less thin.

4. Big patterns imply big, but small patterns do not always suggest small. Simply put, large prints or patterns will give the impression that you are larger. However, depending upon your frame, a tiny floral print dress can suggest either a delicate frame or a delicate personality. The color and line of your garment may lend more weight than the size of the floral print. Generally speaking, petite women should stick to small patterns and prints, since large patterns can overwhelm; while large tiny patterns or prints may not be in keeping with a tall or large-framed woman.