Balancing Body Imperfections

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Beauty & Fashion

Balancing Body Imperfections

Shape and silhouette are one thing, but then we all have our niggling little quirks that require further advice and fine-tuning.

Check out the following tips for specific camouflaging challenges to help you achieve the most natural looking effect possible and gain confidence and self-esteem in the process:

Neck
Shoulder
Bust
Waist
Arms
Bottom and Thigh

NECK

Long (and/or Thin) neck:

If the length of your neck bothers you, fill in the space by wearing a hairstyle that ends mid-way down your neck. Use chokers, scarves and roll-neck tops to 'shorten' length.
If your neck is thin as well as long, add 'bulk' by layering, such as a roll neck under a classic collar. Wear a cravat inside your blouses.
Mandarin collars on jackets are particularly good.

Short (and/or thick) neck:

Always wear an open neckline.
A V-neck top creates an illusion of a longer, slimmer neck.
Wear a fine chain below the collar bone; longer chains are even more slimming/elongating.
Stand up collars at the back of the neck, and open them low in front.
Oblong scarves tied low are better than squares tied high in the neck area.
Collarless jackets are good but avoid styles that button high.

SHOULDER

Wide/broad shoulders:

Softly tailored designs are better than structured jackets with set-in sleeves and define, padded shoulders.
Jacket piping or trimmed lapels make the shoulders appear narrower.
Raglan sleeves soften the broadness.
V-neck and open collars are better than high buttoning.
For evening wear and swimsuits, the halter neckline is particularly good.
If your neck is long enough, wear choker styles to draw attention inwards.

Narrow/sloping shoulders:

Avoid tight-fitting, skimpy tops.
Layer on the top, for example a loose shirt over a body suit.
Wear shoulder pads with most things. Try various shape to get right definition/softness for your overall look. Update the shape of your shoulder pads with changing the fashion trends (though not every season).
Horizontal effects create a widening illusion, for example a scarf worn across the shoulders, epaulettes on jackets and dresses, strip in tops, and wide crew necklines.
Shoulder details in the form of pleating or gathers is a good idea, for example leg-of-mutton-sleeves.
For evening wear and swimsuits, avoid strapless or halter designs in favour of thick straps that angle from the cleavage to the shoulder (that is, the reverse of the halter).
Wear brooches and pins outside lapels.

BUST

Small bust:

Make the most of what you have got with a good bra that creates shape (avoid sports bras in favour of slightly padded styles).
Looser tops will make you appear larger.
Layer on top (T-shirt under shirt then a jacket over).
Wear scarves (neck permitting) inside the neck of your blouses.
Short sleeves 'widen' the bust area.
Use texture and pattern in your blouses and jackets.
Select jackets and blouses with pockets.
Empire waistlines accentuate any bust.
For evening, avoid skimpy fitted styles on top in favour of more substantial fabrics (satin, raw silk) and tailoring.

Full bust:

Open necklines are best.
Use softer fabrics in blouses.
Go for loose not tight-fitting tops.
Look for minimal detailing in blouses and jackets.
Matte and plain fabrics are more elegant.
Necklaces and scarves should end above the fullest point of the bustline.
Avoid very cinched waists.
Soft, tie belts or no belts are best.
A properly fitted bra is essential. Don't hike them too high or let them sag too low.
Avoid layering (which adds bulk), unless in fine fabrics.
For evening, either go sleeveless or wear long sleeves.

WAIST

Long waist/torso:

Wear short jackets (if bust allows) or else long jackets with short shirts.
Play up the waist area with belts and detailing.
High-waisted skirts and trousers are great avoid hipsters.
Use colour and pattern in the top (blouses, jackets) and keep the bottom neutral (skirts, trousers).
Avoid drop-waisted designs in favour of empire styles.

Short waist/torso:

Wear longer-line jackets and blouses.
Have only modest detailing at the waist, such as slightly fitted jackets and dresses; no belt tight at the waist.
Wear thin belt and chains low over hips rather than tight at the waist.
Oblong scarves will 'lengthen' your top.
Layer tops over body suits.
Wear blouses slightly eased out of your waistline.

Narrow waist:

Show it off with belts and fitted designs.
If it is too narrow, layer on top to create more bulk over blouses, sweaters and jackets.
Waistcoats worn open create more width, preventing you form looking too gaunt at the same time as allowing us to peek at your enviable waistline.

Wide/full waist:

If your waist is fuller then your bust or your hips have no emphasis at all at the waist, wear long tops, loose over-blouses and simple, shift dresses.
If you are just broad at the waist, wear thin belts or belts of the same colour as the top.
Or wear belts below the waistline, Over the hips.
Single-breasted jackets are more slimming than double-breasted.
Avoid fluffy or shiny fabrics on top.
Oblong scarves will create a slimming illusion in front.

ARMS

Skinny arms:

Choose slightly loose but not baggy sleeves.
Wear layered tops, for example bodysuits under shirts.
Textured jackets and bulky sweaters are good.
Short sleeves, blouses and tops with pockets all make you appear fuller.
For the evening, wear blouses and jackets in substantial, not flimsy, fabrics.

Flabby arms:

Set-in sleeves and slightly padded shoulders create balance at the shoulder for full arms.
Avoid tight-fitting sleeves in stretch jersey or Lycra.
Short sleeves should end below the widest point; just above the elbow is flattering.
For evening, sheer sleeves (slightly loose) are great.
When sleeveless, consider draping a stole, wrap or scarf over your shoulders and arms.

BOTTOM AND THIGH

Flat bottom and thin thighs:

Fitted jackets that flare slightly over the hips (peplums) are good for you.
Shirt or jacket pockets at the hips add welcome bulk.
Dropped waistlines in skirts and gathered the styles are both good options.
Team short jackets with short skirts, preferably not matching, for example a plain jacket with a patterned or textured skirt.
Try jackets and tops that belt or tie at the back.
Wear loose waistcoats.
Look for stiff or bulky fabrics in skirts and trousers, such as leather, corduroy, knits, linen.
Plated skirts suit you.
Wear chunky belts low over the hips; best of all over blouses or sweaters.
Carry a bum bag!

Full bottom and thighs:

Build up the top to balance the bottom. Wear loose-fitting jackets and tops; use layering; and always wear shoulder pads.
Keep the interest on top with colour and texture, and keep the bottom plain, matte and dark.
Avoid stiff or bulky fabrics in shirts or trousers.
Get the fit over thighs, hips and bottom right (namely, easy) and take in the waist if necessary.
Have jackets and tops end above or below the fullest point in the hips.
Gathers in skirts and trousers are necessary but avoid styles that add volume. Minimal gathers over the hips are more slimming than waistline completely gathered.
Elasticated waists with knife pleating are great in skirts.
Avoid straight or A-line skirts in favour of styles that drape and move (for example cut of the bias, wrap-over, slitted).
Reject turn-ups and trousers or flares in favour of tapered or straight cuts.
Your shortest skirts should end just above or just below the knee. For long styles, go just below mid-calf (tea length) and show a bit of leg.
A slight heel will left your stature and minimize your bottom.
Avoid very tight jeans or trousers. With stirrups or legging wear long easy tops.
If you have a nice waist, show it off with fitted jackets and tops. But be careful not to accentuate the hips with very cinched waists.
Control-top tights work wonders but try not to become dependent or restrictive undergarments (like girdles) because they inhibit circulation, make muscles flabby and encourage the build-up of toxins (the dreaded cellulite).

Dated 17 July 2012

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Balancing Body Imperfections

Long (and/or Thin) neck:

If the length of your neck bothers you, fill in the space by wearing a hairstyle that ends mid-way down your neck. Use chokers, scarves and roll-neck tops to 'shorten' length.

If your neck is thin as well as long, add 'bulk' by layering, such as a roll neck under a classic collar. Wear a cravat inside your blouses.

Mandarin collars on jackets are particularly good.

Short (and/or thick) neck:

Always wear an open neckline.

A V-neck top creates an illusion of a longer, slimmer neck.

Wear a fine chain below the collar bone; longer chains are even more slimming/elongating.

Stand up collars at the back of the neck, and open them low in front.

Oblong scarves tied low are better than squares tied high in the neck area.

Collarless jackets are good but avoid styles that button high.

beauty_skin();

Wide/broad shoulders:

Softly tailored designs are better than structured jackets with set-in sleeves and define, padded shoulders.

Jacket piping or trimmed lapels make the shoulders appear narrower.

Raglan sleeves soften the broadness.

V-neck and open collars are better than high buttoning.

For evening wear and swimsuits, the halter neckline is particularly good.

If your neck is long enough, wear choker styles to draw attention inwards.

Narrow/sloping shoulders:

Avoid tight-fitting, skimpy tops.

Layer on the top, for example a loose shirt over a body suit.

Wear shoulder pads with most things. Try various shape to get right definition/softness for your overall look. Update the shape of your shoulder pads with changing the fashion trends (though not every season).

Horizontal effects create a widening illusion, for example a scarf worn across the shoulders, epaulettes on jackets and dresses, strip in tops, and wide crew necklines.

Shoulder details in the form of pleating or gathers is a good idea, for example leg-of-mutton-sleeves.

For evening wear and swimsuits, avoid strapless or halter designs in favour of thick straps that angle from the cleavage to the shoulder (that is, the reverse of the halter).

Wear brooches and pins outside lapels.

ad_article();

Small bust:

Make the most of what you have got with a good bra that creates shape (avoid sports bras in favour of slightly padded styles).

Looser tops will make you appear larger.

Layer on top (T-shirt under shirt then a jacket over).

Wear scarves (neck permitting) inside the neck of your blouses.

Short sleeves 'widen' the bust area.

Use texture and pattern in your blouses and jackets.

Select jackets and blouses with pockets.

Empire waistlines accentuate any bust.

For evening, avoid skimpy fitted styles on top in favour of more substantial fabrics (satin, raw silk) and tailoring.

links(); Full bust:

Open necklines are best.

Use softer fabrics in blouses.

Go for loose not tight-fitting tops.

Look for minimal detailing in blouses and jackets.

Matte and plain fabrics are more elegant.

Necklaces and scarves should end above the fullest point of the bustline.

Avoid very cinched waists.

Soft, tie belts or no belts are best.

A properly fitted bra is essential. Don't hike them too high or let them sag too low.

Avoid layering (which adds bulk), unless in fine fabrics.

For evening, either go sleeveless or wear long sleeves.

Long waist/torso:

Wear short jackets (if bust allows) or else long jackets with short shirts.

Play up the waist area with belts and detailing.

High-waisted skirts and trousers are great avoid hipsters.

Use colour and pattern in the top (blouses, jackets) and keep the bottom neutral (skirts, trousers).

Avoid drop-waisted designs in favour of empire styles.

Short waist/torso:

Wear longer-line jackets and blouses.

Have only modest detailing at the waist, such as slightly fitted jackets and dresses; no belt tight at the waist.

Wear thin belt and chains low over hips rather than tight at the waist.

Oblong scarves will 'lengthen' your top.

Layer tops over body suits.

Wear blouses slightly eased out of your waistline.

Narrow waist:

Show it off with belts and fitted designs.

If it is too narrow, layer on top to create more bulk over blouses, sweaters and jackets.

Waistcoats worn open create more width, preventing you form looking too gaunt at the same time as allowing us to peek at your enviable waistline.

Wide/full waist:

If your waist is fuller then your bust or your hips have no emphasis at all at the waist, wear long tops, loose over-blouses and simple, shift dresses.

If you are just broad at the waist, wear thin belts or belts of the same colour as the top.

Or wear belts below the waistline, Over the hips.

Single-breasted jackets are more slimming than double-breasted.

Avoid fluffy or shiny fabrics on top.

Oblong scarves will create a slimming illusion in front.

Skinny arms:

Choose slightly loose but not baggy sleeves.

Wear layered tops, for example bodysuits under shirts.

Textured jackets and bulky sweaters are good.

Full bust: