In a recent Facebook Live, a reader asked if I could advise the best styles to wear to highlight athletic curves as many clothes don’t fit properly to accommodate a small waist with strong glutes and finding tops to fit over shoulders and back muscles as they tend to have no shape around the waist…
Reader Question – The last time I was fitted for a bra I ended up as a 34G. I understand that the band needs to be firm to support the dress the breasts, however, the firm band of my bra digs into my padded back causing unsightly bumps under t-shirts and other close-fitting tops. Are…
Deja Pseu of Une femme d’un certain age recently asked if horizontal lines could ever be worn by a fuller figure. So what do you think? Horizontal lines – good or bad? Most of us just steer clear of horizontal stripes as they’re fattening – which they are in general, but there are ways you…
Dresses have become the staple garment in my wardrobe. Ever since I did one of those challenges and wore a dress every day for a month I’ve become a complete convert. Why do I love them so much? Well they are just so easy to wear, plus they can halve your dressing time (you don’t…
Bras are a really important foundation garment as foundations can make or break how your outfit ends up looking. Why a Well Fitting Bra Matters Correctly fitting bras will: Make your waist look smaller and longer Give your breasts a better shape Give your breasts support Make your clothes look better Not be painful –…
It is not uncommon for women to experience a shift in their body shape as they age, particularly during menopause. As women lose estrogen, they tend to gain weight in the upper body, resulting in less-defined waists. This can lead to a shift from an 8 shape to an H shape or even an O…
What is a Rounded Lateral Body Shape The rounded lateral body shape is one where when the body is viewed from the side in profile, the body is a similar in width as viewed from the front. It can come on any horizontal body shape (that’s what you regularly think about as a…
I don’t belt often as I’m an H shape and have a short waist with large bust, so belting at the waist draws attention to my boxy shape and makes my breasts look larger. But occasionally I do like the addition of a belt as it adds a detail to my outfit to make it more interesting.…
Diagonal lines create movement and action. They move the eye from one element to another and can be used to move the gaze upward or downward, depending on the direction of the diagonal. In Western cultures, because we read left to right, the left to right diagonal moves the gaze upwards (towards the face). The…
What are the keys to creating flattering outfits for the A body shape? The A shape has narrower shoulders than hips with a defined waist and is often described as a pear shape body. If you want all the details grab your Body Shape Bible here. The widest part of the hip is at the…
How to Choose an Empire Waist to Suit Your Body Shape An Empire Waist garment has a high cut waist seam that sits directly under the breasts (above your natural waistline). It’s flattering on so many body shapes because it doesn’t require a defined natural waist to work. For petites it works because it raises…
Becoming a magician with clothes involves learning the illusion of line. The slowest line we see is the curved line. Why? Well as our eye follows its path, it’s curves slow us down. Thus, if it’s a slower line to look at, it adds volume and curves to our bodies. Where do we find curves…
Yes, body shapes can be confusing, we are all unique, so there is no exact standard for body shapes, but these are guidelines. You can be a mix of body shapes, though you will probably find that you fall more into one shape than another. If you have the top half of an A and…
Winter is a time of year that allows you to throw on more, not less, which means it’s way easier to create more interesting outfits as you can keep adding layers of texture, pattern and adding details (unlike in summer, where even adding a “third piece” can be too much, which is why I’ve shared…
Hi Imogen, I am 5’0 and 120lb with a figure of eight shape. I am very short waisted (my waist is the smallest about 1.5 inches from the bottom of my bust). So I’ve been wearing shirts untucked with a belt as I have a little bit of a belly. The only thing is, it…
Reader Question: I’ve thought for several years that we are the most neglected demographic even though we perhaps have the time and money with our children off our hands. I live in Canberra where the shopping is limited. I’m tall and size 14-16; not busty enough for some of the plus-sized clothing. I don’t know…
Why should you care about the size of your clothes? Yet I see again and again women judge themselves, their value, their worth on the number that sits on a label inside their clothes. That’s it, it’s just a number. A number that has no value. You are worth so much more than any number…
Many people in warmer climates would like to add a 3rd piece (that extra garment that adds some extra interest) but find it’s too hot for a jacket, so why not try a waistcoat. 5 Easy Ways to Style Waistcoats as a Third Piece Wear a vest over a dress Wear a casual or unstructured…
Yesterday’s post titled Curves are Back! has sparked some interesting discussion. One of the most obvious points about these articles is that curves are only ‘media acceptable’ when they’re the ‘right kind of curve’, that is, hourglass, slim waist, no potbelly, bust and rounded bottom, and generally around a size 12-14, definitely not size 22…
What are the keys to creating flattering outfits for the V shape body (otherwise known as the inverted triangle or cone shape)? The V shape has broader shoulders than the waist or hips. If you want all the details grab your Body Shape Bible here. You most likely have an undefined waist (your rib…
