No Body’s Perfect

The following warning ought to be etched into the glass of all full-length mirrors: “Caution! Objects may appear larger--or smaller--than they actually are.” Because, no matter how you look at it, the human body is never in perfect proportion.

Hips are too big; waists are never small enough. A paunch seems forever; thighs ride like saddlebags. It’s a tough order to eliminate perceived negative physical attributes, but following a few fashion guidelines can camouflage your weaknesses and play to your assets.

The Five Body Shapes

Curved Characteristics: Well-proportioned upper and lower body with balanced hips and shoulders Best look: Shoulder pads; trousers tapered at ankles; loose-fitting cardigans; long jackets hemmed at mid-thigh with matching pants; medium-width belt Fabrics: Geometric patterns in rayon, silk, satin, light linen or cotton; for tops, choose gabardine, linen or smooth-fitting lined wool Avoid: Tight or oversized clothing; stretch denim

Heart Characteristics: Broad shoulders, narrow hips Best look: Tailored, angular clothing; short-waisted sweaters or shirts; wide, waist-cinching belt on loose-fitting shirt or dress Fabrics: Bold plaids and wild prints in jersey, wool, cotton, silk or tweed Avoid: Vertical or horizontal stripes

Linear Characteristics: Thin, angular with narrow hips and shoulders Best look: Slightly rounded styles; loose-fitting shirts with epaulets or shoulder pads; breast pockets with designs; medium-width belts of thick fabric Fabrics: Heavy cottons and crisp linens in solid colors, especially khaki Avoid: Vertical stripes

Oval Characteristics: Slightly rounded body with balanced shoulders and hips Best look: Shirtdresses; loose, boxy shirts; shorts with hemlines just above the knee--top with over-sized jacket; narrow belts Fabrics: Random or paisley patterns in knits, dark silk blends, denim, tweed or wool Avoid: Horizontal stripes; extremely tailored cuts

Pear-shaped Characteristics: Soft, round body with sloping shoulders and wide hips Best look: Dresses, slacks, skirts and shorts with narrow waistband and no gathers or pockets; shoulder pads Fabrics: Shirts should be bold, scattered prints of linen, gabardine or heavy cotton; soften hips with satin, Jacquard silk and jersey in dark, rich colors Avoid: Horizontal or vertical stripes

To Minimize or Maximize

The ultimate fashion goal is to appear evenly proportioned. But most bodies have problem areas. The question is: Short of plastic surgery, how does one seemingly enhance or reduce the size of various body parts?

Problem: Heavy Buttocks Solution: * Medium-weight fabrics such as raw silk, gabardine and knits * Tailored fits in dark colors and/or vertical lines * A variety of textures, not colors; belts should be same color as pants, skirt or dress

Problem: Flat Buttocks Solution: * Bright plaids and bold patterns in flannel, herringbone, cotton and wool * Jeans with stitched pockets, zippers, side and back pockets * Wide, bright belts worn at waist

Problem: Large Bust Solution: * Vertical stripes or subtle prints * Long-waisted dresses; pants with slim waistbands * Blouses with small collars, invisible buttons and no pattern on pockets

Problem: Small Bust Solution: * Bright silks and cottons with bold prints or horizontal stripes * Bateau, boat neck and turtleneck sweaters * Light-colored blouses with dark leggings or pants

Problem: Heavy Thighs Solutions: * Lined silk and gabardine, crepe, double-knit in simple colors and pin-stripes * Fly-front slacks with loose waistband, tapered legs and no pockets * Single-breasted jacket that falls below the hips

Problem: Skinny Thighs Solution: * Bold colors and bright prints in tweed, knit and heavy denim * Shirts and jackets cut below the hip and decorated with epaulets, wide lapels, button covers * Trousers with pleats and gathered waistbands

Fashion Illusions * Light colors add pounds * Dark colors make you look smaller * Horizontal stripes stop upward movement of the eye, making body appear wider * Light shirts with dark trousers hide a long waist * Vertical stripes draw the eye up and down, thinning and lengthening body * One-color outfits give the body length * Different color tops and bottoms, or belts, tend to reduce height and add width * Single-row buttons on shirts or jackets are slimming

Sources: “Get Yourself Together--A Fashion Guide for Teens” by Anne Schwab, “Sleek Chic” by Tracey Hensler