Body Shape Do's and Dont's

By: Annalisa Armitage

The perfect body shape for a woman is vertically proportioned and hourglass. This means that your legs measured to the widest part of your butt is equal in length to the rest of your body, and that your bust is equal in circumference to your hips, and you have somewhat of a waist. Most of us are shaped somewhat different to this, and to achieve a balanced look we need to use illusion to reduce or enlarge different parts of our body. Even if you are perfectly balanced, it is still important to dress in a way that ensures you retain your balanced figure with your clothes on. These tips will help you balance out your body.

1. Big bust? If you want to minimise your bust:
Do...
- Invest in a well-fitting bra with underwires and straps.
- Go for V-necks and low, wide necklines.
- Wear tops that fit just right - not too loose and not too tight.
Don't...
- Wear high necklines, including halter necks and turtle necks
- Choose tops with ruffles or breast pockets.
- Buy tops with horizontal stripes or rounded patterns.

2. Small bust? If you want to enhance your bust:
Do...
- Choose sleaves that finish in line with the middle of your bust.
- Emphasise other things like great upper arms or a nice back.
- Go for halter necks, slash necks and turtle necks.
Don't...
- Wear tops with defined cups you cant't fill.
- Choose deep V necks or anything with a very low neckline.
- Wear Boob tubes or corsets.
3. Short lets? If you want your legs to appear longer.
Do...
- Match your shoes to your hemline to create a continuous line of colour.
- Choose tops that finish at your waist.
- Tailor your trousers or jeans to the perfect length 1cm from the ground
- Wear skirts - they make it impossible to tell where your legs finish and your torso begins.
Don't...
- Buy 3/4 length trousers or trousers with cuffs.
- Wear low-rise trousers or jeans.
- Choose short tops or jackets that don't meet your waistline.
4. Wide hips and bum? to minimise size below the waist:
Do...
- Wear capped sleeves to balance you out.
- Buy bootleg trousers and jeans for the same reason.
- Choose long jackets and cardigans.
Don't...
- Wear trousers with pockets that gape or anything that adds bulk to your sides
- Choose tops that finish at your widest bit, especially in a contrasting colour
- Buy white, light-coloured or high-waisted trousers or jeans.
5. Very tall?
Do...
- Embrace your height and realise you can wear almost anything.
- Wear fabulous shoes as everyone will always check to see if you're wearing heels!
- Watch out for sleeve lengths - if they're too short, always layer a longer sleeve underneath.
Don't...
- Avoid high heels.
- Stoop or apologise for your height.
- Wear croppped trousers as they'll just look like they're too short for you.
- Fall for a short guy.
7. Very small?
Do...
- Wear one-colour outfits to create a long line.
- Create a focal point high on your body.
- Choose clothes that sit close to your bodey - nothing billowing.
Don't...
- Wear full skirts and wide trousers unless your're very slim and wear them with heels!
- Choose items with large frills or big patterns that will overwhelm you.
- Invest in high heels unless you can walk in them.
8. Feeling overweight?
Do...
- Remember that all dark colours are as slimming as black.
- Wear bright, eye-catching jewellery close to your face.
- Layer up with long vests - the strong, vertical lines are slimming.
Don't
- Wear bright colours on the bottom and dark on the top, as you's look unbalanced.
- Wear hipsters or trousers that are too tight around the waist.
- Buy tops that are too short.

Annalisa Armitage is a professional image consultant and fashion stylist, and is the principle stylist at My Image Consultant in Sydney.
If you are looking for a stylist or image consultant; you can read more about the services available at; ->
http://www.myimageconsultant.com.au
Having your own personal stylist is more affordable than you think.