Ask Caryn – May 2011
What style of clothing should I wear for my shape?
Hi I’m 5ft 2” tall and a size 14 to 16 on the bottom and 14 on top and I’ve got my daughters wedding in September I have a fair size tummy and bottom and I want to know what style of clothing should I wear?
Louise
Hi Louise
Thanks for getting in touch. Think sleek and chic: a streamlined look that oozes elegance and sophistication. The way to do that is to keep it simple and pared back. For example opt for a sleek, simple dress and top with a finger-tip length coat that nips in slightly at the waist. Asymmetry particularly draping, is a great way to smooth over curves. A bias-cut dress (the fabric is cut on the diagonal so it wraps around the body) in a good jersey is a great tummy disguiser. In-fact all soft A-lines are good options. Also dresses with empire waist lines (that is just under the bust) will lengthen and narrow the torso and give that illusion of added height and smoothing out of your silhouette. A dress in a single shade will also optimize height. You could add interest to your look with an embellished or patterned coat or statement accessories.
Alternatively you could opt to wear narrow tunic-style top worn over wide straight-legged or boot-leg trousers for a figure-skimming cut that draws the eye away from your tummy. Opt for flat-front trousers and make sure the hem breaks on the top your shoes to balance out hips and add further height.
I hope this helps.
Enjoy the wedding.
Capsule wardrobe
Hi Caryn
I was wondering if you could give me some advice.
I am turning 27 soon and although I am aware that I am very much still a young women – I am having a complete break down in the wardrobe department.
The trouble is – I just don’t know how to dress anymore. I’m 5ft 3 and feel that at the moment- I’m dressing too young for my age. But I feel frumpy in other pieces. It has got to the point where I have no confidence and feel really uncomfortable.
I work for a charity and so my salary isn’t the best and I find it difficult to afford more expensive pieces But feel cheap in cheaper pieces. It’s a catch 22 situation.
Can you help??
Kind regards
Emma
Hello Emma
Thanks for getting in touch. Let’s see if we can ease some of your distress shall we. Focus on clothes that fit you perfectly and show your body off to its best which will in turn give you confidence and ease of wear. You really only need a basis of a few key items – it is far better to have fewer clothes in your wardrobe that fit you well rather than many that don’t. Take stock of your own wardrobe to see if you have any good-to-go items – ones that will form the basis of any great outfit, you can put them on anytime, anywhere and always feel and look great.
A dress is one such item. Simply slip it on and you are good to go. It may be that you need to get some of the items in your wardrobe (or future purchases) altered to get the fit you need. This will make an enormous difference and give less expensive pieces a more luxe look and feel. In the long run it is also more cost efficient as you will be spending less on fewer items or clothes that hang idle in your wardrobe!
When considering style of dresses, one with a higher or empire line waistline will help to make your body look longer and taller. A dress in one shade will also lengthen and remember to consider the hem length of skirts and dresses. Lifting the hem an inch higher could make all the difference because if your skirt is too long, it will immediately make your legs look shorter.
When looking at clothes in general opt for items that are simple rather than anything too fussy, overtly ornate or with overly busy patterns. Also lighten up on the layers otherwise your petite figure will look too loaded down.
Start to build up a small capsule wardrobe of key pieces such as a great dress, a skirt, a pair of trousers, a few tops, a piece of knitwear, jacket that you can mix and match to create different looks. If you feel that your pieces are too safe and classic then bring some accessories into play for a little ‘youthful’ injection to your look. Have fun and opt for playful or statement necklaces, earrings, scarves etc.
I hope this helps to get you started. If you want to gain some more in-depth knowledge as to how to dress for your shape and put a wardrobe together then invest in Caryn’s petite ebooks depending on your shape.
