What a great way to add volume to your outfit. Skirts this season have shape. And that shape comes from the pleats. The best part is that the pleats run vertical which goes with every body type. Add a belt and you have got an instant hour glass shape.

Add a vertical pattern like stripes and you have created an illusion of slimming height. The other element to look out for is the length, the skirt should go to the top of your knee. You can go higher if you have great legs, are younger and are not going into a professional environment. The only thing is, pleated skirts have a dressier and professional feel, great for the working women. Not a very casual look to take the kids to the park. Still, I miss the good ol’ days of pleated skirts. They are very stylish and flattering. Just make sure the skirt has a waistband otherwise the pleats will start too high on the waist line and that is not a flattering look.

How do you like the new layered pleat look?

Boyfriend jeans are pretty cool this season because you can wear them anywhere and anyhow.  Basically the boyfriend jean looks like you are wearing your boyfriends pants. You can also find this look with khakis.

The only thing I don’t like about them is how slouchy some women are wearing them. Which is OK for a really casual look. I personally don’t like the feel of my pants falling off. A big belt helps your pants stay up and can look look very trendy. The other thing I don’t like about the boyfriend jean are the rips. I feel that is a college or younger look. So if you like the younger look, but don’t want to look like you are trying so hard, just go for a lighter shade. 

The boyfriend jean can work for every woman and her body type as it is loose and comfortable. It camouflages our imperfections!

How do you like the boyfriend jean?

Slouchy shorts are very popular this season. They are also very trendy, so if you don’t love the fit, take a pass.  What I love about them is that they are loose and still tailored. In my book that means comfortable! I have seen longer versions as well as rolled up. The length you choose would depend on the firmness of your thighs. I think these shorts are very forgiving, but not a miracle worker! Try on a pair in the shops and see how you like them. Remember your top needs to be fitted otherwise you will look like a balloon.

Once you have tried them and decided they may not be for you, then there are options below. Shorts are like any other pants. No cracks please. Try a slightly higher waist and longer leg, if the fits are not looking the way you would like.

What’s your favourite short of all time?

There are Spring dresses for every body type. And they are fashionable too! All you have to do is figure out your body type;

Pear Shape has full hips and thighs, along with a smaller upper body. For this figure type, choose a dress with an A-line skirt that hits right at knee-length.

Apple Shape carries weight in the middle and needs to move the focus away from their waistline to elongate the look of their torso. Re-define a thick waist by moving the line up or down with an empire or drop waist dress.

Column Shape is tall or short with few curves. Look for a dress that ties in the middle. A nice shoulder line with a tulip skirt should give you some curves.

Hour glass Shape has natural curves, so go for showing them off with a cinched waist right in the middle.

Dressing is all about perception and sometimes a magic trick or two!

What is your favourite dress?

Blazers are big in fashion this spring season. Blazers can be part of a traditional suit or you can create your own casual suit to fit your body type. Working with your body type is all about balancing proportions. Check out my recent blogs for some great blazer looks.

If you have wider hips than your torso, you need to wear a skirt that has single pleat in the middle. A blouse with detail around the collar will draw attention away from your hips. It will make you look slimmer because it will match your torso.

If your bust line is wider, a skirt that is rounded will help to attract the attention away from your bust. In this case, you should consider wearing darker coloured tops.

Wearing a suit which has vertical lines will make you look slimmer, especially if you have a v-neck or an open blouse. To create a more feminine look, you can wear a blazer that has a single lapel and is fit around your waist. If you want to button it, then do one button just under your breast line.

The goal is to draw attention away from your not-so-favourite part of your body. Trendy shoes and big hair always work for me!

Every woman has some trouble finding the perfect fit when shopping for clothes. Not every clothing style works equally well for people of each body type.

The first step is to figure out which of the four body types you have. If your upper body is wider than your hips, then you fall into the apple category. Wider hips and a smaller upper body are characteristics of the pear type. Hourglass figures consist of small waists with ample curves above and below. If you are less curvy and have similar measurements for hips, waist and chest, then you are in the column category.

When looking for clothes that will flatter your figure, here are some tips to help you find the perfect fit for you.

If you have an apple shape, then you’ll want to draw attention from the waist and possibly from your shoulders as well. V-neck tops are a good choice for those with this body type. This can draw the eyes upward and make you appear longer. A belted or nipped waist in your jackets can make your waist appear smaller as well.

A pear shape calls for balancing out the lower and upper body. What you should look for is clothes which will make your shoulders appear wider while de-emphasizing your hips and thighs. Look for clothes with wide necklines – cowl necks, bateau and square neck tops work well here. You can also use fabrics with eye catching textures and patterns to draw attention to the upper body. You can make your upper and lower body appear more balanced by wearing dark coloured pants or skirts with brightly coloured (or at least lightly coloured) tops.

Women whose bodies have a column shape usually want to make themselves look curvier. You can accomplish this with scoop neck or v-neck tops. Another good way to go is to wear jackets which flare below the waist and are well defined at the waist. If you’re looking for dresses to flatter a columnar body, choose prints, patterns and tailored designs which can break up that columnar silhouette.

With an hourglass figure, you have two choices. You can either decide to create a longer silhouette or you can flaunt your curves. To give yourself a more elongated look, v-neck tops can draw the eye to your upper body and away from your hips, while flared jeans can help to balance out your look. If you’d rather show off your hourglass figure, then go for cinched or belted waists to showcase your hips.

With a bit of time and effort, you can start gravitating to what compliments your body type. Once you get the hang of it, stick to what works. And then let us know your secrets.

What works for you?

I have gotten many requests about how to buy jeans and what is the best fit for your body type.

Mid waist, straight leg or boot cut, usually compliments every body type. But, remember, an attractive silhouette is not just about the jeans, it is about the whole look. What you want is an hourglass shape, more or less, not a ridged vertical line.

Darker denim with a dark top creates a nice vertical line. The dark top does not have to be black. There are many dark and flattering colours, like red, brown, purple, navy blue…All loose tops should stop at the hip, for the most complimentary look of your figure. If you have any waistline consider tucking in your top and wearing a fashionable belt.  Very few of us have a models body, so a little bit of “excess” here and there is perfectly acceptable.

Buy what fits, don’t buy baggy or too tight. Look for a figure flattering fit, don’t look at the number of the size tag. And seriously consider finding a good tailor to pin a waistline that may be too loose, or to narrow a leg that may be too wide, and shorten your pants to cover your shoe, without being too bunched up at the top of your foot.

Remember, that the silhouette is a balancing act. Shoes should always be significant in size, unless you are petite. If your shoes look too small with your overall outfit, then your hips will look enormous. Consider weighting your shoulders with a larger or a statement necklace or earrings. Even big hair or a hat, not a baseball cap, will take attention away from your waistline.

Practice accepting your weak points and camouflage them, As well as, find your strong points and accentuate them. When you find the overall look that works for your body, memorize it, repeat it. There is nothing more stylish then the right fit.

Here is a basic look of jeans that should work for most body types.
mid rise straight, slightly skinny, but not skin tight

mid rise straight leg

mid rise boot cut

Has anyone tried the mid rise jean?

Jeans are so important, yet most women buy fast and cheap. Take the time ladies, to find the style, fit and the shade of denim that looks good on you. Bring an honest friend, if you can.

There are two ways to buy a pair of Jeans. If you have a perfect body and no budget, go as trendy as you like. All the power to you.

For the rest of us, here is some advice; if you plan on wearing Jeans often, then a good pair of Jeans will cost you. See Tip #11 Mattie’s Math. Consider it an investment.

Allocate at least one hour just to try on jeans. Decide on the wash you want before trying anything on. A good rule of thumb is if you want to look slimmer, lean towards the darker denim washes.If you prefer a casual look, lean towards the lighter washes. And, most importantly, let go of the college looks. We’ve done that already.

Next, you need to decide on the style. Look for the style that fits you best. What I mean by style is; straight leg, flare, bootcut…Next, look at your bum. The right pockets and the location of them will make a big difference on how your backside looks.

Don’t be preoccupied with the trends. You will look your best in a pair of jeans that fit you properly. As long as you go to a fashion store, you will have many fashion options to choose from.

What is your favourite jeans as a teenager? Can you remember that far back?