Several of you have told me that you have added a few pounds and gone up a size during the shelter-in-place. So, I thought I’d just share some practical thoughts about looking good in your clothing, regardless of the size of your budget or the size of your waist. When you want to add something to your wardrobe, just keep in mind these concepts. You really won’t need to buy a lot of new things. (I’ve included a few examples for illustration.)
Color
One way to always look fairly chic and slimmer is to wear a solid color for an entire outfit. You can also get a similar affect by wearing slightly different tones of the same color. (I mention that in Shopping for the Real You.)
Macy’s Tommy Hilfiger poplin navy shirt dress $93
Nordstrom Club Monaco Double Breasted jacket $120
Generally, darker colors are more slimming. Color reflects light, so the darker the textile, the less light will reflect off bumps and bulges. But actually any mono color outfit can be very chic and slimming. Also, textiles with a flatter weave (e.g., many cottons, linen, gabardines, etc.) instead of shiny (some silks, some rayons, polished cotton) are also more slimming. Avoid breaking up the line of an outfit with colors that are in sharp contrast, even if they are in your palette. Also, avoid color breaks that draw attention to the widest part of your body, or wherever you are carrying more weight.
Line and Design
Target Trucker jacket $35
That goes for individual pieces as well: avoid wearing anything that ends where you are widest. So, for example, if you tend to carry weight around your middle, make sure that you have something – a jacket, a sweater, a peplum-style top – that ends below your waistline. That doesn’t mean you have to avoid wearing a belt or any garment with a defined waist. Just make sure that what is above and below the waist is broader than your actual waist.
Pleats that start at the waist will emphasize any bulk around your waist or hips. That goes for both pants and skirts. (On very thin bodies they can add some balance and shape.)
NYDJ Ami skinny jeans with welt pocket $89
If you are an exaggerated pear shape or carry a lot of extra weight around your hips, wider-leg pants are very flattering and more slimming. But if you go for straight leg pants or jeans look for ones that have welt pockets. Rounded or angled pockets will stick out as you walk or sit.
Proportions
Macy’s INC Tie waist utility pants $48
If you have a long torso, pants, jeans and skirts with a higher rise can make your body look slimmer and your legs look longer. If you have a short torso, a waist line that hits at or slightly below your actual waist will elongate the look of your torso. Also, for a short waist it’s best to avoid very wide belts, especially those that hit just under the bust line. They will make your torso look even shorter.
Baggy clothes can make you look sloppy or heavier than you actually are. Things that are too small in size can also make you look a little, well, let’s just say, not very refined.
Necklines
Nordstrom Eloquii wrap dress $60
The more roundness in your face and bone structure, the more scooped or rounded necklines will flatter you. The more angles there are in your bone structure, the more v-necks, boat necks, and asymmetrical lines will work for you. But to be perfectly honest, I think that if you want to look slimmer, v-necks work better than rounder ones. And surplice, or wrap tops, and especially wrap dresses, make almost any body shape look like an hourglass. It’s a basic silhouette that is feminine and flattering to just about any shaped body.
Patterns and Prints
Walmart Lee Striped Tunic Plus size $20
Unless a pattern is perfect for your coloring and personal style, the busier it is, the more the garment will look like it’s wearing you. Patterns will also date you. Prints and pattern trends tend to last about two or two and a half years. This is especially true if they are larger in scale or exaggerated in color.
Stripes are a perennial; polka dots are a perennial if they are in a reasonable size. Florals can be long-lasting but again, only if they suit your color harmony and style essences.
Hem lines
Unless you have great legs, and feel comfortable showing them off, skirts and dresses that are knee length or slightly below knee length are more flattering for most legs and body shapes than shorter skirts. Some of the longer midis, and ankle-length dresses and that are very popular this year can also work well. You’ll see a lot of lovely longer dresses and skirts this year. (That’s my next post – coming soon.)
Nordstrom Sanctuary Wide leg cropped pant $40
Mid-calf capris, cropped pants, and skirts are popular. But if they end exactly mid-calf they can make bulky or short legs look shorter and bulkier. (My legs are short from the knee to the ankle; every time I try on any of the new cropped pants I look like I’ve shrunk another inch.)
Shoes
MAcy’s Mark Fisher Fayme Flatform sandals $68
Ankle straps of any kind will make your legs look shorter and your feet look heavier. But they will also make long feet look shorter, if that’s what you want. Angled or criss-crossed straps will elongate the look of the foot and the leg. Simple pumps in neutral colors will do the same. Also, matching your shoe color with your skin or stocking color is also elongating and slimming.
Proportions
Nordstrom Blank NYC Faux Leather Jacket $60
Unless you are very theatrical or very playful in your personal style, stick to sizes and specific items that are designed to actually fit your body. Anything that is too large or too shrunken can throw you out of balance or look awkward. (The current very over sized blazer trend is going to get old in about a year.)
So those are just a few ideas to keep in mind, especially if you’ve been enjoying cooking and eating during the lock down. I wish you all health, happiness, and safety going forward.
[Note: I just finished a special offer for my Facebook followers (up to 20k now – Yay!) and want to extend the exact same one to all of you! From now through July 26 all 47 video interviews from Vital Vivacious and Visible after 50 and Expert Edition will be available as a collection at a reduced price of $39– that’s 50% off. After that the price goes back up to $79. Each interview is a conversation starter for your book club or your friends. The guests’ topics cover everything from fashion, to wellness, makeup, aging, skincare, relationships, where to live, how to find and create happiness, just about all the things we really care about. You can learn about all the guests, their topics, their websites, book links, etc. by viewing the pdfs on the home page. Here’s the link.]
Andrea’s books and new video series:
