Trend radar: The empire waist

Posted Sep 25th 2006 at 7:50AM by Anne Metz (Subscribe to Anne Metz's posts)

Filed under: Fashion, Best of the Season

Forget about Marie Antoinette! Clothes this season are channeling another powerful French woman: Josephine. But it's not the powdered wigs or the whalebone corsets -- what we are seeing a lot of this season is Josephine's empire waist.

The empire waist (pronounced "ahm-pier") is a cut that gathers beneath the bustline. What I think most women find surprising about this style is that the empire waist is actually extremely flattering on a variety of bodies. By nipping the dress or the top higher than the natural waistline the empire waist creates a long, elegant silhouette. If you are pear-shaped, for instance, the higher waist draws the eye up toward your bust and your neck.

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Tags: empire waist, EmpireWaist, French fashion, FrenchFashion, Josephine, Marie Antoinette, MarieAntoinette, Napoleon

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Dominique 9-28-2006 @ 9:12AM

I do quite like the empire waist most of the time, but it can make some things look like maternity clothing.

RJS 9-28-2006 @ 7:23AM

Isn't this the "granny dress" from the late 60's/early 70's? As I recall, women who wore these dresses looked very pregnant unless they were extremely thin.

Anne 9-28-2006 @ 9:13AM

I think you're right, RJS. And forget the style if you're big-busted. Talk about accentuating! Contrary to what the article says, I don't think there are a lot of figures that this style actually compliments. Of course, that is my ever-so-humble opinion. :)

Leilani 9-28-2006 @ 7:58AM

I am going to have to completely agree with Anne and RJS!

Yvonne 9-28-2006 @ 8:01AM

I totally disagree. I feel this style looks awful on any figure. Unless you are extremely thin. I bought a dress of this style for my sister's wedding, mind you, since I am thick waisted, I bought a style with a black waist and it was spaghetti straps and black and white small flowers the rest of the dress. In every photo or you saw were my breast looking extremely large and like I was three months pregnant. I hated it. Also I just saw the redhead from Will and Grace on her ex-Will and Grace partner, Karen's new show with an Empire Waist dress and I thought she was pregnant again. Did nothing for her. I really do hope this trend doesn't last.

Marie 9-28-2006 @ 8:04AM

I think the Empire waist is great, especially for a women with a large tummy, it hides it

faith anne 9-28-2006 @ 9:27AM

i really like the empire waist dresses. i am pear-shaped and my mom who has been a custom-tailor for over 20 years says that it really flatters me. otherwise i would have to wear baggy sack dresses that look like i do not care how i look. i have worn this style even when it was not fashionable, and received many complements. i do not follow fads, i dress to look good.
sorry that i have typed all in lower-case letters, but i broke my hand, can only type with one.

Anna 9-28-2006 @ 8:48AM

I think the empire waist is great. I got married last year and my wedding dress had an empire waist. I've always had a little tummy and it helped hide it.

kim 9-28-2006 @ 8:30AM

as long as the skirt isnt pleated you wont look pregnant. whenever the tucks and pleats are there they get seperated by movement and create the pregnant look. i try to wear the empire waist with everything! i have pear shaped body and it really is great. i have worn a couple that made me look , since we're using french, enciente. but now i know what to look for so that doesnt happen. after all... anything with pleats or tucks makes a person look like they have gained a few pounds!

Mandy18 9-28-2006 @ 8:31AM

The empire waist is very cute. However, I think it looks good on very thin women and larger women who don't want to accentuate certain areas. For me, it looks terrible. I am a size 6 with D cup breasts...the empire waist just makes me look pregnant.

Mandy18 9-28-2006 @ 8:31AM

gets1000@aol.com 9-28-2006 @ 8:46AM

Who decides that the empire waist is GREAT on any figure??...........Not mine! I have large breasts and I wear a size 8 dress. By the time I put on an empire waist I most definately look pregnant or that I'm breast feeding

Mcfatty 9-28-2006 @ 8:52AM

Looks cute......... but not on me. Spagetti straps? No thanks. I inevitably get asked if I am pregnant when wearing an empire waisted design. Damn, that hurts. It's not like I have a bulging tummy. I wear a size 14, big but not humungus. :(

Branda 9-28-2006 @ 8:55AM

I believe this dress is aweful... it does nothing but make anyone look like they are trying to hide something. It could probably work for someone who is 8.....There is NOTHING sexy about this dress. All it says is "Look at me I am PREGNANT!" I am sure there is no woman out there who would want to give this impression without really expecting. P.S. if you are going to wear this dress, dont forget to add a bow to your hair....

Jim 9-28-2006 @ 9:03AM

I find that this style dress makes me want to turn away from the pregnant looking woman wearing it. It MIGHT be a good advertisement for abstaining from sexual endeavors, as it makes a guy wonder whether the wearer is fat, and is trying to hide it, as most heavy ladies do. Nope, this style is not attractive. But, what the heck do I know? I'm just a guy who thinks women are pretty, and that this style does nothing to show their natural beauty.

ana 9-28-2006 @ 9:20AM

it looks like the type of dresses pregnant women wear. and it usually tends to make you look like you have a big belly.

Phyllis Jones 9-28-2006 @ 9:43AM

My daughter wants this dress because she is pregnant (due March). She has been begging me to make her one since she cannot find one that fits her ever-expanding bosom. I would not be caught dead in one.
Give me something well-fitted. Let these younger slim girls enjoy them.

kaci 9-28-2006 @ 9:27AM

Love the empire waist. I wore these in the 60's as a teen and I fell in love with them. Very slimming, and most didn't have the thin strap.

Rawly 9-28-2006 @ 9:46AM

CLOTHING DOESN'T MAKE YOU LOOK FAT.

FAT MAKES YOU LOOK FAT.

STEP AWAY FROM THE BUFFET.

R. Gold 9-28-2006 @ 10:13AM

Having been in the fashion business for over 50 years I have seen a lots of styles come and go. The Empire style flatters "most" women but a lot has to do with your posture, bust size, weight and height. Not all women can wear all styles. Most important is does it do something for you! If not forget it. Dress appropriately for your age and figure and dont try to be a fashion icon. Fashions are on a cycle, they return every 10 to 20 years.

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