We've all heard this one before – horizontal stripes will make you look *gasp* fat! So why do our favorite company's still have racks full of these horrifying stripes? Who wears them anyway?

Well to be honest, horizontal stripes can go either way depending on your body type. People with narrow shoulders, small chests or a boyish figure can use the stripes to create the illusion of curves.

However those with big boobs, waists or hips should shy away from horizontal stripes because they, again, will widen those areas. Usually you want to de-emphasize these areas so opt for a playful color or stripes on your thinnest part only.

And keep in mind ladies, the stripes create an illusion of width. They don't actually make you wider. So if you want to wear them regardless, than by all means!