Posts with tag flatter

You know what next Thursday is -- Turkey Day! And, you know what that means. Even if you normally have a fabulously flat tummy, you're likely to end up with a bit of a belly by the time the bird is taken off the table. And, if you have a belly to start with, well -- you know your best bet is to wear something that gives you room to breathe.

When you think of the different body types out there, and then consider the number of styles of jeans on the market, it's no wonder that finding the perfect pair of jeans for your specific body can be overwhelming, to say the least. And then, when you factor in not only fit, but also age and event appropriateness (a 30- or 40-year-old woman should probably wear a different style than a 16-year-old girl), it just gets more confusing.

Fortunately, Redbook did some dutiful denim research and found some jeans for everybody and every body. They found styles to flatter all kinds of figures, so whether your big booty needs a boost or your rear is a bit wider than you'd like, there's a jean for you.

Check out the gallery to see what kinds of jeans will work for your body type, but regardless of your shape, keep in mind the following rules:

If you have a curvy figure, it's entirely likely that there are some days you wake up wishing you had a skinny, straight body. We can guarantee you that there's another girl somewhere with the opposite body type wishing she had some more curves -- the grass is always greener in somebody else's closet. However, we think it's really important to appreciate what you have, and that means learning to make the most of it.

Sometimes making the most of it will mean pulling attention away from a certain body part, and sometimes it means bringing the eye to a particular body part. These tips will help you figure out how to do both, with style.

Lots of women have an apple shape, meaning they carry most of their weight around the middle and don't really have much of a waistline. This doesn't mean they're really round, but it does mean that they can't really create an hourglass shape, and it can be hard to play up their assets (bust, arms, legs) because they're concerned about how to dress their middle.

There are some cuts that are going to flatter you with ease, and some that, no matter how fabulous the pattern, just aren't going to give you the sleek, sexy look you want. We've got some tips for how to accentuate the positive and diminish the negative when you're dressing up for a big night (or day) out. Check out the gallery for tips!

When the temperatures rise, we want our wardrobe to be hot, too. However, some of the summer styles shown on models and mannequins aren't exactly the most flattering for all body types.

This can make shopping for a sweet summer tank top difficult -- how can you figure out which style will best flatter you? We've got a few suggestions for the best tank tops for your body type. Check out the gallery to find out what you should be wearing!

Most of us have things about our bodies we'd like to change -- you know, the grass is always greener anywhere but here, right? One of the important things to keep in mind when we're figuring out how to best disguise our least favorite body part is that there are other body parts that we do like, and so instead of just disguising, we want to look at how to draw attention elsewhere.

If your problem is a short torso, chances are that you have fairly long legs. While you don't want to wear teeny-tiny shorts around all the time to show off how long they are, keep them in mind while you shop, and don't be afraid to flaunt what you have. However, we have a few tips to help you keep your body looking proportional -- check out what we have to say in the gallery!

Summer poses several obstacles for busty girls, with the main obstacle being the bra issue. With all the strapless, spaghetti strap, and halter options out there, ladies with a large chest can find it frustrating to find a summer dress they love with a neckline that allows them to have the proper support. Let's face it -- strapless bras just aren't for everyone.

Never fear -- there are plenty of sweet, summery dresses out there that are completely flattering for you. We want to accentuate your curves, but we don't want the bust and the cleavage to be all anyone sees. Click through the gallery for some tips on what will work best for you!

If you have short legs, there are a number of things you can do to make them look longer, none of which include hanging by your ankles to stretch them out. The way you dress can make a dramatic difference in the way your legs look.

While wearing a monochromatic leg (pants or skirt, socks or tights, and shoes all in a similar color) is certainly elongating, it's not always practical. Are you going to wear red tights with a cute red sundress in the middle of summer? No way! We've got a few tricks you can employ this summer to make the most of what you've got, as well as a few things we strongly suggest you stay away from. Check out the gallery to learn more!

Not everyone loves wearing a swimsuit -- even if you feel completely confident strutting your stuff in a sexy dress, you might be a little more self-conscious in a skimpy bikini.

The thing is, when many of us think of one piece bathing suits, we think of what our grandmothers wore to the beach, complete with big flowers and flouncy skirts, but that doesn't have to be the case. There are plenty of one pieces designed to flatter your figure, provide coverage, and make you look super sleek and sexy.

One of the best things about summer is getting to wear all those summer dresses. Honestly, what's easier? You throw on a cute little dress, a hot pair of sandals, and you're out the door! However, in order to look your very best, you'll want a cute little dress that flatters your cute little (or not so little) figure.

If you're a pear shape, meaning that your excess weight tends to gather around your butt and thighs rather than your upper body, you're in luck come summer. You might not be excited about shorts, but after you try on a few of the right summer dresses, you might not want to bother with shorts ever again. Check out the gallery to see what you should be wearing, and, of course, what you should avoid.

Some girls are born with a delicate, slight build. Others go through life with shoulders like a linebacker. And, while broad shoulders can make shopping for tops, dresses, jackets, and bathing suits a little more frustrating, we want to take a moment to point out that strong shoulders are sexy. So, the first thing you need to do with those broad shoulders is hold them up and back. Good posture, regardless of figure flaws, is always flattering.

Now that you know that, we can discuss specific bathing suit styles. Take a look through the gallery for suggestions of what to look for and, just as importantly, what to avoid. Happy shopping!

It's getting hot out, at least where we are, and that means our wardrobe is slowly but surely changing. We're starting to pack away our heavy clothes and bring out more summery attire, which includes ... wait for it ... shorts!

Wait, don't panic! We know that the thought of shorts sends many women into a fit -- we are actually friends with many lovely ladies who have such a complex about their thighs that they will occasionally wear a skirt, but never, ever shorts. If you fall into this category and are happy there, that's just fine. But, if you're wondering what summer might feel like in a pair of stylish, flattering shorts, check out the gallery for some helpful tips.

After a recent post on how to flatter various figures, I received comments from two girls with the same issues -- they're quite tall (about six feet tall), and curvy, but not overweight.

At about 5'8" with broad shoulders, I run into issues with fit, often having to find long lengths in pants or letting hems out when long lengths aren't offered, and sometimes having to go up a size in jackets to accommodate my shoulders. These girls have it worse because they'll run into problems like that nearly every time they go shopping.


For girls in this predicament, I offer the following advice:

If you've ever watched an episode of TLC's What Not to Wear, you have seen the importance of dressing to accommodate your body type. It seems like people should know this instinctively -- choose clothes that accentuate the positive and disguise the negative aspects of our bodies. However, in an era of skinny jeans and cap-sleeve tees, it's hard for women (and men, too, I'm sure) to sort through the trends and find pieces that flatter their body but look like they're still from this season.

Well, ladies, I -- er, I mean iVillage -- has a fabulous tool (thanks for bringing it to my attention, Chatterbox). It's called the Figure Flatterer (clever, I know), and it gives you tips on what to wear (or avoid) if you dislike certain body parts. For example, if you have Big Arms, it gives you a rundown of the best jackets, dresses, and accessories, as well as examples of shirts and necklines you should not wear, EVER.

Regardless of what you're trying to show off or hide, keep this in mind -- if it's not the right size, it will look wrong. You can follow the Figure Flatterer's advice to a T, but if you insist on wearing a size 6 and you need to bump up to an 8 or a 10 for certain styles, swallow your pride and do it, because wearing something that fits properly is the quickest way to flatter any figure.