HOW TO LOOK GREAT IN SKIRTS
STYLE GUIDE
- FASHION HOW TO:
- Sunglasses that Fit Your Face
- A Busty Gal's Guide to Summer Dresses
- How Not to Look Fat in Swimsuits
- How Not to Look Fat in Tank Tops
- Swimsuits for Every Body Type
- Look 5 Years Younger
- How Not to Look Fat in a Skirt
- Wear a Wrap
- Clean Out Your Closet
- Shape Your Style Blog with Bradley Bayou and Emily Neill
- Shave Off Pounds with a Jacket
- Dresses for Every Event
- HAIR & BEAUTY HOW TO:
- DIY Pedicure
- Avoid Self-Tanning Mistakes
- Beauty for Dummies
- Wear Colored Eyeliner
- Hair Myths and Truths
- Celeb Hair Secrets
- Clean Out Your Makeup Bag
- The Easiest Hair Style Ever!
- Christo's Guide for Going Curly
- Christo's Tips for Chopping Your Locks
- 10 Beauty Secrets You Can't Live Without
- Laurent D on Party Hair
- A Curly Girl's Guide to Hair
- Bravo's "Shear Genius"
- Summer Updos
- Mani and Pedi Trends
- Low Maintenance Hair
- LOOK FOR LESS
- Summer Sandals
- Carrie Bradshaw's Style
- Oversized Clutches
- Celeb Jeans
- "It" Bags: This Season's Best Arm Candy
- STYLE BASICS VIDEOS
- Organizing Your Closet
- Handbags
- Office Chic
- Pack the Perfect Makeup Bag
- Clean Out Your Closet
- Dressing for Your Body Type
- Shoes and Boots
- Must-Have Accesories
- Find the Perfect Jeans
- Add a Splash of Color
Hot List
- TOP STORIES
- Adriana Lima Gets Engaged!
- DWTS Julianne Hough Gives Her Fashion Advice
- Drop Pounds with the Right Skirt
- Look 5 years Younger!
- Chic Pregnant Celebrities
- Madonna: 25 Years of Fashion
- Shape Your Style
- STYLE NEWS
- Beyoncé's Kids Clothes are Too Sexy
- Blogger Perez Hilton's Fugly Fashions
- Cosmo Attempts to Break World Record Bikini Shoot
- Thong Jeans? You've Got to See It to Believe It!
- Tom Ford Ad Too "Vulgar" for Italians
- Skinny Law: Can it Happen in the US?
- Abercrombie's Super-Sexy New Intimates Line
- Jill Scott's Latest Release? A Bra Collection
- Ralph Lauren's New Frontier: JC Penney
- NEED A BREAK?
- Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Stars? Guess the Celeb Nail Polish!
- UPDATED! The 20 Hottest Guys on TV
- Sexy Men in and Out of Underwear
- The Ultimate Sex and the City Fan Quiz
- Test Your Fashion IQ
- Joan and Melissa Rivers' Oscar 2008 Quiz
Emiy Neill: Skirts

When it comes to wardrobe malfunctions, skirts aren't the most obvious culprit. But like any other item of clothing, if you don't know what style works for shape, you could end up looking heavier than you really are. Read on for my tips on finding the right skirt for your body type. As these before-and-after photos will prove, the skirt you thought would look worst on you just might be your best look. --Emily Neill

Lily Before
Here, Lily models what she considers a good skirt for masking her bigger bum and thighs. But while she may be covered up, she's also completely shapeless, and her denim jacket hits her right at the belly, drawing the eye to another trouble spot.
Lily After
Lily looks so much slimmer in this straight pencil skirt, paired with a waist-defining top that makes the most of her curvier silhouette. With just the slightest suggestion of the curve of her hips and a nice display of calf, Lily looks less covered, more svelte and totally put together.
Yvette Before
In this work outfit, Yvette follows Lily's lead by covering up her frame with a long, shapeless skirt. This look emphasizes none of her assets (good curves) and all of her trouble zones (thicker waist and hips).
Yvette After
With its A-line cut and ruffled hem, this skirt balances out Yvette's hips and gives her a waist. Combined with a fitted shirt and jacket on top to smooth out problem areas, we see an emphasis on good -- i.e. well-proportioned -- curves.
Beth Before
Here, we see precisely why bias-cut skirts never work for the big-hipped. Beth, a classic pear, is always struggling to find ways to cover her bottom. Bias-cut skirts are her worst enemy in this department -- the fabric clings to her hips and emphasizes them.
Beth After
Because this tiered skirt's first layer is just the right length, it effectively masks Beth's hips (beware the tier that hits in the wrong place!). Additionally, an A-line cut also balances wider hips.
Amy Before
Always remember that bias-cuts can be tricky on most body types. Even Amy, who has more of a classic hourglass shape, looks uncomfortable and lumpy in this one. Biases work best on ladies with very slim hips who need to create more curves.
Amy After
A skirt with even the slightest A-line creates a long, lean, overall flattering look, accents the waist and smooths the tummy on hourglass gals.
Sara Before
A-lines aren't for everyone! Sara complains about her too-square boyish figure, which is definitely not enhanced by this wide A-line flouncy skirt -- it makes her look wider and triangular.
Recent Comments
Snood199 10:29:00 AM Jun 18 2008
Poor grammar. You should have written "With its A-line..." with the correct possessive, not a contraction.
Moonbeams2007 05:56:33 PM Jun 12 2008
Like the real world look. Tired of looking and skinny rich models.
More interested in the regular normal working woman.
Jamison8732 01:07:45 PM May 26 2008
That's all very interesting but all of those girls were of average height of taller. I'm 5'1 and other than the mini skirt (years ago) I have never found a skirt that looked good on me. I am also very buxom with a large waist and slim thighs. No one ever gives hints for shapes like mine.
ppppetula 07:00:24 PM Apr 14 2008
I love the way these look -- realistic styles for real women's bodies. I think these women all look much improved thanks to Emily's help. I'm totally surprised the tiered skirt worked so well for the "pear" - I'm gonna go look for one now! (One that cuts at the proper place, of course)...
betopfreealabama 10:40:07 PM Apr 07 2008
I'm a real woman, but I'm not built that way...
sanchezrsj 09:02:35 PM Apr 07 2008
Thanks so much for this wonderful skirt lesson! I love that you used read women with real-world figures. I learned a lot!!!