Dresses
The best:
- A-line (falls away from the hip instead of clinging so it helps the bottom half's appearance)
- Fit-and-flare (similar time A-line but has more defined waist)
- Wrap (great for defining your waist and has a V-neck that opens up top half)
- Off-the-shoulder (draws attention to the upper half)
- Should draw attention to the waist whilst concealing the lower body
- Great choices: A-line, wrap, tulip, empire, X-line
- Dresses that are wider at the bottom are more affective in balancing out the hips because tight-fitting dresses only accentuate the hip area whereas looser fits skim over it.
Avoid:
- Tight-fitted (accentuate the hip area).
Skirts
Best:
- A-line (shape is wider at the bottom as it balances out hips)
- Bias skirts (same as A-line)
- Knee length or Between the knee and mid-calf length (helps to visually stretch the body)
- Free from details and embellishment (to take attention away from area)
- Flattering styles are: bias, panelled, A-line, full and tulip.
Avoid:
- Horizontal details (makes lower half appear larger and wider)
- Tight-fitting hip embellishments as this accentuates hips.
Accessories
Best:
- Drop earrings (bring focus to the face and shoulders, especially when your hair is pulled back)
- Statement necklace (like the drop earrings, draws attention to the neckline)
- Belts (wear them at the waist but not at the hips with garments like dresses, jackets or high-rise jeans)
- Clutch bags and shoulder bags that sit on your waist with lots of colour, patterns and details to draw attention.
Avoid:
- Avoid bags that sit at the hips (only adding attention to the hips).
Shoes
Best:
- Pointy-toe shoes (lengthening your legs which helps with your overall silhouette)
- Nude heels (draws attention away from lower half)
- Knee high boots (helps to elongate the legs)
- Wear shoes with a medium to chunky heel, platforms and wedges are great
- Neutral colours of knee boots work great
Avoid:
- Brightly patterned or coloured shoes as this will draw attention to lower half
- Ankle straps, kitten heels, delicate footwear, round toe shoes, ankle boots with straps around your calf area, Uggs.
Shirts
Best:
- Peplum (adds volume to top half)
- Square-neck (any open neckline helps to show off collarbone and chest which draws attention up)
- Cowl-neck (draws the eyes up and adds volume to the draped fabrics)
- Boat-neck (horizontal neckline broadens your shoulders. Bonus points for puffed sleeves or more sleeve detail)
- Bright colours, bold patterns, details and embellishments especially around the bust and shoulders (to help draw attention to the area)
- Horizontal stripes (to make the upper half appear wider)
- Crop tops that finish at the waist or tops that finish at the hipline
- Tucking shirt into your bottoms (helps to show your curvy shape)
- Flattering styles: crop, wrap bust, ruffle, stripes and bust pockets.
Avoid:
- Tops going beyond the hips (this will make the hips appear even wider)
- Details and patterns around the hips (draws attention).
Jeans:
Best:
- Straight
- Slim-straight (skims the thighs rather than squeezing them)
- Bootcut (balanced out hips)
- High-waisted (in darker washes they make the legs look a mile long)
- Jeans should be mid to high-rise and straight, bootcut, trouser-cut or flare
- Relaxed fits work best
- Opt for dark denim (this avoids drawing attention to lower body).
Avoid:
- Skinny trousers that cling to hips and thighs (which draws attention to the area)
- Big side back pockets (attracts attention)
- Distressed denim and other embellishments on the jeans (attract attention to the lower half).
Trousers/pants
Best:
- Bootcut (flattering fit)
- Flat-front (gives bottom half a structured, elongated appearance)
- High-waisted (show off the waist to create a more balanced silhouette)
- Slim or straight (flatters the lower half).
Avoid:
- Narrowing leg, pleats or creases in your leg line, pinstripe suits, turn-ups in trousers, wide or flared leg lines
- Also avoid combat or cropped trousers or culottes.
Jackets
Best:
- Cropped (for blazers or motos look for ones that hit at or above the waistline to avoid adding fabric to the hip)
- Patterned (bright and patterns help to draw attention to an area)
- Textured (heavier textiles like wool or tweed help to draw attention)
- Wrap (longer coats can work too especially with a wrap or a belt)
- Add volume to the bust and shoulder areas
- Cropped jacket (add structure and volume to the shoulder and bust area, whilst showing off slim waist)
- Embellishments are a great way to draw the eye upwards. Pockets and details on the bust and around the neckline work well
- Longer jackets in darker colours (help to slim down silhouette)
- Cropped jackets can be brighter colours (since this draws attention upwards)
- Flattering styles: cropped denim, trapeze, cropped bomber, long blazer and long Shearling
- Wraps or waist belts (helps to draw attention to the narrow waistline and area).
Avoid:
- Style that ends right at the hip (accentuating the area isn't good)
- Details/pockets around the hip area (you should try to keep the area clean and uncluttered).
Swimwear
Best:
- Ruched tops (whether as one piece or two, contrast it with a sleek bottom)
- Ruffles (equally stylish and dramatic way to bring attention to your upper half)
- One-shoulder tops (an asymmetrical neckline will help to draw the attention up)
- High-cut bottoms (in a darker colour this fuller style helps to lengthen bottom half).
Avoid:
- Drawing attention to lower half
- Details at the hips.
