“I don’t know what silhouette is best for my body…”
dear apricot,
My question is about fashion. Let me tell you a little about me: I’m 5′4″ and I weigh 210 pounds. I would say that I have an hourglass shape and a rounded tummy.
I find shopping for clothes extremely frustrating. Mostly because I don’t really have a sense of what silhouette is best for my body or how to match that silhouette with the clothing styles I’m drawn to. I generally prefer to wear comfortable clothing and I have a modern, casual style. I suppose I’d describe it as slightly eclectic with a dash of Hippie and a bit of preppy. I love pairing a feminine top with plain trousers for a slightly gender bending look.
Are there any tips that I can take with me into the dressing room that might alleviate some of my frustration?
— Tully, from Velvet Pen.
______________________________
Tully,
The key here is finding the perfect shape that accentuates your curves, not exaggerates them. Once you find that perfect silhouette, you can use it on all kinds of clothing.
You describe yourself as having an hourglass shape (which is a figure that is coveted by most women, if you didn’t know). So the one thing that you should focus on is your natural waist line. Because it is the smallest part of your torso, drawing attention to your waist will accentuate your body & balance everything out. Find pieces — blouses, dresses, jackets — that cinch at the waist, be it with a sash, a belt, or interesting stitching. Wraparound blouses (blouses with a built in ribbon to tie around your waist) work, as well.
Also, try to find pieces that elongate your frame. Look for tops that will lengthen your body. Preferably v-necks & scoop necks. & don’t be afraid of to show off your shoulders & collarbone with strapless dresses.
For bottoms, look for wide-legged trousers. They’ll make you look taller, they’ll seemingly slim your legs, & you can wear them with practically anything. Bermuda shorts — shorts that hit you right above your knee caps — are also a great option.
But most importantly: make sure you have the perfect bra; that makes a world of difference how your silhouette looks. If you can, get a personal bra fitting to confirm that you’re wearing the right size (if you haven’t done this already).
With an hourglass figure, there aren’t many things to stay away from. Your shape is rather universal. But you should stay away from skirts or dresses hemmed several inches below the knee; they’ll make you appear shorter than what you truly are. So try to keep things above the knee if possible, or right at the knee. Other things to stay away from are baggier fitting clothes, large prints & patterns, & blouses with a lot of detail around the bustline. All of these things will either turn your silhouette into a shapeless line or will distract against your figure, & we certainly don’t want that!
& now, you’ll need a place to find some amazing pieces that fit your frame. A great place to start would be Faith21, by Forever21.
(for product information, click here.)
I love this line, & if I had a fuller figure, I would certainly wear their garments religiously. Faith21’s clothes are made specifically for hourglass & voluptuous figures. Their clothes are unique, modern, feminine, & simply gorgeous. By the way you describe your style, I think this line would be perfect for you. & the best part is that Faith21’s prices are very affordable. If you don’t have a Forever21 near you, you can easily shop online.
Other amazing alternatives to Faith21:
- B&Lu. (Their prices are competitive, & their pieces are timeless.)
- Alight. (They also have beautiful pieces, & a lot more to choose from than Faith21.)
- Torrid. (They have a wider range of things, not just clothing. They carry shoes, belts, jewelry, & intimates.)
& for inspiration, check out these blogs featuring voluptuous, fashionable women:
Know that determining what fits your figure perfectly is a work in progress. It’s not going to happen over night, but it’s certainly within reach. Just experiment with shapes, colors, styles, & silhouettes. The more you experiment, the more you’ll get the hang of it, I promise.
I hope this helps!
— apricot
(This post was edited by Elle, Jen, & Ashe. Thank you so much girls!)
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