Solutions for Problem Areas

            Don’t believe the only way you can change how you look is by losing weight, exercising or cosmetic surgery.  You can change how you look by learning to compliment your assets and camouflage the “Problem Areas”.  The following suggestions will help you improve your looks and how other people see you without having to change your body.

Shoulders

Broad Shoulders

1. Wear V-necks, U-necks to break up width of shoulders.
2. Raglund, dolman sleeves don’t bring attention to shoulders.
3. Avoid square necks, strapless styles and shoulder pads.

Narrow Shoulders

1. Wear shoulder pads to define shoulders.
2. Halters, cap-sleeves, strapless and boatnecks look good on you.
3. Avoid anything that draws the eye to the center of the body; long necklaces, oblong scarves, tight tops—all draw attention to the fact that the hips are wider than the shoulders.

Bust

Too Small

1. Tops should be lighter and brighter than bottoms; choose tops with pockets or decoration over the chest area; wear heart-shaped or round necklines.
2. Waist length jackets and sweaters are good for you.
3. Wear push-up, padded or underwire bras.
4. Avoid tight tops; higher necklines flatten you out.

Too Large

1. Wear open collars and V-necks; non fussy designs; unstructured flowing tops or jackets are flattering.
2. Wear a good supportive underwire or minimizer bra.
3. Avoid double breasted jackets; pockets or appliqués over chest; empire bodices or a wide belt that shortens the upper body; prints, stripes and patterns draw attention to the bust.

Heavy Arms

1. Wear loose, long sleeves.
2. Avoid anything that reveals the upper arms.

Waist

Too Small

1. Are you lucky—wear wide belts that call attention to this feature (avoid cinching in too much as this can draw too much attention to the hips).

Too Thick

1. Wear dresses with a drop waist or are A-line; earrings and scarves draw the eye up away from waist; tunic or wrap style tops and shoulder pads work well for you.
2. Avoid belts, tube tops, crop tops, and fitted blouses.

Short Waisted

1. Dress in one color to lengthen the body; wear tops that fall below the waistline to elongate the line of the body; low-rise, low-slung, no waistband pants and skirts work well for you.
2. Avoid high-waisted, wide waistband skirts or pants; avoid tucking in clothing tightly (let it blouse a little).

Long Waisted

1. Wear separates in different colors to break up length of body; jackets and tops should fall near waistline; strapless or deep neck tops, high waist pants and skirts are good for you; a belt will visually shorten the upper body.
2. Avoid low-rise skirts and pants or pants with cuffs; avoid anything frilly down the middle, fitted tops or short tops.

Legs

Short Legs

1. You can wear short skirts if the legs are in shape; narrow leg pants, capris, crops—all enhance the line of the body; short jackets and tops give the illusion of a longer leg.
2. Avoid wide-leg pants, pleats and cuffs.

Long Legs

1. Wear wide-leg, palazzo or boot cut pants; mid-length skirt between knee and ankle break up length of leg as well as longer jackets.
2. Avoid narrow leg pants and short jackets.

Thick Thighs

1. Wear wide leg pants in a soft fabric; wear loose skirts with a soft drape; wear dark colors.
2. Avoid tapered pants; pleats and pockets add bulk.

Hips (Saddlebags)

1. Wear shoulder pads to even out proportions; wear long, untucked tops to cover hips; wear straight style dresses that fall from the shoulder and does not have a belt; dark colors are slimming.
2. Avoid short jackets and tops; avoid narrow-leg pants; avoid patterns. 

Tummy Bulge

1. Wear tops that are loose and cover the stomach; wear pants and skirts with side or back zippers to avoid bulk in front.
2. Avoid front pockets, pleats, or anything tight.
3. Wear dresses with empire waistlines—fabric will fall from under the bust and cover the stomach.

Bottom

Too Large

1. Wear darker colors below the waist; wear tops that cover the bottom; wear loose, drapey skirts; wear wider-leg pants to minimize the difference between your thighs and bottom.
2. Avoid back pockets or any detail on bottom; avoid lycra fabrics, spandex or bias cut skirts.

Too Flat

1. Wear belted tops, to give the illusion of shape.
2. Wear skirts and pants that have side pockets and pleats to add depth.

Thick Calves and Ankles

1. Wear long skirts that fall loosely; pants are a must; do wear boots that come just below the knee.
2. Avoid crop or tight pants; short skirts are a no.

Facts from the Past

1. During the Victorian Era, women with “girth” or were “corpulent” were equated with being rich.
2. Millions of American women distressed by varicose veins are merely born too late.  Egyptian beauties coveted veiny blue lines and when they were lucky enough to have them, they carefully outlined them with blue dye.