The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Lindy writes in asking, “Hi Danielle! I am 22, 6’2” and weigh 160 lbs. I have a small upper body with a very small chest (32almostA bra size) and small waist that moves into a curvy butt, wide hips and thighs. My inseam is 37″. How do I create outfits that make me look bigger/more proportionate on top and yet can highlight my long legs without drawing attention to my curvier/wider thighs?”
Lindy sent me pictures to better illustrate and it turns out she’s more of an hourglass. Body shape has more to do with shoulder width to waist to hip width proportions. However you can be an hourglass with a big chest or a small chest, with a big rear or a small rear. And sometimes you’ll have to follow body dressing tips from several categories to look your best (i.e. big chest, small chest, big tummy, thick thighs, etc.).
So Lindy, in order to make your chest appear bigger, look for ruffles and other textures at the neckline to visually created more curves at your bust. Pockets placed on the bust area also help to create the illusion of curves. Double-breasted jackets also do the trick. Also, exposing the top of your cleavage can make your chest appear larger. Check out these examples:
Sleeveless Ruffle Top; Elite Stretch Military Shirt; Silence & Noise Fleece Motorcycle Jacket; Free People Petal Top.
A great push-up bra will also help to boost your bust:
Try Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy® Push-up bra with Gel-Curve®.
To make a thick thigh appear more slender, check out these tips:
1. Sleek, tapered styles work best on the bottom. Steer clear of pleats, ruching, horizontal patterns, etc. as they can over-emphasize the thighs. Make sure hemlines on skirts do not end at the widest part of your thighs—this will only make your thighs appear wider. Instead go for knee-length pencil skirts.
2. The leg opening on your jeans and pants will need to be slightly wide in order to balance out the curve of
your thighs (i.e. boot cuts, wide legs, and trouser cuts are great for thick thighs).
Check out these examples that all come in 37″ inseams (Rock & Republic and Alloy carry a variety of them):
Truck Jeans Essential Stretch Bootcut Jean; Spoon Jeans Extend-tab Stretch Trouser Jean; Rock & Republic Kassandra Bootcut Jeans; Charleston Trouser.
When looking for dresses, look for those with ruffles and other textures to add curve to the chest at the bodice but are plain and fitted through the bottom to slender the thighs. Check out these examples:
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Ruffled Silk Dress; Nicole Miller Stretch Silk Twill Red Dress; Black Halo “Jackie O” Dress; Ruffle-front Contrast Dress.
If you have a style or beauty question, contact me. Your inquiry could appear on this site!
Hi, I need your help. I’m 6 ft., 211 lbs., getting a belly since hysterectomy (eeww?), wear 16W-18W talls of course, barrel shape. I love color, can’t do heels to much anymore, i work as a front desk clerk for law enforcement, I have dreaded hair (locks to the waist, I keep them groomed for the most part). I feel I should wear empire type clothing, although I don’t have but one or two pieces. Jackets are a must also to hide the waistline. Please advise on what to and what not to wear.