Mommy Mastering Figure Flattery



            Does this look good on me?!  It’s the first thing that we normally ask any person at any given time when we are trying clothes on!  The answer to this question has the power to make us drop double our budget on a clothing item, be it dress, shoes, a purse or a necklace!  So how can we make shopping easier on ourselves without having to bring along a second opinion.  Below I’m going to list some ideas to combat some common figure types.  Now these rules are by no means set in stone!  Every mommy’s body is unique so don’t be afraid to experiment and adapt to what you think works for you!

Are you…….?

Curvy?
            With this type of body you want to showcase your waist and elongate your figure to be able to show off your curves without over emphasizing it!

What to buy?
-Garments that lay gently over your curves, not hung on them like a second skin.
-Dresses that are cinched at the waist and narrow at the knee are great pieces to have
-Blouses that show skin at shoulder, neckline, collarbone or cleavage are good.  Age appropriately of course!
-Slits are a great way to cut into your figure and allow you to show some skin!
-Vertical detailing and clean lines are KEY!  This will slim any body type!
-Wraps are also a great thing to have blouses or dresses.
-Jackets that button DIRECTLY under the bust have a great effect on your body.

What to stay away from?
-Anything too tight!
-Loose fitting jackets are sweaters at the waist line.  This well take away all your beautiful shape!
-Anything bulky or oversized especially at the fullest part of your hips or waist.

Short?
            With this body type you want to create the illusion you are taller and create a strong vertical line from head to toe!

What to buy?
-Monochromatic Outfits (outfits that stick within the same color hue i.e. A dark violet cropped cardigan and a lavender shift dress.) This creates a very strong presence!
-Fluid fabrics, movement increases drama creating again a stronger presence, just be mindful of proportions!
-Princess seams, and center seams don the back or front with high closures will add a strong vertical line to your body.
-Medium to high heels, try to avoid shoes that wrap around the ankle or are extremely strappy.  This will cut into the vertical line of your body and make you look a lot shorter then what you really are.

What to stay away from?
-Horizontal prints!  Just say no!
-Pleat trousers, this adds bulkiness which adds width and not length.
-Cropped pants, you probably already know this but they won’t hit you at the right angle.
-Mid-calf length skirts
-Any “sweet” details (eccentric bows, extremely ruffled blouses).
-Anything baggy.

Broad Shoulders?
            We want to soften your shoulders and create balance.

What to you buy?
-Raglan sleeves. (Dolman sleeves)
-Dark tops
-Deep V-necks, this will cut in to your upper body and also take bulk out of your shoulder by cutting into your chest.
-If it doesn’t add to much bulk to your hip, try a horizontal pattern in your skirts or bottoms to balance out your figure.

Stay away from?
-Shoulder detailing (epaulettes, bows, hardware, puffy sleeves).
-Shoulder pads. Enough said!
-Bateau Collars (Boatneck collars).
-Horizontal lines at shoulders, this includes seams and yokes.

Full Bust?
            The goal is to show off your curves without over-emphasizing them as well as making your neck and torso look longer.

What to buy?
-Dark toned tops with lighter bottoms to add balance.
-Tops with very light detailing, if there’s too much going on this will only make your bust look bigger!
-Open necked sweaters, blouses and dresses.
-Anything kind of garment that add a vertical line above the waist or releases fabric and adds movement at bottom.

Stay away from?
-Anything double-breasted!
-Wide/contour beltes.
-Anything adding bulk around the neck, this will also add bulk around the chest and make you took top heavy!
-Baggy tops!

Heavy Arms?
The goal of this is thinning out and extending your arms.

What to buy?
-Tops or blouses with sleeves that taper to the wrist.
-Raglan, dolmon and kimono sleeves will always slim out the arm.
-Any tops with vertical prints or seems that follow the arm.

Stay away from?
-Tight tops and sleeves
-Any kind of stiff fabric.
-Some stylist will say stay away from sleeveless, I’m an advocate of positive body image.  If you want to show those arms then do it mama!

Tummy?
            Our goal is to draw attention from your mid-section to your legs or face and creating a vertical line on the body.

What to buy?
-Long tops like cardigans, jackets, tunics and shirts that you don’t tuck in.  Remember we don’t want to create unnecessary lines.
-Fabrics that drape but don’t cling.

-The Empire-waist will do absolute wonders for you!
-Narrow pants and skinny jeans (if you have slim hips otherwise it will accentuate your hips)
-Monochromatic outfits
-Tops or blouses nipped at the waist

Stay away from?
-Belted dresses or tops.  (This adds unnecessary bulk.)
-Tops with waistbands or that cinch at the waist.
-Pants or skirts with any waist detailing.
-Anything cut on the bias.

Bottom Heavy?
            Our goal is to show your curves without over-emphasizing them, creating balance between your hips and your shoulders as well as elongating your figure.

What to buy?
-Close fitting tops that flow over your hips and derriere.
-Dark colored bottoms.
-Lower pockets on denim also take away from a prominent bottom.
-If you are pear shaped, tops with horizontal stripes or shoulder detailing will help.
-Monochromatic outfits, with the darker tones at bottom will help.
-Tailored jackets and tops with nipped waistlines that stop at the hipbone or just cover the hips.

Stay away from?
-Bottoms with horizontal lines
-Bottoms or dresses made from anything clingy.
-Bottoms with a lot of pleases, gathers, or big prints.
-Tops that stop at the waist or mid hips.
-Anything that hits at the widest part of your hips.
-Anything that cinches at the waist.

And there you have it mommy dearest!  Just a couple of helpful hints to help you address the way you dress in your everyday life!  But please remember the best way to solve a figure “problem” is to have confidence.  Don’t forget that everybody is different and might have a combination of these things.  Find what works for you and you will be set for life!
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Comments

  1. I need some strong vertical line garments to make me look taller. Thanks for the tip!!

    New follower from weekend blog hop.
    Going to vote for you on picket fence. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are awesome tips! I always look for things to help my figure! :)

    I am now following you back! Thanks for checking out my blog at Atlanta Military Mom! :) Hope you will come back and check out some of the great things coming up!

    Mandy
    http://atlantamilitarymom.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I need a MooMoo!! Great post!

    Following you from VoiceBoks!~Lisa
    I am all a twitter about life
    Find Me on Twitter

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  4. Hi! Visiting via the blog hop - please visit me back at www.fourlittlemonsters.com and follow me back :-) Joined via GFC

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi,

    Stopping by from vb. :)

    This is a great post, but what if I fall into about 75% of the categories? LOL Is there one for a curvy, big busted, big armed, broad shouldered, girl with a tummy? LOL

    Lisa

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  6. Yes, yes, for the flat chest? Need you advice please.

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  7. Thanks for this - i think i need to print it and hang it inside my closet - after giving away 1/2 of my clothes! Following from VB.

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  8. I need help with just about every part of my body, lol! I'm short, NOT skinny, and a little too well-endowed in the chest area. Thanks for all the great advice!

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  9. Good tips! I think I fit into all but the short category. :-)

    Visiting from VB... April

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  10. I'm sooo glad you posted this!! I love it cause I could never figure out what really works for me. I will try this guide. Thanks!

    www.voiceboks.com

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  11. I'm tall, athletic with "boy hips". I have a large (augmented) chest, so it is so difficult for me to find something that fits up top, but is narrow enough for my hips.

    It has always been a struggle!

    Samantha from vB

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  12. Thanks for sharing this great advice! Definitely a "crowning moment" when you know you look awesome! I'm glad there's those of you out there who know how to do that and teach the rest of us!
    Thanks for joining my hop!

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  13. Excellent tips! But I don't fit into exactly one category..hmmm.

    http://hoogoeswhere.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm returning the follow. Cool post! Looking forward to reading more...

    Have a lovely day,

    Kimberley

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome advice! Though I'm with Lisa and think I just need a Moo Moo lol!

    Christina

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  16. @lisannepollard: Most women will fall into more than 1 category. The best advice I can give is to follow the suggestions in each individual category and start mixing and matching. For your body type stick to something that has a deep v neck or cuts into the body from the neck. Make sure you favor blouses or tops with an empire waist. And don’t be afraid to wear tops with kimono or raglan sleeves. Wear darker more saturated colors up top with neutral bottoms (browns, taupe, denim is acceptable as well!)

    @ Not Your Ordinary Agent, @ Nekky: For those women who are flat chested I would strong advise bold collar pieces or neckline details. This could be ruffels, beaded embellishments, adorned bibs or bows. But remember these should only add fullness to your bust! Not your shoulders or your waist.

    @medtopicwriter.com: Give tunics with a tighter band or hemline around the hips a try. This will allow rooms for your chest but cling to your hips. The chest should tighten the top of a tunic giving the body an hourglass effect, because the waist will be looser. Another option is too where tops with a flounce or a release at the hip showing of your waist but making your hips look more curvy. A V-neck collar will cut into your “athletic” body, (if you have broad shoulders).

    @Janie {Hoo}: I strongly suggest having a fun little fit session in your closet. Take some suggestions from the categories that I’ve listed and mix and match till you find a silhouette that fits your appropriate body type. The great thing about the human body is that not one shape is alike, so find things that show of your favorite parts and find ways to help out with your not so favorites!

    Have fun with it ladies!!!

    Sincerely,
    Brandon Sapin

    Follow me!
    www.twitter.com/bsapin

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