Commentary by Nikki Blaine
With all the hibernating this season, one cannot miss the opportunity to pass by that funhouse mirror we usually see at the circus that magically appeared in the bedroom. To our own dismay, we can find everything someone else doesn’t see from any angle. But let me suggest some helpful tips to alleviate the distress we feel during the winter months.
Being a fashionista, I find that major concerns for many women are their tummy, hips and rear end. As we blossom into our womanly bodies, here are a view tips to consider.
The tummy
Diagonal lines are slimming angles. Diagonal stripes on a top, jacket or sweater minimize the tummy and make the area look slimmer.
A tummy looks bigger in tops that are too thin and can’t contain it.
A tummy is minimized with shaped gathers and ruching (ruffles or pleats).
A tummy looks bigger in shapeless tops.
The hips – from wide to narrow
Wider necklines counterbalance wider hips by adding opposing fullness at your neckline, which slims your hips’ appearance.
Boot-cut pants or a fit-and-flare skirt counterbalances wider thighs by adding fullness at the opposite end of your body.
Counterbalance wider hips by wearing angles and vertical lines, along with shaped jackets and tops.
Fuller skirts that angle outward create fullness in contrast to the narrowness of your hips and make them look wider.
For narrow hips, shape the area of your hip with hip-building components such as embroidery and patch pockets.
Look for pants made by European designers, who tend to cut much more narrowly in the hip and thigh areas of pants. American designers tend to make garments with a wider hip area because American women are traditionally known to have wider hips than their European counterparts do.
The rear end
Counterbalance the fullness of a larger butt with fit-and-flare skirts and boot-cut pants. The fullness found at the hems of these styles balances of the butt and minimizes its size while giving it a flattering shape.
When you elongate an area, you also slim it. Vertical lines placed anywhere on the body slim that area, making pinstripes and vertical seams placed over the derriere a slimming and balancing feature.
To enhance a flat derriere, use angled lines to make it look fuller. Choose a fuller skirt. Wear jackets with shape in the back and wear fit-and-flare skirts and boot-leg pants to add contour.
Whew! I hope this was insightful. But what’s most important is to love the body you’re in. I am your Glam Chic Gal preparing to sign off, but before I do … Make sure you layer up your fashions this winter! I am off until next time …