Tag Archives : body type

Last month, we covered the reverse shape: bigger on top. Click here to read that Style Tip. This month, we are covering another common body shape: bigger on the bottom.

First off, we would like to address the fact that finding correctly fitting pants can be especially difficult for women with this body type. For a pant to fit correctly, the rise must fit comfortably on your hips and without pulling or creasing at the crotch. If you have too much extra fabric in that area, the crotch pulls or creases at your thighs, or the crotch of your pants sags down to your thighs, then you have the wrong fit. You also want to avoid low rises and skinny jeans. We know the fashion industry has certainly made it difficult the last few years with so many narrow leg and ankle pants in-style!

What works for many women with this body type are FDJ’s Peggy Fit denim and Marble’s casual bottoms. Both lines offer a good fit for women with small waists and larger hips and thighs. Joseph Ribkoff’s pull-on-pants with a longer rise, straight leg and many colour options are another great choice for both tall and petite ladies.

Whether you are small or heavy, often women with this body type appear to have shorter legs. Go for mid-rise, mid-width pants to de-emphasize the hips and lengthen the legs. A higher rise pant usually works best because they fall from the widest part of the hip straight down to balance out your proportions. For shoes, opt for pointy-toed styles which lengthen the leg as well.

For skirts, look for a-line silhouettes in mid-weight fabrics and darker colours. For dresses, go with the a-line and add a short jacket with strong shoulders that sits at the top of the hip to create a longer leg line and slim the hip.

General tips for bigger on the bottom women:

• DO look for tops that have structure, give you a waistline and sit above the hip. What woman over 40 wouldn’t want to show off a waistline?!
• DO go for jackets and blouses with collars which open things up and brighten your face.
  DO wear v-neck sweaters in bright colours or with interesting details on the shoulders or necklines to add visual interest to your upper body
• DON’T wear tops that are too long and cover your backside. You will look shorter and heavier than you actually are and this look will shorten your legs.

Remember the goal is always to balance your upper half with the lower half!

Outfits don’t need to be complicated. Plan a shopping trip to find a way to show off your best features with our team who can find what works best for YOU.

Over the years, we have focused many of our style tips on dressing different body types. As you age, working with your shape is absolutely key to looking and feeling your best in your clothes.

How do you discover your body shape? Well you need to begin by standing in front of a mirror and by being brutally honest (an uncomfortable but worthwhile exercise).

Take a look at your shoulders, chest, waistline, hips, thighs, calves and tush. Identify your areas that are frustrating to dress and notice how your body weight is distributed. Two of the most basic proportions are larger on top or larger on the bottom; most women fall into one or the other. This month, we’re focusing on women who are bigger on top.

Before we go any further, we want to encourage you to dress the body you have now – not the body you want to have, not the body you plan to have, and certainly not the body you had in the past – dress to feel good in your current body! While you may want to hide in oversized sweatsuits, resist the urge and instead wear clothes that complement your shape and boost your confidence!

Every bigger on top woman needs to invest in well fitting bras that support the chest and create lift. Excellent support improves your posture which conveys a sense of confidence.

For petite ladies 5’4” and under:

• Select multi-button jackets with hemlines ending slightly over the hip or one-button jackets that cinch at the breastbone.
• Find a-line skirts that end just above the knee. Hem if necessary.
• ¾ sleeve tops bring more attention to the arms, moving the eye away from the bust line.

For all ladies with a larger top:

• For pants, straight leg and boot cut styles are best. They add volume, not bulk, to the lower half of the body, creating balance.
• Light-coloured pants and skirts maximize focus on the legs. Try choosing a darker colour on top and lighter colour on the bottom to pull focus away from the chest line. Generally darker clothes camouflage and lighter colours emphasize. Keep in mind though that fit is everything!
• Play with black and white for a classic look that never goes out of style! Navy and white are another classic combo.
• Find a dress that nips in at the waist to help minimize your midsection.
• For evening, play up your chest by showing some cleavage if you’re comfortable doing so.
• For an on-trend look, go with a simple black or dark colour on top, and a big, bold, white print on the bottom.
• Knits are a larger-chested woman’s best friend as they stretch without pulling buttons open.
• When wearing prints, match the size of the print to the size of your frame. For example, petite ladies look good with smaller scale prints versus taller women who can pull off big, bold prints without being overwhelmed by the print.

If you are still unsure about the best style for your shape, we are happy to help you find your proportions and dress for balance. Just ask next time you’re in or book a free personal shopping appointment!

If you have a balanced figure, narrow waist and gain weight evenly all over, then you are an X body type.

You may be slender with modest curves or full-figured with voluptuous curves. Either way, you are beautifully balanced, which means you have a bit more freedom than the other body shapes. Your main goal is to maintain your natural balance by dressing for your frame size and accentuate your lovely waistline. Here’s how to compliment your body shape.

Tops: Size matters with this body shape, so be mindful to avoid clothing that is overly tight or sloppy, but rather fitted in a way to gently follow your curves. Belts are a wonderful choice to accentuate your waist (unless you are trying to hide the tummy area). Try skinny or wide styles, whichever suits your frame size the best. All accessories should complement your frame size. If you are more petite, aim for small to medium sizes for accessories and prints. If you are full-figured, aim for medium to large styles for your most flattering look.

Bottoms: Straight leg trousers or jeans are fabulous on you. You can pull off skinny jeans amazingly well. However, if you are more full-figured, I recommend a more relaxed, straight leg style than overly wide or skinny styles.

Dresses: Choose styles that flatter your beautiful curves, such as a fitted bodice with a slightly-fitted or slightly-flared bottom. Many styles will work for you so just remember to tastefully showcase your curves and pick a style in your pop colours!

Bonus Tip: Opposites attract so if you choose a flowy feminine top, pair it with skinnier trousers. If you opt for a fitted top, grab a more relaxed or wide-leg style bottom.

Thank you to Kim McMurray, certified Image Consultant, personal shopper and speaker, for sharing this series.