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Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/15/2008 2:54:00 PM
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rachsquelch
Posts: 35
Joined: 8/9/2008
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(Apologies if there's a similar thread, I'll delete this if I find one)
I thought it'd be fun to start a thread where we could share tips on what clothes and styles suit different body types. I could certainly use some advice! :)
Well I'm 20 in November so I'm not growing any taller, so at 5'2" what clothes could make me look taller? I find that every pair of trousers I try on ends up scuffing within the first day around the bottom because they are always too long, but I don't know what type or length of skirt won't make me look shorter, because they all seem to! I really like those looooong jumpers that can also act as a dress, but they make my legs look tiny. I LOVE trousers that flare at the bottom but apparantly they make you look shorter too. Any short women out there who have similar (or different) problems and can share some tips? :)
Feel free to take part and get tips and stuff! :)
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/15/2008 3:07:50 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4264
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
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Good question, I sometimes watch what not to wear but even then I still can't figure out how they do it.
I am 4'11.. so I identify
.. silly question.. but it was not stated.. you do get the pants altered right? Cause it looks more professional if the pants are altered and not hanging to too long on you.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/15/2008 3:12:09 PM
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rachsquelch
Posts: 35
Joined: 8/9/2008
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Same here I watch it looking for tips but it all goes over my head lol. I've never had altered trousers so usually they're pretty scruffy looking I guess. How do you alter them, can you do it yourself or do professionals have to do it?
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/15/2008 3:16:10 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4264
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
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I don't have a machine, but most of the dry cleaners here do alterations, and its under 20.00. There are a lot of people that do alterations as a hobby so just ask around. The nicer department stores also alter them for you if you buy from there. I think What not to Wear is big on fitting correctly and that means alterations if you're not the standard size.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/15/2008 3:19:39 PM
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flowerz
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From: Canada
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Skirts: Knee length. If you like skirts longer, make sure they are straight and ankle length.
Pants: Straight pants. I find a slight flare like in a boot cut works too. I try to buy petite pants, they are the right length for me usually, and I am also 5'2".
V-necks are good.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/15/2008 3:23:52 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4264
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
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I don't wear a lot of skirts but mine are always around knee length.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/15/2008 11:28:46 PM
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uponeagleswings
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I second the slight boot leg on jeans. Also pay attention and see if you can find jeans where the grain of the denim runs up and down your leg. I think darker washes are better than lighter ones. I'm 5'2" and have to buy the short sizes in jeans- and only one particular brand is short enough.
_____________________________
Stacy The Story "A violet is not an impaired daisy."
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/16/2008 12:21:54 AM
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Mrs.X
Posts: 2928
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From: Newberg, OR
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One tip I saw on What Not To Wear is not wearing a shoe that has an ankle cuff. It's cuts you off and makes you legs look shorter.
_____________________________
-Stina
From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/16/2008 9:09:11 AM
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HisCovenant
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I'm 5"2' also and pear shaped. I'ma regular length on bottom and a little petite on top, too, but with tops with sleeves I can go either way.
You may be shaped differently, even though we're the same height which will negate some of what I say. I'd recommend that you try on a lot of different styles and sizes (like your size, the size above, below, and all three in petite) for a day of shopping so you can figure out what sizes and cuts fit you best. I'd also recommend that you find a good alterations shop in your area and/or look for places you can custom order clothing (like Lands End will hem your pants to length.)
Your pants should hit 1/2 inch above the ground. Either have them hemmed or chose a heel height that works with the pants you buy. The most slimming/lengthening pants are straight leg pants that aren't too snug at your hips or thighs and don't have any strange striping or pockets on the legs. A boot cut can be nice, too, with a very small flare, but if they narrow too much at the knee they can make you look hippy and wider, so shorter. Some boot cuts work for me and some look horrid. Too much flare makes me look shorter.
If you are apple shaped, lighter pants are great with darker tops, but if you are pear shaped darker pants with lighter tops will slim you more.
With skirts, I find that I can either wear skirts to my knee or ankle. If a skirt hits anywhere on my calf, I look short and wide, no matter the style. A-lines are good and straight skirts a are good as long as they fit the widest part of me.
Have you looked at books in the bookstore about this? There's one that lays out fashion by body shape that you may find helpful. This is the best book I have ever seen on the subject and think it's an excellent place to learn the basics.
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-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/16/2008 9:42:51 AM
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Mrs.Wifey
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From: The Gorgeous plains of Colorado
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I have spent the past couple years changing what I wear as my body shape changes. I have learned a few things...
1) Custom tailoring is worth it's weight in gold. If pants don't fit quite right then I buy them a size large and have them tailored. I almost ALWAYS have to have my jeans hemmed.
2) Pants length is a big factor. I have 2 sets of jeans(a bit retentive, I know). One set is hemmed to 31", I wear those with flats. My second set is hemmed at 32.5-33" so that I can wear them with heals.
3) Pockets on pants can either flatter or really make your behind look awful. I have a not-so-large bottom, so I tend to look for pockets with flaps and a button. Also, I never, ever buy pants where the pockets run off my bottom and into the crease between my thigh and bottom. That is not a flattering look for anyone.
4) Skirts are better for almost everyone when they hit right above the knee or all the way at the ankle. If you have especially long legs(which I don, but my sister does) then you can pull off a skirt that hits right below the knee. I will wear them right below my knee if it's a certain cut, like THIS.
5) Wear the appropriate shoes. Flip-flops with everything will not help your clothing flatter your body and neither will tennis shoes/sneakers.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/16/2008 10:23:44 AM
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christsstar
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Catherine ... buy clothes one size bigger, especially if they are stretchy/fitted shirts. They will still stretch and conform to your body, but they won't be as tight. I started buying 1 size bigger in anticipation of them shrinking and I was amazed at how they helped my pudgy tummy. Also, get pants one size bigger to accomodate for shrinkage. Wear them so that the belly isn't rolling over the top. (I don't care how thin a person is, belly rolling over the top is GROSS!!!!!) It may require looking for a different waist line (higher or lower).
I find that a lower waist line is more comfortable, but a high waist line may slim the belly a little bit. But if I buy the lower waist line a touch bigger, and then get the right kind of belt (contoured), the belly pudge doesn't look as prominent.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/16/2008 11:06:34 AM
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HisCovenant
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
The most slimming/lengthening pants are straight leg pants that aren't too snug at your hips or thighs and don't have any strange striping or pockets on the legs.
I just wanted to clarify that I meant horizontal striping by "strange striping." Vertical striping can be slimming if the stripes aren't pulled into a carnival funhouse effect.
quote:
3) Pockets on pants can either flatter or really make your behind look awful. I have a not-so-large bottom, so I tend to look for pockets with flaps and a button. Also, I never, ever buy pants where the pockets run off my bottom and into the crease between my thigh and bottom. That is not a flattering look for anyone.
I'm the opposite of Ryanne, with a larger backside. So, I tend to like pants without pockets or with a welt pocket because it doesn't add volume or break the line of my leg. Also, there are times a slightly larger pocket can give the illision that my backside is smaller, but the pocket can't be too large. It has to still look as if the pocket is normal sized... otherwise it just looks like a pocket a clown would choose.  But whatever the size of the pocket, it has to stay on the backside to look flattering, just like Ryanne says.
In short, dressing well is all about balance and proportion. It's taking your own body style and making it look as proportional as possible.
_____________________________
-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/17/2008 2:38:28 AM
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saraimay75
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rachsquelch
Same here I watch it looking for tips but it all goes over my head lol. I've never had altered trousers so usually they're pretty scruffy looking I guess. How do you alter them, can you do it yourself or do professionals have to do it?
Many big department stores like Macy's will hem pants fo no to little cost.
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God love admiration . . . I think it annoys God if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.
~Alice Walker~
http://360.yahoo.com/saraimay75
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/18/2008 2:10:23 PM
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SurpassingPeace
Posts: 109
Joined: 11/21/2007
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One of the biggest things is to buy clothes that fit. Clothes that are either too large or too small just make you look dumpy or not polished. I completely agree that the belly roll over the jeans is awful looking. After I had my baby I had a roll for awhile. I became super picky with my clothes because if it showed I looked much worse. I went for tops that gave a smooth fit. For almost all women, a dark wash jean is better. It hides a mulitude of flaws. For those of us who are petite (I am 5'3) either buy in the petite section or have them tailored. My favorite outfit after giving birth to dd was a black fitted turtleneck sweater, dark jeans with a slight flare, and black boots. It make me look sleek and smooth without the new bulges I had acquired.
I think another important thing is to make sure your clothes are clean, unwrinkled, unstained, and in good repair. Any of these things make you look sloppy.
If you are trying to give the appearance of height then try a monochromatic look on bottom. I would wear a black skirt, nylons, and shoes or pants, socks/nylons, shoes. If you wear mulitple colors, especially brighter colors, it can chop you up. For my height, I find a skirt that hits right above the knee to be best.
I think the last thing is make sure you clothes are comfortable. If you are uncomfortable in any of you clothes, it will show through and the outfit won't look right.
I love wearing nice clothes. When I dress a mess, I feel a mess. I just feel so much better and more confident when my clothes and person look well groomed. This may not be right on topic but it all goes together. Being well groomed makes your outfit better. Well kept hair, discrete makeup (if you wear makeup), and your nails in good shape. You don't have to have a professional manicure just trimmed and clean. Looking good is usually in the details.
Karen
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/18/2008 2:49:03 PM
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christsstar
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Good post Karen.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/18/2008 11:08:56 PM
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christsstar
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I would think longer shirts and pants that are the RIGHT length (not too short either) will help with the length.
And don't wear anything with too much of a flair. A straight leg or a slight bootcut.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/18/2008 11:51:38 PM
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HisCovenant
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Generally, longer shirts make you look shorter. Around the hip bone gives you the most lengthening look.
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-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/19/2008 9:54:56 AM
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Mrs.Wifey
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From: The Gorgeous plains of Colorado
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
Generally, longer shirts make you look shorter. Around the hip bone gives you the most lengthening look.
Yup. I have a booger of a time finding shirts that hit just right, unless I want button downs.
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RE: Clothes That Suit Body Type - 9/19/2008 1:17:25 PM
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HisCovenant
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Me, too. Some materials & designs can be altered, but some are harder.
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-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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