Welcome to what to wear for your body shape

How to buy flattering clothes

If you want to look your best and make the most of your image you need to determine what to wear for your bodyshape. Keep reading and we will help you to look good and give you confidence.

Yes I know ladies - here we go again that’s what you are thinking someone else telling us we are:-

Pear
Apple
Round
Busty
Curvy
Boyish
Petite

and so it goes on.

Those fashionistas do insist on trying to put us in to a box either labelled with a fruit or a vase!!!! (Yes you know who you are Trinny and Suzanna) or something aimed to make you feel good/ bootylicious (guilty Gok - but I still love you)

We have all watched the programmes:-

What not to wear - has some good points like wear a bra that fits

How to Look Good Naked - again good underwear and learn to love yourself

10 Years Younger - it’s the haircut that usually transforms them along with some colourful clothes - not really sure they always need the surgery

I watch all those programmes avidly like I reckon hundreds (ok thousands) of you ladies out there and if I followed their rules I would

always wear a waisted belt
always wear dark colours on my bottom half shoes included
always wear fitted clothes (fit and form don't you know)
never wear cropped trousers
never wear shorts or short skirts (as I am over 40)
never wear my hair in a bob
Never ever have a full fringe

You see the rules of all these programmes say I am a curvy 'apple' (don’t ask)

What I am is 5Ft 2’ tall, 34 / 30 / 32 - short waisted, nice legs, carry weight on my stomach and have a round (my boyfriend thinks nice) face.

And at this moment in time I am wearing

My hair in a hi-lighted 'bob' with a full fringe (I am told it takes 10 years off me)
7/8 fitted trousers (15 cm off the floor of course) in pale grey
A fuchsia pink floaty top (and I am size 14)
Fuchsia pink peep toe 5-inch court shoes

And according to the mirror I don’t look half bad as my legs look good and the bit (my tummy) I don’t like is hidden.

So I thought I would just talk about what I think is important when buying clothes - just some pointers I think everyone should try and follow regardless of their size or shape.

So here are my personal top 10 tips on what to wear for your bodyshape and to look fabulous.

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 1

Its obvious but walk around any city centre at night and see the results of not doing this for yourself WEAR THE CORRECT BRA SIZE - 4 boobs is not attractive and will ruin the most expensive outfit.

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 2

wear the size that fits you - I truly believe you can at any age shop in most stores but buy the size that fits you not the size that makes you feel better - its no point being hung up on being a size 10/12 when you really need a 14 /16 - ignore the label and buy the size that fits - especially in the cheaper stores like New Look and Top Shop - cheaper mean a compromise on cut and fabric.
I have worked with clients that use a fit model that they swear is an industry size 12 (what ever that is) but I can guarantee she will easily wear a 10 so buy the size that fits you - you will always ALWAYS look slimmer - no bulges - even those of you who are a size 10 will look dreadful squashed into a size 8

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 3

the belt thing - I am sorry but belts under large boobs is so not a good look - so yes wear a belt I have loads but think about how it fits and where it fits, it should accentuate your waist and help give the appearance of one, rather than look like a shelf for your boobs.

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 4

If you are larger you can wear floaty pieces of clothing- just always balance with fitted clothing as well.
So floaty top/Fitted trousers - my favourite combination and if you get the fabrics right you will not look like a mushroom
Swirly skirt/ Fitted top

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 5

Trousers - ladies please please get the length right - full length - they should sit on your shoes with a slight bend almost but not quite to the floor - I am all of 62 inches tall and I can guarantee this makes your legs look longer when teamed with heels Cropped - mmmmm a difficult one - for me 7/8 i.e. 15cm off the floor is the best (just above the ankle) if its right and worn with great shoes your legs will look great but any higher i.e. mid-calf and I am sorry but you will look like a teacher! (Sorry to all those out there) what I mean is that awful length that does make you look like a stumpy woman on a hike!

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 6

Sarah Jessica Parker - you are my inspiration on this one but apparently you have to stop trying to be trendy when you hit the big 40 - sorry but I am not going to stop wearing fashionable clothes just because I have passed 40, like wise you would never catch me waring clothes that only teenages can get away with.
It’s easy really -
Got great legs and want to wear short shorts or a short skirt - tan those legs and cover up at the top.
Wore it first time so cannot wear it again - RUBBISH - leggings look great but you just won’t find me wearing them with a denim mini and boob tube - that one I leave to the under 18’s –me they are teamed with a beautiful jersey dress from my very favourite shop Reiss.
Coloured Tights - guilty once again - its just I leave the patterns and way out designs to the kids and I stick to plum, grey, navy minimum 60 denier opaque - check Mary Portas Queen of Shops and she is older than me if you don’t believe me!!!
Jump-suits - guilty your honour - wore one when I was 16 (grey and very very fitted from Miss Selfridge and worn with matching red beads earrings and bangles - listen it was the 80’s) but this time is a slinky grey number from Reiss worn with amazing Prada heels.

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 7

Prada heels that brings me nicely on to shoes - my favourite thing ever and ladies you all know why THEY FIT YOU ON A FAT DAY !!!! GOT IT - SO ALL YOU MEN OUT THERE STOP ASKING WHY WE NEED ANOTHER PAIR OF BLACK COURT SHOES- ACCEPT THAT WE JUST DO But please ladies don’t wear scruffy shoes, please keep them heeled - turned up leather on the back of your high heeled court shoes will attract more attention than the beautiful new slinky dress your are wearing. Bad shoes can ruin an outfit - you don’t have to go for Laboutin, Prada, Manolo Blahnik but you do need to buy a shoe that is reasonably well made and again fits properly and you can walk in (unless you take taxis everywhere) All you co-shoe lovers out there will notice I don’t mention comfort - if wanted that I would live in slippers!

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 8

We have talked about wearing the correct bra size so now lets talk about pants !! - yes and I mean big Bridget Jones pants - spanx, magic knickers, shapewear - whatever you want to call it they work, they suck in all the wobbly bits and give you a nice smooth outline - and yes I know they are not sexy - so keep the pretty lacy numbers at the ready so you can wip ( ok drag ) off the big pants and wip on the sexy ones when he is making the coffee X

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 9

Accessories - listen they do really matter - I agree with Nicky Hambleton-Jones, when she says your jewellery can age you - keep up to date with cuffs, bangles, chunky necklaces and rings, they all will show that you are on trend and all of these will bring the simplest trouser and top combo bang up to date Just try and stick to great earrings - easy on the necklaces. And please don’t forget a good handbag, this is the one area along with shoes I would indulge in buying something you love and I promise cost per wear it will pay for itself.

What to wear for your bodyshape tip number 10

My last tip - you are your own best judge - I truly believe that - so girls if you are a size 16 and your size 8 best friend is telling you that the hipster jeans showing your muffin top and boob tube showing just about everything looks great - SHE IS LYING - I am not sizist as you will have realised - I am a size 14 - but I find it really sad when you see a group of girls and the larger one in the group is trying to dress the same as her skinny mates - they are not her mates she has no mates !!!! - But if she dressed well and in clothes that fitted and flattered she would have loads - all boys!!!

So there you have it my personal tips on what to wear for your bodyshape - and don’t forget to put on the most important item in your wardrobe every single day ladies .

ATTITUDE XXX