Does this make me look fat?

Doesn’t it bother you when a cute top makes your friend look skinny and alluring, but you 9 months pregnant?

Doesn’t it bother you when a cute top makes your friend look skinny and alluring and when you put it on, it looks like you’re nine months pregnant? It’s unfair. But do not torch the top just yet, it’s not the tops fault — It’s yours...wait...there’s no need to torch this paper either...it’s your fault for not knowing your body! We are all built differently but there are four basic body types that we belong to.

Body Types

We watch models on the runway, and we want to buy all the clothes they wear because they all look so chic and glamorous. And then you think to yourself, “Oh, they won’t look that good on me!” Well..I got news for you: Some clothes will actually look a lot better on your body than on the models you envy so much. It is all about the body type and we need to know our body really well in order to know exactly what will look good on us. And that means spending a little time in front of the mirror (and the gym to work on problem areas) and knowing if you are an A, V, H or an 8. This helps in knowing which parts to emphasise and which to hide. It will you to decide whether you should wear stripes; horizontal or vertical, patterns or plain, etc. Once we have our body type figured out, hello high fashion!

Narrow on the top and heavier on the bottom — thighs and hips. To even it out, you have to make your shoulders appear broad. I will never suggest shoulder pads because that’s something our grandmothers would not hesitate to sport even in this day and age but a little sleeves detailing would definitely help.

Wider on the bust and the shoulders appear to be wider than the hips. Try wearing bigger patterns on the lower body and smaller towards your upper body to give make your body seem proportionate.

A straight body from bust to hips — identical to that of a scale or ruler. Your aim is to create an illusion of a smaller waist to add some flavour or in this case, curves. That can be done by adding a belt to your flowing outfit. Remember the keyword is flowing.

With a bust and hips of the same size and a small waist, you have  a perfectly balanced figure. You have it easier than the rest. You don’t need to create any kind of illusion whatsoever. All you need to do is show that small waistline off. You got it? Flaunt it!

How to look thinner

Now that you know about your body type, here’s how you can look smaller than your size. Dress from head to toe in one colour and you will look 10 pounds lighter. It gives an illusion of a toned body. Avoid large patterns — they make you appear bigger than you are. If you have a broad body structure, avoid large patterned clothing as they will make you seem 10 pounds heavier. V-necks are your friend! V-necks make your neck seem longer and a long neck adds an inch or two to your height and the taller you look, the slimmer you appear to be. Sport thin vertical stripes only.

Thick stripes will make you look bigger while thin vertical stripes will make you look thinner. A-line kamizes will always look flattering on you and hide large hips. It’s such a blessing they are in fashion. Find jeans that are low rise and boot-cut, they will make your legs look longer. And the magic word — Heels! The taller, you look, the slimmer you appear to be.

And remember no outfit is complete without a smile. You make the outfit look good, not the other way round. Own it, beautiful!

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th,  2011.