Few secrets that will help you appear at least one size smaller
So you’ve worked out for six months, but still haven’t reached your target weight? Stylist Ekta Rajani shares her tricks-of-the-trade to help you hide the bulge and flaunt the assets. Ladies, queue-up shape-wise
PEAR-SHAPED
Your upper body isn’t much of a problem, but you’d like to take attention away from the hips and waist (to a lesser extent).
Rajani says:
• Try straight-cut jeans, but not tapered cigarette pants.
• In skirts, go for soft fabrics such as medium-weight crepes, lycra-blends, corduroys, etc, that fit well on the hips and fall gently away with only a hint of a flare.
• Sit the pants or skirts under the navel. Opt for clean waist-bands, sans pleats which add bulk.
• Widen the neckline of tops and kurtas with boat or cowl necks or off-shoulders.
Experiment with details such as dualtoned embroidery, gathers, smocking at the shoulders etc. These jazz up your outfit and draw attention upwards. • In dresses, the empire line camouflages hips. Choose a length based on your leg-shape. • Dress in different shades of the same colour family (such as blue and greens); too many coloured separates will only highlight the hips.
APPLE-SHAPED
If you have a heavier upper body, you’re apple-shaped. The waist and hips are your biggest problem and you need to lengthen your upper body and accentuate your lower body and legs.
Rajani says
• Cigarette or slim pants direct attention downwards to your more slender side. Keep the pants simple with no gathers, waistbands, pleats or pockets that direct attention to the waist.
• Try pencil-skirts which add length.
• Don’t buy over-sized tops and kurtas, yet ensure they aren’t figure hugging. Straight cuts are best. Your tops should end either just below the hip or at mid-hip level.
• V- necks, wide necks, surface details that run vertically elongate the neckline and make your torso look slimmer.
PLEASANTLY PLUMP
If you’re well-endowed all over. Don’t reject it; work with it.
Rajani says
• Stand in front of a mirror and be completely honest. Give yourself credit by identifying the areas could be accentuated. Now build a wardrobe that has individual pieces that enhance your focal point(s).
• Wear sleeveless shirts if you have well toned arms.
• Keep a clean well-fitting shoulder line to look leaner.
• Experiment with different printed fabrics for tops such as prints. In bottoms, opt for medium-weight fabrics.
• Accessorise by focusing only on one area. When wearing a beautiful necklace, let that be the centre of attention.
TIPS FOR EVERYONE
• While hem-lengths depend on the season, knee-length is a classic. Any woman, of any height, can carry it off.
• Invest in at least one great fitting, crisp shirt in white, black or just your favourite colour. • No outfit is complete without accessories. Every season, invest in at least two bags.
• Stop slouching and stand tall and you’ll make a great impression, irrespective of your body-type.
