Your body shape tends to be broader on top. You have fairly broad shoulders, a bust, a bit of a tummy and a slimmer bottom and hips with slimmer legs. Your bust is often a similar size to your waist or larger. Sometimes you can become a wineglass around the time of the menopause. It can also happen in puberty. Wine Glasses and Apples tend to be the most body conscious.
Your Clothing Mistakes
You are likely conscious of your body and waistline and feel somewhat uncomfortable with anything that shows off your middle. When women have one area of their bodies that they are unhappy with, they tend to try and find the baggiest of clothing to cover it up. This would be a disaster for you! The worst thing you could do is to cover up your waist and drown your bust in something baggy like a puffa jacket! Long loose tops or shift dresses are best avoided. It will make you look straight up and down with no shape. Avoid clingy T-shirts because they will only cling where you do not want them to, and large T-shirts will not help either. When buying anything in tops or jackets, avoid anything baggy, puffy and shapeless. Tops with a high neck are a no no. Another common mistake to avoid is wearing men’s jeans, hoodies or T-shirts to cover up your shape. You will only make it worse! Avoid brighter shades on your top half and keep them for your bottom half and to enhance those wonderful legs! Avoid wide leg tracksuit bottoms, shift style dresses, chunky knitwear, double breasted jackets, puffa jackets and slashed necklines.
Your Best Choices
Your best assets are your legs. Next time you are out, go and get a proper bra fitting because we want to draw the bust away from your tummy area and support it accordingly. Over time, the bra straps can stretch so make sure you replace them if they do. Choose tops in a wrap over style that separate your breasts and preferably come in under the bust which is the smallest part of your middle area. A style you can invest in is empire line tops. These are styles that have a horizontal line directly under the bust. Choose something that fits nicely around the bust, goes in underneath and then gently flares away skimming over your tummy area. Also, make sure it is long enough to finish just below your trouser or skirt waistband. Patterns will draw the eye in different directions and a V neck worn with a long necklace works well too. If you are worried about your arms, choose sleeves that skim them and do not cling.
Select tailored, slim cut straight trousers and jeans in a medium to low waist. Skirts with panelling around the waist that gently flare out will work well for you. Choose darker colours on your top half if they are close to your body or patterns and brighter shades if you prefer on the bottom half. Alternatively, choose a dark top and trousers with a long coat or lightweight cardigan worn open in a lighter shade, this will draw the eye downwards creating length. Flowy dresses that are fitted over and just under your bust then flow out in an A-line will suit your shape. Avoid chunky and heavy shoes.
Select a jacket that has a deep V-neck and can be drawn in at the waist. Find blazers with one or two buttons, single breasted in a fitted waisted style. Oversized and boxy shapes will do you no favours. Darker colours would work best. Avoid boxy, classic style denim or bomber jackets.
Choose tops with an empire line under the bust area that loosely skims over the waist. The slimmest part of your body is under your bust, so we want your top to draw in here, and then gently flare out over your stomach. Avoid anything that gathers or flares dramatically though because it will only make the problem worse. Avoid anything with padded shoulders or puffy sleeves. When choosing a T-shirt, select one with a V-neck that skims slightly over the stomach. You will have to make sure the top is long enough to enable you to do this. Make sure the sleeves are comfortable enough not to cut into your arms. T-shirts that are ruched around the middle would work well for you. Softly draped sleeves are another option.
Choose a blouse that has a line that goes in under your bust. A V-neck that finished at the bust will draw the eye down. Avoid three quarter length sleeves and choose longer ones if possible because that will lengthen your body. A wide double cuff will draw the eye down. Avoid puffed sleeves and shoulder pads. A shirt that closes at the side, or only buttons up to the bust then opening into a deep V will also work best for your shape. Alternatively, wear tailored shirts open at the neck.
Avoid loose, long and chunky knitwear and select cardigans and jumpers that are lightweight. When choosing jumpers, a fitted V-neck that skims over your tummy is preferable. Alternatively, try to find a cardigan with a V-neck that buttons to the bust or a wrap style.
If choosing a swimming costume, select one that supports and separates the bust. Low leg swimwear would work best. Support swimming costumes are available that have ruching around the stomach; these would be ideal if you are conscious about your tummy.
Choose a coat that finishes just below the knee if you are taller and above the knee if shorter. A fitted coat with either a V open neck collar would work best on you. If you wear it open, it will give you length drawing the eye down slicing your body downwards in three. A simple, tonal pattern will draw attention to the coat and away from your middle. Choose one that is in a different shade to the clothes you are wearing. You can also create a defined waist by wearing a coat that comes in at the waist then gently flares out.
Dresses that either have a deep V to the bust or scoop neck with an empire line will work best for you. You want the dress to come into the body just under the bust, then gently skim over your stomach flowing outwards slightly. Avoid anything too frilly or fancy. If you are short, have dresses that finish just above the knee, if taller you can have them below the knee. Look for gentle sleeves or those that skim your arms rather than cling to them. Wrap dresses will also work well for you alongside a gentle fit and flare style.
Try to find a skirt that is fitted around the hip area and then gently floats out into an Aline. A skirt with a that falls into panelling then flares out would work well on your shape.
With trousers, they should always be flat fronted (no pleats) . Select a pair that fit comfortably over your hips, thighs and bottom and then drape in a slim style straight down to the floor. If you find some that fit well, it is worth having them altered to the correct length. If you struggle to find a pair, it is worth buying a few or having copies made by a good tailor when you find trousers that work for you. Trousers that close at the side will avoid you adding extra bulkiness to your tummy. In regards to jeans, choose a slim cut but avoid skinny jeans as they will make you look top heavy.
In the winter, when selecting boots, choose those that sit just below the knee. If you like heals, choose shapely but sturdy styles because they will balance you out better than stilettos or block heels will. Sandals with straps and shaped heels will work for you too.
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