Where Should You Draw The Line?

Answer: Never across your widest point!
Welcome to the first of my occasional series of Style Hints.
Human beings come in so many different shapes and sizes, and few of us are lucky enough to have a perfect silhouette!
So what can we do to minimise those aspects of our figure which we feel are less than ideal?
Well, we can avoid drawing attention to them for a start.
For many women, the hips can be a problem area, and this doesn't necessarily have anything to do with excess weight - it may just be that your torso and shoulders are naturally slender and narrower than your hip bones.

So you should avoid choosing a top and trousers/skirt in contrasting colours, and don't allow your top to finish at the hip line. If you do, you are 'drawing a line' across your widest point.. which just makes it look wider.
The eye is drawn to the point where the contrasting colours meet, so wider hips become more noticeable - the last thing you want! Try to make sure that your top finishes above or below the hips.

Red Stud T-shirt  www.evans.co.uk 

In the same way, if you are large-busted, you should avoid short sleeves which end level with your bust - you are creating a visually widened line across your torso which will make your bust look bigger than it really is.

Go for sleeveless, cap sleeve or 3/4 length sleeve styles instead.

Of course for those whose hips are very narrow, or who are small-busted, and want to visually increase the width/size of these areas, drawing some  horizontal lines across them will help you!

What should I do if I am a bit 'pear-shaped'? 

The solution is actually to add width at your shoulders to visually balance your hips.
Wider, 'bateau' necklines, or detailing like military-style epaulettes at the shoulder seam are a great idea.
Gathering at the shoulder seam, or a dropped shoulder seam (positioned over the top of the arm) is also useful to add the illusion of width.

Should you avoid stripes? Not necessarily - it's how they are positioned on the body which makes all the difference as to where the eye is drawn........

Sonia Rykiel Fair Isle Knit 

Pepe Jeans Striped Jumper

Where do you find yourself focusing when you look at each of these differently striped jumpers?
Look for some horizontal stripes across your shoulders!
Or, consider a colourful pashmina around your shoulders. It has the dual advantage of
- adding volume to balance you
-  lifting the eye up towards your face and away from those areas you'd rather people didn't dwell on!
(Both knitwear pieces are from www.asos.com)

Use colour and patterns to get people looking where you want them to - at your best bits!
If you'd like some help with colour or style to start building a personal image you feel really happy with, then do get in touch!
Best wishes
Cass