Look slimmer instantly – just by bringing the bust and hips into line

Gok Wan says that the majority of fashion is designed for an hourglass shape> do you know what – he is right! Fashion is designed to fit around curves and create the illusion of a perfectly proportioned body i.e. an Hourglass shape. If you look ‘in proportion’ you instantly look slimmer and toned. It’s when one part of the body looks ‘out of proportion’ that draws attention to that larger or smaller area.

In Photo A – the bust looks smaller and the hips and middle therefore look larger, because the bra the lady is wearing is creating that out of kilter proportion.

In Photo B – the bust has been ‘lifted up and out’ bringing the bust and hips into line and proportion with each other.  This instantly makes the top half and bottom half look in synch and therefore slimmer and younger!

So what does ‘bringing the body into line’ mean?

The key focus areas are bust, waist and hips. The distance between the 3 and the difference in width is actually what creates the curves. All shapes are created according to these 3 points.

Kim Kardashian as a natural hourglass has her bust and hips in line with each other. If you look at the white dress, the side of the bust and the hip will actually be in line with each other and mirror the shape of each other. This is a perfect example of bringing the body into line. The shadow created by the bust ‘hides’ the side of the body and enhances the hourglass shape.

There are some key secrets for body shapes: If you look at the drawings you will see what role the bra needs to play to bring the bust and hips into line with each other, making you look slimmer instantly.

 

Apple needs shape. The fullest point needs to sit halfway between the elbow and shoulder as this positions the bust in line with the hips and ensures clothes sit less tightly on the midriff, meaning less cling around the tummy area.

Athletic shape needs to keep smooth lines and a sleek shape. Avoid push up bras, you don’t need enhancing but a bra that ‘creates’ the fullest point itself.

 

 

 

Pears need to lift and shape the bust to bring the bust into line with the hips. This instantly makes you look slimmer and younger.

And finally

 

 

The hourglass – when the bust and hips are inline, the waist is more defined, the body looks longer and slimmer and neither the bust or hips look large ………. whatever the clothes size.

Author: Sara O’Regan Founder of Bra Sense Ltd

www.brasense.co.uk

What’s In Your Closet – We Asked Four Denim Experts For A Peek Into Their Closet.

lovejeans asks four very different business women, all with one common goal, to dress the women of the world in great fitting denim … “what’s in your closet?”

We find out how these four denim aficionados like to style their denim and which styles work for their different body shapes. Making their life’s obsession their life’s work, we get an exclusive peek into their past, present and favourite jeans. 

CLICK & VIEW

Edited by Sam Remer ( ilovejeans denim expert)

Related articles

• Ultimate Fall 2011 Denim Guide (collegecandy.com)

Pear Or Hourglass? What’s The Difference?

This post was inspired by an email from a reader questioning why an hourglass was included in the pear shape catagory on the ilovejeans.com body shape tool. She felt that her hourglass body shape had nothing to do with a pear shape.

Pear or Hourglass?

Right let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the two body shapes…

Pear ( Left) Hourglass (Right)

Pear : Your hips are slightly wider than your shoulders with a slim upper body, smaller bust, broadening to a fullness in the hip, bottom & thigh area. A high percentage of women in the UK fall into this body shape. Pears can be all sizes, petite to plus size.

Hourglass: Your hips & bust are about the same size with your waist being approx 10″ smaller, with a fuller bottom. The interesting factor with an hourglass is that an overweight pear can fall into this body shape ( putting weight on the top half as well on the bottom).

You can see in the body shapes above the top half is the difference in a pear & hourglass. Gok Wan often mentions that clothing manufacturers and dress makers still design to an hourglass manniquin shape. When it comes to dressing the bottom half of a pear or hourglass in jeans, the formula is the same.

As a stylist with 20 years experience, I have dressed many women with different body shapes and the constant challenge is to get them fitted into jeans suitable for their shape.

What’s the problem?:

Finding a style that fits on the waist and on the hips is the difficulty. Often a pair of jeans in a bigger size is purchased to house the hips & bottom but the waist is too big and gapes at the small of the back. This is a common problem for both pear & hourglass and the only answer to get around the gape is to follow the rules….

5 Curvy Girl Rules To Follow:

#1:Choose a higher rise jean. The rise is the measurement from the top of the waistband down to the bottom of the crotch seam. A higher rise jean sits comfortably below your belly button covering your bottom & hip area.

b: Find the best rise for you: With your jeans on take a tape measure and measure from the crotch seam up to two fingers below your belly button. This will give you the measurement of the rise that will be comfortable for you. Or if you don’t have a tape measure use a ribbon or a piece of string. Take this shopping with you and use it as a guide when picking out jeans to try on.

#2: Always choose a style with at least 1% Lycra mix in the fabric content ( you can check on the label inside the jean). This is important for comfort and for keeping shape. Lycra & Elastane do the same job. I have found jeans with a Cotton, Polyester & Lycra mix keep the best shape.

#3: Choose a wider waistband. Perfect for sitting on the hip & the smallest part of your waist. Often a wider waistband sits higher on the back, so no knickers showing.

#4: Look to balance out your curves. When choosing a leg shape opt for a boot cut, wide leg or kickflare to balance out your curves. If you’re hankering for a skinny style, go for a straight leg rather than a skinny style but remember keep the rise high!

#5: Do your homework. There are a handful of denim brands & retailers that specifically have styles for ladies with curves. Check them out as they were created for you…

FITQUEENS TOP PICKS OF JEANS FOR PEAR & HOURGLASS

GAP CURVY NYDJ SALSA SECRET

PAIGE LEVIS CURVE ID GAP CURVY

KAREN MILLEN MINT VELVET MINT VELVET

For more information Click Here for the Measuring Guide.

Author: Sam Remer – Denim Expert ilovejeans.com

Knickers! How To Get Them Right!

Any item of clothing will only look right if your underwear foundation is right in terms of your profile, shape and fit. We’ve seen it with bras and it’s important to recognise that same is equally true for your bottom half. If your knickers aren’t right for you, your shape will be distorted and squeeze out in all the wrong places, rather than give you the flattering smooth shape that is your best foundation. We all know about muffin tops and those little rolls and bulges that creep up around the middle. 99% of women will have these to some degree if they are wearing the incorrect underwear. And yes …….. I am going to use that word again – shape! Because, again shape is just as important as size.

Most brands will produce a matching bra and bottoms set and most ladies will buy them because they match each other. But do they match you? The low rise thong, hipster brief and shorty are the fashion favourites of the moment. The only problem is that we are not all the same and these particular styles don’t match the nation’s actual bodyshapes!

So, when buying knickers, there are two keys points to bear in mind:

1) Size: Always buy a size larger than you think you are. This might sound wrong, but it’s about you and not the size label manufacturers choose to put on clothes, just to make you feel better. So, if you are a size 8 in clothes- buy a 10 in underwear. If you’re a size 12, then buy a 14. Why? Underwear usually uses elastic around the waist and the legs, effectively tightening the advertised size. The secret is that one or even two sizes larger will flatter you. People love to see smooth shape. They don’t love bulges and rolls. Where are the ‘fullest’ points of most women? They are around the waist and around the legs. It isn’t the brief size that needs to fit you but the elasticated top and legs. True, elastic does stretch: it is the stretching in too small a size that causes the rolls and bulges. So forget is there enough fabric and think are the elasticated legs and the top wide enough to fit me without cutting in? Take control! Be proud of who you are.

2) Next – Know your Shape: Look honestly at your shape. Compare the 4 shapes below. Look at the shape and length of your body – look at your hips. Where is the widest part? If you are – athletic – the knicker doesn’t need to sit as deep as it does for an hourglass. Why? Because the bum and tum are much flatter with an athletic body, meaning they are not as deep. An Apple needs to make sure the knicker sits around the fullest part of the tummy without digging in as does a pear.

Athletic

Athletic-suits most styles of briefs. Stick to shorts and low rise for Jeans. VPL free for tight fitting clothes

Pear

Pear:Important to recognise where your widest point is. Always sit knickers above the widest point and ensure the elastic is not too tight. Make sure the sides are deep enough and don’t dig in to the hips/thighs especially under tighter clothing.  General rule: buy a size larger than your dress size.

Hourglass

Hourglass: ensure the knickers are sitting above the widest point at the front and back! High leg, thongs and high rise are ideal for hourglass shapes.

Apple

Apple: Size is key! The tummy area is the fuller area so always always ensure elastic isn’t digging in and creating a buldge. Choose stretch fabrics that control and have depth at the front and back.

The fitqueens guide to not getting you knickers in a twist….

Midistyles: All about the size! Great for athletic and pear shapes as they don’t sit too high – reflecting the waistband of jeans, trousers, skirts etc. Pear shapes – buy one size larger than your normal dress size- remember to fit the largest points!

Full brief style: Becoming popular again and great for under dresses where smoothness around the middle is essential. Great for hourglass shapes and apple shapes. Apple shapes will need to look closely at size. If the elastic digs in, go up a size! They offer smooth line support and shape. With Hourglass they will give you the smooth lines – that accentuate your waist and not the bulges and rolls. With apple shapes they will hold the tummy area and create smooth lines.

Short brief styles: Becoming an essential for under leggings, denim and shorts– ensure smooth lines over the bum and tops of legs. For hourglass, apple and pear shapes– look at high rise rather than low rise. For athletic – stick to low rise, especially when worn with separates.

Bikinis: Size is key! Generally great for atheletic builds. For other shapes, look at an alternative such as shorts,Midi or high legs.

High leg: Suit hourglass and pear. The key is  to make sure elastic doesn’t dig into leg.

Thongs: Avoid low rise if you aren’t an athletic build. The sides will be too narrow and dig into the thighs! For pear and hourglass, always choose highwaisted and always a size larger.

Brazilian: Becoming a popular choice and like shorts, are greatfor most shapes. Size is key-apple and hourglass, make sure the pant is deep enough and the elastic doesn’t cut in. Look at size – don’t be afraid to go up two sizes if needed.

CLICK HERE: Marks and Spencers Knicker Shape Guide

Author: Sara O’Regan

Founder of www.brasense.co.uk

Source: M&S Knicker Guide

GET YOUR BEST DENIM FIT AT M&S ONLINE, TOP PICKS FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE.

GET THE LOOK : INDIGO COLLECTION

SHOP FOR YOUR SHAPE AT MARKS & SPENCER

What’s your body shape? When searching for jeans the goal is getting a great fit. Knowing your body shape is key and will determine which style of leg will suit your shape. This is the foundation for great fitting jeans. Everything else follows on from here. Shopping for jeans with M&S online has never been so easy follow ilovejeans tips below to get your best denim fit! Click here to find your body shape:

ILOVEJEANS PICKS: M&S DENIM

Boyish/ Athletic Your upper and lower body are in proportion to each other with a small bust. Skinny, straight & jeggings are ideal for your bodyshape.

Pear Your hips are slightly wider than your shoulders with a slim upper body, smaller bust, broadening to a fullness in the hip and thigh area. Boot cut, wide leg, kickflare & boyfriend are ideal for your body shape.

Hourglass Your bust and hips are the same size, with the waist being around 10 in. smaller. Boot cut, wide leg, kickflare & boyfriend are ideal for your body shape.

Apple You hold most of your weight in your upper body, tummy area and bust. Your bottom is flat with slim legs. Straight leg, skinny – (not too skinny), crop are ideal for your body shape.

Posted by Sam Remer Founder of ilovejeans.com

Love J Brand Jeans? Find Out Which Style Suits Your Shape!

J Brand don’t follow trends, they set them. From creating the blockbuster Houlihan beloved by fashion insiders and A-listers alike, to re launching the iconic Love Story kick flare just in time for the Seventies revival they get it right. Every time! These are the styles that will be revolutionising your wardrobe this season. All now available at my-wardrobe.com there really is a style for all body shapes! Find out yours….

Love Story my-wardrobe say’s: Thank you , thank you J Brand – you brought them back! The Love Story returns this season and we couldn’t be happier. Bottom-sculpting and leg-lengthening, its kick flare design has Seventies styling sorted. A front row favourite. ilovejeans say’s The Love Story is a perfect style for an hourglass & pear body shape. Moscow Blue Love Story £230 Pure Love Story, £230

The Houlihan my-wardrobe say’s: Since launching into the fashion stratosphere last summer, the Houlihan is still the A-list’s most popular style for off-duty dressing. Our first lot sold out in record time but with a fresh batch of new washes and colours for this season, you too can be a Houli-fan. ilovejeans say’s :The Houlihan is a good all rounder for long & leggy, apple, petite, hourglass & pear. Olympia Skinny Cargo, £295 West Point Houlihan Skinny Cargo Pants, £245 Houlihan Low-rise Skinny Cargo Jeans, £245

The Agnes my-wardrobe say’s The Agnes is the Houli’s streamlined sister – and it’s no less popular! With statement zips on the ankle and pockets (slanted for maximum figure flattery) and a mid rise waist, the Agnes is the stealth wardrobe favourite. Follow Palermo’s lead and step into the coated ones for a glossy rock chick vibe. ilovejeans say’s strickly Long & leggy, petite & apple shape style. Black Agnes Zipper Jean, £240 Agnes Zipper Jean, £240 Agnes Zipper Coated Skinny Jean, £295

The Gigi my-wardrobe say’s: Cropped and bootcut – the Gigi shouldn’t work, but it does. And oh so well! Surprisingly flattering (trust us), the Gigi is the most ladylike denim around. Right now, nothing says spring like a pair of white ones. ilovejeans say’s: such a great shape and works again for all due to the crop n flare. Long & leggy, apple, petite, hourglass & pear. Gigi Twill, £175 Gigi White, £175

The Kiki Super Flare my-wardrobe say’s: This is the summer of all things Seventies and J Brand have done their homework – these high-waisted bell bottoms are just the ticket for working that Charlie Girl look. Just add a blouse and wedges for Farrah style a go-go. All hail the super flare. ilovejeans say’s This style has a 24 inch flare, so a fantastic style to balance out a curvacious hourglass & pear or give even more height to long & leggy. Kiki Super Flare, £226

The Earhart my-wardrobe say’s: The new kid on the block, the Earhart is causing mass fashion hysteria…and only just arrived! Named after and inspired by the iconic American aviatrix Amelia Earhart, these are an updated version on the classic flight pant. Come fly with us! ilovejeans say’s: with a 24 inch leg length this style looks great on both petite and long & leggy as the leg can be ruched up. The Earhart cuffed pilot trouser £265

STYLING TIPS: my-wardrobe’s Four Ways To Wear The J Brand Earhart Aviator Trousers...read here GET THE SKINNY ON J BRAND: CLICK HERE to read about the super brand and view all J Brand styles.