MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style ArticleVolume 7 Week 46November 15, 2012

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The Best Styles to Slim Your Waist

Some things in life are inevitable...like taxes and getting older.

Another thing that happens as we age...we gain a little extra jiggle around our middle! Between dealing with an over-scheduled life and natural shifts in our hormones; before we know it...we end up with a waistline that has expanded!

What's a SYSter to do when she wants to look fabulous...yet worries about hiding an undefined waistline?

What is the best way to dress when your waistline has become somewhat undefined? Should you continue to squeeze into what you've always worn or hide under something loose and baggy? The correct answer is NEITHER of these. Both are poor dressing options for women with undefined waists. Both will make you look bigger than you really are. Wearing the right clothing styles is the answer!

The right clothing styles will enhance your shape...even if you have added some weight in your mid-section...

Jones New York Sport Pintucked Peplum Top (sizes s-xl)

Your “new” shape requires a new approach to dressing...

Our bodies have certainly changed since our young teen years—and therefore our style must change too. We can’t use the same style-sense we once relied on. My clients and my MSP SYSters realize they need to dress for their body types—but many of them are also concerned about how to dress for an undefined waist. It's a BIG dressing dilemma for many women--and this week we tackle it head on!

What are the recommended styles? For starters, I always recommend fabulous fitting jeans. Every woman feels her best when she has a sassy pair of jeans she can rely on! Since jeans are a wardrobe staple for so many women...be sure yours fit you well. A WIDER waistband and in a style that has just the right amount of stretch is best.

Wearing great fitting jeans that “lift and tuck” are expensive…but they are so much cheaper than a tummy tuck, LOL! Invest in a pair of jeans that will smooth over all your curves…you’ll be glad you did.

My favorite denims for slimming the “tummy” are:

NYDJ "Hayden" Straight-Leg Jean (2-16) w/ Lift and Tuck Technology

Think about these dressing tips every time you dress:

1. Dress in ways that help you look more balanced (hourglass shape)

2. Dress to minimize your mid-torso

3. Wear styles that “give” you a hint of waist definition

4. Use a full-length mirror to help you assess which styles are best

DO’s & DON’TS FOR UNDEFINED WAISTS:

Purge the Pleats. First off, pleats are outdated–and even when they do come back in style, it’s still a DON’T for SYSters with undefined waists. Pleats are extra fabric at your waist...and trust me, you don’t want the extra poof right there!

DON’T wear pleated pants!

Tuck in your shirt—or not? For the most part, the answer is leave your shirt untucked. A tucked-in shirt creates a horizontal line right through your middle of your torso…bringing attention right where you DON’T want it.

BAD STYLE: Boxy fit + colored belt adds a horizontal line right at your waist

GOOD STYLE: Dark color + body skimming top

DO choose button-down shirts that are:

Semi-fitted with stretch (and in a busy pattern)

Coldwater Creek Burnout Shaped Shirt (petites, misses, womens)

YOUR SHIRTS SHOULD BE: No longer than 1” past your hipbone Avoid long lengths that cut your body in 2 halves (check shirt length in mirror)

Want coffee with your muffin top? NO! A “muffin top” is the roll or bulge created around your middle when the waist of your pants or skirt is too tight for you.

Find the right SIZE (and style) so you don’t have this problem. Most important—wear MID-RISE pants! Avoid pleats, drawstring pants, and gathered skirts. Wear simple, flat and smooth pants and skirts for your best look.

DON’T let your flesh “muffin” over the top of your pants...

(These pants below are too low and too tight)

DO wear the right pant rise. Mid-rise pants give just enough “rise” to your pant and gives the illusion of a waist (even if yours isn’t totally there). You must get the right FIT though. Nothing baggy or too tight (the right size will hold you in correctly). Also, pants with a thicker waistband and/or side zip usually are best for smoothing over tummies.

These classic pants don’t create “muffin tops”....I promise!

CC Studio Holly Pant (petites, misses, womens)

DON’t wear high-rise pants because they “engulf” the whole tummy area making it look larger.

DO wear boot-cut styles to help balance out your fuller torso. (Also try flare styles —unless you are petite, then stick w/ straighter-cut styles)

DON’T wear high-waist pants like these!!!

Don’t confuse the issue. Don’t let others think you might be pregnant by wearing a style that could be confused with maternity wear! The empire waist (shirt or dress that is fitted under the bust) is a “maybe” style for you. Some empire waist shirts are too baggy and look like maternity tops (definitely not good when you’re NOT pregnant!)

Too much fabric says “maternity”…

DO look for empire waists that are slim cut. You want body skimming “A-lines” styles. It may take some trying on to find the right cut that is not too baggy.

An empire-waist style is a good style because it highlights under the bosom--one of the smallest areas on a woman’s body. This classic LBD is surprisingly quite flattering!

A raised empire waist, a semi-fitted style, an A-line silhouette are all your style “BFF’s”...

Dillards Ralph Lauren Gathered Empire Waist Dress (2-18)

DO minimize your middle by wearing a stylish blouson! A blouson top has extra fabric in the middle with a band at the hemline. The fabric “poofs” out then goes in with the bottom band.

A blouson top is a style that “gives the appearance” of a waist...

Dillards Adrianna Papell Sequin Blouse (s-xl)

PLUS SIZE: Beautiful blouson top for the holidays...

Dillards Adrianna Papell Woman Blouse (1x-3x)

DO wear flattering necklines! Any day you wear a v-neck instead of a crewneck is a more stylish day for YOU!

Get rid of *crew necklines (that cut you off at the neck) and wear “V-necks” instead! V-necklines are figure-friendly because they cut-down the size of a larger bosom; they also bring attention AWAY from the lower torso and up towards the face.

This angling “V” shape goes from wide on top, downward toward your waist—it mimics an hourglass shape! How great is that? Go “V-necks”—GO ME!

CREW NECKLINE VS. V-NECKLINE

*Crew necklines. Of course you are going to have some crewnecks for layering pieces + you can layer a statement necklace over the top of them and create visual interest at the upper neck area (away from the mid-section).

DO draw attention elsewhere. If you don’t want to bring attention to your waistline--downplay that area as much as possible. Keep details to a minimum throughout your torso by wearing darker matte colors on your mid-section. Avoid bright or shiny fabrics and choose dark matte fabrics instead. Draw attention to other parts of your body by wearing bright or interesting accessories other places (like bright shoes and handbags or necklaces and earrings).

Layering tanks in dark, matte colors are best for minimizing your middle…

Dillards Tahari Sleeveless Drapeneck Blouse (s-xl)

DO play up what you love. Like your shapely lower legs? Show them off with a skirt ruffled at the hemline. Or draw the eye upward with a beautiful eye-catching necklace, or bring attention to your face with dangly earrings.

Divert eyes elsewhere…

CC Tweed A-line Gored Skirt (p,m,w)

Twinkling Drop Earrings

Show off your pretty shoulders… Everyone notices “exposed” skin!

The Limited Jeweled Halter (on sale)

DO pick a handbag that can make you look slimmer! Think about where your purse hits on your body. With a full torso, your purse should be right under your armpit (unless you have a full bust) Do not carry a handbag that stops at the fullest part of your waistline. A hand-held satchel handbag is the best option. Simply carry a stylish satchel in the crook of your arm.

Betsey Johnson Cheetah Satchel

Can you BELT it??? Yes, you should give it a go…and here’s how...

Tread carefully with bulky sweaters and wide belts (like below). They are hard to pull off when your waist is undefined….

DON’T ADD BULK (even this “stick thin” model looks thick around the middle)

If you want to wear a belt, wear a THINNER belt 1” or less (even better if the belt matches the sweater/shirt color)

You don’t need to be a ‘Skinny Minnie’ to wear a belt!

Wear a thin belt that gives you a “hint” of waist definition...that’s you want!

Try a belt “peeking” out from under a jacket or sweater…

Find several flattering styles...then work ‘em! Look for styles that “work” for your body shape!

__Look for tops and sweaters with ruching (gathers on the sides) __Wear patterns (prints) to help disguise an undefined waist__Go with dark matte fabrics__Draw attention elsewhere & away from your waistline

When your shirt has gathers, it hides the “rolls” that you normally feel self-conscious about— now wear it in a DARK busy print and you’re looking fabulous and feeling more style confident!

A dark print wrap top with side ruching will do the trick every time!

Coldwater Creek Vine Mesh Wrap Top (misses, womens)

DON’T wear “high waters”! Pants too short throw off your proportions—making you look unbalanced and heavier. Not a good look for someone trying to minimize and balance their shape/torso!

The longer your legs look, the leaner your body appears…end of story. Wear your pant length long for the leanest look. (Add a slight heel for the best look)

Grab a jacket!!! Jackets are “style tools” that make your body appear in more in proportion. The right jacket can help with arm and shoulders that are too large or slim, a full bust, or a small bust AND most importantly help cleverly disguise your undefined waist!

Choose a jacket that curves in at the waist and has a little flare at the bottom (peplum style) to create the illusion of an hourglass figure. Jackets should also have princess seams.

The embroidery lines at the waist give the appearance of waist definition…

Casual Living Jacquard Trim Jacket

The best jacket length is usually around the mid-hip. Anything too long shortens your height (making you look thicker and shapeless). Try on different lengths on (in front of a full-length mirror) and see what I mean. Find your BEST jacket length and remember it!!!

This jacket has the right length + nice structure to make your waist appear more defined!

Coldwater Creek Short Peplum Blazer-2 colors (petites, misses)

Sorry, hiding doesn’t work. You can’t run for cover and under large boxy clothes—sorry! Besides, your authentic style doesn’t work when your clothes are shapeless and unappealing. Wearing body-skimming clothes—no matter your size or shape is the way to go.

Look for shirts and jackets with structure… Enhance your natural curves—don’t “hide” them because that tactic is NOT working! It’s all in the details and FIT. Look for princess seams. These vertical stitched in seams do wonders for a gal’s figure! Make them work for you.

Think mid-weight. Look for mid-weight fabrics with nice draping. Fabrics like stretch cotton-blend poplins, mid-weight jerseys, etc. Avoid anything too clingy or thin shows too much and heavy stiff fabrics do nothing for your feminine shape either.

Stop! Before you walk out that door! Check your silhouette in a full-length mirror. Look at what you are wearing from head to toe. Make sure you are taking

your proportions into account; avoid anything from stopping at your widest body part(s).

Before walking out the door: Check your complete look from head to toe….

Remember, you will always look your best when you dress to define your waist. Even if it’s only a “hint” of waist definition, it’s a style DO every time.

Love, Leslie MSP

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