The other day I brought up the question, “Does this make me look fat?”, along with three considerations: form, fit, and focal point.
Form, aka silhouette. The thing to remember is simply that the most slenderizing look is going to be one that fits with your natural shape. I use a system which splits into 6 body types, but “lumpers” could cut the types down to 2: Trinny and Susannah
Recognizing a good fit is simple, as well. Vertical lines on the garment mean it is too big. Horizontal lines on the garment, too small.
And the most basic principle of this blog, and where I differ from the experts: your focal point should always be your face.
This picture illustrates all three. It also shows how flattering dark colors, subtly patterned can be, as opposed to solid black, which shows up so boldly against most backgrounds that it emphasizes the outline.
Anticipating Karen’s concern, as well as others who live in warm climates, I found this for you: What Not to Wear’s Trinny and Susannah, for Oprah, on Dress Slimmer This Summer.
Enjoy!
Alright… you’re just going to have to come to El Paso and take me shopping for my new summer wardrobe.
Though as we well know, I’m not a “larger” size anymore – not really.
I’m actually mailing you some clothes this week. 😉
I love Trinny and Susannah and think they do an excellent job of finding fashion that fits a person rather than trends! You do a great job also Rebecca! I would also add (from the aforementioned experts…which I have all of their books by the way!) that another great way to dress thinner is find the thinnest part of you and show it off. Sometimes that is the wrist or ankle. On me, halter tops in the summer are super flattering on me because I have nice clavicle bones!! Sounds silly maybe, but true!
That probably explains why us “Trinny”s don’t look fabulous in capris. 😉
(I’m honored that you complimented me in the same paragraph with the WNTW Brits!)
I also find halter tops flattering. Do the ladies suggest reserving them for beach wear, like they do shorts? I presume so. One little pet peeve of mine is halter dresses to a wedding. When seated, and viewed from behind the pew or whatever, all these ladies are sitting there naked! (Maybe that’s okay for an outdoor wedding when it’s 100 degrees.)
Thanks for the tip, elleabelle!
This is all very good, but I think you need a real live fat person to model some of these concepts. I will send you some photos if you give me some direction! I was thinking of showing how light wash vs dark wash in jeans can really make a difference. Also structured vs. unstructured tops, esp. for those of us w/sloped shoulders. More ideas?
I would love to have a model!
Those ideas are both good. Others: the column effect, maybe different shapes of skirts for different body types (you could just model the one that people with your shape are the biggest offenders in, along with your best one), dark patterns vs stark black. I’m sure we can think of more, but it might be overwhelming.
Do you still have those two identical pairs of linen pants, one long and one cropped? If you do, that would be interesting. The short ones are okay, but the long ones are positively elegant on you.
Thanks. This will be fun!
Sadly, no, I don’t have the linen pants. That brand was a bad match for me. I lost four pair to rips in the seat (and not at the seam, the fabric just ‘gave way’ in the middle of the rear). And they were pricey. 🙁
I do have pics of myself in the green ones though. I will see what I can dig up in the next few weeks (per your suggestions above) and send them to you.
Remember…No pleated or tapered leg pants. Not ever. Not on anyone!!