Firstly, clothing sizes. This is a really grey area - I’m often a medium, but sometimes clothing lines which only specify ’small, medium or large’ are really quite dodgy and I end up a small.
The only thing you can really do is a) find a shop which sells these things and check there or b) if you’re buying online, check the returns policy on the website. If in doubt, and the site won’t let you return things, find a friend or a seamstress (or even yourself, if you know how) to take the item in for you.
The dresses and skirts question is equally tricky as despite being pear-shaped myself, I find some things suit me very well, and a different skirt in the same style but from a different shop looks terrible. As a general rule, stay away from anything that rides too low on the hips, go for a wide waistband and make sure it FITS. The last one is an absolute must, because no matter how many people tell you something will suit you, if it’s a size too small, or the zip sticks out, or the waistband won’t lie flat you will look terrible.
Your best bet to find out what suits YOU is to go shopping with an honest and well-dressed friend and just try on everything you like the look of.
You are not alone at all. So, what to wear if you are a ‘pear’? Trousers or skirts that emphasize your well defined waist area (softly pleated or flat-fronted). Try hipster trousers, as these will eliminate that gaping waist problem common to all pear shaped women. A-line skirts/wraps are by far the most flattering for ‘pears’ as they slim the hips and emphasize the smaller waist area. Short, tight skirts should be avoided as these will accentuate the tops of your thighs, and divert attention to that problematic area below the waist
Avoid light colored bottoms and stick to darker blues and browns which absorb the light
Tops should be fitted and focus the eye to your upper body (beautiful necklines, patterns and colors). They should not be baggy as these will cover your waist, and instead should finish at the top of your hips so that your waist is emphasized
Choose accessories (jeweler and scarves) that avert attention upward away from the hips and thighs.
If you’re in the majority you will be a classic British pear shape (carrying most your stored fat around the thigh, hip, and bottom area). Rest assured that you are not the only one who gets frustrated when trying on a pair of jeans that gape around the waist area and can barely squeeze past your hips and thighs. Given that 70% of British women fall in to this category it is surprising that manufacturers of jeans still haven’t cottoned on to the idea of making a well fitting pair of jeans for pear shaped women.
However in the mean time your best bet is to head straight for the clothing rail labeled ‘hipsters’. Hipsters are great in avoiding the gaping waist scenario we all hate, as they sit on your hips not the waist.
Any pair of jeans with a low-cut waistband will make your bottom look smaller. Make sure the jeans are boot-cut, as these styles will balance out heavier hips and thighs. Jeans should be dark - steer away from light colors and paler ‘washed look’ jeans as these will do you no favors. Finally don’t be tempted by denims containing stretchy materials such as Lycra as although these may seem more comfortable they will accentuate your problem areas below the waist by clinging to hips and thighs. Follow these guidelines and we think you will find your ‘pear-fact’ pair of jeans!
Author Info:
Victor Epand is an expert fashion consultant at http://www.LingerieDress.com/. Visit us when you want the best prices, styles, fashions, and fits of all types of lingerie. We carry a super selection of everyday, as well as bridal and specialty items.
Yellow and orange would be good colors. You want to use a yellow that is in the same intensity as the orange of the dresses. Burnt Orange sounds subdued. You are not going for a match with your dresses because that gives a very fake look. You want to coordinate the colors to go with the dresses.
There are many flowers that are yellow. Actually, since you are using silk flowers … you can dye flowers yellow and or orange with fabric dye. So if you can get white silk flowers … you can get your orange or yellow pretty easily.
Make sure to always wear gloves with using dyes. Follow package directions exactly for rinsing so the colors don’t rub off.
Use nice silk flowers. If they look nice to you up close … they should photograph well. Personally I think real flowers are less expensive than nice silks. But they are more difficult to use than silks and if you have allergies … can be a real problem.
Since the wedding is at 4 and the reception will be after 5 this means it will be more formal. Anything in the line of a cocktail type dress would be appropriate. If you are going to buy something, get something you will wear again, maybe to another holiday party. Black is always appropriate at this time of day. If you can’t find anything you like in a cocktail dress, look for something that you’d wear to church or out for a nice dinner. A skirt and dressy blouse or sweater would be appropriate as well.
Since its Nov. you can wear anything in the jewel tones, Royal Blue, Royal Purple, burgundy any of the deep rich colors, however stay away from red. You don’t want to draw attention away from the bride.
When you go dress shopping, tell the sales person what you need the dress for and they will be able to help you. Get something simple and you’ll use it again. Dress it up with a necklace and earrings. But above all, be comfortable.
If you are not sure in what season you are getting married here are some ideas that you could try. If it’s near fall, think browns, beiges and whites. If it’s more towards winter, think winter wonderland with varying shades of blue and white. Any shade of green would be appropriate — sage, celadon, etc.
You could also go with a light blue, and have a “snow and ice” theme — this is becoming very popular.
You could also choose champagne for your bridesmaids and have floral accents of red and green if you wanted to give a nod to the time of year. You can be as creative as you want with your theme. Colors are wonderfully tied in everywhere with invitations, flowers and favors.
A valentines wedding is always romantic! I would stick with your main colors, with gold or red colored favors to accent the flowers and hurricane lamps (which I do hope you will be lighting with candles!). The other rose color would be white or rich ivory, maybe with a touch of deep green foliage. Red and white are the color symbols of unity. The MOH’s red gown would look quite stunning with a bouquet of cream roses, maybe with an accent of red by sprinkling red crystals through the roses. Or a trailing red ribbon. Your flowers could be the opposite (red roses with clear diamante crystals)
Colors like baby blue, baby pink, lavender, lime green and lemon yellow. Actually all these colors would work together; however, I would add at least one more dramatic color, such as a deep pink or fuchsia. You need to create dramatic effect.
I don’t have any pictures of these colors; however, the best way to see them is to go to a hobby store that carries silk flowers. This way you can play with the colors to see how they will work together as well as possibly getting other ideas.
Start with the colors you’ve mentioned and try different “dramatic” colors such as deep purples, blues, yellows to see what you like the best then let your florist know. Also, your florist is a great resource as well for knowing colors, flowers etc.
There’s a wonderful magazine, which you can purchase at good book store. It’s WEDDING FLOWERS. It comes out once a year and has the flowers grouped in colors as well as wonderful additional ideas for combinations.
Author Info:
Victor Epand is an expert fashion consultant at http://www.LingerieDress.com/. Visit us when you want the best prices, styles, fashions, and fits of all types of lingerie. We carry a super selection of everyday, as well as bridal and specialty items.
Firstly, there are different weights of satin. Go for something nice and lightweight. The simpler cuts do tend to be made from lighter fabrics to add to the simplicity, they also hang better without looking too stiff.
Mermaid (or fishtail) style would be perfect. Go for a 1 piece gown as a 2 piece or separates can cut a figure in half. Also, look at the fitting of the skirt.
For a petite frame, go for a skirt that flares out from mid thigh at the lowest. This will make you look taller and balance your figure. They’re also easier to walk in! If you go for a flare which is lower, more towards the knee, this will make you look too ’rounded’ and can look stunting.
I would stick to a light satin as they hold their shape better. As chiffon is so light, the cut tends to be more fitted and may not hang right on a petite lady. If you find the satin look is too much, go for something with a delicate lace overlay.
Try some princess line gowns as well. These scoop in at the waist and flare out just above the hip. A gown with a gentle rather than fuller a-line skirt can be very flattering whilst hiding any lumps and bumps.
It’s great to hear that you want to show off your figure, I’ve seen many Brides hide behind big dresses and I think it’s a shame.
It is unusual and rare but I have seen other colors and I am not talking about off white. The dresses were just like a typical one but dyed to various colors or else just plain made with color material. I have seen pink, black and dark blue. I think there was one or two more but that is about it. It also makes me think of the time when the bride and her mother had matching dresses except the mothers was white and the bride was pink.
I’d recommend going for a one-piece with a ‘rushed’ waist. Mori Lee have a lovely dress style 5507 - this has a lace-up back for a bit more freedom and the rushed waist brings the waist in and gives you shape.
Try a top and skirt or a separates look dress with a boned bodice. These hold you in all in the right places. Sincerity does a nice one - look on their website and you’ll find a couple with the off-the-shoulder sleeves.
However, before you decide on a skirt and blouse(this may be a comfort thing with you), don’t rule out a wedding dress. There are some companies out there that do make all kinds of wedding dress to fit almost any size all you would have to do is look. Also, many bridal shops will be having sample sales as well.
Consider an “A”line dress. There are many styles that look good on someone who is petite. I don’t know what you consider “overweight”, but look on the internet by Signature Plus. This will give you an idea of styles. Depending on at time your wedding is will also dictate what you wear. If it’s early in the day, a skirt (long) and blouse would be okay, however, if it’s later in the day and reception is after 5pm, you really need something more formal.
Look up a good seamstress. Ask your local fabric store for recommendations and visit with her. They will be able to help you select a style that will look beautiful on you and you’ll feel comfortable wearing. You may also be able to spend less by having a dress made for you. If you haven’t visited any bridal shops yet, do, if only to try on some dresses and see how the style looks.
Author Info:
Victor Epand is an expert fashion consultant at http://www.LingerieDress.com/. Visit us when you want the best prices, styles, fashions, and fits of all types of lingerie. We carry a super selection of everyday, as well as bridal and specialty items.
Posted under
Fashion Tips by Joyce on April 1st, 2007 6:52 pm
By Donna Monday
Ladies, have you ever been in a department store dressing room
and talked yourself into buying an outfit that looked great –
on someone else?
Face it. If it doesn’t fit right in the dressing room, it won’t
fit well or look good when you wear it out in public. Here are
five quick and easy tips to remember when buying clothes that
look good and fit well on your body type.
Tip #1 – Stick to a Color Theme
Wear the same color from head to toe. This will create the
illusion of a long lean line. Neutral colors work best for this
effect: black, brown, camel or cream. (Note: add a splash of
color with a jacket or wrap)
Tip #2 – Wear Your Correct Size
Dress in the size you are – not the size you want to be. In
spite of what you might believe, wearing clothes that are too
tight or too big will make you look LARGER.
Tip #3 – Be Aware of Flattering Fabrics
You want to wear fabrics that skim your curves instead of cling
to them. Fabrics should drape your body and make you look good,
not lumpy.
Tip #4 – Best Pants to Wear
The most flattering pants to wear for all body types have a
flat front, fall just below the navel (not hip huggers), and
flare slightly at the bottom.
Tip #5 – Best Skirt to Wear
The most flattering skirts to wear for all body types gets a
perfect grade of “A”. The A-line skirt looks good on everybody
and is great for hiding figure flaws.
Copyright 2005
About the Author: Donna Monday - Looking for plus size clothing
online? Visit your online Fashion Survival Guide for all the
latest full figured styles and where to buy them.
www.plus-size-appeal.com
Source: www.isnare.com
