By Coral Turner, Couture Fashion Designer
Naturally, we all want to look beautiful, and too right! As a couture designer, I work with clients who are of all shapes and sizes. The myth of being ‘model’ thin to look beautiful in couture fashions is just that, a myth. There are designs that need curves, in fact some styles cry out for curves. Kim Kardashian is renown for being able to fill column inches in both media plus what she wears, and fair play to her.
Clothing size
So what helps and what hinders? Wearing clothes that are too large or small will result in you looking heavy. Tight clothing clings to every fold and crease of your body, and baggy clothing hangs on you as though you are a lampshade. Clothes that fit you, however, make you look curvaceous and attractive. I know I have talked about fit before but as a couture designer, it can make me a little cranky to see an ill-fitted garment on a woman, because it takes away from her beauty.
Colours
A patchwork quilt looks great with its mishmash of colours however it doesn’t translate so well when worn as clothing, not the look you are aiming for. There is the ‘school of fashion thought’ that says wearing the same colour from tip to toe is slimming. Notice, I’m not saying to wear all black or beige! You can easily wear colour-bright bold and beautiful colours. To inject an accent colour to contrast the outfit accessorise your main outfit.
Stripes
As a rule of thumb, wide horizontal stripes make you look wide, and thin horizontal stripes do not make you look either wide or slim. Vertical stripes can make you look tall and thin. However, use them sparingly, as they can be overwhelming especially if you are a petite woman.
Jeans
Well cut jeans, those that fit on the waist look great on all figure shapes, what you don’t want are jeans that you are constantly pulling up because the crotch is too short. Boot cut jeans are slenderising , they also make your legs look shapely.
Waistbands
Elastic waistbands are so comfortable I know, but they can also be your enemy. If you want to create a slimmer look, have part elasticated and part flat fabric. Thick waistbands that sit just above your hips but not around your actual middle are beneficial.
Footwear
Ankle boots suit the majority of women, however what you want to look at is whether it is too wide at the top of the boot drawing the eye away from the style of the boot and leaving the focus on the gap! In addition, shoes and sandals with a broad ankle straps can be more complimentary than a thin ankle strap, which can often look as though it is cutting into your ankle as opposed to complimenting your ankle. Long boots and peep-toe shoes with heels are also favourable.
Accessories
Did you know that depending on your stature, carrying a small bag can make you appear larger? Yes I was quite surprised at that, however when amply curvaceous, carrying a large bag will have the opposite effect. Additionally, the same applies with regard to belts and jewelry. Wearing a large belt and a big, long necklace creates the illusion of smaller. It is about ensuring that everything is proportional to your body-shape.
I celebrate curves, as I do a body-shape of straight up and down, they all have their own uniqueness when it comes to design. That’s the beauty of bespoke and its not just for special occasions, when your clothes fit in all the right places, you smile, the clothes smile, and those looking at you smile!