While most of us are looking to minimize our bodacious physique’s, some of us are dealing with the opposite problem.
Nina wrote in, saying, “Please I really need your help! I’m 25, but I look 22 because of my weight. I’m thin, size small, and am tall at 5’7″. I really don’t know what type of clothes to wear. I find myself looking super skinny in everything I try. PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP!!”
While I’d say I’m an expert at concealing curves, I have heard of five tricks you can use to make your body look more rounded. Check ‘em out:
1. Opt for horizontal vs. vertical lines:
Just as vertical lines draw the eye up and down your body, making you look taller and leaner, horizontal lines do the exact opposite! A striped top or dress will add a few pounds, and also create the optical illusion of curves. The wider the stripe, the more body you’ll have.
2. Wear clothes with volume: balloon and pleated skirts, maxi dresses, harem pants, or dolman sleeves.
Tight clothes can draw attention to your thin frame, so go in the opposite direction with generous silhouettes. Opt for Dolman sleeves like model Jessica White, or for a maxi dress like Nicole Richie.
3. Layer like a pro:
In addition to wearing more voluminous clothes, also pile a few pieces to add new dimensions to your look. Keisha Whitaker (right), knows the score, wearing forgiving capri pants and placing a loose, sheer tank under a cascading black jacket. Arlenis Sosa combines three rules, wearing a horizontal striped roomy dress under a belted cardigan.
4. Go wide leg:
Kick your skinny jeans to the curb, and opt for wide legged options in light washes (dark jeans slim; light jeans do the reverse). Wide legged trousers in any color are also very on trend for spring.
5. Ruffles, ruffles, ruffles.
There’s no better way to add more curves than to ruffle it on. Though Chanel Iman (above) is wearing a couture creation, Thandie Newton shows how a little ruffle can go a long way.
So those are my two cents.
Do you guys have anything to add?
April 13, 2011 10:44 am
Also try wearing lighter colors. Try convincing ur thicker friends or family to wear dark slim jeans, while you rock ur light wide legs. This way you don’t look like their unfed child in pictures. Also when I want my lower body to look thicker I wear lighter colors on the bottom and darker shades on the top.
April 13, 2011 11:08 am
I’m a curvy girl so I read this post just for kicks BUT let me tell you how I would kill for that JASON WU Navy/Nude Lace Detail Dress which is featured in the #5 Ruffles section. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
April 13, 2011 11:14 am
Give birth
April 13, 2011 11:15 am
I would also add (for shoes) try a wedge instead on a 4 in heel.
All these tips are great! Im a size 9-11 but i love to look thicker:)
Plus Im in love with that blck Fendi ruffle dress & the bolero frm Top Shop:)
April 13, 2011 11:16 am
I recently lost a lot of weight and am not accustom at all in wearing something that suits my figure. Definitely going to ditch the skinny jeans for a while.
April 13, 2011 11:16 am
@KBS Right!! I WAS a size 5 but I lik my curves:0
April 13, 2011 11:26 am
I always thought skinny jeans made me look more curvy. Definitely won’t be wearing those for a while then. This was really helpful! I definitely needed this.
April 13, 2011 11:35 am
finally some help for the slim sisters.
April 13, 2011 11:39 am
and don’t worry about being “skinny” at 25 – life will bring your curves and a tad more weight…these are good tips.
April 13, 2011 12:17 pm
@KBS LOL I gave birth, and before I did I was excited about the curves I would have after my daughter was born….NOT! I’m still at a sad 105 lbs : /
Thanks for the tips Claire!
April 13, 2011 12:42 pm
This is a great post, even if it doesn’t necessarily apply to me. I’ve gotta get my fingers on a hooded maxi dress like that DVF one!
And yusufswifee is right, the curves will come… or not, lol. Either way, love the skin you’re in! :)
April 13, 2011 12:56 pm
So am a very curvy girl, so I can pass on the harem pants, ruffles and all that unless I want to look like a pumpkin!
Nice, post though.
April 13, 2011 12:57 pm
I can definitely appreciate this post since I’m 5’7 and have a slender frame as well. I’m the smallest of all my friends who have hips and butts for days. I used to feel self conscious when taking pics with them but I got over it. Great tips Claire!!
April 13, 2011 12:59 pm
Thank you so much for this post! I’m slender and have always wondered about the best way to create more curves. I’ll be applying these tips to my wardrobe asap!
April 13, 2011 1:31 pm
Love it! Especially, Eva Marcille’s zebra looking printed dress it is so chic 4 everyday.
Also, i love the dress that Arlenis Sosa is wearing w/ the cardigan that is effortlessly simple and chic.
April 13, 2011 1:31 pm
lavin tiered silk gazar dress is cute I’ am not slender but I would rock it. Great post nonetheless
April 13, 2011 1:35 pm
Great post. I was a skinny minnie all my life and recently in my 30′s I have started gaining weight. I think confidence is key whatever size you are. Ruffles work and horizontal stripes! just don’t overkill with ruffles. Also check out dresses that have more detail and tailoring to them. It will give you more of an hour glass look.
April 13, 2011 4:53 pm
Thank You Claire for the Respond . thank you Guys , will definitely apply all your recommendations ;)
April 13, 2011 5:11 pm
ummm….curves have nothing to do with your weight….
April 13, 2011 5:18 pm
Work with what you got Girl! Weight loss is a multi-billion dollar industry, tons of women wish they were long and lean like you. Accentuate your assets, I’m sure you have great legs since you are relatively tall show them puppies off! Look to stylish women with similar body types for inspiration. If you are interested in adding a little bulk try a little weight training or plyometrics.
April 13, 2011 6:23 pm
off to get some wide leg jeans! thanks for the tips =)
April 13, 2011 8:00 pm
Wide leg pants, ugh! No mam, I’ll stick to my skinny jeans, other than that I do love me some ruffles then again I love my slim figure:-)
April 13, 2011 8:41 pm
These tips are great. However, using pueraria mirifica supplements, for three to six months, will help create curves on your small frame. I wore a size three until I took pueraria mirifica. Now, I’m wear a size five. Still petite, however, I have curves. Also, the enhancement supplement helped my breast grow.
April 13, 2011 9:08 pm
LOVE Eva’s dress!!
April 14, 2011 1:31 am
I have red and white stripe dress and I love it it deff gives me curves and im the same height and same weight actually most dresses I wear give me curves, but im deff gonna invest in the maxi dresses and the wide leg pants…I always thought maxi dresses made you look thinner I guess not lol and I agree with april im petite but I still have curves….
April 14, 2011 8:35 am
i agree with everything except the wide legged pants i am very skinny & they just dont work well on a tiny physique
April 16, 2011 8:23 pm
I don’t know why I’m always in my feelings about weight when it comes to skinny girls like me. I feel like people are always making us hate our body because we don’t have curves to the point wear we’re desperate to get them. I was so insecure when I was younger. Right now, I’m just trying to work on loving my body the way He made it. If I’m not meant to have curves I just won’t…..I know I’m in my feelings right now smh.
April 18, 2011 3:35 pm
Finally a black blog that speaks to women with my problem!!! I realized all that you’re saying the other day while I was spring cleaning. I got a booty but my bust area and arms are sooooo small and I owned so many fitted tops that made me look like a 12 year old who didn’t go threw puberty as yet. After the realization that my wardrobe wasn’t age-fitting, I decided to start all over and give away anything that didn’t have a ruffle or a wide sleeve. This spring you wont catch me in a top that isn’t dolman-like. Kudos on this post!
XOxo Mimi
PS. 70s FASHION ROCKS!
April 24, 2011 12:34 pm
embrace your slender frame