Fashion101 : How to make the most of what you've got

Statistics shows that supermodel measurements are more than a stone’s throw away from reality. Apparently the sub 17.5 BMI (Body Mass Index) stick-thin beauties have is also the BMI of typical eight-year-olds – which is also practically the same as that of the Third World starvation BMI criteria and the American Psychological Association weight criteria for anorexia nervosa. So, really, here’s an eye-opener: The idea of beauty in media may just be totally misleading and yes, it is quite normal to have that extra inch or two around your waist or thigh – after all, we all can’t be starving supermodels. The bottom line is, it really shouldn’t be a bother that you’re not as tall as a giraffe and looking great isn’t all about looking like one.

It all boils down to dressing up according to your body type, personality and what you’re comfortable with. You can camouflage, accentuate, elongate and slim down practically any body part you want to and look great doing so. Here are a few tips:

Dressing Up Denim

Jeans, jeans, jeans and more jeans are the absolute classic for casual wear. It has earned for itself a position on the must-have list of every woman around the globe, moving up from being the typical mineworker’s everyday garb. You can either look casual during the day or show up at a party looking effortlessly chic in dressed up denim.

Daytime Dramas

Although many glamorous fashion looks have been inspired by the layering of clothes, the tropical heat in this country will only make you sweat your makeup away.

There are a few simple rules to get the best out of your figure. But take note, each woman’s body is different and rules don’t have to be followed right down to every detail all the time. Experimenting with your clothes and their fit is a great idea and later on, once you discover what really works for you, you can adapt to the clothes and style according to how you feel. Remember that confidence is key and counts for a lot. So if there are a few bulges here and there, as long as you’re ok with it, go ahead and strut your stuff. Also, take your personality into consideration. No matter how good an outfit may look on you, it simply just won’t work if you’re not comfortable in it. Personal style is very different from fashion.

Kuku Trinidad: Tall & Curvy

Height is something not most women have, but having both height and curves is a double blessing in itself. It can make a woman look a hundred times more fabulous, most especially if you play up your clothing style the right way. Your main goal is to emphasize your waist and elongate your figure (since those curves of yours will make you look rounder in the wrong outfits). You’ve got to flaunt your curves without over-emphasizing them.

Fashion do’s

•Stick to pieces that will fall smoothly over your curves – nothing too tight like spandex – so you can hide unwanted flabs and bulges.

• Monochromatic separates will make you look slimmer and taller.

• Wrap-style blouses and dresses.

• Outfits with clean lines.

• Slim-cut pants will elongate your legs and make you look just like a model off the pages of Vogue.

• Pieces that are nipped in the waist or narrow at the knee will accentuate your curves without being too dramatic.

• Skirts and dresses with slits to show off your legs.

• Tops that reveal skin at the shoulder, collar bone and cleavage.

• Jackets or coats with the top button located right under the bust will work well for curvy women and will emphasize the bust area.

Fashion don’ts

• Don’t wear anything oversized.

• Anything too tight will make you look and walk awkward.

• Clothes that are cut straight up and down are practically a sin. It will definitely hide your curves and expand your waistline.

• Jackets and coats that are buttoned loosely at the waist will make the line from your bust to hip straight – and will erase your waist.

• Tops and jackets that end at the fullest part of your hips.

Kian Vargas: Proportioned

Proportioned women may just be about the easiest to flatter because they’ve basically got the right amount of everything for their frame. For example, if you are proportionately slim, your goal is to accentuate your curves or to refocus attention from your middle to your face or legs.

Fashion do’s

• Halter tops.

• Tops and dresses with horizontal lines will give the illusion of curves.

• Empire waist dresses and tops will work well if there’s a slight bulge you’d like to hide. This will also draw attention to your face.

• Boatneck tops or wide V-necks will make your waist look cinched.

• Collared shirts.

• Hip belts.

• Low-waisted bottoms will elongate your upper torso.

• Monochromatic outfits, as always, will help with regards to slimming and elongating your figure.

Fashion don’ts

• Stiff fabrics.

• Overly structured tops may make you look a little too bulky and over the top.

• High-waisted bottoms.

Arianna Colamonici: Petite

Most petite women seem to have all the allure that attracts the opposite sex. And for most of them, the best way to get the best out of their frame is to elongate their legs. Creating a strong vertical line from head to toe will also make petite women look taller and visually stronger.

Fashion do’s

• Fluid fabrics.

• Monochromatic outfits help in slimming and elongating the figure.

• Minimal accessories work best as long as they are all proportionate to your body. Beautiful elegant pieces in a timeless design will do fine as opposed to chunky over the top jewelry.

• Heels.

Fashion don’ts

• Stiffly tailored clothing.

• Tops that accentuate the waist.

• Pleated pants.

• Mid-calf length skirts are a definite no-no. Not only will they make you look shorter but they will also widen your figure. Essentially mid-calf length skirts make petite women look smaller.

• Baggy clothing. You don’t want to look like a little girl trying on mama’s clothes.

• Anything "sweet" and "girly" – things like bows, ribbons and ruffles. Remember, you don’t want to look like an eight-year-old.

• You can actually get away with high-waisted bottoms.