It’s important to feel confident in yourself, no matter what your size or shape. There is a lot of talk these days about body image and “body positivity” but don’t let the pressure of “Accepting who you are” get in the way of making goals, losing weight an getting healthy. Be happy with yourself, but don’t let that stop you from trying to be the best version of yourself.
With that in mind, here are 5 tips on how to dress that will help flatter your figure and have you feeling your best this summer.
Get to Know Your True Size
Getting to know your size means being both true to yourself and aware of the different interpretations of each size that are out there on the market.
First things first, squeezing into a size too small never works out. Sure, you might be happy with what the label says, but going too small won’t flatter your body and you’ll be uncomfortable as well. Likewise, going too big will leave you looking shapeless and won’t flatter your figure either.
If you like to shop around, remember that each brand fits differently, both in size and shape. Your body will also change from time to time as well, which means you should never go into a shop with an ‘I’m always a 14’ sort of attitude. Whether it’s bras, jeans or summer slip dresses, getting the sizing right is key to nailing your look.
Consider Shape Wear
The word ‘spanx’ might immediately fill you with fear, but body shaping underclothing has been a long-established, effective way of helping provide a better fit and look to your outfit. Millions of ladies out there are using shapewear to target areas like their stomach, thighs, and bum to produce a smoother body shape, but this doesn’t mean you have to go overboard.
Every woman should have a few different types of shapewear at her disposal. A pair of high waisted briefs are great for wearing with pants, shorts, jeans, and more. A full Shapeez Tankee Slip is ideal for wearing under all your summer dresses and will help flatter your figure.
Utilize High Waists
High waists are everywhere at the moment, and something you should be taking advantage of to help accentuate your figure. The high-rise jean has long been a girl’s best friend, with the higher, slim-fit cut offering a versatile piece that makes your legs appear to go on forever.
A high waisted belt is an essential accessory for cinched dresses; another multi-faceted item that will give you plenty of great fitting looks over the summer. Beyond that, ultra-high waist swimwear for the poolside is all the rage and can really flatter your figure better than a standard bikini. And if you’re a gym goer then high-waist leggings should be a staple of your active wardrobe.
One Color to Rule Them All
As well as taking away the hassle of mix and match colors, going monochrome is a great way to create a slimming vertical line that’s stylish, crisp and easy to pull off. Naturally, when talking about one color, all black springs to mind, however darker blues, reds, and greens will all create the same look.
It’s probably best to stick to darker shades over light ones, but don’t be afraid to find to color and stick to it if it works for you. Darker colors can hide imperfections which will help to flatter your figure, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear black all summer!
Vertical Stripes
Finally, an oldie but a goldie, vertical stripes are still a great way to create the longline look you’ll be after these coming months. Pinstriped trousers and pencil skirts are perfect for elongating your figure, likewise diagonal stripes will do the trick.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid the horizontal stuff altogether, but vertical stripes remain as one of the oldest tricks in the book to create a more flattering look.
Of course, these are just guidelines. If you find a look you feel confident in, then embrace it and don’t look back. At the end of the day, that’s all dressing well is; wearing something you feel sexy, comfortable and happy in.
Looking good doesn’t have to break the bank, either. Retailers like Damart have great value summer dresses, so you can find your best look and flatter your figure for less in the coming months.
