MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style Article Volume 11 Week 44 November 3, 2016

Remember: only the last 4 weeks remain posted!

Styles to Slim Your Waist Some things in life are inevitable...like taxes and getting older. Another thing that happens as we age...we gain a little extra flesh around our middle! Between dealing with an over-scheduled life and natural shifts in our body’s hormones; before we know it...we end up with an expanded waistline-a new dressing issue!

What's a SYSter to do when she wants to look fabulous...yet is constantly hiding an undefined waistline? What is the best way to dress when your waistline has become somewhat undefined? Should you continue to squeeze into what you've always worn or hide under something loose and baggy? The correct answer is NEITHER of these. Both are poor dressing options for women with undefined waists. Both will make you look bigger than you really are. Wearing the right clothing styles is the answer!

The right clothing will enhance your shape...even if you’ve added some weight in your mid-section. Below, this peplum (fit and flare) styled top goes in at the waist, then flares out. This slims your shape-even if it’s not “perfect”...it still does the trick!

The Limited Eva Longoria Ponte Peplum Top-2 colors, xs-xxl

Lane Bryant Peplum Blouse

Your “new” shape requires a new approach to dressing... Our bodies have changed since our teen years- therefore our style must change too. We can no longer use the same style-sense we once relied on. It’s essential you now learn to dress for the body you have today. What are the recommended styles for slimming the middle? For starters, I always recommend adding to your wardrobe basics a pair of fabulous fitting jeans. Every woman feels her best when she has a sassy pair of jeans she can rely on! Great fitting jeans that “lift and tuck” are expensive…but they are so much cheaper than a tummy tuck, LOL! Invest in a pair of jeans that will smooth over all your curves…you’ll be glad you did. These are my favorite denims...

NYDJ Marilyn Stretch Twill "Size Smaller" Pants (Petite, Misses-5 colors)

Every time you dress-use these tips: 1. Dress in ways that help you look more balanced (hourglass shape) 2. Dress to minimize your mid-torso 3. Wear styles that “give” a hint of waist definition 4. Use a full-length mirror to assess which styles are best on you DO’s & DON’TS FOR UNDEFINED WAISTS: Purge the Pleats. Even though pleats are “trending” back-in-style, it’s still a style DON’T for SYSters with undefined waists. Pleats ADD extra fabric at your waist...and trust me, you don’t need anything extra at your waist !

Even as they “trend” back-in-stylePleated pants are still a style don’t for undefined waists!

To tuck in, or not to tuck in-that is the question. For the most part, the answer is leave your shirt untucked. A tucked-in shirt creates a horizontal line right around your middle…bringing attention where you DON’T want it. BAD STYLE: Boxy fit + colored belt (adds a horizontal line)...

GOOD STYLE: Dark color + body skimming top

Gianni Bini Dora Cold Shoulder Knit Top Button-down shirts are a style DO: Semi-fitted, dark-colored fabric and with stretch slims you...

Talbots Perfect Long Sleeve Shirt-petites, misses, plus

YOUR SHIRTS SHOULD BE: No longer than 1” past your hipbone (any longer, have it hemmed up) Avoid long lengths (past where your leg bend) because they cut your body in 2 halves (check shirt length in mirror)

Want coffee with your muffin top? NO! A “muffin top” is that fleshy roll or bulge created around your middle when the waistband of your pant or skirt is too tight. Stop the muffin top by finding the right SIZE (and style). Most important— wear MID-RISE pants and look for wide waistbands. Avoid pleats, drawstring pants, and gathered skirts. Instead, wear simple, flat and smooth pants and skirts. DON’T let your flesh “muffin” over the top of your pants... (These pants below are too low and too tight)

DO wear the right pant rise. Mid-rise pants give just enough “rise” to your pant and gives the illusion of a waist (even if yours isn’t totally there). You must get the right FIT though. Nothing baggy or too tight (the right size will hold you in correctly). Also, pants mid-to-high rise with a thicker or flat waistband are best for smoothing over tummies. Find your best rise. These classic pants don’t create “muffin tops”....I promise!

Ponte Perfect Holly Pants-ALL SIZES-6 colors

DON’t wear high-rise pants tucked in because they “engulf” the whole tummy area making it look larger. DON’T wear high-waist pants like these!!!

DO wear boot-cut styles vs. skinny-legged pants because they help balance out your fuller torso. (Also try flare styles —unless you are petite, then stick w/ straight-cut styles)

Talbots Raleigh Pant-ALL SIZES-3 colors Don’t confuse the issue. Don’t let others think you might be pregnant by wearing a style that could be confused with maternity clothing! The empire waist (a shirt or dress that is fitted under the bust) is a “maybe” style for

you. Some empire waist shirts are too baggy and look like maternity tops (definitely not good when you’re NOT pregnant!) Too much fabric says “maternity”…

DO look for empire waists that are slim cut. You want body skimming “Alines” styles. It may take some trying on in the dressing room to find the right cut top or dress that is not too baggy. An empire-waist style is a good style because it highlights under the bosom--one of the smallest areas on a woman’s body. This classic LBD is surprisingly quite flattering! Minimize your middle with this raised waist and A-line silhouette dress...

Talbots City Jersey Dress

DO minimize your middle by wearing a stylish blouson! A blouson top has extra fabric in the middle with a band at the hemline. The fabric “poofs” out then goes in with the bottom band. A blouson top is a style that “gives the appearance” of a waist...

Karen Kane Faux Wrap Blouson

City Chic Knot Front Top DO wear flattering necklines! Any time you wear a v-neck instead of a crewneck is a stylish day for YOU! Get rid of ***crew necklines (that cut you off at the neck) and wear “Vnecks” instead! V-necklines are figure-friendly because they cut-down the size of a larger bosom; they also bring attention AWAY from the lower torso and up towards the face.

This angling “V” shape goes from wide on top, downward towards your waist —it mimics an hourglass shape! How great is that? Go “V-necks”—GO ME! CREW NECKLINE

VS.

V-NECKLINE

***Crew necklines. Of course you will still have some crewnecks in your wardrobe for layering pieces + you can layer a statement necklace over the top of them to create visual interest to the upper chest (away from your mid-section). DO draw attention elsewhere. If you don’t want to bring attention to your waistline--downplay that area as much as possible. Keep details to a minimum throughout your torso by wearing darker matte colors on your mid-section. Avoid bright or shiny fabrics and choose dark matte fabrics instead. Draw attention to other parts of your body by wearing bright or interesting accessories other places (like bright shoes and handbags or interesting necklaces and earrings). Layering tanks in dark, matte colors are best for minimizing your middle…

Peter Nygard V-Neck Sleeveless Ruched Layering Tank DO play up what you love. Like your shapely legs? Show them off with a skirt ruffled at the hemline. Or draw the eye upward with a beautiful eyecatching necklace, or bring attention to your face with dangly earrings. Divert eyes elsewhere…

Show off your pretty shoulders… Everyone notices “exposed” skin!

DO pick a handbag that can make you look slimmer! Think about where your purse hits on your body. With a full torso, your purse should be right under your armpit (unless you have a full bust) Do not carry a handbag that stops at the fullest part of your waistline. A hand-held satchel handbag is the best option. Simply carry a stylish satchel in the crook of your arm.

Michael Kors Tasseled Leopard Print Haircalf Large Satchel Can you wear a belt??? Yes, you should give it a go…and here’s how... Tread carefully with bulky sweaters and wide belts (like below). They are hard to pull off when your waist is undefined…. DON’T ADD BULK (even this “stick thin” model looks thick around the middle)

If you want to wear a belt, wear a THINNER belt 1” or less (even better if the belt matches the sweater/shirt color)

You don’t need to be a ‘Skinny Minnie’ to wear a belt! Wear a thin belt that gives you a “hint” of waist definition... that’s you want!

Try a belt “peeking” out from under a jacket or sweater like this…

Find several flattering styles...then work ‘em! Look for styles that “work” for your body shape! __Look for tops and sweaters with ruching (gathers on the sides of the shirt) __Wear patterns (prints) to help disguise an undefined waist __Go with dark matte fabrics __Draw attention elsewhere & away from your waistline

Grab a jacket!!! Jackets are “style tools” that make your body appear in better proportion. The right jacket can help with arm or shoulders that are too large, or slim, slim a full bust, or balance a smaller bust AND most importantly, help you cleverly disguise your undefined waist! Choose a jacket that curves in at the waist and has a little flare at the bottom (peplum style) to create the illusion of an hourglass figure. Jackets should also have princess seams.

The best jacket length is usually around the mid-hip. Anything too long shortens your height (making you look thicker and shapeless). Try on different lengths on (in front of a full-length mirror) and see what I mean. Find your BEST jacket length and remember it!!! This jacket has the right length + nice structure to make your waist appear more defined!

Calvin Klein Notch Collar Jacket-2 colors Sorry, hiding doesn’t work. You can’t run for cover and under large boxy clothes—sorry, it just doesn’t work! Besides, your authentic style doesn’t work when your clothes are shapeless and unappealing. Wearing bodyskimming clothes—no matter your size or shape is the way to go. Look for shirts and jackets with structure… Enhance your natural curves —because hiding them is NOT working! It’s all in the details and FIT. Look for princess seams. These vertical stitched seams do wonders for a gal’s figure! Think mid-weight. Look for mid-weight fabrics with nice draping. Fabrics like stretch cotton-blend poplins, mid-weight jerseys, etc. Avoid anything too clingy or thin shows too much and heavy stiff fabrics do nothing for your feminine shape either. STOP! Before you walk out that door! Check your silhouette in a fulllength mirror. Look at what you are wearing from head to toe. Make sure you are taking your proportions into account; avoid anything from stopping at your widest body part(s).

Before walking out the door: Check your complete look from head to toe….

Remember, you always look your best when you dress to define your waist. Even if it’s only a “hint” of waist definition, it’s a style DO every time. Love, Leslie MSP Copyright © 2006-16 LagTag LLC All rights reserved. This message may not be forwarded or reproduced in any format without the express written consent of MissusSmartyPants.com. Violators will be unsubscribed