The Straight Silhouette – what to wear and what to avoid

I wonder if women with a straight silhouette, that is with minimal curves, are in the minority. That’s my shape and I certainly feel as if there aren’t many of us out there – does anybody know?

Meanwhile, we continue Eleganza’s http://www.eleganza-clothing.com/ bodyline series, with Independent Styling Consultant Liz Prest© discussing the sort of clothes that suit a person with a straight bodyline and also what to avoid:

Your best look is to go for styles that have little or no waist shaping. You should look for clothes that have:

• Minimal or no waist-shaping.
• Flat front or pleat front trousers
• Emphasis at lower hip and thigh
• Straight cut or boxy jacket
• Straight line shirts and dresses
• Straight hemlines on jackets and tops

Styles to avoid include:

• Styles with waist-shaping
• Full, flared or A-line skirts
• Shift style dresses with deep waist darts
• Fitted tops that cling to rib cage
• Curved hemlines on jackets and tops
• Tight fitted wide belts

Comment - The straight bodyline has slim hips and thighs, so draw attention away from the straighter ribcage and less curved waistline.

Liz offers a range of personal consultations in South West England & South Wales on body shape & sizing, colour, styling advice and wardrobe management. If you would like more information or to book a session contact info@eleganza-clothing.com or telephone 0845 833 0423 (BT local rate).

Semi-straight silhouette - what to wear and what to avoid!

Continuing the bodyline series, I’m intrigued to find that I’ve been referring to the “in-betweenies” as semi-shaped when in fact the Independent Styling Consultant Liz Prest © discusses the sort of clothes that suit a semi-straight bodyline and also what to avoid:
“If your silhouette is a semi-straight, or the other way round a semi-shaped, bodyline then your most flattering styles have slight waist emphasis neither very fitted or too loose and straight. You should look for:

• Semi-shaped jackets and dresses
• Straight A-line or bias cut skirts
• Flat front, tapered leg trousers
• Self belts or belts in toning shades, best narrow
• Tops and shirts tucked in then often bloused out to balance hip line
• The straighter the hemline the softer the fabric and the more curved the hemline the firmer the weave of fabric.
• Straight coats or dresses can be belted

Styles to avoid include:
• Long boxy jackets
• Full or gathered skirts
• Very fitted dresses*
• Pleated skirts
• Full straight trousers
• Extreme styles, let your personality decide

Comment - The semi-straight bodyline has a softer silhouette with curved waist and hips so care is needed to maintain these contours, as any weight gain tends to be on the stomach and hips.

Liz offers a range of personal consultations in S West England & S Wales on body shape & sizing, colour, styling advice and wardrobe management. If you would like more information or to book a session contact info@eleganza-clothing.com or telephone 0845 833 0423.

* In Eleganza’s Summer Sale there’s a Sahara dress (http://tinyurl.com/358yqbc) and jacket (http://tinyurl.com/32fnarz) which is ideal for a semi-straight body shape