Body Smart Holiday Dressing
Tall or short, big or small— any body can look sensuous this holiday season.
By Katherine B. Weissman
CURVY
Crystal Renn, plus-size model
"I'm very proud of my hourglass figure now," says Renn, 23, author of the eating disorder memoir
Hungry. In this gown, no curve goes unnoticed. The black lace over a blush slip is sophisticated but sexy; the skirt's mermaid flare plays to Renn's love of dramatic shapes.
If you're curvy...
- Show off your shoulders. They're pretty no matter what size you are.
- Lengthen the lower body. This flared hem offsets the hips (they'd look wider if the skirt tapered all the way down).
- Look for structure. Don't let your small waist get lost in something loose or boxy.
- Create a diversion. A strapless or one-shoulder style draws the gaze upward—a smart tactic if you carry most of your weight on the bottom.
More: The best (affordable) brands for larger sizes
BUSTY
Sherri Shepherd, actress
This flirty dress is brightly colored but discreetly cut. "It does not scream, 'Hey, big boobs!'" says Shepherd, 42, cohost of
The View; star of
Sherri, a Lifetime sitcom; and author of
Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break. A skirt with inverted pleats keeps her hips looking narrow.
If you're busty...
- Stick to one shade. It creates a head-to-toe sweep of color, so you look longer and slimmer.
- Contain yourself. If wearing a tank, choose wider straps, which allow for a more supportive bra. Avoid strapless or backless dresses.
- Don't go with the flow. Tailored clothes that give the body a clear silhouette are more becoming.
- Stretch out. Establish a strong vertical line with pleats, seams, or long necklaces and scarves.
More: 9 more ways to work with your curves
ATHLETIC
Soledad O'Brien, TV newscaster
O'Brien's straight shape suddenly looks va-va-voom in a gold sheath and leopard-print trenchcoat. "I'd never worn metallics before," says the 43-year-old CNN anchor and special correspondent, "and my trenches are black or navy."
If you're athletic...
- Take the plunge. Deeper necklines create the illusion of more bust.
- Cinch it in. Belts add shape by "carving out" the waist.
- Try gathers and texture. The ruching and gleam on this dress give the body dimension.
- Build curves. Emphasize your top half with a dramatic collar, your hips with a slightly flared skirt.
- Dress sexy. A less voluptuous figure means you can indulge in high-glam fabrics without looking too Las Vegas.
More: 4 more ways to balance your figure
PREGNANT
Karolina Kurkova, model
"I'm thrilled with my bump," says Kurkova, 25. She likes that her romantic dark teal dress is not skintight but sexy, outlining her swelling belly. And the bias-cut velvet is stretchy enough to accommodate it.
If you're pregnant...
- Go Grecian. Draping is good; you want to show off your belly, not broadcast every detail.
- Define your shape. Baggy makes you look bigger; Kurkova belts looser clothes under her stomach or beneath her breasts.
- Don't cover up. Bare skin is sensual; you don't have to be shy about exposing great legs or lovely arms.
- Think colorfully. Consider deep, rich shades—they're more flattering than brights or metallics.
- Borrow his stuff. Kurkova likes to go out for dinner in black leggings, a white shirt of her boyfriend's, and a tuxedo jacket.
Long-Waisted
Lauren Zalaznick, TV executive
This tuxedo dress—great over leggings or opaque hose—reflects Zalaznick's preference for neutral shades and sculptural shapes. At 46, the president of NBC Universal Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks believes that dress-up clothes shouldn't stray too far from your everyday wardrobe. "My basic colors are gray and off-white," she says. "My evening look is a shinier version—metallic or satin—of that palette."
If you're long-waisted...
- Sharpen color contrasts. Break up the length of your body with a stark pairing, like black and white.
- Relocate the waist. The dress narrows to a deep vee just above her natural waist, then flares out, creating a whole new silhouette.
- Think big. Architectural construction—defined shoulders; sculptured-looking ruffles—won't swamp a tall, lean figure.
- Play up the legs. Let them be seen.
- Go for bold jewels. Delicate accessories disappear on a stretched-out body. Instead, think cocktail rings or chunky, extravagant bracelets.
More: Jackets and suits that won't fall short, plus tops and sweaters with length to spare
FULL-FIGURED
Gabourey Sidibe, actress
Sidibe, 26, the breakout star of
Precious, the acclaimed indie film about an abused Harlem teenager, is discovering the difficulties of dressing for the red carpet. "There are not a lot of options for girls my size," she says. But this gorgeous dress and arm-camouflaging sequin capelet are youthful, chic and slimming. "I feel sexy in clothes that cup me at the bust, then fly out," says Sidibe.
If you're full-figured...
- Draw the eye up. A show of skin at the neck or chest shifts the focus from body to face.
- Support yourself. Invest in a good bra with convertible straps (so you can wear it invisibly under a variety of necklines).
- Keep it simple. Eschew ruffles and frills, which add bulk.
- Stay in the black. We're not saying zero color, but deeper, darker tones take off pounds.
- Layer lightly. A coat or jacket will make you look bigger; a capelet or shawl offers equally good coverage without tacking on inches.
More: The best (affordable) brands for larger sizes
PETITE
Kristin Chenoweth, actress and singer
Being 4'11" and 92 pounds is a fashion challenge. "Women roll their eyes at this, but having boobs and no torso is tricky to dress," says Chenoweth, 41, who starred in Broadway's
Wicked and the more recent TV series
Pushing Daisies. This strapless satin number has a leg-lengthening Empire waist, and the skirt is poufy but scaled down, so it doesn't overwhelm her. Even boots can party if they're fancy enough.
If you're petite...
- Get leggy. Embrace shorter skirts and sheerer hose (long hems and opaque tights can weigh you down).
- Keep heels moderate. Really high ones make small women look as if they're on stilts.
- Accessorize discreetly. Big, brash jewelry is too much for a pint-sized frame.
- Be bare somewhere. A strategic show of skin is essential. Covering up from head to foot is a fast route to Lilliputia.
- Turn up the volume. Modest puffery below the waist (pleats, flounces, bubble hem) can balance a larger bust or camouflage wide hips—or both.
More: More style strategies for those 5 foot 4 inches and under
TALL
L'Wren Scott, designer
"I've spent my life obsessing about silhouette, shape, and proportion," says fashion designer Scott, who is 40-something and 6'3". She believes in clothes that "transcend the day-night difference"—like this exquisitely fitted leaf-pattern sheath. And a hemline at or below the knee is a Scott signature.
If you're tall...
- Be fussy about fit. Sleek is best; lots of fabric over a large area starts looking like a circus tent.
- Experiment with prints. They make a long, lean body seem curvier.
- Be wary of minis. They can make you look as if your skirt shrunk.
- Choose eclectic shoes. Stilettos? Sure, but kitten heels and pointy flats are cool, too.
- Go wide. Horizontal details that shorter women avoid—square necks, ankle-strap shoes, crosswise stripes—are fine for you.
More: Even more tips for tall women, including the best brands for you
PEAR-SHAPED
Donna Weinbrecht, Olympic skiing gold medalist
Growing up, Weinbrecht, 44, wanted to look like a dancer, petite all over. But a career skiing moguls gave her a strong—and hard to fit—lower half. With time, she's changed her mind. "Now I celebrate my body for what it allowed me to become and do," she says. Weinbrecht, currently a coach and mentor for young athletes, adores the "here I am!" vibe of this empire-waisted silk stunner. Its unique pleating masterfully draws the eye away from a wider bottom, and it included an excellent surprise: "I don't dress up much, so I wasn't sure what to do with my hands," Weinbrecht says, "The pockets made it feel comfortable. Like me."
If you're pear-shaped...
- Show some leg. Above-the-knee hems give the illusion of length.
- Shift the focus up. Attention-grabbing necklines are especially flattering for this shape.
- Wrap it up. Wrap and faux-wrap dresses (like the style above) hold you in up top and conceal on the bottom.
- Choose to skim. A-line shapes slide over hips, creating balance.
More Great Holiday Looks
From the
December 2009 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
