Ask Elle

Elle, I have a boxy upper body with broad shoulders and extremely spindle leg (thin) and on top of that I am only 5 feet tall, what sort of clothes should I be wearing in an attempt to flatter my body (I am a mature woman). Glendor Glendor darling, First things first, I love your name. I also love this question. You've hit the nail on the head, hon! The most important consideration when it comes to clothes is fit. Like my girl, Annie says, errything aint for errybody. Recognizing what your particular body type is and then buying your clothes accordingly is the the recipe for a flatterering wardrobe. It sounds as though you are a short-statured Inverted Triangle: broad shoulders, a medium to large chest, average in the waist with narrow hips and slim to shapely legs. Think Julia Louis-Dreyfus or America Ferrera. There are a plethora of great options that will help you look your best. All you need to remember is balance. Because you have a broad torso and shoulders, you should wear fuller pieces on your bottom half. In terms of tops, pieces with some structure are your best bet, with the goal being defining your waist. But nothing too tight of course! Here are some pieces to look out for: § Get a well-fitting bra and an all-in-one for a smooth shape. § V-necks will pull the eye down and away from the problem area. Tunics are a great option for your body type. § Keep cardigans unbuttoned in order to soften your shoulders. § Wearing light colored bottoms with darker tops create proportion. § A low slung belt will attract attention to your hips. § A skirt that's fitted at the waist and flares out will help balance you out. § Wide leg pants, which are very current, are a great option. § Wrap dresses and tops are perfect, they direct eyes to your waist. § Wear those heels! Get the tallest, slimmest silouhette possible by wearing shoes with as high a heel as you can handle. Buying them in a neutral color (to match your skintone) which make your legs look endless! asdfa And now, some styles to avoid: § Look out for stiff, bulky or oversized garments which will make you appear heavier. § Avoid tapered (skinny) pants and pencil skirts. § Absolutely no cropped pants! They will only shorten your legs. § Obviously, stay away from shoulder pads. § Be careful when buying tops! Halter tops, spaghetti straps, high necklines and boat necks will only enhance your broad shoulders. I'm actually an inverted triangle as well, and my favorite go-to outfit of the moment is a blazer or jacket fitted at the waist (often belted) and a skirt with flounce. Something like this: The look below is also a great option for your shape. Wide leg pants for proportion, a defined waist and a structured top. Dearest Glendor, I hope you find these tips helpful the next time you hit the racks. Remember to try everything on and then trust your judgment. adsfad If anyone else is curious about dressing for your body type, click Dressing For Your Body for a quick and dirty list of each body type along with style recommendations. Also, feel free to hit me up with any specific questions. asdfa Stay fab my loves! asfdasd -Elle asdfa Source/Source