Ways to wear it well

Jet, March 29, 2004

The perfect body does not exist. However, the perfect camouflage does. Look fabulously flawless at any size with these simple fashion tips for your body type:

Petite Sweetie

High heels and long slacks are a short woman's best friends. Pants that skim the shoe heel give the illusion of longer legs. High heels add instant inches and extend calf muscles; wearing skirts or dresses makes the effect more dramatic. When sporting skirts, choose shoes that expose as much of the foot as possible to make legs look even longer.

Stick to clothes that create vertical lines--slim, straight-leg slacks and skirts and dresses with straight or tapered hemlines. Can't sacrifice the flare? Wear boot-cut pants or tapered skirts with slightly flared hems, but steer clear of wide-leg slacks, wide skirts and dresses and above-ankle pants. Further elongate your body by pairing cropped jackets with lean slacks, wearing colors in similar tones and rocking gear with vertical stripes.

Buxom Beauty

An ample bosom can be a great asset if you start with the right foundation--the bra. Look for styles with wide shoulder and back straps and good cup support. Straps shouldn't dig into skin and breasts shouldn't spill over cups. Choose bras that create a smooth silhouette under clothing in a color close to your skin tone. But beware of bold colors, prints and textures that show through clothing.

Since you already boast attention grabbers, skip ruffles, wild patterns and too-tight tops. Select long, single-breasted jackets; tailored tops and sexy yet tasteful V-neck shirts that show a hint of cleavage. Downplay your chest with dark colors and heavier fabrics.

Curvaceous Cutie

When you're blessed with a brick house body, show it off! If you have a generous bust, follow the same rules for buxom beauties--invest in good bras, V-neck tops and tailored shirts. Flaunt bottom curves in flouncy skirts and long dresses and skirts. Choose wide-leg pants to balance hips.

If you're pear-shape (top light and bottom heavy), minimize hips, thighs and backside with dark colors, long jackets that fall below your bottom and flared skirts and dresses. Then enhance your smaller chest with brightly colored blouses, shimmery shirts and low-cut tops.

Lean Lovely

Short on curves? Fake'em. Above the waist, bold patterns, bright colors and funky jewelry are your best friends. Wear them with abandon. Play up your figure with fitted tops, spaghetti-strap blouses and dresses, jackets with cinched waists and sleeveless tanks with round, high necklines. Compensate for small curves below the waist with hip-hugging slacks with a wide leg or boot cut, A-line skirts (flares like the letter "A") and bias-cut garments, which cling to hips and thighs before flaring out.