MEAGHAN SMITH PERSONAL STYLIST

My client was looking for black pants she could wear during summer for work presentations, out for a nice dinner or casually. She works in the health/fitness industry and so didn’t want anything that looked too corporate/office professional.

We sampled about 4 pairs of slim fitting pants but none of them worked for her shape. (She’s similar to an inverted triangle – very small through the hips with very slim legs)  Most were a little too snug on the tummy but then not fitting (too loose) how I wanted them to on her legs and bottom.

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image via here

Before you make a decision on an outfit or a new purchase, have a good head to toe look in the mirror and think about what is being highlighted and then next, decide whether that is the area you want featured.

A belt can play up a waist, a sleeve might accentuate an arm, the length of pants may lengthen (or shorten) your leg, a shoe may draw attention to (or away from) the ankles and as in the case of the image above, the position of a pattern, pocket, seam or shape can *spotlight an area. (Which is absolutely fine, if that’s what you want to achieve)

In the photo above my eye is instantly drawn to the hip area and in the images below the first thing I notice is the woman’s beautiful face.  (I’m sure this also has something to do with the red lips)

You can notice the **effect the diamond on the dress has by comparing the three outfits.

image via here

image via here

*Fabric, and how it’s cut, can also have this effect – particularly if it’s shiny.

**The effect the diamond is having on the outfit (ie accentuating the curve through the hip area), may well be exactly what the wearer is wanting to achieve.

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When a pair of tailored pants pull across the hips and pocket like this…they don’t fit.

Notice the lines being created – because the pants are too tight across the hips – from the top of the zip to the pocket. …and then, as a result,  how the pocket is pulling away from the body.

Because the pants are ill-fitting across the hips it’s drawing attention to the area …..and it looks messy!

I understand for Kim and for those who have similar shapes to her (tiny waist with wider hips and bottom), that finding pants that fit well can be difficult.

My advice is to keep shopping til you find a pair that work for you.  Don’t just settle for “These will have to do”.  I know it can be very frustrating, but you need to be prepared to try lots of different styles til you find a pair that are just right.  In Kim’s case a different fabric or a style without pockets might have worked better for her.

And secondly, consider buying up a size and having them tailored to fit you.  (Or alternatively, have a pair made)  *I’m sure Kim could afford to work with a tailor.

Remember recently I wrote about how a pencil skirt shouldn’t pull across the hips here.   Same thing…

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Have you tried tucking in?

Some people are a little nervous to try it because they think that they’re too old for it, or it won’t suit them, etc, – and that’s fair enough – I understand doing something that’s not what you’re used to can cause uncertainty.   But if you’ve never done it before, challenge yourself to experiment with the look – and decide whether it’s for you or not.  (It’s just like when I get someone to try a style of jeans that are different to what they’ve been wearing.  It can take a little while to get used to how they look on the body)

There’s a few different ways to tuck in, so play around til you find a way that feels comfortable for you.  (For some a full tuck feels too exposed initially, so perhaps try just doing a half tuck and see how that goes)

Keep in mind when you do tuck in, that the bottoms (and in fact even the underwear) you’re wearing are important and will have quite an effect on the look.  (ie where they finish on your tummy, whether they have a zip or not, the fabric, etc) It might work with some of your bottoms and it might not work with others.  *Both pants and skirts.

Like everything, tucking won’t be right for everyone.  It may not feel right, of course you might not even like the look or it may not be a flattering style for you – but you’ll never know if you don’t give it a try. Sometimes what shouldn’t work, does.

*Note – If you prefer to wear your tops un-tucked then make sure the length and the shape of the hem are the most flattering styles for you.

**FYI  You’re not too old for tucking – whatever your age.

You can read what styling services I offer here

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