Small Chest

• Add gathers to your bustline
• Choose jackets with shape
• Choose higher necklines over deeper necklines

Large Chest

• Choose deeper necklines
• Shape your waist
• Choose tops that hit at the “hip zone”

Jessica Biel has very broad shoulders and does a perfect job of always looking fashionable, feminine, and stylish.  Here are a few tips to follow to help you look your best as well.

Broad Shoulders

• Choose fuller bottoms over narrower ones
• Choose diagonal lines that angle inward at the neck
• Soften the shoulders with softer armholes
• Choose vertical lines over horizontal lines
• Choose v necks over square necklines

Most of the time women with narrow shoulders are bigger down below.  Therefore it’s all about balance!  You will want to broaden your shoulders through wider necklines, square necklines, lighter colors, etc.  Here are a few key tips to remember. 

Narrow Shoulders

• Choose narrower bottoms over fuller bottoms
• Choose diagonal lines that angle outward at the shoulder
• Choose wider, square, or horizontally shaped necklines

Short Neck

• Choose shorter earrings over longer ones
• Avoid turtlenecks
• Choose longer necklaces over chokers
• Choose deeper necklines

Long Neck

• Tie scarves in a choker fashion
• Wear higher necklines instead of deeper ones
• Choose shorter necklaces instead of longer ones
• Choose longer earrings over shorter ones

We all have figure variations, and over the next few weeks I am going to be providing tips for some of the most common and a few uncommon figure variations.  Enjoy!

The Round Face

A round face is just that – full, with few angles.  Width and length in the same proportions or equal.  Slightly angular, narrow frames will lengthen the round face.  Avoid excessively rounded styles, which will exaggerate curves.  The frames should be wider than they are deep.

The Oval Face

Because of its mostly balanced proportions, the oval face is considered to be the ideal face shape.  The chin is slightly narrower than the forehead, and the cheekbones are high.  Frames should maintain the oval’s natural balance.  Select frames that are as wide or wider than the broadest part of the face.  Keep frames the same proportions as the face.  Follow your brow line; don’t let eyewear create a new expression.

The Heart Shaped Face

This shape has a very wide forehead and high cheekbones.  Face narrows gradually to the chin.  Frames should add width below the eye line to offset the narrow chin.    Very light colors and rimless styles are very effective.    Try frames that are wider at the bottom.    Other choices include aviator, butterfly, or low triangle styles; frames with rounded tops and squared bottoms will also work.

The Oblong or Rectangular Face

Because it is longer than it is wide, the oblong face needs a frame that is deeper than it is wide to shorten the face or to create the illusion of a shorter face.  Frames should break the length of the face, making the face appear shorter and wider.    Frames should have top to bottom depth.   To soften the face, try round, deep, or low triangle shapes, or frames with strong vertical lines.   A low bridge will also shorten the nose.

Finding a great pair of sunglasses is a must!  Personally, I suggest having at least two different pairs.  But if you can, have a whole sunglass wardrobe based on your mood, outfit, or location.  You’ll need a casual pair, dressy pair, very dark pair for the beach/pool/water, and a lighter pair for those partly cloudy days.  You can then add in a few differently styles depending on how fashionable you want to be.  The large Jackie O variety, retro 80s styles, or classic aviators are still considered fashionable.  Here are a few tips for finding frames that suit a square shaped face.  You can employ these same tips when looking for regular eye glasses as well. 

The Square Face
A strong jawline, a broad forehead, and a wide chin and cheekbones characterize a square face.  Width and length have the same proportions or are equal.  Frames should make the face look longer.   Gently curved narrow styles will minimize squareness and add length.   Frames should be more horizontal than vertical.   Try oval shapes with temples in the center.

This is a pretty large can of worms that I am about to open up here, but I thought I needed to address this annual dreaded occasion.  Most women I know absolutely hate shopping for bathing suits, so here are a few things to think about to hopefuly make this event a little easier.   

Go Up a Size - Always try one size larger than you think you wear.  When a bathing suit is too tight, the edges cut into your body creating bulges where you’d rather no one look.  When a swimsuit fits a little looser, the skin is squeezed less and creates fewer unwanted bulges.   

Dark Colors and Skin Tones - Remember that darker colors recede, making your silhouette appear smaller.  So dark-colored suits work well.  Skin tone suits give the impression of an all-over monotone look, which is also always a winner.  Loud Prints and ColorsSmall or sparse prints are ok, but big prints attract attention and make you look bigger.  If you can’t resist being covered in hibiscus flowers, at least make sure you wear the print where it will draw attention away from problem areas.   

Stripe Cleverly - Cleverly placed vertical or diagonal stripes can help slim your silhouette if they are placed in the right spot.  Where stripes start and end on a swimsuit is the key to whether you are drawing attention to or away from problem areas.   

Buy Separates - If one half of your body is much curvier than the other half, you have probably had difficulty finding a one piece swimsuit that fits well.  The good news is that there are many brands today that sell tops and bottoms separately.   

Busted - Full-busted women need a little extra support.  Try under wire tops or suits designed for long torsos as your bust will take up some of the extra material.   

High Cut - The higher the cut, the longer your legs appear.  The longer your legs appear, the leaner they look!  Go for the highest cut you feel comfortable in.   

Short Cut - Boy shorts may be a good alternative to wearing thong underwear, but stay away from them in bathing suits.  This style makes your legs looks significantly shorter and adds a horizontal line across your thighs.  It can also make your thighs look larger if the leg opening is too small which squeezes any extra flesh.