Overweight women can shine in fashion stakes
By Muara Bagdja
JAKARTA (JP): No matter what her size and shape, every woman can look attractive as long as she knows how to make the most of her appearance.
Overweight women are no exception -- they can appear presentable, even graceful, if they make the proper fashion choices. Self-confidence and an affable character will help create the right impression so the size of your waistline will no longer be the center of attention to others.
Here are tips on dressing right if you are carrying a few extra kilograms.
Know your body: The first step is to know your body shape. Some women, for example, feel uneasy due to chubby cheeks, while their bodies are in fact of a normal shape and size.
Take a long, hard, honest look at yourself in the mirror to find out if your entire body is heavy or only certain parts of it. This will make it easier for you to focus on correcting the overweight areas when choosing what to wear.
Loose ends: Many women think that loose-fitting dresses are the way to go to hide their figure flaws. Wrong! Take care not to wear such clothes, or you will fall into the "sack" look. Conversely, clothes that are too tight will only play up your problem areas.
Clothes with straight designs are ideal. Women can, of course, have their clothes fitted according to their body shape, but make sure they give you enough room to move.
Clean lines, in the sense of being modest, trim and practical, rather than in layers with various gaudy embellishments, are suitable for large women. V-shaped collars or shirts with unbuttoned upper parts also help slim down the appearance of hefty upper torsos.
A blouse tucked into a skirt or slacks will show off body outlines, particularly in the case of those with potbellies and broad hips. Protruding areas such as love handles and spare tires should be covered with blouses, blazers or cardigans, hanging lower than the hips.
Straight skirts are good, as are ones which expand slightly and act to hide large hips and thighs.
Color camouflage: Everyone knows that black gives a slimming look, but too frequent use of dark colors will create a dull impression. Try to benefit from the use of trendy, brighter colors for a fresher appearance. Lighter shades should be one part of the outfit, such as the upper part or blouse, with the darker section on the usual problem areas of waist and hips.
Hard textures give a sensation of largeness, but silky fabrics also stick to reveal problem areas. A glittering dress also magnifies flaws. Better choices are fabrics which fit softly on the body without clinging.
Motif minded: It's not true that you have to avoid them, including the old bugaboo of stripes. Use decorative patterns as long as they are small and regular shapes, and those currently in fashion, such as animal figures, will give a fresh appearance.
Stripes can actually provide some disguise. Vertical and diagonal lines give a slimming impact, but avoid using two different motifs at the same time.
Downsize accessories: Less is more on this front. The fewer accessories one picks, the more well-groomed one may look. Use small, attractive jewelry, no more than two pieces at a time. Tight necklaces are not the right choice for the overweight.
Medium-sized handbags are also appropriate, as they will not be held close to the body and highlight the size difference. Shoes with thick and moderate heels provide good support for large frames.
Divert attention: Once you know your problem areas, work to divert attention to other parts of your physique. For instance, if you have large hips, do not wear belts that will draw attention to them. Turn the focus to the upper part of your body, for instance by wearing blouses in bright colors or with appealing collars, or using makeup that plays up your facial features.
Confidence counts: Keep a neat appearance and carry yourself with confidence, focusing on your assets and showing an amiable personality to others. If you are not happy with your weight, then consider this a phase and start to try to get yourself back into shape through regular exercise and a healthy diet.
The writer is a fashion consultant based in Jakarta. Questions? Contact Muara Bagdja at features@thejakartapost.com.