Overweight women can shine in fashion stakes

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.