Star gazing for figure flaws

Muara Bagdja, Contributor, The Jakarta Post

Few women have a body like a supermodel, with the ideal breast, waist and hip measurements. Most, including celebrities, have to deal with figure flaws, either being too fat, skinny or large hipped.

Do not be discouraged because, like some of the stars, you also can play down the deficiencies.

Learn some lessons from the following celebrities.

Calista Flockhart: Playing the neurotic but well-meaning title character in the TV show Ally McBeal, Calista Flockhart has become a viewer favorite, despite the barbs that she is too thin and must be suffering from an eating disorder.

In Indonesia, although she is also quite beautiful, model and actress Henidar Amroe also has to deal with comments about her skinny figure. .

Designer Adjie Notonegoro said that thin women have a greater variety of fashion styles to choose from than those who are skinny.

To make a good impression, however, thin women must strive to show off their assets, he added.

"Gowns in a bustier style may be worn for evening occasions and I suggest, however, to add some padding inside the bra so the bust will look fuller and sexier, he said."

Bony collarbones and shoulder blade can be covered in a strapless dress with a shawl or stole.

"For suits to be worn in the workplace, I make short jackets with three-quarter-length sleeves, Chanel style, and soft-hued skirts," Adjie said.

"A three-piece suit consisting of blazer, skirt and blouse will make women look fuller. But, do not wear thick, masculine and conservative suits. I choose soft materials and bright colors for a fresher appearance."

Most importantly, thin women who do not want to accentuate their skinniness must avoid tight clothes, even if they are in fashion.

Slightly loose clothes give women like Calista and Henidar a larger, fuller appearance.

Jennifer Lopez: She is a corporation in her own right, with her music, film and now fashion pursuits, and Jennifer Lopez is also regarded as a celebrity with a beautiful and sexy body. On our own shores, actress and TV host Sophia Latjuba, although not as voluptuous as Jennifer, is also regarded as good looking and sexy.

Both Sophia and Jennifer are lucky they can wear many types of dresses without looking heavy or skinny. However, Lopez is also known for her large bottom, and she has to be careful to dress so she looks shapely, not dumpy.

It's also easy for women with good body shapes to fall into the habit of not planning what to wear, picking whatever happens to be in their closet. Or, they also try to show off their bodies by wearing overly tight clothes, instead giving a trashy appearance.

Women with beautiful figures should just show off one of their assets, such as wearing a low-cut dress, a long skirt with a split or a tight waistband.

It's a case of less is more. Their beauty and charm will be accentuated in simple, tight clothes. The best clothes for Jennifer are those that are wider at the bottom edge than at the top, as they will make her bottom look smaller.

Hughes: Large women often try their utmost to look thinner, yet they can play up other aspects of themselves. Celebrities such as local TV host Hughes, U.S. media queen Oprah Winfrey and TV host and comedian Rosie O' Donnell have people focus on who they are, not their dress size.

"The secret to dressing plump women is to encourage them to be self-confident in their appearance. If they stick to this, they will still look beautiful," said Adjie Notonegoro, a noted designer who frequently makes clothes for larger women, such as presenter Hughes, comedian Tika Panggabean and classical singer Aning Katamsi.

Many large women, in an effort to "hide", cover themselves from head to toe. Adjie recommended instead that they wear low- cut, off-the-shoulder gowns, or a "Sabrina" style low collar to focus on their upper bodies, his focus in designing for Hughes.

Another option is long jackets and shirts, and Adjie has often designed these for Tika.

Fleshy arms can be hidden under bell-style sleeves. These flared sleeves that are wider at the bottom edge than at the top will give a slimming impression.

Except for tight clothes, women with large figures should not hesitate to try a variety of styles.

"The selection of clothing materials will also influence the body. The most appropriate one is to wear soft fabrics that drop and sway as you move. Thick materials will make the body look fuller."

Large women often resort to black clothes because of its slimming impression. However, they must also consider wearing bright-colored dresses for a more attractive and fresher look.

A big hindrance to dressing the best is a lack of self- confidence.

"Therefore, I always advise large women not to be too modest. They must have great self-confidence in showing their assets."

Like Hughes, the assets come not from a slim body, but in good-looking face, healthy skin, smarts and articulateness.