I love to shop. When I’m not shopping, I’m thinking about shopping, or reading about shopping. I consume fashion magazines with a barely controlled hunger: three square mags a day with snack glossies in between. I can’t get enough of what’s hot and what’s not and I’m always looking for ways to incorporate the latest looks into my wardrobe. Note that I said incorporate the latest looks—I’ve learned from experience (though I’ve destroyed all the photographic evidence!) that shopping the trends can send you into fashion-victim land, especially when you’ve got curves. The good news is that you can be curvy and trendy. The bad news? You just need to rein it in a little, ladies!
Know Yourself
There are some trends, like super-short miniskirts or super-skinny jeans that don’t look so super on everyone. It’s so important to know yourself—to know what suits you and what doesn’t suit you—before you shop for anything, especially trends. You can still play with what’s out there and have fun experimenting with new styles and adding touches of trends, but don’t try to force (literally!) a fashion item into your wardrobe just because you’ve seen it on the runways and in the magazines. You’ll never see me in skinny-leg or thong-baring jeans because I know they just don’t look—or feel—good on me.
Take a long look in the mirror. You are a beautiful woman, and knowing yourself is the first step toward being yourself, fashionably and otherwise.
Look at your favorite items of clothing, the ones you feel you look best in. Think about the shapes of the items people compliment you most on. Enlist an honest friend or family member to help you ascertain what really suits you. Having a few classic pieces and shapes that suit is the secret to a solid wardrobe, regardless of your size. Once you know your foundation pieces and shapes, you can be flexible to incorporating—yes, note again “incorporating”—the trends.
Keep It Symmetrical
When considering which trends work for you, look at the proportions of the garments and of your body. Gauchos, Capri’s Bermuda shorts, and voluminous longer skirts are big for bottoms right now, but these styles need to be balanced by the rest of your outfit, or you’ll get lost in your look. Pair full shapes from the waist down with form fitting tops from waist up. Then add a colorful ‘40s platform shoe or some natural wedge heels to create a longer line for your frame.
