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Q: "I am a size 8/10 and large, and I feel really squarish most of the time in my shirts. How can I make myself look curvier?"
A: Creating the illusion of a curvier body is actually really easy. Bodycon silhouettes and waist-cinching belts are always an option, but there are a lot of ways to accentuate your curves without having to strap yourself in.
First things first, though: You need to make sure you're wearing the right bra. Unlined, underwire-free bras may be more comfortable, but if you want to create curves without cinching your waist, you're going to need to wear a bra that enhances and shapes your chest as well as supporting it. That means underwire, a good lining, and possibly even some padding. Victoria's Secret has tons of lining and padding options up to 38 DDD, but Aerie also makes great, affordable bras (some of them available up to a 40 DD) and offers free door-to-door shipping and free returns.
Pink Push-Up Bra, VICTORIA'S SECRET, $52; Coral Push-Up Bra, AERIE, $30
You can also find great, supportive, and affordable bras from smaller brands like OnGossamer, B'Tempted by Wacoal, and Freya in department stores, online, and at independent bra boutiques across the country.
Nude Bra, GOSSAMER, $46; Black Sheer Bra, B.TEMPT'D BY WACOAL, $40; Blush Plunge Bra, FREYA, $60
Now that you've got your bra sorted out, here's what you need to do:
1. Shop your own closet and head to the tailor.
You want your clothes to hug your curves, not just hang off of them, and a little tailoring can go a long way to making boxy tops more figure-flattering and at minimal expense.
2. Use colorblocking to create the illusion of a curvier shape.
Look for colorblock tops with side panels that taper in toward the waist. At a glance, all you'll notice is the middle panel, and everything on the sides will sort of fade away. You also can look for tops with horizontal colorblocking, where the part above the waist is one color or print and the part below the waist is another. The effect is subtler this way, but it does work.
Black-and-White Knit Sweater, TORRID, $39; Multicolored Colorblock Leather Top, BAILEY 44, $231; Black-and-White Long Sleeve Peplum Top, ANN TAYLOR, $40
3. Choose lower necklines.
The problem with high necklines is that straight on they can look like a solid block of color and make you look more boxy. Lower neckline, especially deep Vs, are better because they break up the area and draw attention up toward your face. Wrap tops are great, but you may want to have a small snap sewn in where the two sides overlap so the neckline doesn't slip throughout the day.
White Wrap Top, MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS, $39; Yellow Snake Print Top, H&M, $13; Red and Black Striped Top, VINCE CAMUTO, $89
You can also have darts put in the back of your button-downs so they only button up part way and then lie open across your chest. You won't ever be able to close them all the way, but you can always layer a nice camisole underneath if you need to be more covered up. It's a trick costume designers use on TV shows a lot, and it really works.
4. Wear an A-line skirt when you want to tuck in your top.
Look for skirts that fit at or around your natural waist in fabrics that are stiff enough that they don't just hang limply over your hips and instead flare out away from your body instead (aka not jersey).
Bodysuits are also great if you want to achieve the look of tucking in your shirt without the potential bunching and ride-ups of traditional (crotchless) tops.
White Faux Leather Skirt, KENSIE, $89; Black-and-White Striped Skirt, MINKPINK, $70; Red Skirt, BCBGMAXAZRIA, $158
5. Wear more peplums.
Peplums are very polarizing; people usually either love them or hate them, but the truth is they're great if you're looking to create the illusion of a curvier figure. The important thing is to make sure they are stiff enough and structured enough that they don't just hang there. They need to have a shape of their own similar to an A-line skirt.
Next, make sure whatever bottom you're wearing has a high enough rise that you can't see the waistband below the edge of the peplum. And stick to slim pants and pencil skirts that go below your knees to create a tapered look that will make your hips look curvier and your waist smaller by comparison.
Black Zipper Top, ZARA, $80; Blue Floral Peplum Top, FASHION TO FIGURE, $29; White Peplum, BEBE, $59
6. Try off-the shoulder tops.
Drawing a horizontal line across your chest and arms with an off-the-shoulder top helps emphasize the widest part of your body, making your waist look smaller by comparison. When worn with a flared or A-line skirt, it creates a perfectly balanced hourglass shape that's more dramatic and more comfortable than anything you're likely to achieve with some skintight bodycon bandage dress.
Blue Paisley Crop Top, MOTEL, $82; Black Off-the-Shoulder Top, NASTY GAL, $48; White Top, ASOS CURVE, $23
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