Staying Ahead of the Curve: Get Hip to Your Curves, Don’t Skirt the Issue! - Part 4 of 4

Welcome back for the final installment of “Staying Ahead of the Curve”, the quest for creating that coveted hourglass figure. If you missed posts 1, 2 or 3 in the series, please check those out too, lots of great information there as well. Also, some exciting news! We've joined the world of Facebook, so be sure to show your support with a "like" on the "A Stylish Transition" page. 

Today, in part 4, we’ll be discussing how to encourage flattering curves around your hips to wonderfully round out the bottom of that hourglass. As I’ve mentioned many times previously, enhancement (lengthening) of any of the body’s lines can be achieved either by adding volume, or by highlighting/drawing attention to that area. The hip line is no different, and by design, the fashion world offers a myriad of style options to come to our rescue. Let’s jump right in with an example:

Here we have coral, black and white, pleated full/A-line skirt from H&M with a tailored, white button up blouse suspiciously similar to the one in the previous post (ok, you got me, it’s the same one… I told you it was a staple!). This is more of a quintessentially classic, feminine look than I typical wear, however it always fun to stretch one’s limits. Of course, I had to add the pearls for good measure. So what is the lesson to be learned from this ensemble? Lets take a closer look at the skirt and how it creates that sought after volume. Pleats are great for creating volume, really great in fact. For example, this particular skirt has some pretty serious pleat action going on, which takes my hip measurement from its actual 38” to appearing to be around 42” where the outer edge of the skirt appears around my hips. That’s a tremendous increase! Additionally, the skirt is lighter around the hips, further highlighting that section for an added bonus. This is considered a full or an “A” Line skirt , because, quite literally, it is shaped like the letter A (see… some things about style are really straightforward!). The top of the skirt sits up at my natural waist and floats freely outward from there, the result: an effortless hourglass shape around the hips. Be sure you are wearing skirts at the proper height around your waist line to get the most advantage from their shape. This full skirt shape is also commonly found in dress designs and has the same voluminous effect. Dresses with the empire waist cut that we discussed during defining your waist have a similar, but generally more subdued effect of an A-Line, flowing outward from the waist. There are many other shapes you can choose from as well:

                                   Bubble Skirt                                                Tulip Skirt

Experiment with Full, Tulip, Bubble or recently trending peplum style (for the braver fashionistas) skirt types. All do a fabulous job creating that volume around the hips that we are after. Remember, the more rectangular your body shape, the more you want to go for a fully flaring, exaggerated, skirt shape. Styles with only subtle flares do well with the encouragement of slightly curvier bodies but could potentially sit lifelessly and appear shapeless on you. As always, trust your intuition... if it looks fabulous, go for it.

While adding volume to your hips does the trick nicely, there is a surprising other alternative for those of us with straight, more rectangular body shapes. Though it may seem a bit counter intuitive, you can actually do the opposite of what we’ve just discussed and wear something form fitting, like skinny jeans, on the bottom and let your natural curves do all the work for you. This trick is surprisingly effective even with only the most modest of curves if you are of slim build. With a slim build, it doesn’t take much of a difference in hip and waist measurements to see a subtle curve. Let’s take a look at this trick in action:

This outfit features a lush Plum Red, cowl neck, cashmere sweater (brand new and oh so comfy!) and a pair of dark wash, mid-rise skinny jeans from H&M.  This works best with mid to higher waisted jeans and a top that fits a bit more loosely (I find the combination of contrasting looser tops with more form fitting bottoms to be quite effective, rather than form fitting both on the top and bottom). The higher waisted top of the jeans layered under the top helps add a touch more volume as well... every little bit helps. This same concept could work just as well with form fitting pencil skirt if you want a change from skinny jeans.

In review:

1. Try A-line, full, tulip, bubble or peplum style dresses/skirts to add volume to your hips.
2. Be sure to wear skirts at the proper height around your waist line to get the most advantage from their shape.
3. The more rectangular your body shape, the more full/exaggerated you want your skirt shape to be.
4. If you are slim, trying something form fitting on the bottom and let your natural curves shine... you may be pleasantly surprised.