You’ve probably been there before: you “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” over that cool crop top the model was wearing in the magazine and ran to the mall to get your own version. In the fitting room it hit you: this midriff-bearing trend made you look like a sad mushroom (I’ve certainly been there before!). So what did you do? Buy the top anyways, just to stay up-to-date on the current trends? There’s a better option out there: instead of trying to flaunt a trend that doesn’t work for your body type, go for another. This season, Her Campus has done the work for you. Based on your body type, here are the current trends to avoid, and the ones to try instead, so you can feel confident in yourself while looking current and stylish at all times. That’s what being a glamorous collegiette™ is all about!
If you want to look curvier
Avoid: Boxy Dresses
This season, dresses have gone “boxy” – meaning that their shape sort of resembles, well, a big square box. This trend comes as a huge relief to those of us who want to hide our stomach regions and minimize our waistlines – what’s better than a roomy dress that hides any extra bits of flab? But for some body types, the boxy silhouette is totally wrong. In a square-shaped dress, your chest and hips get completely hidden, so if you want to play up your curves, stay away from the boxy dress – it will actually make you look shapeless.
Instead Try: Jumpsuits
Forever 21, Belted Surplice Jumper, $24.80
Jumpsuits, another hot item this season, are a nice choice if you want to accentuate your curves. A belted jumpsuit that draws in at the waist creates the illusion that you have an hourglass figure (even if you don’t!). As Noelle Cellini, owner and personal stylist of My
Best Foot Forward in Chicago, puts it, “Jumpsuits are like high-waisted items – they highlight curves. Finish off the look by adding a belt, which emphasizes the waist and completes the look.” Some jumpsuits run the risk of looking dated, but you can keep the look modern by choosing a sleek number in a solid or neutral color like the jumpsuits pictured. If the jumpsuit look is not for you, international image consultant Wendy Bryant Gow suggests that girls who want to appear curvier “wear clingier knits and fabrics with Lycra stretch, like wrap dresses.” Whether you try a jumpsuit or a wrap dress, make sure to avoid clothes that are too loose-fitting if you want to play up your curves!
If you want to look taller
Avoid: Mid-Calf Skirts
This season’s go-to hemline length is mid-calf, which makes for a cool and collected daytime look (even though it may feel conservative if you’re used to rocking a micro-mini!). However, if you want to appear taller, it’s best to avoid the new skirt length, known as the “midi” skirt. Because it covers most of the leg and chops off in the middle of the calf, it will make your gams appear shorter than they actually are (which is not ideal for those of us who are vertically-challenged). Though you may be tempted to try the midi, shorter skirts and dresses do a much better job of elongating the legs.
Instead Try: Printed Miniskirts
Nordstrom, Lily White Floral Print Skirt, $29
The good news: shorter skirts will never go out of season! But unlike the micro-mini, these short skirts are long enough to properly cover your, ahem, lady parts (thank goodness!). If you want to appear taller, Gow suggests that you “wear a shorter skirt that hits at the most flattering part of your thigh just below the fuller area.” This season, a high-waisted mini in an eclectic print is the way to go. The cool print on your skirt will draw attention upwards and show off your legs. If you want to actually add a few inches in height, throw on some heels, too! Gow suggests trying a nude pump.
