Rita Mylett, a personal styling and image consultant and president of Network Mayo, offers Mayo Advertiser readers some tips about wardrobe personalities.
Warm weather is finally here and it’s time to kick your wardrobe into gear with the best skirt styles to flatter your shape. Whether you’re looking to minimise curves or create them, here are our quick tips to get you started.
Curvy
An A-line skirt that hits just above, or just below, the knee is a timeless classic that naturally flatters a curvy figure. This skirt style is narrowest at the waistband and then widens towards the hem, allowing the fabric to lie smoothly over curvy hips and thighs.
Asymmetric styles also look fabulous on a shapely body-line. These styles are typically cut on the bias and, for you fashion novices out there, designers cut fabric on the bias to ensure that it lies flat on a curve, a clever trick that we applaud. Common asymmetric styles include sarongs and wrap skirts.
Slim
When it comes to adding shape to a silhouette, the sky is the limit. I love the way a pencil skirt with a tapered hem causes us to pause in surprise at the suddenly shapely bottom that appears. Or a tulip skirt that adds the right amount of curves and shape to straight hips and thighs.
Look for styles with drape and volume such as flare cuts, pleating, and ruched details to flatter your silhouette. Avoid shapeless, boxy, cuts as these styles will only emphasise the straight lines of your body.
Tall
Balancing the vertical height of your silhouette is all about hemlines. Long legs look great in skirt styles that hit just above or below the knee. It’s the perfect hem length for showing off your legs without exaggerating their length.
Petite
Petites will benefit from a higher hemline, as this will visually lengthen your body’s leg-line. Shop for skirt styles that range from just above the knee to fashionable minis. www.rmibranding.com
