Dressing to look curvy

[Beanscene]

Any tips please on what summer outfits to wear to give an illusion of curves🤣 skinny person here who gets embarrassed in summer clothes. As shorts show off knobbly knees, vest tops show no boobs and midi/maxi dresses look sack-like.

Hello, first of all, you sound like you have a lovely, athletic figure. Nothing to be embarrassed about!
Can you tell us a bit more about your figure, are you tall or petite?

Am 5'3 and approx 7stone 6Ib. Boob size 32 b last time I measured but bra cups a bit gappy for me now.

Sounds like you have a gorgeous figure OP! Depending on your style there are plenty of options that flatter a smaller chest and lean legs.

I'd go for some sort of camisole top rather than thick strapped vests- something patterned often looks great perhaps lace trimmed?

Shorts it's all about getting the cut off right, how about some with frayed or slightly asymmetric cut offs?

When you measured, how did you measure? Because I am struggling to believe that me at 11st and you at 7st have the same back size.

I'd guess you are more likely something like a 28 back - if you check out Boob or Bust you will be a totally different size and suddenly find you have more in the cups.

If I were you I'd go with stressing my athletic figure, or waft about in oversize dresses that are lovely and cool but also highlight how thin you are underneath.

You might want to take a look at Kibbe Body Types online - it’s a way of looking at your body to get an idea of your “type” by working out how angular or soft it is, whether you have long or short limbs, etc. Once you know roughly what you are, you can look at ideas of what will suit your shape, size, etc.

It’s a bit weird but it totally helped me to identify why I have never been drawn to soft floaty things, and why the Scandi architect look that I love does nothing for me.

You sound like you'd look amazing in 60s style mini dresses! Simple smock ones, no toddler/floral prints otherwise you'll risk looking like a doll.

@Flocider don't know about gorgeous figure 😂 but thank you....its not something I've ever had compliments on (even from DH)🤣. @ShangPie thanks for kibbe tip I'll check it out. @AnnaMagnani ive been a lazy lump wearing the same old bras which are probably too big so will need to check out getting a proper fitting

Thinking about it a bit more, is this not about loving what you have?

I could have Audrey Hepburn as my style icon but she's no good to me for personal style as we have nothing in common on body type. While you sound exactly like Audrey but are longing for curves.

There are so many clothes that will complement your slim figure, @Beanscene.

Three outfits here from Farm Rio - I doubt that the models are wishing they had larger proportions.

I may have got obsessed with this walking around town but I think you would look awesome in:

Anything best worn without a bra. Have seen women looking fab in racer back tops, anything spaghetti straps, dresses with cutouts, floaty backless tops, strapless tops....

Anything unforgiving to lumps and bumps. Co-ord sets with crop tops, super clingy jersey dresses.

@AnnaMagnani 😂 I'll look at those things you suggested. I suppose what am looking for is a completely different body shape which is not going to happen. It's difficult when you feel so unattractive and u sexy.

<Tries not to feel ignored>

@MarciaSaysANumber oh am so sorry i was getting mixed up with posts and I thought it was same poster with the clothing recommendations. Loved the farm rio clothes..especially the green coconut dress

Shift dresses can be cut with a )( shape to create movement suggestive of a more defined waist.

If you're concerned about whether your top half is a little 'sharp', cap sleeves or sleeveless but with coverage rather than spaghetti straps would also create a wider point to come in from.

Boat necks with a cropped but boxy cut also emphasize a slender neck and create an impression of width - a long line, fitted lower half; the cigarette pants or straight skirt would then signal 'shoulders/chest, then waist and hips and legs'.

A slightly looser top drawn in at the waist with a wider belt, combined with a fuller, say pleated, skirt also suggests curves. If you're into that sort of thing, a looser shirt dress and belt would also work, especially with wider sleeves near elbow length.

You can wear anything you want, obviously, but those might be things that you'd like?

That’s good! But do they persuade you that your own body and limbs are perfectly fine and don’t need disguising?

Honestly, I used to be 5 foot 3 and 7 stone something. I look back on the fantastic clothes I was able to wear then with awe and wonder.

Don’t think you mention a budget, but if you’re at all nervous about your appearance it’s worth seeking out the best quality clothes you can find, whether new or pre-worn. Sturdy linen and cotton in strong colours, thick, crunchy knitwear in shetland wool. Anything with structure. Take an architectural approach and use interesting shapes and fabrics to create jagged silhouettes with your bones as scaffolding. Perhaps you don’t spend much time browsing old school fashion magazines - but if you looked through maybe twenty five issues of Vogue, stretching back over the past fifty years - you’d see just how much fun you could have getting dressed.

Two slightly different approaches - underlining just how much experimentation is possible!

A few brands that offer the kind of crunchy / experimentalism that add interest or a striking silhouette to a body:

Acne Studios

La Fetiche

Nackiye

Agree with others who have said it sounds like you have a great figure and could wear lots of things that look dreadful on anyone with curves. Backless dresses, flouncy/frilly tops etc.
Longer skirts/dresses if you don't like showing your legs. Strappy, low backed maxi dresses. Or Audrey Hepburn gamine style like someone else suggested. Fitted capri pants and neat little tops and blouses that nip in at the waist.

I was this weight and shape once, but 5 foot 1. I used to like capri pants, with waistcoats done up with nothing underneath or a bardot top.

As someone with an excess of curves, could you try to switch your thinking and try to embrace styles that work with your actual body shape? I'd kill to be able to wear spaghetti straps and backless dresses without bra scaffolding showing, low cut necklines without having things shouted at my breasts, big wafty smocks without looking like a sofa etc. I'd also love to not get boob sweat and thigh chaffing every summer!
It sounds like your height and figure are Kate Moss kind of proportions. Kate being notoriously unappealing!

I have just done this and oh my goodness it all makes sense! It fully explains why I’m drawn to clean lines and androgynous tailoring and why floaty dresses and pretty clothes make me feel like a 14 year old boy dressed up (I’m the ‘dramatic’ body type as it happens)!

I hear what you are saying @PinkArt i suppose we always want what we don't have and don't appreciate what we do have. Thanks everyone... Such good suggestions and advice ❤️❤️ am off to do some shopping

I know what I said is absolutely easier said than done @Beanscene! I've found accepting that I'm never going to be a wisp of a thing in wafty clothes is ultimately easier than constantly trying to fight my body shape though. Don't get me wrong, I'd still love to be able to wear strapless, but I know that's a disaster waiting to happen!

Wear clothes and underwear that fit properly

A dress or jumpsuit with a chevron stripe from navel to shoulder and from navel to outer hem, cinched in at the waist.

Cap sleeve blouse with an A-line skirt

Look up images of Audrey Hepburn. I'd love to have your shape.