Figure flattery tricks for everybody

As any truly well-dressed woman knows, looking spectacular is a lot more than wearing what’s fashionable. It’s about deciding what areas you want to play up or down and in turn making you feel confident and fabulous. The first step is to know your body completely. Take time and do this right.

The best way to do it is to stand in front of a full length mirror in your underwear and carefully observe yourself from head-to-toe noting the areas you like best, which will be the area’s you play up and what you prefer to deflect attention from.

Some features can easily be changed; for instance a protruding tummy can be reduced through exercise or through a pair of spanxx while a small bust would be camouflaged by a ruched bodice.

The general guidelines are shorter hemlines that end a little above the knee for petite girls like Eva Longoria and form fitting tailored pieces for curvy girls that define your mid-section, emphasise and celebrate your curves a la Queen Latifah.Chest - If you love it wear something fitted or low cut. Let your décolletage be the only focus so keep the rest simple.

A well cut dress and a nice pair of nude or black heels. When shopping always look for open necklines like square or V-neck, nipped waists, wide straps and supportive bras.

Avoid showing too much cleavage as that can easily result in tacky. If you don’t like it, wide-leg pants and A-Line skirts balance out a big bust. Pair dark tops with light bottoms, select simple narrow sleeves and defined shoulders.

If you’re flat chested, create interest at the neckline with ruffles, a bow, a cowl neckline or draped pieces. Go for turtle necks, double breasted jackets, heavy textured fabrics and push up bras.

Waist - A boyish waist looks great in a long lean dress with darts and a skinny belt. Wrap dresses, jackets and belted sweaters also look great. A tummy can be concealed with sheath dresses, A-line tops and tunics. Avoid baggy shirts and draw string pants.

Hips - Form-fitting clothes like pencil skirts and high waist bottoms accentuate curves. Always look out for tapered skirts and dresses in stretchy fabrics, fishtail hems and above four inch heels. Use a tailored jacket and dark solid skirts and trousers to narrow your hips if you don’t like them.

Butt - A great derriere should be cased in a below-the-knee pencil skirt or high waist jeans. Bandage dresses look great especially in jersey fabrics. Avoid untucked tops. If you don’t like it, circular skirts work as a great distraction as do straight pants.

Avoid high waist skirts and pants. For a flat backside, focus on peplum tops or jackets which will also give the illusion of a smaller waistline. Pleated skirts are also great as are rear pockets.

Legs - A great pair of legs always look amazing under a short full skirt. Focus on cropped pants, short dresses, skinny jeans and sexy heels. If you don’t like your legs go for long skirts or trousers in solid colours. Maxi skirts, wide leg pants or boot-cut jeans. To lengthen legs, create a continuous line by selecting pieces with empire waists or vertical details. 

Now go out and start being fierce and fabulous!