Learn how to dress smarter for your shape

We all come in different shapes and sizes, and some of us are better at flattering our figures than others. How do you hide that thigh or lengthen that leg? Cindi Leive of Glamour magazine and the author of “Glamour's Big Book of Dos and Dont's” offers some great tips and advice for dressing your body type.

Rules for flattery

It's all about proportion
Almost all bodies look better in a mix of fuller and slimmer shapes — a fitted top with a more generous skirt for instance or vice versa.

Know that darker colors minimize
Practice the art of camouflage. An undisputed fashion truth: darker colors minimize, and lighter or shiny ones highlight. To play down a double-D chest, avoid wearing bright silver tops. Have a thicker waist? The dark brown belt is better than the white.

Tailor your clothes to fit your individual shape
You can't expect every size 12 dress to fit every size 12 woman in the bust, waist and hips. That means you should find a reliable tailor so your clothes fit your body.

Any body is a good body
Do or Don'tness has nothing to do with size. These days, flattery choices abound for women of all shapes. Size 2? Size 22? Dress your body like you respect it.

Pear shape
Don't: Wear a straight dress that hugs your curves at the hips, making them appear larger, not to mention the pull on the buttons in that area can draw unwanted attention.

Do: Wear a wrap dress to emphasize the smallest part of your body (the upper half), allowing the bottom to A-line over the rest, camouflaging large hips and thighs. Dress: Studio M at Macy's

Busty
Don't: A lot of women who have larger busts try to camouflage it with boxy blazers. A blazer hides a double-D bust, but it makes a waist and the rest of the body look much bigger.

Do: Wear a fitted, single-breasted blazer, making sure it defines the waist but is roomy enough in the bust that it doesn't pull. The overall effect is slimming and shape-defining. Blazer: Laundry by Shelli Segal at Macy's; top: DKNY at Bloomingdale's; pants: Svoboda Jeans

Petite
Don't: Wear cropped pants — they cut off the line of the legs making them appear shorter than they are.

Do: Wear pants that are long and straight. The hem should hit a 1/2 inch above the floor to hide the shoe height, creating a longer line and the illusion of a longer leg. Top: Trina Turk; pants: Theory at Bloomingdale's

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