Define Your Waistline

Opt for clothing that cinches your waist, to create the illusion of a more defined waistline:

Long layering: Simplify: Wearing a blazer or cardigan over a fitted top can make your waist look more defined. Make sure the blazer or cardigan ends at or above your hips for the best effect.

Belts: Consider cinching tops, dresses, or outerwear with a wider belt. For the best effect, position the belts at or slightly above your natural waistline. (Look at our Blazer listing for an example!)

Corset Style Tops: Great for creating a dramatic hourglass silhouette and giving the illusion of curves.

Flattering Necklines

To create a flattering neckline, use slim and long garments to reduce the width of your upper body.

U-or V-necklines: A deep, narrow scoop neckline can create a slimming and lengthening effect on your upper body. This style directs focus away from the shoulders and towards the center of your body.

Asymmetric styles: This helps break up the chest vertically. If you have a smaller bust area, halter necks can help elongate your silhouette.

One-Shoulder Styles: Can break up the width of your shoulders.

Sleeves

Choosing the right sleeves can help balance your silhouette and create a more proportional look.

Short sleeves: Fitted sleeves will help avoid weight on your shoulders.

Three-quarter sleeves: These sleeves end below the elbow, drawing the eye downward and away from the shoulders.

Bell sleeves: Add volume around the lower arm, drawing attention away from the shoulders.

Bottoms

Bottoms are another great way to add volume to the lower half of your body.

Wide-leg pants: The pant width can help balance out broad shoulders and create a more proportional look. The pants should start to widen from the thigh or knee to avoid adding bulkiness to the hips.

Bootcut or flared jeans: A slight flare at the bottom of the jeans can help balance the shoulders' width and create a more hourglass-like silhouette.

Printed or patterned bottoms: Bottoms with bold prints or patterns can draw attention away from the upper body and add more visual interest to the lower half.

High-waisted bottoms: High-waisted pants or skirts can help emphasize the waist and create the illusion of more curves on the lower half.

Textures: Texture and detailing (like ruffles or pockets) on the lower half of the body to draw attention away from the shoulders and add interest to the hips and legs.

Skirts: Pleated skirts, can add fullness to the lower body and balance out the shoulders.

Prints/Patterns

Prints and patterns are essential to styling a body with broader shoulders and narrower hips. Consider styling with:

Small to medium prints: Larger prints can overwhelm your frame and accentuate the width of your shoulders, so it is better to stick with small to medium-sized prints.

Darker prints on top: Darker or more subdued prints on the upper body can help minimize the appearance of your shoulders.

Brighter prints on the bottom: Brighter prints on the bottom can help draw attention to the lower half and help balance your silhouette.

Vertical Stripes: Can be effective in elongating the torso and drawing attention downward.

Jackets

The goal is to balance the silhouette by adding volume to the lower body or creating the illusion of a more defined waistline. Here are some styling tips:

Belted jackets: Jackets or coats with a belt can help define the waistline and create an hourglass-like shape. You can even take a random belt out of your closet and use it to cinch your jacket! (See our Blazer our inspo!)

Hip-length jackets: Jackets that end at the hip can create volume to balance broad shoulders.

Open-front jackets: Opt for tailored buttonless, zipless jackets to lengthen the torso and slim shoulders. (Or don’t button or zip the jacket)