Define Your Waistline

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

Belts: A great way to highlight the narrowest point of your waist, dark-colored and wider belts are your best choice. Wear with high-waisted pants, dresses, tops, coats, etc.

Corsets: Great for creating a dramatic hourglass silhouette giving the illusion of curves.

Tailored garments: Nipped waistlines give the illusion of a smaller waist (a garment that is pinched in at the waist).

Garments that flare out from your waistline: Add volume to your hips, defining your waistline. (i.e. peplum tops, A-line skirts)

Flattering Necklines

To create curves you should generally style yourself with low and wide necklines.

V-Neckline: Helps lengthen your neckline and draw attention upwards.

Boat Neckline: Helps broaden your shoulders making your waist appear smaller.

Sweetheart Neckline: Helps add curves to your chest and bust area.

Sleeves

Sleeves are a great way to shape and balance a straight body shape. Add dimension through sleeves such as:

Puff Sleeves: Adds volume to shoulders creating a broader upper body and more defined waist.

Cuffed Sleeves: Adds a tailored and structured look to the arm and is an attention to detail.

Bell Sleeves: Adds volume and creates visual interest.

Cap Sleeves: Broadens your shoulders to create an hourglass-like silhouette. Suggestively, avoid shapeless, fitted sleeves as they will accentuate your straight body shape.

Layering: Layering cardigans with tops adds dimension to the upper body (should use lightweight fabrics to avoid bulkiness.)

Bottoms

Bottoms are another great way to add curves to your figure, especially your lower body.

Flared Pants: Adds volume to the lower body, and creates the illusion of curves.

Straight-Leg: Have a consistent width from the hips to the hem, avoiding bulkiness in the waist or hips.

Low/Mid-Rise: Give off the illusion of an elongated torso.

High-Waisted Skinny Jeans: Creates the illusion of longer legs and a more defined waist.

Wide-leg pants. Preferably flowy wide-leg pants add volume and movement to the lower half of your body.

Detailed Skirts: Layers, ruffles, and pleats, add volume and draw attention to the lower body, creating the illusion of curves.

Straight Skirts: Follows your natural silhouette without adding bulkiness.

Tapered Knee Length Pencil Skirts: Adds shape and give the illusion of curves.

Prints/Patterns

Prints and patterns are essential to styling a straight-shaped body because they can help elongate, widen, or create visual interest. Consider styling yourself with:

Horizontal Stripes: Creates an illusion of width, adding curves to the body.

Vertical Stripes: Elongates the body creating the illusion of a narrow waist.

Floral Patterns: Larger floral patterns can add volume to specific areas, creating curves (i.e. floral skirts can make hips appear wider).

Geometric Patterns: This creates visual interest and can add the illusion of curves.

Color Blocking: Creates visual interest and the illusion of curves, (i.e. darker colors on the outside + lighter colors in the center create a slimming effect).

Animal Print Patterns: Creates visual interest and can draw attention to certain areas of the body.

Jackets/Coats

Jackets are a great way to tie your outfit together.

Belted Coats: Belted coats can help define your waistline, creating an hourglass silhouette.

Tailored Blazers: Tailored blazers that nip at the waist can help define your shape.

Structured Shoulders: Structured jackets like padded blazers can help broaden your shoulders, and create an hourglass-like silhouette.

Playing With Texture: Mixing textures with outerwear can create visual interest and dimension (i.e. leather jacket + knit sweater).