As news programs reflect on 2009, one story that consistently makes the highlight reels is “The Boy in the Flying Bubble.” Remember that one? An eccentric (to put it mildly) couple in Colorado took over the headlines when their son allegedly took off in a huge Jiffy Pop flying saucer. When the pandemonium died down, we found out the real story was that it all may have been done in the hope of getting a reality show.

Hs, no need to think I’m about to tell you to make your shape more proportional by taking flight. Oh, no—this tip is firmly rooted to the ground. Let your shape take off in a bubble skirt and go where other bodies fear to tread. Anna Sui’s Posy-Print Silk Bubble Skirt is a pared-down example of the major volume popping up on the runways. Pleats create fullness at the hips, widening a straighter frame. The overall pouf, which is a no-no for my M back end, constructs an hourglass effect on an H. Instant curves. A simple inset waistband offsets the inflation below and defines a thicker waist. When your waist appears smaller, your legs do as well. It’s as if your shape is resting on top of its own little fashion foundation with the skirt keeping everything in balance, intact and firmly proportioned.

Remember to keep the rest of the look simple and fitted. A black turtleneck or cropped jacket easily transitions from day to evening. Also, don’t forget to warm up with a pair of tights. If your legs are bare, this look could be a headline-maker all by itself.

Posted by Marcia at MyShape

One of my fondest childhood memories is of spending the weekends on Catalina Island horseback riding. I never fully realized my dream of becoming a premier jumper, but the one thing I miss is the look: chic blazer, fitted pants and a great pair of boots. Now there’s a way for me to relive my equestrian days without investing in a purebred or the embarrassment of being hoisted up by a trainer.

Elie Tahari’s Leather and Stretch-Jersey Pants have the look of a skinny jean with all the comfort of a legging. What sets this style apart from its boot-cut counterparts is the contrast of color. The classic combination of black and brown is slimming, and the contrast plays shape-enhancing tricks. Curved pockets in a darker hue accentuate the hourglass shape of your waist and hips. A lower, flat-front waistband highlights the waistline, and for an M this detail couldn’t be better.

Where things really begin to get interesting is at the back. As a fellow M I am always concerned about looking as great going as I do coming. A slight yoke in a lighter color defines the bottom without taking away from the top. The inside patches along the thigh not only highlight your legs but also hide any issues if your stems are having an off day.

Keep it simple on top with a mock turtleneck and great pair of drop earrings. Then pull on a pair of riding boots to put your style back in the saddle.

Posted by Marcia at MyShape

One of the things I miss most about living in San Francisco is the colder weather. Why? Those brisk breezes gave me the perfect excuse to purchase a new coat every season. My collection ran the gamut from classic peacoats to great vintage finds to uniformly military styles. Yet one variety never found its way into my sea of eclectic toppers: the puffy coat. You know the one—looks like a sleeping bag with the feel of a down comforter. There was just something so overwhelming about this all-function silhouette that never seemed to have a hint of fashion. Every time I tried one on, I looked like a marshmallow waiting to be squished. But look no further, Hs—MICHAEL Michael Kors’s Quilted Down Puff Coat won’t make you look like the Michelin Man or a marshmallow.

The softness of the fabric helps to streamline and add curves to the straight lines of your frame. But the real key to this look is the tailoring. The lines remind me of the mastery of any bespoke wool coat outlining the body’s natural contours, but with just a touch extra shaping. The modern styling of well-placed exposed zippers lying along the waist, which is usually the smallest part, creates the illusion of a curvier figure. Who doesn’t love that? A tucked-in hooded collar fitting tightly at the neck helps to narrow the body, creating a beguiling look for your silhouette.

Be sure to offset the volume on top with sleek skinny pants. You can even tuck them into a pair of over-the-knee boots. A puffy coat that’s this lean means you can reserve puffy marshmallows for where they belong: with chocolate and graham crackers.

The cooler months can be hard for Ps. Let’s be honest: when it’s warm out, there isn’t a V-neck maxi dress, tank or tee without your name on it. But how does one cover up while still maintaining a hint of playfulness? Try a boatneck.

BCBG Max Azria’s Kimono-Style Tunic Top takes the cut of a traditional boatneck and turns it on its bow. The straightness of the neckline widens shoulders to equalize your proportions. When the bustline and shoulders are aligned, the focus is diverted from the chest. The pale coloration with that bold stripe of black at the neck draws attention up instead of down, while a hint of ruching makes the silhouette slightly slimmer and adds visual interest. Cascades of the sleeve hit right at the waistline to create a more balanced shape, highlighting curves and creating proportion all at once.

Maximizing the shoulders accentuates the upper body while creating a little cleavage control. Now that summer has passed, there are new ways to flaunt your beautiful shape without letting it overwhelm you.

Like millions of viewers I have fallen head over heels for AMC’s Mad Men. Every Sunday I am pinned to my sofa, intoxicated by Dapper Don and the days when any issue could be solved by a gin and tonic, even at nine o’clock in the morning. More enthralling than the story line is the focus on a time when real women had curves and really showed them off. Don’t worry, S, no need to look into purchasing a time machine. Designers have embraced this mad mad world with designs that have your shape written all over the seams—polyester free.

Trina Turk’s Statuesque Ponte Dress with Embellishment blurs the lines between retro simplicity and modern glam. The empire waist shows off your narrow waistline while making your overall shape appear longer. The great thing about sheath dresses is that they are fitted at the hips—and believe me ladies, it is not a bad thing to show off the natural curvature of your body. Clothing that tends to be fitted is the perfect complement to your shape and always makes you appear proportioned. Look for a touch of embellishment or subtle playfulness at the shoulder or neckline. This helps to add more dimension to the upper body and saves you a little cash on jewelry.

Take a cue from a bygone era, a time when women dressed for every occasion—even gardening—and show off your best assets in one easy piece that is demure…with a hint of swank.

Calling all curvy Shape S beauties out there: which one of these outfits is currently lingering in your closet? A fitted jersey wrap dress and some peep-toe heels? A curve-hugging pencil skirt and a menswear-inspired button-down? A go-to patterned A-line skirt and a scoopneck shell? These are de rigueur basics for an hourglass shape, but while they may be super chic, a steady diet of chic classics can get pretty boring. Be adventurous! After all, you’ve got the body that lots of people covet, so flaunt it. Isn’t it time to show off your curves in pants? A great-fitting pair of pants can be as seductive as anything cut on the bias.

For Shape S the goal is to always bring attention to your waist. You have a relatively tiny one, so show it off. Pants such as Eileen Fisher’s Organic Linen Pants have a straighter leg allowing the waist to be cinched in so the fabric drapes away from the widest part of your body, the hips; this creates a little bit of curvaceous camouflage. When shopping, remember that your pants should have a “clean front”—that means no distractions from your wonderful waistline, no extra details like buttons, pockets and the like. Tops that cling but don’t look too tight complete your great look. Rafaella’s Silky Cotton Tie-Front Blouse will highlight the waist and compliment the bustline—it’s a double-duty figure flatterer for Shape S. V-necks elongate your neck and your overall look, and the simple tie adds a nice twist. For the office toss on a simple cropped jacket or sweater. Dashing to meet friends after 6? Trade the jacket for a shawl and gold flats.

Remember, pants did wonders for Shape S Marilyn Monroe—she turned blue jeans into a feminine classic, you know. So go ahead! Put on a pair of pants and watch yourself become a star in your own right.

Occasionally we find ourselves wanting something we just don’t—or can’t—have. Straight-haired girls yearn for curls and a little more bounce. When you tower above the rest, you may secretly covet a 29-inch inseam. Truth is we just need to work with what we’ve got and maximize the positive. In fact, we could all find ways to love what we’ve got—we are who we are. And we’re pretty great, aren’t we?

Take broad shoulders. How often have you heard “downplay broad shoulders”? Forget it. Most top models are built like lean quarterbacks—those gorgeous broad shoulders make clothes hang beautifully. All it takes is the right neckline to flatter the typical Shape Y proportions with a strong, defined shoulder line. The lesson for today is to think in terms of opposites. If you are wider on top, choose lines that are narrower. That means it’s time to toss the crewneck T-shirt and opt for the minimal lines of a halter neckline. Bare your collarbones, and show off your shoulders—they’re beautiful. The halter ties break up the wide line of the shoulder, creating a frame for the collarbone and softening the shoulders. Understanding that flattering style tip, you’ll steer clear of turtlenecks unless you want to make your shoulders look even broader—and there’s nothing wrong with that approach either!

Monochromatic tops with the least amount of fuss work best. Take a cue from ella moss’s Jersey Ruffle-Neck Knotted-Tie Halter Top, whose subtle simplicity hits all the right notes. Its hem sits on the high-hip region, creating the illusion of more width in proportion to the shoulders. To complete your look, your legs deserve some bold thinking too. Remember: the key is to juxtapose opposites. Your hips are narrow, and your legs are lean? Look for a wide-leg trouser that’s fitted at the waist and has dramatically flared legs.

Keeping the lines of your clothing narrower on the top with width at the bottom creates incredible balance and makes the most of your upper body. Your shoulders can become the main attraction. Embrace the positive and give yourself the right to bare arms…and shoulders!

When we think of the tunic, the term “figure flattering” isn’t top of mind. As an M, I initially shuddered at the thought of putting on a shapeless top without a defined waistline. Then I actually tried one on. Voila! I suddenly understood the tunic. Mine has become my uniform for the past couple of seasons, and with a few simple style tricks, it could be yours too.

Ms look their best when all the factors of the garment come together—and it all starts with a great neckline. The boatneck (the French call it bateau) on Michael Kors’s Boatneck Silk Tunic establishes the cut of the garment with just a peek of collarbone. An exotic pattern creates a trek for the eye while taking your look to daring new heights of style there’s no need to be afraid of. Remember: if a garment creates visual impact, you’re on your way. This tunic’s handkerchief hem elongates the silhouette and slims the waistline by creating an intriguing angle.

This style tip is about not only what’s on top but also how you dress the bottom. Always wear a slim, fitted pant or tights underneath your tunic. If you’re going big on top, aim for the opposite effect on your lower half, creating the illusion of a more streamlined shape. Let’s face it; every girl has to have her secrets, and this silhouette cuts out the middleman (yep, I’m talking tummy). When you pair a flowing top with skinny trousers, you suddenly get the look of mile-long supermodel legs, super comfort and a 21st century twist on the stylish elegance that made the tunic a must in its ’70s heyday.

Queen Elizabeth I certainly knew a thing or two about drama. From family backstabbing to her tempestuous relationship with Mary, Queen of Scots—which makes Bette Davis and Joan Crawford look like the Doublemint Twins—it’s no wonder she kept things tight around the collar. She was a woman ahead of her time, so she knew that the right neckline plays up a woman’s greatest asset: her face. No need to get all Elizabethan, though. Find styles that follow her logic by bringing everyone’s attention to your face.

A V-neck is the perfect silhouette to create a mood, especially one whose collar folds onto the shoulders. A shawl collar on Finley’s Big-Button Diva Top drapes gently around the collarbone, accenting the shoulders, slimming the waistline and making your neck look longer, leading right to your face. Feeling a bit more playful? Necklines with flirty detail can be equally shape pleasing. The accents on Kay Celine’s Ruffled V-Neck Jersey Top actually balance your shape and draw everyone’s eyes upward. Score 1 for Elizabeth I.

The best compliment anyone can give is not that they recall what you’re wearing but who you are. Your face creates that memory. In necklines that frame your face, you’ll always be remembered…and you’ll feel like a queen!

The idea of adding more to your frame may sound about as thrilling as hearing Britney Spears actually sing, yet complimentary layers of texture can be found in one simple piece that creates interest without bulk. Ruching is an Old World technique that takes fabric or ribbon and gathers it in a repeat pattern. These gathers form an embellishment that can appear crinkled, but your shape landscape benefits from all the elasticity. A woman with an A figure can flatter her shape by balancing out the waist-to-hip ratio and filling out her upper-body proportions with a ruched design.

A ruched cardigan transitions well from day to night and makes a perfect cover-up for summer breezes. The modern and feminine gathers on Fever’s Ruched Cotton-Knit Cardi with Pointelle Peplum add definition to a slender bustline as more ruching and a slight ruffle highlight a puffed cap sleeve that helps to round out an A’s shoulders and keep them in perfect balance with her hips. The peplum adds yet another layer whose flare shows off the waist while offsetting the hip curve. Pull on a great pair of bootcut pants to finish this style story, and you’ll be all set to “ruche” out and flaunt a flattering new look.