In Style
June 1999
Asset
Management
Tall
or small, curvy or boyish-whatever your shape, dress to make the most of
it. Here’s how stylists
outfit seven famous figures.
Dressing
like the stars means working with your figure, not chasing unflattering
trends or hiding behind loose layers.
We asked stylists what these great-looking actresses-all with very
different bodies-do to get it right. -Joanne
Mattera
petite
and curvy
Winona Ryder works her 5-foot-4inch sexy figure to full advantage by
choosing monotone dresses and gowns that define her waist and play up her
full bust. Emphasizing
the waist also lengthens the leg, as do side-slit skirts, slim pants, and
high heels. She also sticks
with sophisticated styles to avoid that “too cute” look.
Day
- A lean sheath score on two counts-seaming shapes the waist, and it’s
cut just above the knee to show off legs.
Adding a pair of nude heels makes the legs look even longer by
letting the eye run all the way to the toes.
Night - Knits work with
curves, and slim pants worn with heels stretch the silhouette.
black
pant set-Lance Karesh camisole, $174; Saks Fifth Avenue.
Katayone Adeli pants, $238; Barneys New York.
Gimara at Fragments bag, $70; 888-637-2463.
Enoz Angiolini sandals, $80; 800-260-2227.
hourglass
Kate’s classic shape is shared by Sophia Loren and Liz Taylor,
says stylist Jane Ross. All
three choose clothes that gently hug the body (but nothing too tight).
And they often focus on one great feature.
“If your legs are good, show them.
If your breasts are good, show them.
Just don’t show it all at once,” says Ross.
sensuously rounded
Ashley Judd shows off her classically proportioned figure to best advantage
by balancing fitted tops with bottoms that float over her
behind. “She looks great in
pants,” says Garth Condit, particularly lower-waist styles that
de-emphasize the curve of the hips. And
bare, slim tops (and dresses) bring the focus upward to her well toned
shoulders, back and arms.
Day
The right fabric lets a skirt slide over your shape, hiding and revealing
in equal measure. “Credpe
does this well,’ says stylist Vicky McGarry.
So does silk, as in the skirt pictured here.
A ribbed shell show off the bust and waist.
delicate
“She has a gorgeous body with so many strong points,” says stylist
Phillip Bloch of Jada Pinkett Smith.
Still, to make the most of her 5-foot frame, the actress knows to
avoid anything baggy or overpowering, like long jackets or elaborate
accessories. To lengthen the
look, Bloch says. “we usually keep top and bottom pieces the same
color.” And , of course,
she depends on her heels for extra height.
Day “Day is simple,” says Bloch. “Jada might wear a skirt and a little knit top.” Anything that’s close to the body is the perfect choice. As Bloch suggests, monotones are the best way to stretch the look, but tone-on-tone works well too, as with these shades of blue.
skirt
and top Laundry by Shelli Segal scoopnecked top, $138; Neiman Marcus.
J. Crew skirt, $48; 800-562-0258.
Via Spiga denim bag, $142; at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.
Sigerson Morrison mesh mules, $243; 212-219-3893.
short
dress Girlfriend silk-Lycra slip dress, $200; Bloomingdale’s, Sakes
Fifth Avenue and Henri Bendel. Hype
silver satin sandals, $75; 323-586-4600, or at select Nordstrom stores.
small & perfect
“She’s a modern girl and she wears modern, unfussy clothes.” says Ross of Gwyneth Paltrow. Such simple lines are perfect-they don’t swallow up her slim frame. The shoulder- and back baring dresses Paltrow favors give her a sexy look. “If you have a well-defined back and shoulders, you can wear a low-cut dress. You won’t have cleavage, but you’ll have the shape to carry the décolletage.” says Ross
Day A stretchy knot tube top is a great look: It puts the focus on the shoulders. Choose one with drawstring to ensure a perfect fit. “More voluptuous women just can’t wear strapless as well,” says McGarry. Not only are slim pants fresh, but they also flatter a slender body.
Statuesque
“She’s glorious. So
tall. When she dresses up,
she’s usually in something beautiful and classic,” says Ross of
Kristen Johnston. She sticks
to lean details (think Geena Davis).
Johnston can pull off both long and short lengths and is often in
heels. “She doesn’t have
to wear them,” says McGarry. “But
with them, she’s smashing
Day Simplicity rules. Condit likes a V- or round-necked sweater and pants, both cut close to the body. For shoes, flats are a chic option. If you do go with heels, don’t choose anything too delicate or chunky.
Night Condit suggests something long that plays up the upper body. The feminine print and pretty details of this dress won’t overwhelm someone who is very tall. And flats, like the beaded thongs (bottom), are a great alternative.
model thin
“She looks great in clothes,” says McGarry of Lara Flynn Boyle.
That’s because she never loses herself inside them, choosing
tight like fuzzy fabrics, patch pockets and chunky knits and still look
runway ready.
Day “Sweaters are a good day-into -evening look,” says Condit. And a chunky ribbed knit amplifies upper-body curves. When balanced with something fitted-a knee-length skirt, perhaps-it’s very figure-friendly.
Night Sexy, slinky gowns are always a smashing choice. Stay away from bias-cut satins, however, since they emphasize thinness. Pleated or fluid shirts or dresses are a nice way to enhance curves.
