STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ajchula · Nine West

Help w/annoying body shape...

Andrea Julia · Coach

I can't picture what your body shape looks like, but it doesn't sound weird or anything.

Is there something in your closet that you really love? I'm sure you own something that you would wear every day if you could. What do you love about that item? Once you figure that out, you can try to only buy shirts that have that element.

Or else, maybe you can work with a personal shopper or even a friend that knows your taste.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

You just described me exactly. Except I'm not so much muscular, more curvy. First of all, you have to accept that you can't wear little, low-cut camis without looking hookerish. And don't be sad about it. Everybody has certain things that they just cannot wear, and ours happens to be the tiny cami.

Second, the button-down shirt is one of THE most difficult items for petite, large chested girls to wear. The NEVER fit right across the chest, are always the wrong length and if you do get a size that fits across the chest, there is NO definition at the waist. I pretty much remake every buttondown shirt I own so that it fits me properly.

I find that v-neck tops work best for me, and you can definitely do the layering thing with a tank underneith. I've heard that short girls shouldn't layer, but I think that's just a bunch of hooey. Also, try to find tops that have stretch to them. I can rarely wear 100% cotton because it doesn't form to the body very well. A cotton with a bit of synthetic always works better...not so much to accentuate the curves, but so that the top doesn't stand out from your chest like a tent.

If you can explain more of what your style is like, I can maybe give you more specific suggestions. The important thing is not to focus on what you CAN'T wear, but to find the great things that you CAN.