Staying Fit
Tony Barson/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Mireya Acierto/WireImage/Getty Images; Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
"No, no, no, YES, no, no, no, no, no, maybe.”
That's how fashion editors (like me), stylists and department store personal shoppers go through racks of dresses for photo shoots and clients. There's good reason to be picky. While thousands of women age 50-plus share the same dress size, we differ a lot in body proportions, weight distribution and height. Size 16 to 18+ is the new normal (with some brands expanding up to size 30!), but as an insider I know even full-figured women size 8, 10 or 12 wrestle with curves at bust, belly, hips, booty and/or thighs ... so c'mon, let's be inclusive here! We can all dress up with a body-positive attitude if you follow my 10 tips. Get inspired by these photos and dresses.
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Sherri Shepherd in a fit-and-flare blue-and-white floral print sleeveless midi.
Mireya Acierto/WireImage/Getty Images
1. Fit on top, flow below — opposites attract the right attention
If you have a soft middle or nonexistent waist and a voluptuous lower body, it doesn't get better than a fit-and-flare dress. The trick is choosing a beltless style that suggests a waist by hugging the torso before expanding into the A-line skirt. A wide neckline like a boat, broad V or scoop with wide-set straps also is a good idea to help balance fullness at the bust and hem. Go longer to give the bottom of the dress room to sway — just below the knees for shorter women; a midi for taller ones.
Dana Delany in a red nearly-off-shoulder knee-length sheath with 3/4 sleeves.
Phillip Faraone/FilmMagic/Getty Images
2. Show your shoulders for body-balancing confidence
Remember how we loved shoulder pads? Off-shoulder, nearly off-shoulder or cold shoulder with sleeves and cut-out scoops give similar results by creating a strong horizontal shoulder to balance curves at the bust, hips or thighs. Keep attention on the neckline drama by choosing a solid color dress. Whether you're a statuesque 12, 18 or 22, these dresses are PC in their more modest modified versions. Save the full-tilt off-shoulder looks for weekends and evenings.
Wendy Williams in a green leopard-print wrap dress.
Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images/Getty Images
3. Wrap your curves to mold, hold and display contours
The wrap is the Houdini of dresses. Its list of illusions includes a crossover design that creates a bust-flattering V-neckline and defines your middle; an adjustable waist tie to fake a waist or amplify an existing one; a wrap flap of double fabric below that blurs tummy bulges and flashes a little leg for a body-elongating bonus when you walk and sit. Look for supple fabrics like viscose, polyester, or blends of cotton/silk, modal/ polyester or polyester/spandex that cling to curves but have some substance. If you have big breasts and a small rib cage or have lost body definition and tone — this is your shape-shifter.
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