Dresses

A well fitted dress can be an extremely practical purchase. There are many styles these days that will take you from one occasion to the next. The key is to find one that fits correctly. Here's how:

• Show off your top half with strapless or halter styles, empire waist styles or anything that is tight around the bust or waist and flares slightly. Look for dresses with beading or any other details on the top to distract from your bottom half.
• For formal occasions, full-skirted ball-gown styles are great because they will hide big hips.
• Avoid dresses with pleats or bunches of fabric gathered at the waistline. Stay away from anything with detailing near the waist, hips or rear.

Coats and Jackets

A coat is an investment piece. And most women normally own more than one per season. That's why it's important that you spend your money wisely ‑- on something that flatters your figure. Here's how to buy one:

• Look for three-quarter-length styles with a slight flare. Like A-line skirts, they will disguise the hip area.
• Large lapels and shawl collars balance out big hips by widening the chest and shoulders while minimizing your problem area. Use other above-the-waist details such as shoulder pads and prints as distraction techniques.
• Avoid short styles that hit your hips at their widest part. This is like a neon sign for that area. Also, funnel-style coats will be snug around the rear and loose everywhere else.

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