Most people including fashion models and celebrities don’t have flawless bodies although it can appear that way when certain camera angles are used to portray their bodies from their best perspective. The world of modeling is all about portraying an illusion. You too can use that principle to your advantage. One way to give the illusion of a well proportioned body is to use fashion to enhance and minimize figure flaws. One figure flaw that many women want to address is the problem of wide hips. One of the best ways to minimize the look of wide hips is to wear a skirt that visually plays down hip size. Here’s how to choose and wear a skirt if you have wide hips.

Think A-line
Of all the skirt styles available, the a-line skirt is easily one of the most attractive skirt styles for wide hips. When you shop, choose an a-line skirt that gradually widens as it approaches the hem line for maximal figure flattery. Although overly detailed skirts usually don’t flatter wide hips, an a-line skirt with soft pleats can be pretty and can actually draw attention away from the hip area.

Avoid Bias Cut Skirts
One style to avoid is any skirt that’s bias cut. Bias cut skirts have a tendency to cling to the widest part of the hips and make hips look fuller and wider. If you have wide hips, choose a skirt style that allows the bulk of the fabric to drape softly over the hip line.

Think Dark on the Bottom and Lighter on the Top
When you wear a skirt in a dark color on the bottom, you visually draw the eye away from the hip area. If you accentuate your upper body with a lighter shade or interesting pattern, you can further de-emphasize wide hips. Choose eye catching tops in lighter shades and bolder patterns to play down the appearance of less than perfect hips. Remember bold patterns and lots of detail accentuate areas while dark, solid colors de-emphasize them.

Choose Vertical Stripes and Avoid Horizontal
When you wear a skirt to play down your hips, it’s best to avoid busy patterns and bold graphics. One exception would be a skirt with a vertical stripe. Vertical stripes give the visual illusion of a longer, slimmer line and can subtract inches off of hip width. As flattering as a skirt with a vertical stripe can be, a horizontal stripe will only accentuate wide hips. Try wearing a black a-line skirt with vertical pinstripes. Accentuate your upper body with a pretty white blouse and a stunning necklace that catches the eye and your wide hips will be much less obvious.

Choose Accessories Wisely
Stay away from accessories that accentuate the hips such as low slung belts. Draw the eye upwards with an unusual statement necklace or bold earrings. When you wear a skirt, choose a shoe with a moderate sized heel. Flat shoes will make you appear shorter and heavier while heels that are too tall may draw too much attention to the lower body. Keep your lines clean and smooth by wearing hosiery or tights that match your skirt and shoes.

If you have wide hips, you don’t have to avoid skirts. A carefully chosen skirt worn with the right shoes and accessories can look fabulous on less than ideal hips and you can step out in style.

The secret to paying less without looking like a discount is to stick to a few essentials. Shopping is a money issue, and like all money issues, you should look at every purchase as an investment. Most people go to the mall intent on making their budget stretch by paying a little bit of money for a bunch of things. This is how you overspend for nothing.

You have a closet full of clothes, but you find yourself at the mall the day before what’s-her-name’s wedding or the formal Christmas party, pawing frantically through racks of clothes. By buying for just one occasion, you end up with another inflexible piece of cheap clothing. It‘s a vicious cycle. ‘Nothing to wear’ is an excuse that keeps you from going places.

When you buy the bare minimum, you eliminate this problem. You will always have something to wear and you will always look good.

Pants & Skirts
Wool and tweed blend well with other colors and materials, so buy the following pieces in those colors. One of your pairs of black pants should come with a jacket. In other words, buy a black suit.

• Pair of black dress pants for day-time.
• Pair of black dress pants with a fuller leg for evening.
• A-line or bias cut skirt that drapes.
• Pencil skirt in black.
• Neutral colored skirt.

Jeans
Jeans come in every shape and size for different body-types. If you have generous hips, wear a straight legged jean. Avoid stressing and stylized fading on jeans, as this can highlight your trouble spots.

To get a perfect fit, there is nothing wrong with getting your jeans tailored, in fact, you will probably have to.  This is an expense that’s worth it because jeans travel well, pair with almost any top and are appropriate for almost any occasion besides church, the opera or a banquet. The hem of your jeans should brush the toe box of your shoe.

• Hemmed pair of jeans to go with heels.
• Hemmed pair of jeans to go with sneakers or flats.

Tops

• Sweater in the same shade of black as your pants and skirt.
• Sweater in a neutral shade.
• A lilac, olive or salmon sweater. Something with a rich tone that pairs with tweed or camel..
• White button down shirt.
• T-shirts.

Jackets

• Tailored jacket that matches pants.
• Bomber, motorcycle or windbreaker jacket in a refined fabric. Think leather, suede or corduroy.

Coats

• Trench in neutral or black.
• Knee-length for day and between seasons. Look for leather, suede or lightweight wool.
• Winter coat of the highest quality you can afford. In colder climates, look for a calf-length coat.  In milder ones, the lightweight knee-length will suffice.

Dress

• Absolute must have: a little black dress.

Accessories

• Classic leather style bag that works with everything.
• Evening bag , envelope style or square-top handle.
• Tote bag for running errands.
• Pair of black pumps with 2 1/2 to 3 1/2-inch heel. Get kitten heels if you don’t like heights.
• Comfy evening shoe in black satin.
• Pair of tall black boots.
• Bad weather boots.
• Pair of cool retro sneakers.

Remember to look for deals at your favorite stores to ensure the best quality possible. Fit is important, so get the styles that are most flattering to your shape. Retail clothing is one size fits all so count on having a few alterations. Don’t be afraid to use a tailor.

Since you’ve bought fewer clothes, you can afford the best fit. Every piece you buy can be a designer piece. Same budget, better clothes. These are the essential basics that you really need-the rest is gravy.

It just may be the ultimate in comfort fabric. Who doesn’t dream of slipping on a pair of denim pants or a cut-off pair of denim shorts when they return home from work? Denim can take on so many forms from the ubiquitous, casual jean jacket worn on a weekend outing to a long denim skirt paired with boots for an afternoon affair. Just as fashion trends come and go, so do denim styles. Here are some of the most important denim trends for winter 2009.

Dark Denim
There was a time when faded jeans were the rage but the tide has turned and dark denim has been rediscovered. The advantages of dark denim are considerable. While light, faded jeans are soft and fun to wear, dark jeans are less casual and can be worn for dressier occasions. Who doesn’t appreciate the slimming effect dark denim has on the legs and thighs? A pair of dark jeans in your closet means you don’t have to dress up to go out. Just slip on dark jeans and a stylish belt, add a sweater and some cool boots or heels and you have a figure flattering, “go anywhere” look. This is one trend you can’t live without.

Weathered Jeans
Although dark denim is a force in fashion this fall, the distressed look will also be hot, particularly on college campuses. This is one time you can really appreciate holes in your clothing. In fact, you can find online videos showing how to tastefully destroy jeans to give them that “lived in” look. Holes are hot and rips are even better. Add a few stains and blotches and you have the recipe for fall fashion success.

Wide Leg Jeans
The slim, skinny jean has been the prevailing style for the past season. Although the slim jean will still have its place in 2009 fall and winter wardrobes, wide leg denim will make its appearance for those who are ready for a change. If you happen to be short or carry most of your weight below the waist, a wide leg style can visually add pounds. To offset this, wear wide leg jeans with higher heels to add height and avoid styles that have cuffs which can make legs look shorter. If this look isn’t for you, never fear, you can still wear skinny jeans this fall and look fashionable.

However you choose to wear them jeans and denim are a classic that will never go out of style. Have fun wearing the new denim trends this fall!

Winter coats are an expensive investment. You want quality, warmth and style. You also want your new coat to survive beyond trends for two or more seasons, so picking a classic style is best.

Choosing a winter coat with style can be daunting. You love the long coats, but you think you’re too short. You love the short perky little jackets, but you think … ahem … your hips are too wide. You love the wide and flowing three-quarter length coats, but you think you’re too short and too wide. What’s a girl to do? Well, there is a coat out there to fit every size and shape.

Firstly, you need to find a coat that doesn’t pucker or pull when you move your arms, has no uneven hems and is well-constructed. Sleeves should cover the wrist and you should not feel too confined or bulky. Considering the more slim-cut styles is best for comfort.

If you’re a little curvy, round and short, don’t hide your figure behind a loosely fitting coat. The best style is one that will accentuate your waist. A belted a-line coat will do this for you perfectly.

If you are petite, a short cropped jacket will give the illusion of height. Your small frame  won’t be hidden behind a large coat. Shorter women can also wear maxi coats that come in at the waist. Straight maxis aren’t attractive on short women.

If you are tall a maxi coat is always flattering. Even women of medium height can wear a maxi. They’re warm and they never seem to go out of fashion.

The versatile and classic coat for all women of any shape and size is a simple three-quarter length coat  that has a nice tailored finish at the waist. It gives any women a lean and narrow look. It’s especially suitable when worn with blue jeans.

Choose colors that are right for you. Black is basic and if you want your investment to last beyond the fashion trends, it may be the right color.  Bright colors and over-the-top styling may not be good investments. You probably won’t like it next year.

Picking a winter coat is fun and there is a coat in the shops now to suit you and your budget.

Although it’s fun to wear dresses and skirts on occasion, nothing feels more comfortable than a great fitting pair of pants, particularly when winter rears its chilly head. A snug pair of pants provides welcome protection against the harsh elements and cool temperatures. But pants should be more than functional. They should also pull together your wardrobe and make an elegant fashion statement that’s uniquely yours.

As with all trends, pants styles come and go making it necessary to reassess your wardrobe on a seasonal basis. Curious about the upcoming pants trends for winter 2009? Take a peek at what’s up in the world of pants for winter.

Wide Legged Pants
The big news in the world of pants for winter 2009 is the re-emergence of the wide legged pant. While it’s true that these pants can be hard to wear for people who are short and less slender, you can elongate the look by choosing a pair with a high waist and wearing them with a moderately high heel. If you’re unsure about this trend, buy a single pair in a dark, neutral color such as black that will coordinate with a variety of items in your wardrobe. Keep the lines clean and simple by wearing them with a form fitting sweater in a similar color to give a slimming effect. Try on a variety of wide legged pants before purchasing. There are so many variations on this trend that it may take some experimentation to find the pair that’s right for you.

Skinny Pants Remain
Even though wide legged pants will make their mark this winter, skinny pants will still be a hit. Women love the way these pants add the illusion of height and aren’t going to give them up so easily. You’ll find skinny pants in a variety of textures and materials including leather, plaids, and even tweed fabric. These slim pants look great with boots that end just at or above the knee. Pair them with warm, nubby sweaters and long loose tops. Throw on a fashionable belt to enhance your waist. They’re also perfect for layering. Make sure you have a pair in black and pair in a darker shade of denim for maximum versatility.

Leather Pants
Though not everyone finds it to be politically correct, leather is a hot fashion item for winter 2009, particularly when it comes to pants. With winter 2009 focusing on the “grunge” look, leather pants are a great way to play up this trend and look fashionable at the same time. The best way to wear them is to keep the lines simple and avoid overdoing the trend. Resist the urge to pair leather pants with a leather jacket or leather blouse. Instead play up the difference in texture by pairing them with a silky blouse or a cashmere sweater. The contrast of a softly feminine top against the edginess of leather gives makes an appealing fashion statement. And if you don’t approve of wearing animal skins, you have an alternative. You can now buy “vegan” leather pants made of “pleather”, a plastic form of leather substitute.

If you’re tired of wearing dresses and seek the comfort and versatility of pants, enjoy wearing the latest pants trends for winter 2009. You can be sure you’ll be stepping out in style!