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.