Ask Fashion Girl

Dear HOllard,

It sounds like you have a very common body type: the combination body, a small bust size and normal (not big!) waist and hip size. The best way to even out the difference is to stick with light colors on top and dark colors on bottom. Combining colors in this way will have a slimming effect on your lower body.

Look for shirts in pastels and whites. For variety, another possibility is to combine shirts in bright patterns with solid dark-colored pants or skirts. The best styles of shirts for a small bust are those that add material to the bust area by shirring, gathers, or draping. The draped-neck style of shirts are popular now and look nice with fitted skirts and pants. Shirts that are gathered in the front at the bust with an empire-waist cut are great for a small bust size.

You might be tempted to choose baggy or loose clothing, but in fact it=B9s best to stay away from overly-large sizes. Stick with fitting, but not tight, shirts and pants that will accentuate your form rather than adding bulk. Avoid pants with drawstring-waists and those that are gathered at the waist because they each add width to the waist and hips. Straight-legged pants and flared-legged pants both draw the eye downward and away from the hip area. Pants that are cut to taper down the legs and hug the ankles will have the opposite effect, drawing attention upwards to the hips. Think of the basic form of the hips and legs as an upside-down triangle, and choose pants that will invert the triangle shape. Last but not least, avoid pants with horizontal stripes or patterns!

For a huge resource of great fashion sites that will help you in choosing the best clothing styles for your body type, visit our Kool Connections page.

Have fun shopping!