What to wear if you're skinny

The following stars are tiny, but dress to flatter their bodies.

 

The Ally McBeal actress is so skinny that she's been plagued by accusations she's anorexic. Skinny just happens to be Calista's natural shape and she wears it well - Harrison Ford certainly approves! 

 

Known as Carrie to Sex and the City fans, Sarah Jessica has become a global style icon. SJP is thin and muscular, but always looks fab and a little different. She's living proof we really can wear what we want, even if we're not model height. Thank you Carrie!!

 

Model-turned-actress Charlotte Rampling has always accepted her very thin body. In her youth she showed off her long legs in mini-dresses, and today she goes for elegant trousers and long dresses.

 

Super-skinny Keira has also been dogged by rumours of an eating disorder, but she's not about to cover up her willowy frame and flat chest. From dressed-down boho to revealing red-carpet gowns, Keira has the wardrobe of a young lady who accepts her body and isn't afraid to show it off.

 

You need to create curves where you want them. You can dare to wear very tight close cuts or longer, bigger cuts to make you look wider. If you are a size 6 or 8 there are affordable brands out there that specialise in slim sizes and do some very feminine pieces.

The right colours

Almost anything goes. Current fashion is geared towards women who are thin and happy in their skin. Don’t be shy about wearing bright colours: dare to wear red or yellow if you have the right colouring. If you want to look wider, wear neutral/light colours and play with contrast. For example wear light tops and dark bottoms or vice versa. Prints look great on you, so go for big motifs. You can also wear horizontal stripes if you are tall.

The right materials

Thick fabrics, soft and flexible knits suit you. Always play with contrast, for example team a silk blouse with jeans or a plain cotton tee shirt with linen trousers or a satin skirt. You can also layer your clothes to fill out your figure.

The right accessories

With the right accessories you can highlight your strengths - your slim figure, elegant neck and lean legs. Accessories can add volume by playing with horizontal lines.

If you have no waist, go for wide belts in bright colours. If your waist is small, try out some beautiful original belts.

Scarves and shawls suit you well because they add volume and divert attention away from your figure. If you have very thin arms, wear a little scarf knotted around your neck rather than contrasting a thick shawl with thin arms.

Wooden or metal bangles add curves! Wear several on your wrist to jazz up a dull outfit or give it an ethnic look. If your wrists are really tiny, bangles give an illusion of volume and of softness. Be careful not to go too bling, though!

Ballet pumps break up long, thin silhouettes. It doesn’t matter if you have big feet: it’s the horizontal line that counts. If you're petite, go for shoes with a slight platform or a little kitten heel. Wear them with all types of outfits, but especially with jeans or short black trousers à la Audrey Hepburn.

 

- T-shirts with very short sleeves
If you have very thin arms, they're not very flattering. Go for ¾ length or long sleeves. Don’t do spaghetti straps if your shoulders are bony.

- Slight V necks
These are too pointy for you. They enhance the vertical line of your figure. Round or square necks are better. Also avoid long jewellery, but go for V neck jumpers over bare skin or a white tee.

- Flared mini skirts
These can make your legs look even skinnier than they already are. If you like light skirts, go for long ones that flatter you more.

 

- Balloon skirts
One word: volume! The balloon skirt doesn’t suit everyone, but it looks good on thin frames, whether you're tall or petite. The ballon skirt is quite short and usually comes in cotton. It isn't actually shaped like a balloon at all: it's doubled, with an uncut bottom. Go for dark colours and wear with ballet pumps for lightness.

- Pleated skirts
Rock the schoolgirl look in pleated skirts that stop just above the knee. These are ideal for skinny legs because the pleats give fullness at the hips and thighs. Wear with a jumper and ballet pumps or heels. Don't team with schoolgirl-style shirts if you don't want to look like you're going to a Back to School themed party, though. 

- One sleeved tops with a full, loose sleeve
These can be difficult to wear day to day but make great evening tops and one-sleeved dresses are fab for nights out.

- Bomber jackets
They break up your figure and add shape, which is exactly what you need. In terms of fabric, avoid synthetics which can look cheap. Go for classic leather or denim, and go for classic long-sleeved bomber shapes. Jackets should stop just above the hips. Team with jeans or a skirt.

 

- Plain white or coloured shirts
They can be dressed up or down for all occasions. Tuck into your trousers or into a straight skirt to create volume, or accessorise with a little pearl necklace to add roundness for a girly look.

- Boot cut jeans
A low cut waist is ideal for creating curves. Boot cuts make your buttocks round, and the new flared jeans are tight-fitting but flare out at the ankles, so they flatter skinny bodies more than other types of jeans like skinnies which can just end up making you look skinnier.

- Wide trousers
They're back in! Choose a pair with a good finish and large turn-ups at the bottom. They fall perfectly on flat shoes or platforms if you're short. Wear with straight long-sleeved sailor-stripe tops.