In Style
June 1999 Asset
Management Tall
or small, curvy or boyish-whatever your shape, dress to make the most of
it. Here’s how stylists
outfit seven famous figures. Dressing
like the stars means working with your figure, not chasing unflattering
trends or hiding behind loose layers.
We asked stylists what these great-looking actresses-all with very
different bodies-do to get it right. -Joanne
Mattera
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petite
and curvy |
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Day
- A lean sheath score on two counts-seaming shapes the waist, and it’s
cut just above the knee to show off legs.
Adding a pair of nude heels makes the legs look even longer by
letting the eye run all the way to the toes. |
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red
dress- Laundry by Shelli Segal polyester-spandex sheath,
$180;Bloomingdale’s. Kate
Spade bag, $255; Neiman Marcus. Ann
Taylor leather sling backs, $98; 800-342-5266. |
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Night - Knits work with
curves, and slim pants worn with heels stretch the silhouette. |
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black
pant set-Lance Karesh camisole, $174; Saks Fifth Avenue.
Katayone Adeli pants, $238; Barneys New York.
Gimara at Fragments bag, $70; 888-637-2463.
Enoz Angiolini sandals, $80; 800-260-2227. |
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hourglass |
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Day
A shaped shirt shows off the waist while a slim skirt skims the hips and
behind. The skirt’s side
slit draws attention to gorgeous gams, made sexier with the help of a
heel. |
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skirt
Carrie Rosten Cie chambray shirt, $98; girlshop.com.
Chaikem and capoone skirt, $165; Barneys New York.
Ottavia bag, $250; Fragments, 888-637-2463.
Ellen Tracy shoes, $155; Macy’s. |
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Night The all over pattern
on this figure-following sheath keeps the eye moving.
Its V-neck sets off cleavage, but otherwise it’s modest.
“Less flesh, more woman,” says Ross. |
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black
dress Mark Wong Nark dress, $363; Tom Mark, 323-939-9710.
Kate Spade bag, $240; Neiman Marcus.
Nathalie M shoes, $165; Charles David, 310-659-7110. |
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Day
The right fabric lets a skirt slide over your shape, hiding and revealing
in equal measure. “Credpe
does this well,’ says stylist Vicky McGarry.
So does silk, as in the skirt pictured here.
A ribbed shell show off the bust and waist.
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yellow
and black outfit Parllet tank, $110; Macy’s East.
A/X Armani Exchange skirt, $98; 800-717-2929.
Ursule Beaugeste bag, $185; Giorgio Beverly Hills, 800-446-7446.
Fortuna Valentino shoes, $240; 212-941-5811. |
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Night
This lean, sequined shell draws the eye up toward the face, while the
pants, with their non clingy cut and flat front, put just the right amount
of emphasis on the curve. |
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gray-pink
outfit Katheryn Dianos top, $160; Henri Bendel and Anika.
DKNY trousers, $245; Bergdorf Goodman.
Franchi bag, $65; Lord & Taylor.
Nine West sandals, $69; 800-260-2227. |
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Day “Day is simple,” says Bloch. “Jada might wear a skirt and a little knit top.” Anything that’s close to the body is the perfect choice. As Bloch suggests, monotones are the best way to stretch the look, but tone-on-tone works well too, as with these shades of blue. |
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skirt
and top Laundry by Shelli Segal scoopnecked top, $138; Neiman Marcus.
J. Crew skirt, $48; 800-562-0258.
Via Spiga denim bag, $142; at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.
Sigerson Morrison mesh mules, $243; 212-219-3893. |
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Night This wildly
patterned dress is short enough to show off great legs, and bare enough to
put the focus on shapely arms and shoulders.
The diagonal banding from the bodice to the neckline draws the eye
upward, acting as a subtle height enhancer. |
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short
dress Girlfriend silk-Lycra slip dress, $200; Bloomingdale’s, Sakes
Fifth Avenue and Henri Bendel. Hype
silver satin sandals, $75; 323-586-4600, or at select Nordstrom stores. |
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small & perfect “She’s a modern girl and she wears modern, unfussy clothes.” says Ross of Gwyneth Paltrow. Such simple lines are perfect-they don’t swallow up her slim frame. The shoulder- and back baring dresses Paltrow favors give her a sexy look. “If you have a well-defined back and shoulders, you can wear a low-cut dress. You won’t have cleavage, but you’ll have the shape to carry the décolletage.” says Ross |
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Day A stretchy knot tube top is a great look: It puts the focus on the shoulders. Choose one with drawstring to ensure a perfect fit. “More voluptuous women just can’t wear strapless as well,” says McGarry. Not only are slim pants fresh, but they also flatter a slender body. |
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pants
& tube top Mary Jane Marcasiano knot tube, $100; DeJong’s,
812-423-1161. Joseph cotton
pants, $225; 212-327-1773. Kate
Spade tote, $195; Bloomingdale’s. DKNY
calfhair mules, $135; Dayton’s. |
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Night A dress with any detail at the bosom-shirring, embroidery, beads-enhances the area. Straps don’t always flatter narrow shoulders, so Ross suggests a halter to maximize the shape of the shoulders and breasts. | ||
pink
dress Diane by Diane Von Furstenberg silk georgette dress, $220; Henri
Bendel. Patty Shelabarger at
Showroom Seven Tongs, $175; Scoop, 212-925-2886. |
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Day Simplicity rules. Condit likes a V- or round-necked sweater and pants, both cut close to the body. For shoes, flats are a chic option. If you do go with heels, don’t choose anything too delicate or chunky. |
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pants
and blue top Autumn Cashmere top, $95; Fred Segal, 323-655-3734.
Bebe pants, $108; 800-808-2323.
Kazuyo Nakano leather bag, $215; Barneys New York.
DKNY calf slides, $120; Bergdorf Goodman. |
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Night Condit suggests something long that plays up the upper body. The feminine print and pretty details of this dress won’t overwhelm someone who is very tall. And flats, like the beaded thongs (bottom), are a great alternative. |
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dress Parallel silk dress with glass beads, $222; Parallel, Los Angeles, 310-276-7033. Sergio Rossi crystal thongs, $450; Sergio Rossi boutique, N.Y.C., 212-396-4814 | ||
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Day “Sweaters are a good day-into -evening look,” says Condit. And a chunky ribbed knit amplifies upper-body curves. When balanced with something fitted-a knee-length skirt, perhaps-it’s very figure-friendly. |
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skirt
& top Mary Jane Marcasiano sweater, $100; Linda Golden,
610-658-0992. Chaiken and
Capone denim skirt, $165; Intermix, 212-249-7858.
Summer Tompkins at Apropo tote, $55; Begonias, 516-374-6730.
Cole Haan sandals, $175; 800-201-8001. |
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Night Sexy, slinky gowns are always a smashing choice. Stay away from bias-cut satins, however, since they emphasize thinness. Pleated or fluid shirts or dresses are a nice way to enhance curves. |
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dress
Pixie Yates sparkle denim dress, $160; Barneys New York.
Chateau Robert pashmina shawl, $250; 212-628-1663.
Revivals bag, $200; Joseph, 800-890-5470.
BCBG Max Azria Footwear sandals, $156; 888-636-2224. |
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