Fashion specialists - help please

[Laura Corin]

I am 5'4"/1m63, 139 pounds/9 stone 11/63.5 kilos and take a Lands' End 8 or a Marks and Spencer 12. But I'm very long in the leg and short in the torso. Very. I have square shoulders, a big ribcage (38A bra size) and barely any waist.

 

For work in winter I wear boot cut fine wool trousers, a knitted top and a shaped cardigan/jacket, which suggest a waist that I don't possess. I don't have to wear a jacket in summer and the office is not air conditioned, so I want smart light tops that will shape me like my jackets. Tucked in dress shirts make me look disproportionate and untucked dress shirts look a bit too casual - to me - for work. Any ideas of shapes/styles that might work? Non-iron for preference.

 

If you can point me to ideas, I can look locally for something similar. I'm just a bit clueless about clothes.

 

Thanks

 

Laura

[Audrey]

Laura, how about trying blouses that are a wrap style or faux-wrap style? Because they pull in below the bust or upper waist, they give more definition to the waist. Often they also have a bit of a looser, flowy fit over the abdomen, so they camoflage that are, too. They are a good style for many body "issues." The only caveat is that sometimes, the v of the neckline comes too low for some women's comfort level. That can be remedied by layering a tissue thin camisole under it. Not all wrap/faux-wrap styles are cut low, though.

 

I'll see if I can find some pics of what I'm thinking.

 

ETA: I made a cute collection in Polyvore and can't figure out how to share it, but here are some similar images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You'll want the wrap tops that are a little longer. Some are cropped and stop at the top of the hip, but if you are short waisted you want to create the illusion of a longer waist with a blouse length that goes at least to mid hip, if not slightly longer.

[elegantlion]

I would try to find some blouses that are meant to be untucked. I'm having a hard time finding the right style online, but something with a peplum style like this. I would try to elongate the torso and create a waistline. I'll see if there are better examples.

[elegantlion]

I like this style, not the pattern though.

 

Here's a faux wrap.

[Jen500]

Do you wear tunics? A nice tunic with an empire line might work. Maybe a different print but something like this-

http://www.joules.com/Women/Tops/Wickmere/Womens-Woven-Tunic/Navy?id=O_WICKMERE|NAVY

[Laura Corin]

Thanks, Ladies. I'll follow up your ideas.

 

Laura

[GailV]

I like this Australian blog because she includes lots of pictures. I think you'd be classified on this site as an H. http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2010/05/real-life-body-shapes-h.html and http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2008/09/body-shapes-explained-h-shape-rectangle.html

 

OTOH, on the YouLookFab blog Angie says women without a waist should definitely wear belts, which is the exact opposite of InsideOutStyle.

[Tammyla]

I love the wrap tops, and second them as an excellent option.

[Laura Corin]

I like this Australian blog because she includes lots of pictures. I think you'd be classified on this site as an H. http://www.insideout...y-shapes-h.html and http://www.insideout...-rectangle.html

 

OTOH, on the YouLookFab blog Angie says women without a waist should definitely wear belts, which is the exact opposite of InsideOutStyle.

 

Thanks - yes, definitely a rectangle. I actually have some wrap tops, so I'll try them out and see if they look dressy enough for work.

 

Thanks again

 

Laura

[Laura Corin]

Thanks, everyone. I found wrap tops on sale at Lands' End, as well as dressy slacks, so I'm all set for summer at sale prices. The tops are quite long on me, so I think they work well. I have a couple of very lightweight dressy cardigans to cover up with when necessary. I also have several good looking coloured camisoles that I'll wear underneath in case of gaping.

 

Thanks again

 

Laura