There are plenty of clothing tricks that will give you curves if you weren't blessed with them naturally. We get what we're given, and I'm happy with my straight-up-and-down figure. I've learned what flatters it, but sometimes I want a different look. Here are some clever clothing tricks that will give you curves …
1 Wide Belt
One of the easiest clothing tricks that will give you curves is to cinch your waist in with a wide belt. It needs to sit on your natural waist, rather than on your hips. Choose one made of elasticated fabric, as this will hug your waist; more rigid fabrics like leather won't cling and give you the shape you want.
Frequently asked questions
2 Full Skirt
Wearing a full skirt can also give the illusion of curves - think of '50's dresses and Christian Dior's New Look - especially when matched with the wide belt trick mentioned above. Pair with a fitted top or jacket, so that you don't look like an egg timer! The skirt doesn't have to be as full as a ball gown, but it does need to have some fullness at the hem.
3 Illusion Dress
Look out for illusion dresses like the Stella McCartney dress worn by Kate Winslet for an easy way of suggesting curves. They feature a contrast panel at the side, which is shaped to trick the eye into seeing a smaller waist. There are plenty of cheaper versions like one from Rule 1.
4 Pencil Skirt
A clinging pencil skirt also works to give you curves, as it clings to your shape. Choose a skirt made of stretchy material that is tight at the hem, and has a wide band of elastic inside the waist. I have one that makes even my boyish frame look more like a '50's bombshell. It works because it is very fitted around my widest point (the hips) and hugs my waist completely.
5 Layer
When you don't have any natural curves, you can use the layering technique to create them (as a bonus, it will keep you warm in cooler weather!). For example, you could pop a bolero over a top or a loose shirt over a strappy vest. Also look for clothes that have extra layers as details, such as a peplum skirt or top.
6 Wide Leg Pants
As with skirts, adding fullness at the hem can add the illusion of curves when you wear pants. Look for a bootleg cut or wide legs. It's important though that the waist and hips are fitted, so that they appear smaller in comparison. Again, it's about visual tricks - the slanted line moving outwards as it heads down gives the impression of more width.
7 Ruffles
Ruffles are an excellent way of giving the impression of curves around the bust and torso. They work by making it seem that you have more fullness; as a small-busted girl I've found it to be a really effective cheat! Also look for a skirt with ruffled layers around the hips or below.
There's nothing wrong with not having a curvy figure, but sometimes you want to get the look. Fortunately, what nature didn't give you can be created with these clever tricks. It's a question of looking for clothing with the right details and shape. What kind of shape do you have, and how do you dress it?