Dressing for My Body Shape-A Diamond in the Rough

As I jump into shopping for new clothes that fit my lumpy bumpy body, it is becoming a huge challenge. And I still have to get my nerve up to get a new bra, an entirely separate post! I did what I usually do when I am not sure. I Google. Which led me to some nifty sites which gave me a few clues as to how to dress.

Shop Your Shape
My Virtual Makeover
Style Makeover HQ
Tips for Clothing by Body Shape

They all identify the different body types with tips to dress. Horizontally, I'm a Diamond, maybe in the rough but trying to shine. I also found out that vertically I am Long Legs Short Torso. The Diamond or Apple shape is the opposite of the Hourglass figure: the rolly polly stomach with little butt and skinny leg. My pre and during photos show the point. 

After reading the suggestions to dress for a Diamond I now know why I had such frustration with shopping for clothes. Add in the short torso and it became a nightmare. I can't tell you how many times I have tried on a dress or top which has a belt or ties to go around my waist. It's a definite NO for my body type. Deep down I knew this so I feel a bit of vindication. I am going to print off this list of Do's and Don'ts and use it when I shop. It's a start. Here's the link to Diamond Body Shape Clothing.

Do wear...

• Ear-rings, necklaces and other focal points designed to draw an observer's eyes up towards your shoulders and face
• Shoulder pads to emphasize your shoulders. This may sound very 80s advice, but they really do work. However, they should not be be visible
• Semi-fitted and loose fitting clothes
• Good fitting, well adjusted bras
• Support underwear
• Tops and bottoms in the same colors
• Low necklines
• Un-tucked tops
• Tops and dresses that flow through the waistline
• Straight flat-fronted pants in soft, flowing fabric
• Straight and slightly flared skirts

Short waist: Do...

• Drop waists, mid length tunics and longer tops
• Low rise or hipster pants
• Deep V necks, open shirts, long necklaces or scarves
• Skinny belts or low slung belts
• Low to medium heels
• Vertical stripes
• Pants with cuffs. They shorten the leg line and draw the eye downwards

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Don't wear...

• Clingy fabrics
• Fitted clothes
• Fabric with large patterns
• High necklines
• Large lapels
• Belts
• Tucked-in tops
• Pleats
• Narrow or tapered skirts or pants

Short Waist: Don't...

Don't tuck in shirts or tops (If you do then blouse them up to help elongate your waist)
Avoid crop jackets, short tops
• Empire lines
• Avoid wide belts
• High waisted pants or skirts

 

When I went through all the clothes I've bought in the last 6 months, I was pretty spot on. The clingy stuff just does not work. I do wear a bunch of camisoles, BUT they are always under something see through. Belts or empire waist: Never. Here are some of the picks for me with a diamond shape and also with a short waist. I am to try to elongate my torso and also hide the stomach. They come from this website.

Suggestions for Diamond/Apple shape (above)

Suggestions for Long Legs/Short Torso (below)

So now I just need the smaller body to go with these clothes. Still confused but getting there.

Over the last couple of weeks I've been on a shopping expedition to find shorts for my trip to Mexico in two weeks. Do you know how hard it is to find summery clothes in the middle of winter in the middle of Canada? I refuse to pay $80 for a pair of capris which only look so so. My shorts and capris from last summer are a tad big. But I think I've resolved to just make do with them. I plan to spend most of my time in my bathing suit(s). I'll just have to suffer from the baggy bum syndrome. All I really care about is getting away to somewhere warm. On Sunday it was one of our coldest days this winter, -25C (-13F) with a windchill making it feel like -38C (-34F). 16 more sleeps and I will be lounging by the ocean, white as a ghost and sucking up the sunshine.

As I work on this diamond, I know that exercise is the only way that it will deflate. I made it to the gym twice last week, fighting and kicking both times. But I went. And I will keep going. I want to get back to the routine and the energy I need from it right now. I also forgot to say that I got a fill last Wednesday. A 0.1 cc fill, just a drop. I think it has helped but will need to give it time. I don't have the ravenous hunger I was feeling and can still eat almost anything. I had pancakes for breakfast on the weekend but didn't finish them. Small victories. It really is true that there is a sweet spot/green zone that when reached takes away all thought of eating or food. I hope everyone eventually gets there because it really does exist. Our own band G-Spot (that's Green-Spot for those who let their minds go elsewhere).

I may even consider a tummy tuck to suck out some of the fat that is so persistant around my middle. But I am just not sure I want to go that path yet. Maybe I'll think differently in a year or two. Till then it's off to get some good body foundation. Bra shopping is next. And I will have to see about some Spanx. Problem is they must be rather hot in the summer.

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