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How to Dress for a Curvy Body Type

Jul 27, 2011 / By Catherine Hiles

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Christina Hendricks flatters her curves at the Sundance Channel - Mad Men Gala.

Photo: Francois Durand/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Since the TV show "Mad Men" premiered in 2007, women everywhere have been admiring actress Christina Hendricks' curves. A far cry from the size 00 models of the runway, bootylicious women everywhere are learning how to dress to show off their figures. No matter what your dress size, you can look like a sexy bombshell by following some simple rules every curvy woman should know.

If you have a small waist, accentuate it with a belt. Belts go well with dresses and tops, and you can find a wide range of waist-cinching belts anywhere at your local mall. For one-of-a-kind belts, hit thrift, consignment and vintage stores.

Embrace ruching. This magical tailoring technique hides any extra rolls you're hiding and gives the impression of a tiny waist. Look for ruching on tops, dresses and bathing suits.

Buy a wrap dress. The figure-hugging silhouette embraces your curves and makes you look glamorous and sexy at the same time. The wrap tie goes around your waist, emphasizing its smaller size.

Stay away from loose-fitting clothing. You might think they will disguise your larger figure, but they really just overpower your womanly curves, making you look larger than you are. Keep baggy clothes for lounging around the house, but invest in well-fitting, figure-flattering clothes for work and play.

Don't rule out jeans completely. Look for straight-leg ones that give you enough leg room, and choose jeans with fading on the front to give the illusion of slimmer legs. Bootcut or flared jeans can balance out a larger rear end, so pick up a pair to try on next time you're out shopping. Stay away from small back pockets, which can make your butt appear bigger than it is.

Invest in some shapewear. This magical curve-enhancing underwear helps smooth your silhouette, so you can wear tighter, curve-friendly clothing without worrying about your lady lumps. If your hips are a worry, buy control-top tights or shaping shorts. If you want a smooth shape all over, check out the body suits that cover hips, thighs and back, while giving you a small waist and a sexy hourglass figure.

Take any item of clothing that doesn't fit right to a tailor. Rather than trying to change your body to fit the clothing, allow a professional to take your measurements and make the clothing fit your body.