| Its a hard road ahead for women who are both | | | | your mind. The goal with alterations is to have the |
| petite AND curvy. To start with most | | | | end result look as close to a custom women's suit |
| manufacturers do not cater to petites, let alone | | | | as possible, so finding a tailor first and asking |
| curvy and plus size versions of it, making this one | | | | questions as to their ability and what they can |
| of the tougher body types to find clothing for. | | | | and can not alter, before you go shopping can |
| The challenge lies as much on finding sizes as it | | | | make a big difference. |
| does finding the right cut to compliment the body | | | | - Proportion is key: Look for a padded jacket in |
| type. | | | | the shoulders, this will give you a balanced |
| Here are some basic ground rules the things we | | | | silhouette. Do not go over board as the goal of |
| suggest for this frame: | | | | padding for you is to even out the width of you |
| - keep puffy details to a bare minimum | | | | shoulders with your hips. |
| - Look for clean straight lines | | | | - Look for seaming to give you a slimming effect: |
| - Find clothes with a lot of seaming details | | | | clean seaming gives the jacket a structured look |
| - Do not be afraid to alter clothing, a great tailor | | | | and de- emphasizes your natural curves which |
| or seamstress will be your best friend. | | | | creates the slimming effect. |
| So now lets move on to the specifics of finding a | | | | - Look for a jacket that goes about half way |
| great looking pant suit or skirt suit for your work | | | | down your hips. This will make your legs look |
| wear wardrobe if you are a petite and curvy | | | | longer with out making your hips look big. |
| woman. | | | | - Pencil skirts work best: A-line skirts would add |
| - Look for a subtle and closely set pinstripe fabric: | | | | bulk while a straight cut skirt would give a stream |
| pin stripes have an elongating effect, and the | | | | lined silhouette. |
| subtle ones wont remind any body of a gangster | | | | - Pants should be a straight cut leg matched with |
| suit. | | | | a pointy toe heel. Again the goal is to have a |
| - Darker and stiffer fabric works better for this | | | | straight and stream lined look. This cut for petite |
| body type. This has a very flattering effect. | | | | and curvy women will create an illusion of longer |
| - Find a great tailor or seamstress and speak | | | | legs. |