Wouldn’t life be so wonderful if we all had access to a personal stylist (and, while we’re dreaming, let’s throw in the request of a full-on glam squad with hair and makeup as well)? The ultimate pipe dream, perhaps, but celeb stylist Kareem James says it doesn’t have to be total rocket science to look better in clothing—some of his super simple, super-transformative tricks involve things you most likely already own.
James’s number-one tip is so simple, anyone can do it
and—maybe even better—it’s free! “The
best way anyone can wear clothes better is simply with confidence. Believe and
commit to your outfit. Make it authentic and you, and your clothes will
naturally give off your brand of cool.”
2/8
Know Your Bra Shape
A more conventional
tip, James says, is instilling a sense of security with things like shape wear,
bras and underpinning. “Knowing which bra shape to wear to complement your top
or blouse will help the garment look better on your body. You have to try a couple
of different options to see how the bust looks with each one. It’s
sort of trial and error when it comes to figuring what is right to wear with
what, so try options—don’t assume the same old everyday support bra goes with
every look or top.”
3/8
Closer Fit = More Flattering
This one might
go against everything you know, but James is all about clothing that fits
closer to the body. “It’s more flattering, although we all want
to hide some of our bits from time to time. One trick to implement this is
tucking shirts in strictly—neat is chic.”
4/8
Consider Slim-Fit Jeans
Don’t
be scared of this one. “A current trend is slim-fit cropped-denim
with an unfinished hem,” James says. “It elongates the leg and accentuates curves, and the unfinished hem adds a fashion
sense that’s edgy and cool.”
5/8
Fit-and-Flare Is Forgiving
According to
James, fit-and-flare is always a flattering look for women with curves. “I
also find pencil skirts to be heaven. They create a lot of shape to the body, while still creating the strictness that a pencil-skirt commands. Sometimes wearing a
skirt higher above the waistline, just above the belly button can be extremely
forgiving.”
6/8
Invest in Some Solid Shapewear
The same thinking as above applies to your shapewear and underwear. “Sometimes a high-waisted, control-top
panty is the perfect undergarment to give the butt the appearance of firmness
and existence in some cases; sometimes this can be achieved with a body-suit
shapewear.”
7/8
Tech Fabric Is Trending
When it comes
to fabric that’s “kind” to the body while hiding flaws,
James says stretch fabrics are smart. “Neoprene
is a tech fabric that has become a trend. It has both stretch and tightness
that holds everything in place, and the smoothness in texture give curves life.
It’s also both a fabric that is breathable for warm climates and
warming in colder weather.”
8/8
A Good Belt Makes Everything Better
“A good belt is a stylist trick to adding
proportion and breaking the body up where all the positives are highlighted,”
James says.
It's Personal
At NewBeauty, we get the most trusted information from the beauty authority delivered right to your inbox
NewBeauty uses cookies for various reasons, including to analyze
and improve its content and advertising. Please review our
Privacy Policy
and Terms of Use
for more about how we use this data. By continuing to use this site,
you agree to these policies.
