Learn to assert yourself and free your mind, starting with feeling good in your body and your clothes! When summer arrives, with its flow of light dresses, boho tops, and swimsuits, it's the perfect time to play up your assets, highlight your silhouette, and reveal your curves with optimism.
Even if TV and the internet sometimes get you down by constantly sharing weight loss tips or promoting images of ultra-slim celebrities... dare to be yourself!
Be proudly body positive! In this article, ELORA's experts share plenty of tips to help you shine, whatever your clothing size.
You'll find body shape advice designed especially for you, whether you have an X-shaped body (also called "figure 8" or "hourglass," meaning a full bust, defined waist, and wide hips) or an A-shaped body (slender bust, narrow shoulders, and a more structured lower body).
CLOTHING CUTS TO FAVOR
For every silhouette, it's recommended to play with proportions to create balance and draw attention to your best features. Before making your choice in our women's clothing boutique, take the time to read and make the most of all our tips!
If you're one of the many women who feel self-conscious about your generous hips and thighs, focus on cultivating your personal style and finding the look that makes you feel irresistible!
Straight or flared pants
Hips, curves, roundness... No matter what you call them, how do you dress when you feel they're too prominent or generous? Which clothes should you choose to enhance your body while staying on trend, and embrace your shape with elegance? Here are some ideas for those who want to highlight their hips and fuller thighs, with bottoms tailored to their body type and personal style.
Which pants to wear with wide hips? For a woman who wants to visually soften the volume of her hips and round curves, it's better to avoid compressing the silhouette with wide pants and jeans, like cargos and baggies. The same goes for skinny jeans or leggings, which, when too tight, draw attention to every little imperfection.
It's also a smart move to choose high-waisted cuts rather than low-rise, and a regular length instead of cropped. Wide-leg and flared styles at the bottom (like city joggers, bootcut, etc.) are generally best avoided.
The ideal pants would be fitted yet fluid, straight and long. If it's jeans, a close-fitting, classic or slim style works well, without being too tight. Visually, this creates a lengthening effect for the legs, and more generally, for the silhouette.
Head over to the ELORA website to discover the Jeans Bar and a whole range of irresistible women's clothing.
WHAT KIND OF SKIRT SHOULD YOU CHOOSE IF YOU HAVE WIDE HIPS?
A-line or pencil skirts
A-line or 'skater' skirts are trending, giving the silhouette a light, airy feel and visually slimming the legs. As for pencil skirts and slit straight skirts, when well-cut, they know how to enhance curves while staying close to the body—a great choice for wearing with a sweater or blouse on top.
This holds true in almost every case, including for an X-shaped body, also called an 8 or hourglass figure (with a slim waist, generous bust and hips). Just to mention a few icons of femininity with their bold curves, like Marilyn Monroe or Madonna, and more recently Kim Kardashian, with her beautiful frame and enhanced curves. An A-shaped, or pyramid body type (with narrow shoulders, a slim upper body, a bit of tummy and round hips), will get the same advice when it comes to skirts.
The pleated skirt, on the other hand, isn't the best option for women with wide hips. If you love them and absolutely want to wear one, here are three tips: choose it high-waisted, fluid, and preferably in a dark shade (or a simple, understated color).
WHICH DRESS SUITS BODY SHAPES WITH WIDE HIPS BEST?
Straight or flared dresses
The wrap dress is at the height of fashion. Feminine and elongating, both elegant and sexy, it suits every body shape. For layering, opt for denim shirt-jackets and 3/4-length jackets to cover the upper thighs. Slightly loose styles with vertical lines also refine the silhouette, like a lightweight coat or a fluid trench, worn open over a midi dress.
Dresses with couture details
Another option: designs with eye-catching details on the top or bottom, depending on which part of your silhouette you want to highlight. Think ruffles, bold contrast prints, embroidered beads, or playful straps…
Swim dresses
Don't forget about swim dresses for women: they're a great compromise between swimsuits and short beach tunics. Ultra-feminine, they bare the shoulders and highlight your figure. The magic is in the short, slightly flared and flowy skirts. For hot days at the beach or on the terrace, these slightly vintage styles elegantly cover the hips, bottom, and tummy—while putting your legs in the spotlight.
FLATTERING COLORS AND PATTERNS
Dark, solid colors for bottoms
Coco Chanel described black as "a non-color." Black, along with its variations like midnight blue, deep plum or green, dark brown, anthracite gray, and more, is a timeless essential—always discreet and ultra-chic. It lets the cut of your clothes shine and matches every look.
If you have hips and a tummy, it's ideal for everyday casual-chic pants—no worries, no hang-ups: think black denim jeans, dark suede pants, or mineral shades... Of course, don't let this limit you—it's not a rule! Bursts of color can also find a special place in your wardrobe, depending on the cut of your clothes and jeans, your style, and your mood!
Discreet patterns for tops
Whether you prefer tops, tunics, or blouses, it's best to keep your upper pieces simple in both texture and pattern. Whatever your body shape, if you fall into the curvy category, you'll look more elegant and charming in solid colors—even bold ones—that highlight your hair, eyes, and more. Addicted to prints? No problem! But when making your final choice, remember our tips and opt for small, subtle patterns that blend in and aren't too flashy...
Accessories to balance your silhouette
Shoes are your most reliable allies! For outings, go for shoes with a bit of height—even platform or wedge soles if you're not a high-heel princess.
With 3/4-length or long garments in straight or trapeze cuts (flowy dresses or tops), or soft, airy trousers, add a belt—worn loosely on the hips... or cinched at the waist, if you're lucky enough to have a well-defined one!
In general, finishing touches and fashion accessories play a key role in drawing attention to your best features: a brooch at the neckline, a rhinestone bow to highlight the drape of a top at the shoulders or waist, a tote bag on the hip, a colorful belt buckle to echo your shoes, and so on.
The same goes for swimwear: a pareo, of course, but also a pretty cut-out or knot, a pleated or draped effect (at the shoulders, waist, and/or hips), or a soft belt will create a gentle, elegant flow around your figure without weighing it down. There are so many favorites to choose from, whether it's a trendy one-piece or a high-waisted two-piece—perfect for dressing up gorgeous curves with glamour!
Colorful accessories also pair beautifully with a dark or monochrome outfit, adding a personal and vibrant touch. As true fashion statements, they often make all the difference in your overall look.
MISTAKES TO AVOID
Clothes that are too tight
Careful! Layering tops, shirts, cardigans, or jackets is best avoided, as it can bulk up your silhouette and give a dated look instead of softening your shape. It's also wise to steer clear of clothes that are too tight, overly fitted, or made from stiff and shiny fabrics: they can feel restrictive, make you feel bloated, and highlight every little bump... Opt instead for flowing materials and soft textures, like linen, viscose, or lyocell, which relax your silhouette with effortless style.
Belts worn in the wrong place
Watch out for details that can ruin your look! Tight belts at the waist flatter an hourglass figure, but they don't suit everyone. As for a low-waisted belt, which visually lengthens the torso and conceals the waist and tummy, it also tends to shorten the legs—so it won't be very flattering on a petite woman with curvier thighs.
Skirts and dresses that are too short
A very short skirt or dress is best suited for tall or medium-height women with a slender, especially long and elegant figure. For other body types, these styles tend to draw attention to the hips and thighs... It's even better to choose one size up from your usual, so you feel completely comfortable and, most importantly, so the hem falls nicely without riding up at the slightest movement.
