MAKING HIPS LOOK SLIMMER

Dear Jellybean,

I have a pretty narrow waist and a flat stomach, but I have really wide hips. Like, REALLY wide. I'm wondering what clothes I can wear that would make my hips look slimmer? Thanks!

Dear Writer,

Curvy hips are totally womanly, but if you want to play yours down, fashion can be your friend. It's all about choosing the right cuts of clothing, and combining items well. Here are some tips for playing up your favorite features, and making wide hips less noticable.

Have Fun With Accessories

Want people to look at your top half, instead of dwelling on your hips? Draw their attention upward with awesome accessories. Wearing a big chunky necklace, wrapping a fabulously colorful scarf around your neck and shoulders, or even sporting a dramatic pair of sunglasses or eye glasses, will emphasize your upper body - not to mention your keen fashion sense.

Play With Color

Bright colors magnify body parts, while darker colors diminish them. So to draw attention away from your hips, wear a darker color on the bottom, and a brighter/lighter one on top. Think dark jeans, black pants or a navy skirt, paired with tees, blouses and tunics in patterns and bright solids. This season's bohemian prints trend is key, so play with a colorful boho top over dark bottoms. You'll look trendy and balance your body at the same time.

Watch Those Prints

Be aware that prints and graphic patterns can make you look bigger than you actually are. So resist this season's patterned skirts, and stick to pattern on top only.

Choose The Right Jeans

Jeans are a wardrobe staple, but it's vital to choose the right cut in order to make your body look its best. To minimize wide hips, you'll want a pair in the darkest wash possible. Light colored jeans are your enemy, as they will make your hips look wider than they really are. Ditto for skinny and straight legged jeans, which add visual bulk to curves, so they're best avoided. High-waisted jeans are the devil. Your best jeans style is low-waisted (especially if your tummy is flat), and flared in the leg. You can totally rock this season's super-wide-leg pants - the width of the flares balance out the width of your hips, making your body look more in-proportion.

Pants Picks

When choosing pants other than jeans, remember to look for looser-fitting trousers that are moderately wide in the leg. Stay away from high-waisted pants or trousers with cuffs.

Skirt The Issue

The ideal skirt for someone with large hips is an A-line cut that starts at the waist and widens out towards the hemline. These skirts tend to emphasize the waistline while disguising curvaceous hips. The most flattering skirt length for you will be just below the knee.