Fashion and beauty Q&A: dressing your curves

I'm a total pear shape and can never find dresses to suit my body shape - what kinds of styles should I go for?

It's a fact that pear shapes are smaller on top than bottom with fuller hips and thighs, so it's far easier for you to wear separate tops and skirts in two different sizes.

However, if you're looking for that perfect fitting dress you should look for styles that enhance your slim waist and accentuate your shoulders while minimising your hips and thighs.

Look for dresses that cinch in at the waist or just above, as this will emphasise how slim you are here. Interesting details on top such as frills, pleats, pockets and embellishments will keep the focus very much on your upper body and away from your hips and thighs, keep detail minimal here.

Fluted, puff, bell or cap sleeves and wide necklines will also broaden the appearance of your shoulders balancing your figure proportionately.

Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti Purple Strapless Dress (left), £185

Chantelle Znideric, Founder of www.istylista.com

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