A lot of designers still think that [curvy women] are not interested in the latest fashion,” laments celebrity stylist Susan Moses. “But I’ve never met a woman who said, ‘Put me in a potato sack.’ ” In her new book, “The Art of Dressing Curves” (Harper Collins, out Tuesday), Moses — who’s worked with the likes of Queen Latifah and Wynonna Judd — offers practical advice that proves great style and fuller shapes are not mutually exclusive. Here are her top tips for flattering curves — and a few things to avoid.
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Do: Identify your body type
“There are generally five body types: hourglass, triangle, oval, inverted triangle and rectangle. Knowing yours will help you choose the right silhouette. I’m an inverted triangle, and sometimes I need a skirt that’s a little fuller to give me balance.”
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Do: Invest in a good bra
“Wearing the right bra gives you clean lines and a polished appearance. Wearing an ill-fitting [one] can lead to a lot of different problems — bad posture, dents in the shoulders — so it’s important to get a proper fitting.”
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Do: Find a good tailor
“Brands and designers use different fit models, so it’s important not to get hung up on size. It’s about the fit, not the number. Tailoring clothes so they fit and hang properly on your body can make the difference between terrible and terrific.”
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Don't: Wear leggings as pants
“A lot of women are going to be mad at me, but I have to be truthful. It’s too much personal information — leggings look best when you have a tunic-style top or something that’s a little longer to cover up the goods.”
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Don't : Dress sloppily at the gym
“There are too many great options now in athleisure to not look good on the workout floor,” Moses recommends. “Plus, you’re more motivated if you look
cute at the gym.”