Fashion Fallacy
That old warning for full-figured women to stay away from horizontal stripes? Turns out it's been the subject of scientific contention. A 2008 study performed at the University of York found that women dressed in horizontal stripes look smaller than those in vertical stripes. A subsequent study, which was awarded first prize by judges of the BBC Amateur Scientist of the Year contest in 2012, showed that stripes running sideways actually do widen the figure. Play it safe by treating horizontal stripes the same way you would any other print; smaller stripes will look more compact than larger ones, while darker bands are more slimming than those of lighter hues.
Stripe Strategy
Wear your stripes thin and close together to create a slimming optical illusion. Place horizontal stripes on a particular half of your body for balance; for instance, minimize your top half with a striped tee and pair it with bright-colored bottoms for contrast. Alternatively, make your bottom half long and lean with a striped maxi-skirt, then top off your look with a solid tee.
Complementary Combo
Try incorporating horizontal and vertical stripes into your outfit. A dress with vertical stripes in the middle and horizontal ones on the top and bottom, for instance, can create the illusion of an hourglass figure. A horizontally striped top with a vertically striped bottom -- regardless of the stripes' thickness -- or vice versa, adds balance and visual interest to your shape.
Bet on a Belt
The simplest way to increase the figure-flattering effect of your striped ensemble is to simply belt it. Wrapping a belt around your waist will visually pull your figure in at the center, creating an instant hourglass effect. Try a belt that contrasts your stripes in color; for instance, if your stripes are black and white, try a red or yellow belt.
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