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Flattering Styles for Every Woman

Are you ever amazed at how a simple change of outfit can spur a slew of nice comments about how great you look? Of course, looking great is often dependent on diet and exercise, but the right clothing pieces can add a slimming and elongating effect and make you look better. True, as many experts will point out, there is no one solution that fits everyone. However, there are a few essentials that can improve any look. Below are our favorites.

Black Well-Tailored Dress Pants

Michelle Wood, founder of CoolMamaStyle.com, reaffirms my hunch that "an essential item for a woman’s closet is a well fitting pair of black dress pants." She explains that "this is a garment that should last for a long time so you should expect to take time finding the right pair and possibly spending a little more money than you more normally pay for a piece of clothing. The key for great fitting pants is to fit to the largest part of your body and then tailor or alter the other areas of the pants for a custom fit. For example, if you tend to be more of a pear shape, do not go on the fit of the waist. Instead, fit the pants to your hips so that the pant leg falls nicely down the remainder of your leg. If the waist is too large, take them to your favorite alteration shop and have the waist taken in. It doesn’t matter if you are a size 6 or a size 16, many times you will need alterations made to pants to create the perfect fit and a polished look." So make friends with your tailor (or dry cleaner in my case) and alter your pants (or any piece of clothing for that matter) until it's the right fit for you. Unless the pants are made specifically for you, it's rare that the pair off the rack will fit perfectly.

The Wrap Dress

First, this dress is ultra-feminine which is flattering to most women. But it is the simple silhouette created by Diane von Furstenberg that women love. "Known as the dress that every body type looks good in, the wrap dress is a miracle worker thanks to its amazing curve loving construction and design", says Lisa McLatchie, founder of practicalfashionista.com. Often made out of jersey - a very forgiving fabric, this dress is a staple season after season. However, you can make variations in the neckline, length, fabric, belt and other accessories. While it's a very recognized outfit, there are certainly plenty of ways to transform it into something original. The easy draping around the curve makes it one of our top flattering styles.

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Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion: 15 Trends You Need to Know

Spring/Summer 2010 will be tough on your body - this season's trend will force you to get fit if you are not already. From the minis to the skinnys, from the sheath to the pencil skirt, you have to be slim to look good in this season's popular ensembles. There are a few comfortable favorites - a shirt dress, a wrap dress and a scarf that would cut you some slack, otherwise stop at the gym before you want to try this season's styles. On the other hand, menswear inspired trends are prevalent in boyfriend jackets, military look and a variety of pants. Here is all you need to know about this spring's top fashion trends.

Denim Leggings

Fall leggings and skinny jeans morphed into Spring denim leggings. Every color goes but the lighter hues of blue and whites will rock the season. Denim is popular in other variations too - skirts, jackets, blazers, so accept this democratic fabric in your entire wardrobe.

Nautical Stripe

Hey, sailor! The nautical stripe made popular by Coco Chanel in the 30s and then made mainstream by Ralph Lauren is the print of the season. It looks lovely on tops, blazers and even shoes. You can play with color too - blue stripe is as much an option as is black, grey or red. Another interesting trend this season is that the nautical stripe can appear as a sort of an accent on a larger piece.

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