Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Long skinny legs can get away with most short skirts. - NASHAUNA DRUMMOND/GRACE CAMERON PHOTOS
With this season's skirts in light and flirty or crinkly fabrics, flouncy hemlines, minis and ankle length styles, find out what works best for you then work it all summer long.
MOST WOMEN slavishly follow the rise and fall of hemlines without stopping to consider what is right for their body type.
"Not because it's the trend means you should wear it," says Delores Campbell, a consultant at the Jamaica Business Development Centre on Camp Road in Kingston who works with designers.
With this season's skirts in light or crinkly fabrics, flouncy hemlines, minis and ankle length styles, find out what works best for you then work it all summer long.
Determine your body type: Are you long all over? Do you have short chubby thighs? Are your calves fat, or do you have knock knees? Read on for tips from Campbell and Robert Hall, designer of the RDH Collection, to learn your best areas to play up or the parts you want to cover up. For example, says Hall, if you have short thick legs you'll want to draw attention away from your upper thighs. Hemlines below the knee would be more appropriate.
SKINNY LONG LEGS
Watch your proportion if you have long legs and a short torso. In this case, look for skirts that fall below waist line, thereby elongating your torso.
Wear blouses that end in the hip region, this also makes your torso appear longer.
If your upper body is in proportion, go for mini skirts with splits.
If you have knocked knees look for skirts that end just below the knees. Stay away from splits. The season's trendy gypsy skirts are a good buy in this case.
LONG LEGS WITH A LONG TORSO
Watch out how you wear that skirt. For example, wearing a tank top that reveals a lot of midriff with a long skirt is not flattering for your body type. Look for tops that cover your midriff or at least brush the top of your waistband.
Wearing your hemline above the knees will make you look taller. Wear splits to show off your thighs and at the same time minimise your height.
Horizontal lines also cut down on height. In addition, go for bright colours as darker hues will make you look even slimmer.
THIN LEGS
Flared hemlines or skirts that fit close at hips with a flare at the bottom will make you look fuller and at the same time cover your legs.
SHORT LEGS
Skirts that go down to the ankles make you look shorter.
When the hemline falls just above your knees it gives you height. (However, if your legs are chubby, go for hemlines just below the knees).
Solid colours also give the illusion of height. On the other hand, floral or busy patterns can make you appear shorter.
SHORT PLUMP LEGS
If your legs are short and chubby, wear a nice pair of shoes to draw attention downwards and away from your legs.
Stay away from hemlines that fall at mid calf. You want hemlines that brush just below the knees.
SHORT THIN LEGS
Petite women can wear hemline of just about any length. However, stay away from anything too long that pulls you down. Wear skirts that expose some thighs.
CHUBBY LEGS
If you have chubby legs forget big patterns with big prints and horizontal lines that add width.
THICK IN THE MIDDLE
If you have a thick middle, stay away from skirts with detail at the waist. Opt for skirts with details that pull the eyes down to the hemline.
In addition, belts or anything that focus on your waistline are not flattering. Wear tops on the outside, with the hem falling below the waistline.
