Choice of Clothing

Choose Clothing with Care

The choice of clothes that you choose for a photo shoot is very important.  If you are not suitably dressed it will make posing you in a flattering way, quite a bit more difficult, so here are a few pointers.

The Fit

Some people, who are not comfortable with their bodies, often wear clothing that simply does not flatter them. Some will wear extremely oversized or loose-fitting clothing to hide their form.  Unfortunately, in photographs, this only compounds the issue. With baggy clothing, no matter what we do with posing, the form is hidden.   This doesn’t mean that the clothing must be skin-tight either. Clothing that is too tight draws attention to less flattering shapes created by the fit of undergarments. Clothing should fit the form. Loose clothing tends to make the person look wide.  Flowing dresses and fabric are a great formula for dressing the lower half of the body, as long as the wait remains defined.

Undergarments

The use of undergarments is an area that is often overlooked as they can make a profound difference in the way you look in a photograph. It’s not only about wearing a bra that gives proper support but also using shapewear to lift and tighten the form. Proper undergarments can transform the look of an outfit. For example, spandex or similar shapewear can help smooth the form to make clothes fall in a more flattering way.  Shapewear will help you look curvaceous, it doesn't necessarily make you look skinnier, but it does make the curves smoother and more visually appealing.

Colours

The colours that you choose can make some poses look more or less flattering. For example, light colours or bold patterns may make one pose look unflattering whereas the same pose in a solid colour may be more visually appealing.  The concept that black is slimming is based on truth, but this does not mean you should always dress in black. It is better though, to use solid and darker colours as they have a more slimming effect and will call less attention to broad or thick areas of the body.

The Waist

It is generally considered that a well-defined waist is considered aesthetically pleasing. Finding ways to define the waist is especially true for fuller-figure bodies.  A defined waist helps define that beautiful hourglass figure and produces a more pleasing image.   There are many options that can be used to define the waist. These include a carefully placed gathering of fabric, the cut of the dress, or the addition of a belt. Select clothing that ties or gathers at the waist, or tops and dress with an empire cut. Any outfit that is form-fitting at the bust, but then flairs out below the waist can emphasise the appearance of narrowing at the waist producing a visually pleasing effect.