Per Una Styling Guide
Whatever your body shape, it's easy to find out what suits you with our useful Per Una styling guide. Here, you'll be able to figure out exactly what suits your body shape so you'll be able to buy Per Una clothes that make you look and feel fabulous.
| How tall are you? |
| Tall |
If you've got long legs, there'll be times when you simply want to blend in with the crowd instead of towering above it.
- Avoid Per Una clothes with vertical lines, such as pinstripe suits.
- Don't wear one colour top-to-toe.
- Low-waisted, bootcut or straight leg Per Una trousers are great for long legs.
- Opt for low kitten heels rather than flat Per Una shoes.
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| Short |
Abide by the following rules when you hit the high street.
- Avoid three-quarter length Per Una trousers because they make legs look shorter. Trousers should be full length, falling to the bottom of the heel
- Don't wear Per Una trousers with turn-ups or wide legs, instead opt for narrow, straight legs or bootcut Per Una trousers
- Per Una Skirts and Per Una trousers with high waistbands make legs look longer too.
- Create the illusion of height by wearing a Per Una top and bottom of the same colour, drawing the eye up and down.
- Longer length Per Una jackets worn undone also give the illusion of height.
- Avoid chunky, ribbed Per Una tops that widen rather than lengthen the body.
- Wear heels.
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| Average (female average is 5'3"/1.62m) |
If you're of average height, you may want to look taller.
- Narrow, straight-legged Per Una trousers that fall to the bottom of the heel will give the illusion of height.
- Opt for a Per Una top and bottom of the same colour, which will draw the eye up and down
- Wear longer-length Per Una jackets undone.
- Per Una Trousers or Per Una skirts with high waistbands make legs look longer.
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| What kind of frame do you have? |
| Broad Shoulders |
If you have shoulders that would put an Olympic swimmer to shame, then try to balance out your body shape to give the illusion of a smaller frame.
- Opt for bootleg Per Una trousers and fishtail Per Una skirts that widen at the bottom of the garment. It will balance out the shoulders.
- Wrap-around Per Una tops are very flattering if you've got wide shoulders.
- Avoid halter-necks which draw attention to shoulders.
- Avoid delicate-looking Per Una tops, for example, ones with spaghetti straps.
|
| Narrow Shoulders |
Create the illusion of broader shoulders, or at least balance out your body shape to avoid looking like a pear.
- Per Una Trouser suits with long Per Una jackets will disguise the narrowness of your shoulders by balancing out the difference between the shoulders and the lower half.
- Discreet shoulder pads will bulk things out a little.
- Wear halter-necks and slash-necked Per Una tops to give your shoulders width.
|
| Average |
Although your shoulders may be average, you may not want to draw attention to them. If this is the case, avoid the following:
- Delicate Per Una tops with spaghetti straps.
- Halter-necked Per Una tops.
- Slash-necked Per Una tops.
|
| How big are your boobs? |
| Big |
Big boobs are great - in their place! Show off your assets tastefully, creating a womanly, voluptuous figure rather than in an obvious, glamour girl way.
- Ensure that you wear a bra that fits you properly and creates a smooth line beneath your Per Una clothes. The right bra will lift your breasts and give definition to your waist.
- Avoid tight-waisted or box Per Una jackets that will make your bust appear larger. Instead, opt for fitted Per Una jackets that skim the figure rather than hug it. Long Per Una jackets with a single button are a good option.
- Avoid chunky knitwear Per Una tops.
- Choose low, sweetheart necklines, fitted under the boobs to create a waist. V-necks are great because they break up the expanse of your chest.
- Avoid high necklines that make your boobs look like they start from under the chin
- Watch out for 'pulling' on Per Una shirts.
- Straight-legged Per Una trousers should be avoided at all costs. Instead choose bootleg Per Una trousers or A-line Per Una skirts to balance out the boobs.
- Don't wear long pendant necklaces.
|
| Small |
With Wonderbras, chicken fillets and these tips, you need never worry about your lack of cleavage again...
- Always wear a bra.
- Wear high-necked Per Una tops or roll-necks that accentuate your boobs.
- Opt for delicate Per Una tops with spaghetti straps.
- Sleeveless, round-necked Per Una tops that show off your arms are great.
- Wear Per Una tops in a lighter colour than your lower half.
|
| Average (average bra size is 36C) |
Despite having average-sized boobs, there may be occasions when you want to give the illusion of a fuller bust.
- Always wear a bra.
- Wear high-necked Per Una tops or roll-necks to accentuate your boobs.
- Opt for delicate Per Una tops with spaghetti straps.
- Sleeveless, round-necked Per Una tops that show off your arms are great.
- Wear Per Una tops in a lighter colour than your lower half.
|
| Describe your waistline |
| Undefined |
Straight up and down need not be a problem; what you need is a little definition around the waist area...
- Avoid shapeless Per Una dresses. Opt instead for fitted Per Una clothes.
- Go for simple necklines that taper in beneath the bust to create a waistline.
- Hipster Per Una trousers are great for creating a waistline.
|
| Tiny |
As the proud owner of a fabulously, tiny waist, you must, of course, do everything you can to show it off!
- Avoid covering your great asset with long, loose Per Una clothing.
- Cropped Per Una tops draw attention to the waist.
- Wear Per Una tops that end around the waist.
- Don't cover the waist up by wearing high-waisted Per Una trousers.
|
| Average (female average is 30"/76.2cm) |
Don't be tempted to hide your waist under shapeless, smock-like Per Una clothing. Add definition and create a waistline to be proud of.
- A-line Per Una skirts are great for slimming a wide waistline.
- Wear Per Una tops that are fitted under the boobs to give definition.
- Wear fitted Per Una clothes and avoid shapeless Per Una dresses.
- Wear hipsters instead of high-waisted Per Una trousers.
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| What is your tummy like? |
| Flat as a pancake |
Lucky you, you've been blessed with a pancake-flat stomach! You can get away with pretty much any Per Una trouser or Per Una skirt style. |
| Large and Wobbly |
Wobbly bellies are a common trait of the 'apple' body shape and a frequent source of frustration to the not-so-proud owner. Make sure you go shopping armed with these tummy-concealing tips.
- Flat-fronted Per Una trousers and Per Una skirts are really flattering for a larger tummy. Try to avoid pleats and front zips - side and back zips are a much more flattering option.
- Low-waisted Per Una trousers make the stomach look smaller.
- Don't wear anything that's gathered at the waist.
- Wear soft, forgiving fabrics that don't cling to the tummy.
- Wrap-around Per Una tops create folds across the tummy that detract from any other rippling in that area.
- Avoid belted Per Una jackets and Per Una coats - the belt will ride up and give the impression that you're pregnant.
|
| Okay |
If your tummy isn't a problem area, but isn't necessarily something you would want to draw attention to, use these rules when you go shopping:
- Flat-fronted Per Una trousers and Per Una skirts are really flattering for a larger tummy. Try to avoid pleats and front zips - side and back zips are a much more flattering option.
- Low-waisted Per Una trousers make stomachs look smaller.
- Don't wear anything that's gathered at the waist.
- Wear soft, forgiving fabrics that don't cling to the tummy.
- Wrap-around Per Una tops create folds across the tummy that detract from any other rippling in that area.
- Avoid belted Per Una jackets and Per Una coats. The belt will ride up and give the impression that you're pregnant.
|
| What size are your hips and thighs? |
| Large |
While child-bearing hips are great for that earth-mother look, there will be times when you want to conceal your more voluptuous areas.
- Don't wear Per Una dresses and Per Una skirts that cling or are bias-cut.
- Avoid narrow-legged Per Una trousers and tapered, knee-length Per Una skirts.
- Avoid belts that pull you in at the waist - you don't want to create an even greater contrast from waist to hip.
- Opt for A-line Per Una skirts and bootleg Per Una trousers that balance out the hips and thighs.
- Per Una Skirts or Per Una dresses with a frilled hem are a flattering choice.
- Per Una Trousers with detail, such as side pockets, will make you look wider.
- Wear slash-necked Per Una tops to broaden shoulders and balance out the hips and thighs.
- Choose longer line, fitted Per Una jackets. Never wear box Per Una jackets which emphasise a pear shape.
- Avoid cropped Per Una tops.
- V-necked Per Una tops are great for drawing the eye away from the hip area.
- Wearing the same colour on the top and bottom is very slimming.
|
| Small |
The chances are that you're happy with your petite proportions in the hip and thigh area, however for a more voluptuous form, try the following:
- If you want to draw attention to your small hips and thighs, opt for pencil Per Una skirts, which will cling to your toned areas. If you've got it, flaunt it!
- A-line Per Una skirts can make small hips look larger.
- Per Una Trousers with detail, such as side pockets, make you look wider.
- Belted Per Una jackets and Per Una coats that flare out at the bottom accentuate the hips.
- Bias-cut Per Una dresses and Per Una skirts add emphasis to the hips and thighs.
|
| Average (female average is 39.5") |
If your hips and thighs are of average size, then you're one of the lucky ones. Flatter this area by avoiding the following Per Una clothes, which can visually add pounds to the hips and thighs:
- Long Per Una dresses and Per Una skirts cut on the bias.
- Per Una Trousers with detail, such as side pockets.
- Belted Per Una jackets and Per Una coats which flare out at the bottom.
|
| How big is your bum? |
| Large |
If the answer to the question: "Does my bum look big in this?" is a resounding "yes!", then consider the following tips before hitting the high street.
- Avoid wearing light colours on your lower half.
- Avoid narrow-legged Per Una trousers.
- Wear longer Per Una jackets that fall below the bottom and never wear Per Una jackets that end where your bum starts.
- Wear Per Una jumpers around the waist over trousers to break up the expanse of bottom.
- Opt for wide-bottomed Per Una trousers with no detail, such as pockets with pinstripes, on the bottom and avoid pleats.
|
| Small |
If your bum is small, you'll probably want to flaunt your pert peach, but if it's practically non-existent and you want to add some pounds to your posterior, try the following:
- Pencil Per Una skirts are great for clinging to a pert bottom.
- A-line Per Una skirts make a small bottom appear larger.
- Avoid tight, straight-legged Per Una trousers which accentuate the lack of bum.
- Wear lighter colours on the bottom to accentuate the bum area.
|
| Average |
We all have off days, and if you've ever asked the question: "Does my bum look big in this?", try these tips:
- Avoid lighter colours on your bottom. Darker colours are always more slimming.
- Avoid Per Una trousers with pleats and other details, such as pockets or pinstripes.
- Avoid horizontal stripes.
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