10 easy, breezy pieces: flattering clothes for summer

What you wear should help you feel good. It sounds obvious. During the summer, however, it can feel as if the high street is out to prevent this most basic of human desires.

Crop tops, spaghetti straps and shorts that resemble knickers are stacked high on every shelf. The trick is knowing what looks good on you.

Whether you are short and stout or long and lean, there are summer clothes out there that are flattering as well as fabulous. Here are 10 pieces that will have you happy and comfortable all summer long.

High-waisted shorts and jeans

This style is feared by many, but for no good reason. A good pair of high-waisted denims will cinch in your waist, hold any wobbly bits and give you legs that look 8ft-long.

They work by making the smallest part of your torso the focus, so it’s important to pair them with a fitted top or to ensure that you’re tucked in, to avoid loosing the effect entirely. The final benefit of the high waist? You’ll be bang on this season’s 1970s trend.

Wide-leg trousers

Due to the long column of fabric falling from the waist, wide-leg trousers lengthen legs and universally flatter. Avoid linen, however, or risk spending all day wishing you had an iron.

Structured dress

A classic, structured dress should nip in at the waist, hug the hips, skim over the thighs and end around the knees.

This dress from David Koma also uses black panelling to trick the eye and draw attention to the waist. The stripes at the top focus the attention to the collarbones and the face.

Long cardigan

In Ireland, a cardigan will always come in handy in summer. Try buying a size bigger than you normally would; this ensures that the fabric falls around you rather than sticks to you.

Also, aim for a cardigan that ends between your bum and your knees, as this will elongate the body.

A-line skirts

These skim the bum and hips and balance out women who are larger on top. Make sure to chose structured pieces in which the flair isn’t too dramatic, as this can have the opposite effect.

Peplum

If you’re looking to create some curves, a peplum silhouette is one of the quickest ways to achieve this, creating an hourglass where there was none.

Feminine flourishes such as peplum (a short overskirt or ruffle at the waist), pleats and pussy-bow collars are all great for adding shape.

Kimono

Kimonos are effortlessly cool and easy to wear. Throw them over any outfit this summer and you’ll be comfortable and feel great.

Wrap dress

Diane von Furstenberg, creator of the wrap dress, describes the style as a “friend to all women”. The tie brings in your waist, the V-neck lengthens your torso and the wrap makes it adjustable on any size.

For women who may find jersey a little clingy, a great alternative is this denim Christa version. Not so keen on the deep V? Try turning the dress around for a fashionable boat neck at the front.

Belt it up

Defining and highlighting your waist is the easiest way to immediately create a more womanly silhouette. Look for garments that nip in at the middle or that have detailing around this area.

If you can’t get out to buy something, try wrapping a skinny belt around a dress or top. Keeping a few of these in different colours will usually come in handy.

Nude shoe

The aim of the game is to keep legs looking long. A nude shoe tricks the eye into thinking the leg keeps on going. Try and find a style in a colour similar to your skin and prepare to feel like a gazelle wandering down the street.

Tips

• If you're not a fan of showing upper arms, try detachable lace sleeves from secretfashionfixes.ie
• Wear vertical stripes to elongate your body, but don't believe all the hype about avoiding horizontal stripes.
• Skirts that end just above the knee are the most flattering.
• Ensure your bra is the right size. We all fluctuate, and having the correct under wear can make a huge difference to the silhouette.
• A silk scarf tied around the neck is a chic option for woman who are uncomfortable about showing their chests.