Do You Know the "Muffin Top"?

Put a Stop to the Muffin Top! 

Simple Solutions to Flatter Your Figure

Though there is one primary cause of Muffin Top, there are multiple solutions. It all starts with finding the right fit!

Here are some practical fashion and fitting tips to keep you looking your best rather than like something in one of those glass pastry cases.

• SHOPPING Tip #1
  Have a trusted friend shop with you. Sales people want to make a sale, most don't care how you look when you leave the store. The less scrupulous types won't steer you away from a bad choice. A few fine fashion boutiques will have the integrity and far-sightedness to care about how their patrons look because they are smart enough to know that is good business. They know that someone who looks good will be a walking advertisement for them.
• SHOPPING Tip #2
  ALWAYS check out your fit in a 3-Way mirror before buying. The front might look great, but it could be a disaster from the rear, and you'd never know it without seeing it in the 3-way mirror.
  Better stores will have at least ONE on the premises. If there is no 3-way mirror available, this is where the trusted friend is essential.
• SHOPPING tip #3
  MAKE HASTE TO THE WAIST
  Thankfully, the tide of ultra-low rise trouser is ebbing. Look for jeans and trousers with a higher waistband, one that comes up to just below the navel. This will give more coverage and less opportunity for the Muffin Top to sneak in!
• SHOPPING Tip #4
  SQUAT TEST
  This is just a general all-purpose fitting tip.
  When trying on Jeans or Trousers of any kind ALWAYS do the following in front of a mirror:
  
  1. Bend over
  2. Squat (or at least sit in a chair)
  
  This will test the fit and range of motion you'll have in them, as well coverage.
  Nothing like heading out in public in a new outfit to have your chinos rip out or your underwear playing peek-a-boo when you squat to pick up a pen.
• SHOPPING Tip #5
  SHRINKAGE
  Remember, MOST clothing (esp. cotton and rayon) will shrink at least a little bit on the first washing. Be sure to allow for this. Cotton will usually "grow" throughout the day as you wear it.
  Linen and ramie have very little shrinkage.
• SHOPPING Tip #6
  STOCK UP
  Once you find that "perfect fit", unless you anticipate a drastic change in styles or your shape anytime soon, the wise thing to do is BUY MORE THAN ONE PAIR.
  This is true of any wardrobe basic. If you love it and can afford to do it, buy several, and in more than one color.
  It saves you the time of looking for something that fits and they won't wear out as fast, or when they do you'll have a back-up to give you more time to search for the new "perfect fit".
  Unless you're talking about trendy cuts or pieces that will look dated in a couple of years, this is the way to shop!
• GARMENT FEATURES
  BEFORE YOU HEAD FOR THE FITTING ROOM
  
  REMEMBER:
  PLEATS - add volume. Unless you are a toothpick wanting to look bigger (like a woman with no hips), steer clear of pleated trousers, they will add bulk to that region.
  
  POCKETS - Pocket add volume. Wherever you add a "feature" that adds bulk and draws the eye to it. Pockets with gussets and/or flaps are even worse. If you've got a tiny flat butt and want to make it look bigger, seek these out for the rear of your trousers and add an appliqué too. To minimize bulk, seek flat, slit-style pockets without flaps (as opposed to patched-on pockets).
  
  STITCHING - Jeans with high-contrast stitching will make eyes wander around like following a road map, and you look big as the city of Detroit. Look for stitching that is close to the same color value (dark/light) of the fabric.
  
  COLOR - For a slimming effect, stick with dark colors.
  
  STRIPES - Stripes are tricky. To stay on the safe side, go ONLY with VERTICAL stripes, and not too wide or bold. Vertical stripes draw the eye up and down and will make you look longer and leaner.
  
  DECORATION - This includes appliqué, sequins, metal studs, rhinestones, lace, piping, rick-rack and other trim as well as paint, prints & patterns. The busier the garment, the more it makes the eye dart about and you seem bigger. Remember LESS IS MORE. If you want that little rhinestone butterfly on your jeans fine, but stick with JUST ONE and make sure that it is small and well-placed so as not to draw attention to a "problem area".
• TAILORING
  Get to know a good tailor and have your clothes altered as needed.
  
  Ok, so you just LOVE those trousers, but they're not quite a perfect fit. Go ahead and buy them with room to have them altered. Remember to factor this into your budget when purchasing the original item. Spending an extra $15 could have you looking like a Million Bucks.
• BELT IN MODERATION
  When wearing a belt with low-slung trousers and skirts, DO NOT cinch it in as tight as it will go.
  
  THE TEST:
  Buckle your belt and then sit in a chair and relax (don't suck your belly it, because you won't remember to do this all day long!). If flesh is spilling out (covered or not) then you must let the belt out to the point where it no longer does this.
• SHAPEWEAR Quick Fix
  Purchase a shapewear foundation garment. Modern shapewear is a far cry from the girdles of yesteryear, and will smooth any unsightly bulges without the awful stiff boning wires.
  KEY- be sure that your top is long enough to be securely tucked into your trousers or skirt so that your shapewear garment does not show!
• SHAPE UP
  Most of us have a little surplus flesh here and there. For many it doesn't take a whole big "Rocky Balboa" scale workout routine to get where you want to be.
  Body sculpting with targeted exercise can minimize and even eliminate the problem areas. (See below)
• BODY AWARENESS
  Know your own BODY TYPE.
  People come in many shapes and builds. The first step to a good fit is knowing what your Body Type is. Be honest with yourself and develop a visual awareness of your own shape.
  
  Some Typical Body Types:
  (There are many variations within these)
  Apple Shape- (Bigger on top and toward the Midsection, tapering in toward smaller hips. Thighs are usually slimmer.)
  Pear Shaped- (smaller top, larger hips, thighs)
  Hour Glass- Balanced chest and hips with a small waist.
  Rectangle- Not much difference between Hip and Chest size, straight waist.
  V-Shape- Broad Shoulders, Narrow Hips.
  A-Shape- Narrow Shoulders, Broad Hips. Unlike Pear Shape, the waist is not small.
  Barrel - Large Midsection, smaller shoulders & hips.
  
  Do you have any bulges and where?
  Has your body changed over the years? Maybe you've lost weight, gained weight or toned up. You might find that what works best for you has changed.
  
  The SECOND STEP is knowing what cuts of clothing best flatter your body type. This will also cut down the time it takes to shop. I know to rule out certain styles, cuts and brands of clothing because they simply don't work on my body type. There is no need to even take them into the fitting room!
  
  Stick with those cuts that minimize your problem areas and show off your assets.
• The first step is AWARENESS. USE YOUR EYES. When trying clothing on in a store ALWAYS CHECK OUT YOUR BACKSIDE IN A 3-WAY MIRROR BEFORE BUYING! Get a full-length MIRROR at home and USE IT before heading out the door!
  Neglecting this step is as bad as those high-school girls that only style the front of their hair because that is all they see. They have forgotten their heads are 3-dimensional. It looks very silly to have a carefully coiffed front and neglected sides and back!