Gok Wan's style tips

Style guru Gok Wan, from How to Look Good Naked, gives his tips for feeling confident and looking sexy whatever your shape

How to look good…
…when you're pear shaped
Or a “Juicy Girl”, as I call you. If you're carrying more weight on the bottom, you want to make your shoulders look as broad as your hips. Try:
Halter necks and capped sleeves – they will make your top seem broader. Anything that exposes your shoulders and chest area will take attention away from the bottom to up there.
Minimising your bottom by wearing dark colours and cuts that skim over your curves rather than cling. Invest in a pair of heavy-duty magic pants to slim your bottom down further.
Chicken fillets – these are available from most underwear shops, and will help maximise your top proportions.
Most Juicy Girls have flatter stomachs than any other body shape, so take advantage of it and show it off.

…when you've got big boobs
Get them out, I say! You can do it without looking too obvious.
Wear deep V-necks and balcony bras to give them the best shape.
Even if you're on the large side, don't be afraid of using chicken fillets to give you the right cleavage.

…when you're an apple shape
Or a “Sexy Broad”, as I call you. This shape is the hardest to dress, but I've never met a Sexy Broad who couldn't get curves with good underwear. Try:
A pair of toning shorts, which will give support from the knees upwards, around your bottom, and hold in your tummy, plus a boosting, underwired bra.
Try a waist cincher, or waspie, which will take in about two to three inches on the waist. Try Aristoc's Waist Toner.

…when you're worried about bingo wings
This is one of the most common complaints I hear. But while you're obsessing about it, I guarantee that 99 per cent of all the women in your vicinity are doing the same. Try:
Capped sleeves, boleros or cardigans.
A fake tan – if your flesh is going to be moving, it's better if it's golden, sun-kissed flesh.

…when you're conscious of your stomach
I love bellies. I think there's nothing sexier than a Roland Mouret Galaxy dress with a hint of a tummy.
If you really want to conceal it, try minimising pants, with a strong panel of elastic.

…when you don't want to wear black
There's no two ways about it – black will always be a slimming colour. I wear black all the time. But you can add colour easily. Try:
Experimenting with other dark colours, such as beautiful browns, royal blues, deep reds and greys.
Using black as a base and then accenting with colour. It might be your sunglasses, your reading glasses, a belt, tights, shoes or bags. And if you don't have enough choice of bags or shoes, then it's time to get shopping as far as I'm concerned!

Foundations first
Underwear can make or break an outfit. Once you've got your underwear on, do my Silhouette Trick: stand in front of the mirror and lift your arms up to the side. You want to have smooth lines. If you can see lumps or bumps, you're wearing the wrong underwear.

Think beautiful!
Remember, you've got as much right to feel sexy and feminine as anyone else – whatever your body shape. Dawn French was fantastic to style. I've never met anyone so comfortable with her size. While I went through her wardrobe, she flung off her clothes and stood there in her bra and pants. It was liberating and wonderful to see someone so at one with her body.


Gok Wan is working with Aristoc to launch the new Bodytoners range of shaping and toning hosiery. For details, visit www.aristoc.com

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