Revival of '60s style compliments shapely women

By Inga Fetting Jul 21, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Current styles in retro looks from the '60s are practically made for curvaceous women who carry a few extra pounds and when it comes to summer clothes these cuts de-emphasize problem zones and emphasize the right ones.

The current US television series hit Mad Men, which is set in the '60s, has brought back the tailoring and sizes of '60s clothing and inspired designers to create new editions of wrap-around and A-line dresses.

'These dresses are available in the right fit and at the optimal length for every woman,' said designer Gesine Wessels of Berlin. But she also emphasized that this doesn't mean every dress is equally optimal for every woman.

Women whose sizes fall in the larger ranges should wear dresses that are neither too snug nor too large, said style consultant Andrea Rose of Frankfurt. Clothing that is too tight or too billowy can emphasize a large figure in an unflattering way. A wrap-around dress can be tied either loosely or tightly at the waist to create a more attractive look.

A wrap-around dress that is tied in the middle and flared at the shoulders and hemline can create the visual impression that there is a thin waistline when in reality there isn't, said Wessels.

'Classic silk and wrap-around dresses are inspired by vintage prints from the Furstenberg archive,' said Rose. 'Diane von Furstenberg has revived the graphic trend of the '60s.'

Dark muted colours are featured at the moment but bold colours such as grass green, royal blue and sunflower yellow also are in style, said Rose. They communicate a feeling of summer whether they are presented in solids or prints.

Rose said floral prints are especially good on women with feminine shapes. The prints should be large, however.

Another retro fashion trend is the A-line or trapezoid-shaped dress that created a desirable silhouette in the '60s. Style icons of the era such as Twiggy wore these dresses, which have no waistline and are cut small on top and flare out at the bottom.

Thought Twiggy, an extremely thin and relatively short fashion model, might not seem like the ideal inspiration for women with curves, she in fact modeled dresses that can be advantageous to women with large bellies, hips and thighs.

The trapezoid shape is form-fitting at the shoulders and through the bust. Below that it flows outward in an A-line shape, covering problem zones. 'This cut makes short women look taller and conceals a few kilos,' said Rose.

The length of a dress can also help hide a few pounds, said Wessels. The hemline always should fall at a point where the woman's leg is thinner. A woman with large knees, for example, should choose dresses that reach to her thigh.

Rose said women who wear large sizes should look for summer dresses made of colourful softly flowing material in cuts that emphasize the smallest part of their body.

A sheath dress, which is figure-hugging with a defined waist but no belt or waistband, should be selected only when the body is well-toned and in proportion. If a woman wears one size on her upper body and another on her lower body, then she should refrain from choosing a sheath dress, said stylist Maria Hans of Hamburg.

Wessels added that when a woman fancies having such a dress she should make sure that it is cut so that below the bustline it is tailored to the contours of the body, and presentable legs are of course an advantage.

Sling-backs, high heels and peep-toes are examples of footwear that goes well with the '60s look, said Wessels. A woman who prefers flat shoes can wear ballerinas or primly styled sandals, but shoes with laces or wide straps do not flatter this look and make the leg look shorter.