We're all individuals with interesting and beautiful variations Because every woman is unique, in the next few chapters we will explore the individual aspects of each body, and make specific dressing recommendations for you no matter what your size, age, lifestyle, or budget

With an Hourglass body you can call attention to your well-defined waist, but you may need to deemphasize your ample bust line in order not to appear top-heavy You are flattered by soft, flowing, or "drape-able" fabrics and sophisticated lines that acknowledge your shape without adding bulk to your frame

Finding plus size clothing can be a very difficult task and first you need to measure your bone structure, so don't be concerned with your relative size or shape Keep in mind that your body undoubtedly differs from the "classic" proportions somewhere in head length, upper torso, rise, leg length, etc

We can learn to bridge the gap between size and attractiveness by changing the focus from body size to body shape and the overall coordination and style of the trendy clothing we choose to wear In other words, you can know what makes you look attractive, and why

As a teenager most of the girls are poring over Cosmopolitan or some other magazine, they gaze into the mirror, trying unsuccessfully to see how their face might compare to the pictures of the perfect models on the page According to the fashion and beauty doyenne, you had to wear your hair a certain way, figure out how to shade, camouflage, and otherwise persuade your face to conform to the classic oval with mile-high cheekbones

Our media images reinforce this negative thinking Magazines, TV, and movies portray unreasonable physical expectations that even healthy, active, normal teenage girls have a hard time living with, The size message says if you're large (large being a relative term, of course some girls see anything over size 6 as too large) you are guilty of breaking some sort of cultural taboo, that you shouldn't be taking up so much space, that you must be out of control

Over a third of American women wear size 14 and up, and designers are quickly tapping into this booming market Plus-size boutiques are featured at the best retail chains, from Macy's to Bloorningdale's, Nordstrom to Saks

Why should you pay special attention to what you wear Because appearance and clothing are some of the most important criteria we have by which to judge others