Problem: Undefined ankles

Fashion fix: Ankle jewelry, shoes with ankle straps, cropped pants that hit the thinnest part of the ankle or a skirt that falls below the knee at the most slender part of the leg

Legs. For some women they’re more than just reliable transportation: They’re a symbol of femininity, fitness and status.

Since the word “cankles” came into our vocabulary, though, women have become particular about emphasizing the slight tapering of their ankles. Those without well-defined ankles can “make a faux ankle,” Wilson and Chatterton say, with cropped pants that taper to the thinnest part of the ankle, shoes with ankle straps or ankle jewelry, which create lines that draw the eye to the narrowest part of the leg.

Problem: Short legs or wide thighs

Fashion fix: Pointy-toed heels, pleated pants, a slightly flared skirt or straight-legged pants that fall loosely from the thigh

Buchanan, Wilson and Chatterton all agree that gaucho pants are, thankfully, on their way out. Buchanan explains they look good on tall, slender women. If a more petite woman wants to rock the gaucho look, Buchanan advises she dress in one color to give the illusion of being taller. Shorter legs can also look longer with a pair of wider leg trousers that fall straight from the hips and a pointy-toed heel that elongates the leg.
For “thunder thighs,” Buchanan recommends pleated pants or a slightly flared skirt. She also suggests wearing straight-legged pants that fall loosely from the thigh. This gives the appearance of a more proportionate leg.

Problem: Matronly arms

Fashion fix: A tank top under a jacket or blazer, three-quarter length or flowing sleeves

Another common complaint of women is that their arms are too short or bigger toward the top — sometimes referred to as “matronly arms.” To lengthen and slenderize arms, Wilson and Chatterton recommend a tank top and jacket or three-quarter length sleeves.

Soft, fluttery sleeves that give the illusion of a narrower shoulder are also a way to lengthen the arm, Chatterton says. Buchanan also advises that dark colors appear to recede, so arms clad in black rather than acid green will be less noticeable and might even look smaller.

Problem: Finding the perfect jeans

Fashion fix: Jeans with a little stretch, a loose blouse paired with skinny jeans

To be a vision in denim, Wilson and Chatterton recommend jeans with a waist neither right below the ribs nor sitting directly on the hipbones. Fit is crucial, and a little stretch can add comfort. After all, a walk resembling that of the Tin Man is anything but sexy.

Buchanan says she’s troubled by the unsightly roll of fat that bulges over the waistbands of women who select a size too tight. To ensure a good fit, Buchanan recommends sitting down in the pants. “If it hurts,” she quips, “it’s probably too small.”

MU freshmen Kara Sussman and Katlynn O’Connor say they avoid “muffin-top jeans” — an Oprah Winfrey term for jeans that cause spillage over the waistband.

“I just got skinny jeans, but I’m nervous about them,” O’Connor says. Sussman, her shopping buddy, reassures her that the jeans look great. A tip for those who want to pull off this look: Get the right size jeans, and incorporate a looser layer such as a tunic or fitted blouse on top.

Problem: Thick torso

Fashion fix: Fitted layers or a fitted jacket that pulls in at the ribcage

“Girls over size 10 are draping themselves in fabric because they are trying to hide in the corner,” Wilson says. But shirts and blouses cut close to the body can flatter the form better than an amorphous, flowing muumuu designed to hide curves.

Keep in mind, too, that stitching and lines will likely emphasize parts of the body they cut across, so seams shouldn’t lead to areas the wearer does not want to stand out. A fitted shirt that skims the body is ideal. Jackets cinched near the ribcage can also slenderize the torso by curving in at its thinnest part, Buchanan and Wilson say.