Unlike T-shirts, which more or less hide the shape of the body, blouses emphasize the form. It is more feminine and more formal, often used in the corporate world as well as in semi-formal occasions.

Different cuts and designs fit different body types. There are some that flatters a certain body type while there are some that falters. It is important that you find the right cut and style that will not only emphasize your best assets but will also hide your problem areas.

Going with the lines

Stripes and lines in blouses have huge effect in the way the eye perceives the whole body. Vertical lines in blouses will elongate the body and will make it appear longer and leaner. This is recommended for people who are short or those who are on the full side.

Horizontal lines in blouses, on the other hand, draws the eyes wide, making the image the lines frame wider and fatter. Thin people or those in the leaner side will appear fuller when wearing this kind of blouse.

Colors have it all

As a fashion rule of thumb, black and other dark colors will minimize fullness. In fact, people who have full figures should go with black wardrobes as the color black especially in blouses will make them appear leaner.

Bright colors on blouses, on the other hand emphasize the upper body. In addition to making it appear bigger and wider, bright colors will also draw attention to the body that it frames. If your problem area is the lower body, such as wide hips, bright-colored blouses will help minimize the attention.

Bright colored-blouses is also recommended for people who have great shoulders and great upper body area while dark colors are recommended for those who have upper body area problems.

To keep it simple, wear a dark-colored blouse if you wish to hide something in the upper area and a bright-colored blouse if you want to draw attention to your upper body area.

Cuts cut it

The cut of the blouse will also factor a lot in the way you are seen. Blouses with empire cuts for example will hide wide waistlines while emphasizing the chest area. Tight-fitting blouses on the other hand is best worn by women who have leaner figures. Full-figured women are discouraged to wear tight-fitting blouses because these blouses only serve to highlight the fullness.

Facial factor

The cuts of the collars of blouses will also help flatter not only the figure but also the facial structure.

Women with wide jaws or those with a square-shaped facial structures are advised to wear blouses with V necklines. This is also true with women with round faces. They should also avoid wearing blouses with Sabrina-type collars and closed collars as these will only emphasize the square-ness and the roundness of the facial structure.

Women with long faces are recommended to wear blouses with square-shaped necklines and round necklines. This will help cut the length of the facial structure. Sabrina type necklines and those with wide necklines will also flatter them.

Women with long necks can pretty much wear anything they like. When wearing blouses with a dipping neckline, they just need to wear a long necklace to create an illusion of cut.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of http://www.BlouseCorner.com