Waistlines

Waistline is the line separating the upper body from the lower body.  In clothing, waistlines are important in creating a well-defined silhouette.  It can accentuate your best assets and also hide your imperfections.  The importance of knowing each style will help you determine which is best suited for a certain body type.

Below are some of the most commonly used styles in fashion today.

Click the image to view actual sample.	Natural Waistline
	The natural waistline is the narrowest part of the body lying between the ribs and the hips.  It creates balance between the upper and the lower body.  Because it accentuates the width of waistline, this will be perfect for women with an hour-glass figure.  However, women with an apple-shaped figure, where the waist is wider than the hips, should avoid this style since it will only add to the volume of the waist.  This waistline is very common among flower girl dresses.
Click the image to view actual sample.	Basque Waistline
	This waistline has a fitted waist that begins from the natural waistline and drops down forming a “V” 2 to 3 inches below the natural waistline.  Among the different waistlines, the basque waistline is the most flattering that is why it is commonly used in dresses and gowns.  It creates an illusion of height by visually narrowing the width of both waist and hips and elongating the upper body. However, square figures may appear even squarer with this waistline, so it is better to avoid this style.
Click the image to view actual sample.	Dropped Waistline
	A dropped waistline is a straight waistline that falls 3 to 5 inches from the natural waistline.  It also creates an illusion of height and an hour-glass figure.  This waistline is ideal for short-waisted, wide-hipped or full-figured bodies.  It also works well with slender figures however, will not be flattering on long-waisted bodies since a dropped waist has a tendency to further elongate the waist which will make the upper body appear longer than the lower body (legs).
Click the image to view actual sample.	Dropped Curve Waistline
	This is a dramatic variation of a dropped waistline.  Similar to the dropped waistline, a dropped curve waistline falls 3 to 5 inches from the natural waistline and forms a soft curve stopping at the hips.
Click the image to view actual sample.	Empire Waistline
	An empire waistline is 3 to 5 inches above the natural waistline just below the natural bustline.  This waistline works perfectly well with full-figured bodies, wide hips, or thick bellies since it can conceal lower body imperfections.  It is great for short women as it gives an illusion of added height.  Flat-chested ladies appear to have fuller bust with an empire waistline.  But on the downside, ladies with large bust may want to consider avoiding this waistline as it has a tendency to draw the eyes to the bust area.
Click the image to view actual sample.	Raised Waistline
	A raised waistline is a horizontal waistline that falls significantly above the natural waistline about an inch or more.  Variation of this can be a curved raised waistline with the curve resembling an inverted “U”.  This waistline can also be flattering on shorter figures because it can make them appear taller.