The traditional trench has managed to outlive all the latest fashion trends and is embraced by every new generation. It goes with everything and hides all figure flaws with its stiff fabric. It just at home in the evening, slung over a cocktail dress as it is in the day.
What started out life in 1856 as practical attire for British soldiers in the First World War trenches has been embraced by the fashion world as a classic wardrobe staple and is now worn by more women than men.
The trench is seductive; it has an air of mystery, adds a hint of sexiness and oozes glamour. “Put on a trench and you’re suddenly Audrey Hepburn walking along the Seine, even if you’ve got red hair and you’re five one,” says designer Michael Kors, in Harper’s Bazaar Great Style (Aurum Press 2007).

How to Wear a Trench Coat

Pick the perfect trench coat and it goes with everything and hides all figure flaws with its cleverly cut fabric. The belt can be tied tightly (but not too tight so that it bunches around the waist) to create an hour-glass figure or belted loosely for a casual air. Tying the buckle at the back is more tacky than chic.
The Spring 2010 season’s take on the trench sees mini trenches with short hemlines that finish above the knee and cropped sleeves. For a 2010 runway look, wear a trench loose and open, with ruched up sleeves

Here are a few tips on how to make it work for you if you're petite:

A maxi dress can really swamp you up and make you look shorter and chunky, but the trick here is to choose a style that is well-cut - that means choose a full-length dress that sits more closely to your body

To avoid looking like a tent, your petite shape needs a more structured dress, so try a maxi dress with a defined waist like for example empire waist, and if you need to minimize your tummy or the preggy look of an empire waist, wrap a basic belt around the thinnest part of your waist

The best hemline dress cuts for your frame are: Straight, A-line and bias-cut

Elongate your figure with a v-neck

For some extra height, wear pumps, wedges (espadrilles with this type of dress is my fave!) or high heeled sandals

Look for maxi dresses in solid colors, espceially black, olive green, deep purple and dark brown. You can also wear light colors but it still has to be a solid to 'draw' a straight line on your frame

Avoid horizontal and large patterns.

Skinny, 80s style jeans have made a huge comeback like no other trend out there. They’ve been on the scene for almost 2 years now, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be going away anytime soon. Some people love skinny jeans, while others can’t stand the thought. The truth is, skinny jeans can look great, but only if you know how to wear them.

Most people like wearing skinny jeans with flats, but unfortunately, it doesn’t look good on everyone. Why? Skinny jeans don’t help your figure; especially if you’re short, or a little curvier. Skinny jeans look amazing on tall and lean figures, and that’s the truth. If you’re tall and lean, go ahead wear them with flats as they won’t shorten
you or make you look stocky. Not all fashion trends look great on everyone.

That being said, even if you are short, you can still pull off a pair of skinny jeans, but make sure you have a little bit of heel. Skinny jeans tend to shorten you, so wear them with a pair of hot pumps, the combination is
just to die for!

Either way, just because skinny jeans are hot right now, does not mean you have to wear them! If they don’t look good on you, there is no point in putting yourself in something that doesn’t make you feel comfortable.

If you look at the huge array of denim styles available in retail stores, you’ll notice that they’re not necessarily flattering, but rather, they’re just “stylish” and most times, conjure images of 80s denim.

So how do you know which jeans are flattering and which aren’t?

Well first rule of thumb is that even though a jean style may be popular and trendy, it doesn’t mean that it’ll look good on you!

Take for example acid-wash jeans, which were a big staple back in the 80s, but lets be honest, even then, these babies looked sooo unflattering. So if you’re petite or have a bigger booty, stay away from these 80s “trendy” jeans:

• acid wash jeans
• the boyfriend jean (although comfortable, these jeans are shapeless and won’t do anything for curvier girls)
• skinny jeans (yes, they look awesome on most people, but if you’re really short and curvy, skinny jeans are a no-no, sorry!)
• high-waist jeans (these don’t look good on anybody, so please, just throw them out)
• liquid leggings (if you’re under 25 and fairly thin, these are fine…but a mature woman will never be taken seriously in these).
• ripped jeans (follow the same rule as above, simple as that!)

Fashion Trends from Around the World

Converse sneakers are popular in Paris? Who would have thought. Locals and world travelers from nine different countries gave us the lowdown on what’s really hot (and not) on the international stage. See if any of your favorite pieces are popular somewhere else. (Then if others don’t understand your style, you can always justify it as being worldly.)

Barcelona, Spain
Trend: Vibrant Hues
Women in Barcelona love to wear vibrant colors and mix and match bold patterns typically shied away from in the United States. The liberal mixing can be seen in the collections of two of their most popular designers—Custo Barcelona and Desigual.

Trend: Mullets
Mullets are incredibly popular in Spain, and not just for men! The “business in the front, party in the back” style has become a hit among young Spaniards, especially in populous cities like Madrid and Barcelona. “It's funny, because when some of my Spanish friends asked about style differences, they were surprised to hear that mullets are definitely not hip.

This elegant goddess-style dress in black matte jersey (comfortable!) will set off
your hourglass figure or give you curves if you don't already have them. It has a forgiving gathered skirt (perfect to hide a tummy) and a knee length, which is hard to find since so many dresses are very short this season. Best of all,

The easiest way to balance a bottom-heavy figure is to choose a little black dress that skims over the lower half of the body. Fuller skirts, like this Eliza J dress, disguise heavy hips, while showing off the waist. A fitted halter or strapless silhouette -- which accents a trim upper body -- is very flattering for bottom-heavy figures.

The perfect little black dress for a smaller frame elongates and flatters like this stretch satin dress.More flattery: look for a dress with a lot of shape -- here it has a V-neck and horizontal seaming -- and is scaled just right for your figure. Avoid too-cutesy looks (like puffed sleeves) so you won't look little girlish.

Do Balance Out Black Boots with Black Jacket

Sometimes black booties look harsh with short dresses in light colors, but by adding a black leather jacket to a sparkly dress this look balances itself out.