The major do's and don'ts for capturing the glamorous style of "Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks.
Hendricks is famous for accentuating her never-ending curves in form-fitting clothes, which are great for flaunting your shape. However, make sure your clothes leave some wiggle room to avoid revealing the curves you don’t want others to see. “Avoid clothes that are too tight,” warns image consultant Thea Wood. “If fabric pulls across the widest area of your body, creating horizontal creases when standing up straight, that’s a sign you need to go up a size.” Remember, fit — not size — is key to wearing pieces that flatter your shape best. (When in doubt, make sure your ensemble is seen by a tailor, who can provide a custom fit for your shape.)
Not just any curve-hugging ensembles will do for this actress (or her character Joan, for that matter). “Get yourself a variety of jewel-toned, tight-fitting dresses that would be technically considered business-casual, but with a twist of boldness,” suggests Marian Rothschild, image consultant and author of “Look Good Now and Always.” Best of all, these are pieces that can easily transition from day to evening with minimal effort.
Flaunting your assets is well and good, but you don't want to run the risk of appearing trashy or flashy. “The décolletage is a very sexy and powerful part of the female body,” says celebrity stylist James Cornwell. “If you tend to button up all the way to the neck, unbutton a couple of snaps or buttons, showing a flash of skin. Do take risks, but don’t unbutton too far.”
While we’re on the subject of cleavage, don’t forget to focus on what you wear underneath your clothes. A poor-fitting bra can pinch at the skin, creating unwanted “back fat.” And if a piece is too loose, you’ll miss out on getting much-needed support, and your chest will appear wider. “Get a bra fitting by an expert,” says Wood. “We change shape all the time, and bras stretch and lose their supportive qualities. A good rule of thumb is to get a fitting every six months.”
The sultry redhead may have a celebrated bust, but you don’t need to show off yours to capture her style. Model and fashion expert Jaimie Hilfiger believes that showcasing your favorite feature is key to boosting confidence and upgrading your personal style. “Even though we all cannot physically look like Christina Hendricks, we can emulate her sexy, refined style,” says Hilfiger. “The first step is to determine what your best asset is. No matter what your body looks like, it’s important to play up your best feature. Whether it be your long legs, sculpted arms or hourglass figure, we all have a feature that can be enhanced.”
Whether in front of cameras or on the go, Hendricks is usually spotted in a form-fitting pencil skirt, which can instantly whittle your waist, enhance curves, make one’s shape appear slimmer, It's also chic, no matter the occasion. Best of all? This closet must-have works for everyone, and can be found in a variety of prices to meet your shopping budget. “If your trouble spots are on your bottom half, sticking to a solid color pencil skirt is your best bet,” says style expert Hilary Kennedy. “You can pair it with a patterned or textured blouse or sweater on top. However, if your bottom half is slim and trim, try bold patterns to mix things up and add the illusion of curves.”
Forget Spanx — when it comes to showcasing a va-va-voom figure, Hendricks usually relies on a belt to cinch her waist. For a similar appearance, try a belt that matches your apparel, creating the illusion of an hourglass. Look out for a slim leather belt or a wider corselet used over dresses or coats. “The newest belts to look out for are simple, often without any visible closure, or with a smooth metal buckle for a clean minimalist look,” once remarked style expert Sharon Graubard on minimizing your midsection. “Narrow belts can be styled over dresses, sweaters, coats and jackets.”
“Do not go overboard with showing what you’ve got,” warns Cornwell. “Leave a bit to the imagination, and don’t wear outfits that reveal everything you have. Make people wonder what else there is to you.”
“Christina’s style has had a lasting impact because she is not a slave to trends,” says Hilfiger. “Ten years from now, we could look back at Christina’s red carpet style and 99 percent of her looks will still remain modern and constant because she chooses ladylike silhouettes and structured separates. Her fashion sense is very old Hollywood glam, a look that never goes out of style.”
We get it, platforms are a surefire way to elongate your shape. However, capturing "old Hollywood" means leaving this modern trend behind. “Classic pumps are a must in a variety of colors,” says Rothschild. “No platforms. Just stuck to vintage classics.” Consider investing in a pair of pumps matching your skin tone to instantly create longer legs.