NEW YORK — The idea of runway trends is that they get translated to the real world, but not everyone has a model's figure.
Still, no one has to be left out. There's always a tweak to a look that conveys the same message, even if it's not an exact replica of what a designer put on the catwalk.
The plus-size woman, the odd-shape woman — everyone who is not a size 2 — still wants "fashion," says Nicole Fischelis, group vice president of ready-to-wear at Macy's.
This fall she can find it in a motorcycle jacket, slim-leg pants, sheath dress or strong-shoulder blazer.
"It's all about proportion and balance. Regular-size women too have to think about their hips, bust and shape, too." Fischelis says.
Below are tips from InStyle fashion director Cindy Weber Cleary and Glamour executive fashion editor at large Suze Yalof Schwartz on how to wear this fall's top silhouettes:
MOTORCYCLE JACKET
This can be a staple item for most women, says Yalof Schwartz, but different shapes should pair it with different things. For example, a plus-size woman could try a wrap dress, and a pear shape could try a flirtier, more feminine dress — maybe with must-have black tights.
An apple shape should build up her top a little, and the jacket will help, especially with an oversized shirt peeking out the bottom and narrow-leg pants.
This jacket isn't for most straight up-and-down figure because it will emphasize a boyish shape, says Weber Cleary. However, she adds, a very slender woman can pull it off because she can wear it over a short dress, jeans or leggings — and look very cool.
Head-to-toe black is pretty universally flattering.
NARROW PANTS
"Skinny pants were made for a skinny girl, obviously," says Weber Cleary, but they can still work for others.
She recommends them for a boylike silhouette because they're narrow through the thigh as well as the ankle. That's exactly why, though, this isn't the best choice for anyone with thick calves, adds Yalof Schwartz.
Thick thighs can be camouflaged with a longer blazer, which can look quite chic.
An apple shape can wear narrow pants if there are no pleats and they are paired with a flowing top, Yalof Schwartz says, while a pear can do "narrowish but not severely narrow pants" with a slimmer top.
For everyone, the best choice of fabric has a little drape, like rayon, instead of a stiff one such as tweed.
SHEATH DRESS
Only the pear shape might have a problem with the sheath — everyone else should have one, says Yalof Schwartz. It's not that the sheath wouldn't look OK, it'll just be hard for that figure to find one that fits properly, especially in the tummy, she explains.
This dress might be the very best choice for a plus-size woman because the curves are flaunted, not hidden. A belt might add a little bit of an hourglass to someone who is thick or has a straight-boy figure. Weber Cleary suggests adding heels and, perhaps, bold jewelry to the look.
Apple shapes tend to have nice legs, notes Yalof Schwartz, so don't let the length fall too low so it looks matronly.
STRONG-SHOULDER JACKET
The strong-shoulder jacket, which very well might have shoulder pads, is an effective tool at balancing a wider bottom, so it was practically made for the pear shape. But an apple shape might be able to pull it off if the garment is long and lean, and with strong but not wide shoulders.
Skinny shapes can also wear it as long as the shoulder isn't too exaggerated, Weber Cleary adds, but she thinks a boy shape risks appearing mannish. If a straight, narrow figure wants to try it, Yalof Schwartz suggests the oversized look.
For a plus size, this jacket can make a top half look bigger, but with very sharp lines and a geometric effect, the overall package can be very sleek and modern.
Wear it with those skinny pants, Yalof Schwartz suggests.