Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success Body Proportions Question: My body isn't very proportional. I have a big lower body and small upper body. How can I minimize the appearance of my thighs and stomach area? Nevine Answer: Proportion is a problem for many people, women and men. Few people have perfect proportion. One of the many blessings of wearing the right clothing is that it has the capacity to give us the "illusion" of proportion. With your body-type, try out these flattering proportional tips and enjoy the difference. Wear shoulder pads; they are a must for you as they bring visual balance to your figure. Try some fairly small ones -- not shoulder pads on steroids, those huge ones from the '80s. Experiment with the round and the square types to see which shape works best for you. Remember the thickest part of any shoulder pad should sit at the outer edge of your shoulder. You can tuck them under your bra strap to keep them in place, if you don't have the Velcro type. While speaking of under things, try wearing a highly structured bra, with some padding to bring further balance to your figure. Wear layers on the top part of your body. For example, wear a fitted knit top (scooped or jewel necklines or mock turtlenecks) under a blouse, leaving the blouse part way unbuttoned. If you choose the same top color as your solid-color skirt or pants, you will look thinner on the bottom as well. The over blouse should be in a contrasting color to the top/bottom garment color, in a multicolor print that has some of the top/bottom garment color in it, or a tone-on-tone shade coordinated to the top/bottom garment color. Vests worn over long-sleeve blouses or knit tops would work well to bulk up your upper half. Sweater sets could also work well, but be sure to wear shoulder pads with them. Longer cut vests or tunic blouses are great as they help to minimize stomach and thigh areas. Long tailored jackets with built-in shoulder pads and shaped waists are ideal for you. Blouses, tops, or vests with breast pockets also help fill in a small upper body. Don't do the layered look (as described above in tip #3) with a blouse that has large breast pockets. The layered look works only if the pockets are not large and they are closed with a tab or button. Avoid wearing tight-fitting blouses or sweaters that accentuate the upper body. One of the worst silhouettes for you is the tight knit top worn with drawstring or elastic waist pants, especially those that have wide legs. Avoid those kinds of outfits completely! You can wear that type of pants with a tunic blouse, long sweater top, or a jacket, just not with a tight little top. Avoid overly tight or snugly-fitted pants Look for diagonal lines either in fabrics or in the construction of garments, Jackets or tops that button in an asymmetrical fashion are terrific for you. Don't forget to draw attention to your face with fabulous hair, in its style, cut, and color. Always wear makeup (tastefully applied) and important looking earrings. Best of luck to you, Sherry Maysonave Also see: I recently accepted a position in the office of the University President. This summer I have worn skirts and tops - but sometimes I feel underdressed without a suit jacket. Are suits required in an office like this? The law firm I work for just adopted business casual dress policy. What should I wear? Ask your image questions Personal Power: A case study from 'Casual Power'