How to be thin but IN
September 2, 2002 | 12:00am
Hi, Rissa!
I’m a big fan of yours. I always check out the parties and events pics in mags and papers just to see if you’re in them because you’re my favorite celebrity.
Anyway, I just wanna know if you think thin is totally out for guys. I’m 5’5" and about 120 lbs. I’m 22 years old, just graduated from UST Architecture, and I’m straight (if it matters...my questions are fashion-related). With all these toned, buffed people running around, do you think guys like me stand a chance? I mean, sure, people say, "just be yourself" or "it’s not the looks" but to be realistic, those people get noticed more easily than most, right?
Just hoping I could get good advice from someone in the fashion industry. It’s just so hard to make porma! My sis would go, "Ang payat mo dyan, e" and I’d go "Eh, payat talaga ako e." I’ve tried to put on weight but nothing works. I tried supplements, a few weeks in the gym, changed my eating habits so it must be my metabolism. Should I wear tight-fitting clothes (as in Human or Diesel) or loose ones? Any suggestions with regard to my hair? Am I even asking the right questions?  Nonie
Dear Nonie,
Gee. While every girl desires to be thin, here you are complaining about being thin! Looks like you’ve tried everything from lifting weights at the gym to taking supplements and to even changing your eating habits. Yet you still remain thin. But, of course, you’re a guy and you want a buffed body.
You know, looking good isn’t just about having a buffed body and big muscles. It’s all about emphasizing the good and disguising the bad.
Even history proves it! Queen Elizabeth herself ordered her court dressmakers to produce fashions to cover her defects and make the most out of her assets. She had a desirable small waist and wisely used a corset to show off her 13-inch waistline! On the other hand, the high-neck ruff, which was so characteristic of that period, was adopted by the Queen to cover a long, thin and unshapely neck.
But even the male royalty were careful dressers. A king was supposed to look and act his part. If nature did not endow him with a regal appearance, he felt he had to make up for this deficiency by dressing for the part he was supposed to play. Charles VII adopted long coats to cover his ill-shaped legs. And Louis XIII who was prematurely bald used a peruke (wig) made in imitation of long curls!
Now you can do the same. No need to wear a wig or hire your own dressmaker. All you have to do is know what kinds of clothes will flatter you and what won’t. Looks like nature blessed you with a thin body. Don’t hate it but instead accept it. When dressing up, the mirror should be your friend.
There are a lot of things a thin person can get away with. One of them is layering, which is perfect for this time of the year. Try wearing a vest or sweater over a button down shirt. Or put on a jacket to spice up a basic tee.
With your figure, don’t be afraid to go for tops that have busy patterns and details. On top-heavy people, details like ruffles, big collars, horizontal stripes, patch pockets and prints on the chest will make them look heavier. But you don’t have to think twice about it! Pockets and other trimming details on the chest lend visual impact. You can also try fabrics that visually increase size like wool and knits. Just avoid vertical lines that will emphasize your thin frame.
In case you feel you have a long thin neck, consider investing in turtleneck tops in basic colors. Make sure though that the turtleneck has a loose neckline. A tight one isn’t just suffocating but can also emphasize a thin neck. Avoid collarless tops or jackets.
Speaking of jackets, opt for straight-cut styles or boxy-shaped ones. Avoid jackets that are fitted close to the body. For formal events, a double-breasted suit is a more handsome choice. Single-breasted suits will just make you appear thinner.
When it comes to color, almost every color on the rainbow is yours! While heavier people choose blacks or dark colors from head to toe, you can get away with lighter and brighter shades. A light-colored top and a light-colored bottom will make you look healthier than going all black. You can also wear a light-colored top while wearing dark blue denims. Just remember, dark colors make an area look smaller.
As for pants, you can also get away with bright colors, bold prints and patterns, and eye-catching details like cargo or patch pockets. Pockets on the hips of the pants visually add bulk.
When it comes to trousers, they can either come flat front or pleated. I suggest you go for flat front trousers. The vertical line of pleated pants emphasizes your thin frame. And unlike heavier people, you can happily wear pants with cuffs. Cuffs have the tendency to make the legs shorter. Tall and slim people can get away with them.
As to whether to go tight or loose with your clothes, go for clothes with a comfort fit which is timeless. Too tight or too loose clothing are often just trends.
Long hair that covers your face will not just make your face thinner, it most often doesn’t look attractive at all. If you’ve got sexy eyes or an irresistible smile, why hide it behind all that hair? Remember that hair should help you show off your great features. Some guys do get away with long hair but clean-cut styles are a safe guarantee.
You can also go for a little layering to give your hair some texture. But do keep the length manageable. Coloring your hair and going for highlights can also add texture to it. But what I’ve noticed is that hair color and highlights can actually bring out a healthy glow in one’s face! Especially if the colors complement you!
Lastly, don’t be too hasty in thinking you will never gain weight. It’s possible you won’t be payat forever. My brother used to be reed-thin but after his hormones "caught up" with his age, he now has a healthier build. Try consulting your family doctor, anyway, if you think you need medical advice.
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