How to Wear Brocade

Whatever your best feature, that’s where you should sport brocade. Shapely legs? Go for a skirt or tapered pants. A slender waist? Slip on a nipped-in jacket. One hint: A larger-scale pattern looks more slimming than a tiny one, says Evans.

A nice surprise: These pants are made of a nonclingy, lightweight fabric and have a discreet elastic waist for a comfortable fit. Colorful trousers call for black everywhere else. Well, except for a touch of pretty sparkle at the neck.

To buy: Marina Rinaldi polyester-and-acetate pants, $420, 212-734-4333. Jones New York Collection top, $59, jny.com. Ann Taylor necklace with glass stones, $79.50, anntaylor.com. Pretty Ballerinas leather flats, $225, botticellishoes.com for info.

Look for styles that show off your waist to help balance your figure. “Brocade tends to be a thick fabric, so bypass pants and narrow skirts, which add inches to the lower half,” says Gregg Andrews, the fashion director for Nordstrom. Darks are forgiving.

The fitted bodice of this dress plays up the torso, while the swishy skirt masks fuller thighs. Since the design is busy, stick to black (but not boring) accessories.

To buy: BB Dakota polyester-and-rayon dress, $110, bbdakota.com. Margaret Elizabeth black onyx and gold plate earrings, $158, margaretelizabeth.com. Noir acrylic clutch with crystal and glass stones, $428, anthropologie.com for stores. Nine West satin pumps, $69, 800-999-1877.

Click here for more striped clothing that flatters those with full hips and thighs.

Fake curves with cuts that hug the body and use volume strategically (like the trumpet dress here). To avoid looking boyish, skip anything boxy, says Allison Berlin, the founder of Le Curate, a wardrobe-consulting firm in New York City.

“With the help of princess seaming and darts, the fabric contours the body to create a flattering, feminine shape,” says Andrews. Accents in silver and gunmetal tones add extra dimension to a black-and-navy dress.

To buy: DKNY wool-and-polyester dress, $445, dkny.com for stores. H&M necklace of brass and glass stones, $35, hm.com. Nina satin clutch, $70, ninahandbags.com. Pelle Moda calf hair and patent leather pumps, $195, 888-388-9978.

Click here for more brocade clothing that flatters those with a straight figure.

Be careful about wearing shiny, attention-getting brocade around the stomach. The trick is to opt for silhouettes that are not too loose or too lean. Peplums, sheath dresses, and cropped jackets highlight the middle in a bad way.

The structured shape of this shift stands away from the body, skimming over the midsection. Metallic shoes and jewelry tie together the bold palette.

To buy: J.Crew Collection wool-blend dress, $298, jcrew.com. Belle by Sigerson Morrison brocade-print suede flats, $195, piperlime.com. Gerard Yosca glass and brass plate necklace, $400, yosca.com. Sandy Hyun cuff of leather, Lucite, glass, and crystal, $110, sandyhyun.com for stores.

Click here for more brocade clothing that flatters those with a tummy.

The safest bet? Wearing brocade below the waist. A definite no-no? Brocade collars or wide lapels, which exaggerate the chest, says Megan Evans, the founder of the Well Coiffed Closet, a personal-shopping service in New York City.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterned accessories with brocade. Just stay in the same color family and vary the scale.

To buy: The Limited polyester-blend skirt, $70, 877-583-1963. Katherine Feiner blouse. Club Monaco embellished polyester belt, $89.50, clubmonaco.com. Elizabeth Cole hematite-plated earrings with Swarovski crystals, $143, elizabethcolejewelry.com. Inge Christopher silk clutch with glass beads, $195, ingechristopher.com. Mango leather pumps, $100, mango.com.

Click here for more striped clothing that flatters those with a large bust.

Low-Key With Black Jeans
Paired with a dark bottom, a fancy tee lures eyes up top and away from problem areas.

To buy: Raoul acetate-blend top, $435, raoul.com for stores.

Top It Off With a Tucked-in Blouse
This matte black brocade boasts a pretty floral, minus any hip-magnifying sheen.

To buy: Karen Walker neoprene skirt, $318, karenwalker.com for info.

Flirty With Cigarette Pants
Embrace the peplum to create the look of va-va-voom hips.

To buy: Yoana Baraschi ponte-and-brocade top, $264, Willow St. Boutique, 908-277-3334.

Belt a Beaded Cardigan Over It
The contrast of plush and shimmery textures makes this body-conscious gray skirt especially rich.

To buy: Ann Taylor rayon-blend skirt, $89, anntaylor.com.

Get Flowy With a Long, Full Skirt
A barely there luster and stretchy fabric mean this shirt is extra forgiving.

To buy: Bailey 44 cotton-and-polyester top, $130, 213-228-1930.

Pair It With a Blouson Sweater
The damask design helps disguise bumps, especially when worn with a longer top. Goes up to a size 18.

To buy: Worthington cotton-and-polyester skirt, $34, jcp.com for stores.

Sleek With Black Pumps and Hose
A cool optical illusion: The black panels along the sides have a minimizing effect.

To buy: Darling polyester-blend dress, $105, darlingclothes.com.

Team It With a Tuxedo Jacket
With its chic, tapered cut, this golden paisley pick steals the focus from above.

To buy: Raoul silk-blend pants, $360, raoul.com.