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In Fashion, What Is the Natural Waist?
In fashion, the term, natural waist, refers to the smallest part of a person's midsection or to a garment constructed to fit this area. No matter one's figure type, everyone has a natural waist or waistline. Clothing designed to accentuate this waistline can include dresses, tops, and pants.
Pants that are made with a natural waist fasten between the lower ribs and the belly button, where the smallest part of the waistline occurs. The natural waistline is considered to be flattering on all figure types. It's especially flattering for pants for the heavy set figure, because the trousers then cover the belly and hang in a way that creates a long lean leg line. The look of a longer leg can help to make the waist appear smaller. Pants that fasten here can also help shorter figures look taller because of the illusion of a longer leg.
Natural waist jeans are different from the low rise jean style. Jeans with a natural waistline fasten at the smallest part of the waist, while the low rise jean type reaches only as high as the hips. Low rise jeans tend to flatter only lean figures.
In shirts or tops, a noticeable seam at the natural waist has the effect of cutting the body in half, which may not be flattering on shorter and larger body types. Empire, or high waist, top styles usually look best on these figures. Thin belts that fit at the natural line are also not recommended for petite and plus size figure types. Tall, leaner body types are often flattered by horizontal waist seams and narrow belts. Wide waist accenting on tops, as well as wider belts, can be worn well by all body types, even petite and plus sizes.
Dresses made to fit at the natural waist may have vertical seaming from the shoulder that changes to horizontal seams that accent the waistline. Elastic waist dresses with horizontal gathering also accentuate the waist. A dress may also feature a band of a contrasting color in order to focus attention on the waistline.
The idea of accentuating the waist in women's dresses dates back to the 1820s. The dress styles featured long sleeves and drapes of fabric from head to toe, but the natural waist was accented with seaming. Later, corsets became popular in dresses. A corset is a lace-up strip of fabric that cinches or tightens a garment at the waist.
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![Pants with a natural waist fasten at the smallest part of the waistline.]()
By: SchepersPhotographyPants with a natural waist fasten at the smallest part of the waistline. -
![Low-rise jeans sit at the hips, while natural-waistline jeans sit on the narrowest part of the waist.]()
By: Laurent HamelsLow-rise jeans sit at the hips, while natural-waistline jeans sit on the narrowest part of the waist. -
![A corset cinches or tightens a garment at the natural waist.]()
By: NatisA corset cinches or tightens a garment at the natural waist. -
![Clothes that emphasize the natural waistline are considered the most flattering.]()
By: Soare CeciliaClothes that emphasize the natural waistline are considered the most flattering. -
![A natural waist is the smallest part of a person's midsection.]()
By: V&P Photo StudioA natural waist is the smallest part of a person's midsection.
Discussion Comments
beachgirl05- A woman's waist size can also vary depending on what race she is. Asian women tend to have smaller frames than women of other races. Therefore, they have smaller waists than many other women.
beachgirl05- Because every body type is different, it is impossible to determine an average waist size. However, women who have a waist size of more than 30 are at an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. It is usually considered healthy for a woman to have a waist size of 27 to 30 inches.
Keep in mind that some women have larger body frames so they may have larger waists, but may still be very fit and healthy.
An average waist size for a fashion model is about 24 inches. This is considered to be a norm in the fashion industry, but is considered to be too thin by many everyday people.
What is an average natural waist measurement for a woman?
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