The exception would be for women who wear extra-small sizes, such as 00P or 0P, and who want to wear trendy trapeze or straight shift dresses or tops. You can get away with these styles because of your tiny size. If you wear such styles, you're imitating the 1920s flapper style or the 1960s Twiggy look, rather than trying to create a shapely look. However, if you're size 6 or above, you're better off sticking with the strategy of creating an illusion of an hourglass figure.
Also avoid styles that tend to over-emphasize either bust or hips. For example, if you wear a gathered skirt, your hips will look bigger and make you look bottom-heavy. Likewise, if you wear a style such as an off-the-shoulder top, you may find that you appear top-heavy.
Your other big challenge will be to create the illusion of a defined waistline. Placing emphasis on the waist or midriff area in such a way that you appear to have a defined waistline will make your figure look more shapely.
In the example above, Kristi Yamaguchi does everything right. By wearing a cap-sleeve top with a band at the hip, she adds to her already balanced shape without putting more emphasis on top or bottom. The top makes for a defined waistline with the satin band under the bust. Kristi Yamaguchi wears straight, dark-wash jeans, which makes her look taller, and the vertical line on the top helps add height as well.
