IF YOUR PROBLEM IS. . . NARROW SHOULDERS
Green and white print jacket, £495, by Mulberry (020-7491 3900)
Look for a boxy shape. The loose fit of this jacket will fill out the upper body, making the shoulders appear wider. The patterned knit will have the same balancing out effect.
Chocolate brown knitted jacket, £260, by J&M Davidson (020-7313 9532)
Double up. The straight cut of this double-breasted jacket will fill out narrow shoulders, while the linear stitching of the buttons gives the body a geometric shape, emphasising the shoulders still further.
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Black and white check jacket, £69, by Zara (020-7534 9500)
Pad it out. Look for a jacket with shoulder pads. The strong shoulders on this jacket are balanced out by its boxy cut, preventing the shape from looking too reminiscent of the Eighties power suit.
Knot a scarf around your neck
This will divide the chest equidistantly, making the shoulders appear stronger and set farther apart.
Jacket, £120, by Phase Eight (0800 032 8808).
Scarf, £99, by Missoni at Fenwick (020-7629 9161)
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IF YOUR PROBLEM IS. . . NO WAIST
Black jacket with cream piping, £375, by Jessica Ogden at Liberty (020-7734 1234)
Define the waist. Rather then shying away from the problem area, enhance it. The piping around the middle of this jacket draws the eye and outlines the shape of the waist while the buttons on the side flatter the stomach.
Cream and gold Lurex tweed jacket, £55, by Boutique at New Look (0500 454094).
Button this jacket up tightly and wear it with a full skirt. The contrast between the slim torso and rounded lower body will create a classic hourglass silhouette.
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Belted tweed jacket, £34.99, by H&M (020-7323 2211)
A belted jacket will take in the waist for you. Pull the belt on this tweed jacket in tightly to draw attention to the smallest part of the stomach and create a curvaceous silhouette.
Wear a belt over your jacket
This will cinch in the waist. For an up-to-date look, tuck your scarf into the belt when it turns colder.
Belt, £175, by Matthew Williamson at http://Net-a-porter.com
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IF YOUR PROBLEM IS. . . LARGE BUST
Bouclé jacket with chiffon trim, £120, by Phase Eight (0800 0328808)
Keep it simple. This fitted jacket skims the contours of the body, loosely defining curves. The corsage draws the eye to it and away from the bust. Wear the jacket open over a slim-cut T-shirt with a low, round neck for the most flattering look.
Pale pink jacket, £59, by Zara (020-7534 9500)
Find the perfect fit. A tailored jacket such as this one will accentuate the sinuous outline of the body. Avoid the shapelessness of a boxy cut at all costs; it will only make you appear more top-heavy than you already are.
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Blue jacket with diamanté buttons, £59.99, by River Island (020-8991 4759)
Unbuttoned is best. Resist the urge to do up the buttons on this jacket, no matter how pretty they are. Wear it open to hug the body gently and leave the bust free from constraint.
Pin a dazzling brooch to your lapel
This will draw the eye to it and detract from the bust. Bug shapes are fun and very much in vogue.
Brooches from £28, by Butler & Wilson (020-7409 2955)