What can you do if you aren't an "average" size? What choices do you have if you're a petite, plus or tall size, and every clothes-shopping trip you take becomes an exercise in frustration?

Well, don't give up! There are a number of things you can do-IF you understand a few basic tenants. Let's review them:

1. Don't Expect Chocolate In A Sea of Vanilla

The fashion industry offers the largest bulk of its merchandise in "standard sizes", which encompasses women sizes 4-14, 5'4" to 5'8" in height (European sizes 34-44 and 1.6256-1.7272 m), who also have an hour-glass shape. Because so many women fit these parameters, this is the most profitable ready-to-wear market.

If you don't fit this description, your choices are considerable reduced...but not non-existent. You just can't go into a regular, "vanilla" clothing store, and expect to have success in finding your non-standard size. If you do find what you need, consider yourself lucky. Otherwise, head for specialty clothing stores.

2. Understand Your Body

Have a large bust but small hips? Have large hips but no bust? Need one size on top and another size on the bottom? Then accept it and move on. Your goal is to dress the shape you have, not the shape you wished you had. Yes, it's common sense advice...that's ignored much too often, I'm afraid. Accept your body and move on.

3. Learn Some Sleight-of-Hand Tricks

You can appear larger or smaller depending on what kind of clothes you choose. Some elements to beware of include:

*Lines - horizontal lines on a garment will make you look wider; vertical lines will make you look taller and thinner.

*Color-light colors will make you look larger; dark colors will make you look smaller.

*Texture-smooth textures make you appear smaller; chunky or shiny textures add bulk

4. Experiment With Different Elements

Once you've found clothes that fit your shape and size, try experimenting with different clothing elements to bring about the desired effect.

For example, if you're heavy...

*Try adding a long beaded necklace or pendant to your ensemble to give you a slenderizing vertical line.

*Avoid clothes that add visual bulk, like chunky sweaters, horizontal stripes, or light-colored fabrics.

*Opt for monochromatic looks, blending colors from head to toe.

Or, if you're very thin...

*Use gathers and soft fullness to visually add pounds.

*Use multiple layers to create fullness and interest.