With only a few days left to go to the 2010 Vodacom Durban July, fashionistas from around the country are busy putting together their funky, floral outfits in line with this year's theme "It's a bloomin' great day".

For some, getting dolled up for an event like this is a lot of fun. But for others it can be highly stressful. This is particularly true for curvy ladies who struggle to find flattering, yet fashionable clothes ? especially when there?s a theme involved.

Celebrity Stylist and Design Director of Captive8 House of Fashion 1624, Marlize de Clercq has the following styling tips for the Durban July, "With a theme like 'A bloomin' great day', the temptation is high to choose a floral print outfit. But floral prints and small prints in particular, are a major no-no for curvier ladies because the high pattern repeat just makes you look wider than you actually are."

She suggests these top tips for curvaceous ladies to look both slim and stylish on race day:

• Bigger is better: If your heart is set on wearing a floral print, rather choose one that is big and bold to reduce the number of print-repeats.
• Awesome accessories: Wear one or two, solid colours that suit your complexion and accessorise with flower-inspired jewellery, hairpieces and hats ? not only does this have a great slimming effect, but you also remain on trend.
• Celebrate your assets: One of the perks of being curvy is having naturally bigger boobs, don?t hide them under baggy, high-necked tops. Instead wear deep V-necks which create an invisible line from your neck to your torso, creating a slimming appearance while making the most out of your assets!

Remember ladies, don't be a wallflower! Show off those curves and let your confidence blossom.

Captive8 House of Fashion 1624 is based in Cape Town but is available countrywide. Contact Louise Suttie email: suttie@ukzn.ac.za cell phone: 083 635 5337 for more information.