For ages, the fashion norm has been to emulate the hourglass shape, where hips and bust are of similar measurement and the waist is 8-12 inches smaller. Marilyn Monroe is legendary for her 36-24-34 measurements and her hourglass figure. Don't fret if you missed out genetically. A simple way to achieve the hourglass look without excess dieting and plastic surgery is to put emphasis on the waist. Good news: This is a great focal point since it is typically the smallest area on a woman.

As a stylist, my first reaction is to grab a belt. The result is that most clients tell me they cannot wear belts because they are long-waisted, short-waisted or that belts emphasize their muffin tops. Flair is going to convince these naysayers to wear belts to their advantage with these five easy suggestions:

• If your waist needs a little nip, there's nothing better than a wide belt. For a fix, wear it on your waist over a maxi dress or flowy top to add structure and to create a tiny waist.

• Thick and thin belts look fantastic worn on your waist with a crisp button-down shirt and a pencil skirt or with jeans and a plain long t-shirt. Try your hand at color coordinating. For example, if you're wearing white pants with a blue pin-stripe or nautical shirt, you might want to consider a white belt, or for more flair, grab a red belt and red sandals.

• Belts worn on the empire waist (just under the bust line) draw the view upward, thus emphasizing the chest and neck, but also providing a smoother line over the waist to the hips, which will camouflage larger lower sections.

• Belts worn low from the waist diagonally down to the hip create a longer torso effect, which is very slimming.

• Cinch your slimmest area. If you are thicker at the waist, wear the belt slightly above the natural waistline, which also makes your legs appear longer.

Maybe you are tired of leather belts as your only options; consider scarves, ribbons, long chain necklaces that fit around your torso and material that wraps into an Obi-style belt.

If you still aren't a fan of belts, you can also emphasize your waist by wearing jackets fitted at the waist, dresses tailored to nip your waist and skim your hips, built-in belted safari jackets, kimonos, wrap dresses or tops and dresses with dark panels at the midsection, which will give the illusion of a tiny waist. The worst thing you can do is wear baggy clothes. They don't hide your imperfections; they actually emphasize the problem area. Instead, buy clothes that fit your largest area and have the remaining areas taken in.

One final piece of dressing wisdom that will create the appearance of a smaller waist and is a quick go-to every woman should have on hand is a dress in jersey knit or fabric with stretch. It will diminish the pounds around your mid section and make you feel fantastic!

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