Posts Tagged: silhouette

Personal Style Dilemmas: I don’t know what looks good on me

Apr
23

By Heidi IN Advice, How-To Tuesdays, Personal Style

Personal style dilemmas: What looks good on me? How to fit and flatter your body with clothes.

Personal Style Dilemmas is a series that helps take the mystery out of discovering and expressing your personal style.

You may know a bit about your personal style already. You might know that you like bright colors. Your eye might be drawn to graphic patterns. You might even know that you like feminine, detailed garments.

But then you go shopping, and you get hit with one of the biggest personal style dilemmas of all: does this even look good on me?

Let’s set aside color and pattern for now. (And I happen to think that most of the time, if you choose colors that make you feel good, then that’s good enough.)

The most important aspect of what makes something look good on your fabulous body comes down to two keys:

whether it flatters your type of body shape
whether it fits your unique body

(Yes, these things are different.)

First, shape: are you an apple? A pear? Or one of those other fruit or geometry labels? Knowing which general category most suits you will help you find more specific advice and direction about the clothes to flatter your shape. (Like the Frantic But Fabulous Personal Style Starter Kits for the pear and apple shapes.)

Then fit: not too big, not too small, but just right. Here’s how to tell when clothes don’t fit you — and what to do when they don’t.

Put them together, and you’re well on your way.

Fab mamas: What are your biggest Personal Style Dilemmas? How do you decide what clothes work on your body?

Learn how to identify your body silhouette type and which clothes flatter it with “No More Yoga Pants: How To Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style,” the step-by-step personal style transformation system. Join the Style List and be the first to get a sneak preview (and an early discount code, too)!

Yes, skinny jeans make your hips look wider (and here’s why)

Dec
11

By Heidi IN Advice, How-To Tuesdays

“Do these jeans make me look fat?”

It’s one of those loaded questions we ask our friends, or ask ourselves when we look in the dressing room mirror. Does it even have an objective answer?

Let’s start by dropping that negative value word, fat. Weight has nothing to do with dressing your body to flatter it–and proportion has everything to do with it.

So let’s rephrase the question to one that’s related to body silhouette, not size: “Do these jeans make me look wider at the top (i.e. the hips) than at the bottom?”

And when it comes to skinny jeans, the answer is easy: yes. They do. So do leggings, jeggings and any other type of covering that fits snugly down the leg.

[illustration of two shapes with the same width at the top; one is a rectangle, the other an inverted triangle] Why skinny jeans make your hips look wider It’s a basic question of shape and proportion. Look at the illustrations. Which shape looks wider across? Which one looks narrower?

(It’s a trick question: they’re both the same width at the top. The one on the left only looks wider because it tapers at the bottom. You know, like a pair of skinny jeans.)

Or try this: Have a friend take photos of you wearing skinny jeans and then some other style, like a boot cut or straight leg. Then compare the photos. Can you see a difference?

So yes, skinny jeans make your hips look wider.

The more important question is this: Does it matter?

The answer is yours alone. If you are looking for a longer, leaner body line, then it matters; skinny jeans aren’t the garment silhouette for you.

But if you want to balance out broader shoulders (the inverted triangle shape), or simply rock your curves, it doesn’t matter at all. Skinnies are a welcome part of your wardrobe.

Either way, you make an informed decisions by knowing how a garment affects your body proportions and choosing the ones that flatter you–and make you the most comfortable.

If you don’t love it, don’t wear it.

Want to learn more about how to build outfits–and how to find the garments for them that flatter your body and personal style? You can with No More Yoga Pants: How to Dress Better, Shop Smarter and Reclaim Your Style, a system that teaches you just that–and more. Sign up for my email list to be the first to find out when it’s available (and get a special insiders’ launch offer).

How to choose a flattering winter coat

Dec
4

By Heidi IN How-To Tuesdays

How to choose a winter coat that flatters your shape

J. Crew Wintress puffer / Anthropologie Judith collar coat / Anthropologie collared peplum coat

Usually when we shop for winter coats, we’re looking for some combination of function and price: is it warm (or waterproof) enough and does it fit in the budget?

Less often do we consider form: Does it flatter my body?

But with so many options for coats in silhouette, length, color, texture and weight, there’s no reason you can’t have a winter coat that keeps you warm and looks good on you.

Here’s how to choose a flattering winter coat

Know thy body. It’s the first step of choosing any flattering garment, outerwear or otherwise. What’s your body silhouette? What features are you trying to enhance? And do you want to lengthen your legs or torso? Take some cues from shopping for a blazer.
Think streamlined. You want to avoid looking like your coat is swallowing you alive. Look for more compact down filled linings, for example. Seek out coats that are shaped like a body, with darts, seaming or other narrowing at the waist, rather than a tall rectangle.
Try a belt. If you really want to break out of the box shape, try a belted design. It adds a little visual flair to your outward look, too.
Don’t forget color. You’re not restricted to black and grey and brown, either. Sometimes a colorful option can make winter days feel less gloomy and add instant impact. You’d be surprised at how versatile a coat in red or burgundy or mustard yellow can be.

When you budget for your winter coat shopping, plan to spend enough to get good quality. The right coat will last you for years–and when you’re outside, it’s the primary item in your outfit.

It’s better to wear your old coat for another season and save up to buy a better one next year. You’ll be happier every cold day you put it on.

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

How to choose the right shorts length

Jul
10

By Heidi IN Advice

How to choose the right shorts length: Examples of 4", 6" and 10" inseams

With so many shorts length options, how do you know which ones to choose? (Here I’m wearing shorts with 4″, 6″ and 10″ inseams.)

Ah summer, season of shorts and all manner of leg baring, from just above the knee to seemingly just below the pantyline.

But how short do you–and should you–go with your shorts?

Here are some considerations when choosing the right shorts length.

Your leg shape. Duh, right? If you don’t have particularly shapely legs, a shorty short probably isn’t your best bet. But let’s be clear here–shapely doesn’t mean skinny. You can be a curvy girl with killer gams, or a skinny one without. It’s a bit subjective, of course, but most of us know ‘em when we see ‘em, right? (Think: Beyonce, J Lo, the agelessly fabulous Tina Turner.)
Your leg length. I’ve talked before about knowing your body silhouette, but there’s another aspect of your shape, and that has to do with the ratio of your torso to your legs–aka whether you’re short-waisted or long-waisted. If you’re long-waisted, one of the most common tricks to balance you out is to make your legs look longer. And the shorter your shorts are, the longer your legs will look. See the photo above? I have the same shirt on in each one, but I’m wearing shorts in 3 different lengths: 4” rise, 6” rise and bermuda/city short (about a 10” rise). Which shorts make my legs look longer?
Your comfort level. Bottom line, if you don’t feel right walking out the door with anything cut higher than your knees, then don’t. Rock a bermuda short, or go for a cotton skirt or a sundress. You can’t look fabulous if you don’t feel fabulous.

One more thing to think about is what kind (or Level) of outfit you’re trying to create. The shorter you go, the more casual the outfit. And personally, the looser the top I’m wearing, the more I prefer a shorter or slimmer fitting piece on bottom.

As with all things, the best way to know what’s working in the end is to try it on. Try longer, try shorter, try this fabric, that color. Do you look great? Do you feel fabulous? Then that’s the length for you!

By the way, you’ll see that I haven’t mentioned age here at all. It comes back to item #1: if you have killa legs, then flaunt them. Age has nothing to do with it. (Again: Tina Turner.)

P.S. I’ve been talking about shorts here–anything cropped at the knee or higher. If you want to learn about the various lengths of cropped pants, including a great visual depiction of which lengths are flattering and which pretty much aren’t, check out this great post from Ain’t No Mom Jeans: “Crops, Capris, Pedal Pushers (And the Scary Stuff In Between).”

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(Want to get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping. It’s my gift to you!)

How to buy a blazer for the inverted triangle (apple) shape

Feb
28

By Heidi IN Advice, Style, Style Q&A

Best blazers for the inverted triangle (apple) shape by franticbutfabulous

Last fall, I answered a reader question about buying a black blazer for the pear shape–sometimes also known as the triangle because this body silhouette is wider at the bottom (hips) and narrower at the top (shoulders).

Since everyone should own at least one wonderful, fitted blazer let’s turn our attention now to the opposite of the pear/triangle–the inverted triangle, sometimes called the apple. (Can you guess what this shape looks like? Yep: wide of shoulder and slimmer of hip.)

Here are tips to help you buy a blazer for the inverted triangle shape (apple).

Not too surprisingly, they are mostly the opposite of the tips for buying a blazer for the triangle.

As with all garment-shopping, the goal is to balance out the silhouette by making wider parts appear narrower, and narrower ones a bit wider–this tricks the eye into seeing an hourglass, the ideal balance.

Avoid padded shoulders. Well, this one’s a bit obvious, isn’t it? Even so, it can be tricky advice to follow since many tailored jackets pad the shoulders.
Lengthen the torso. The longer your torso looks, the narrower your shoulders will appear in comparison. Stick to one or two-button jackets with a deeper yoke. Make sure it’s a longer length (i.e. below your waist)
Keep lapels narrow. Ideally, they should also point downward, away from the shoulder. This is another way to accomplish tip #2, torso lengthening.
Double-breasted jackets are not your friend. Remember, you want a deep yoke with narrow lapels; double-breasted is pretty much the opposite of that.
After you buy it, tailor it. Off the rack, chances are high that your jacket still won’t fit your torso the way it should. You’re lucky, Ms. Triangle, because the shoulders are the hardest part to alter on a jacket. Find one that fits the width of your shoulders and the rest can be taken in to fit.

Although you’d think that a fitted blazer would emphasize how your waist is narrower than your shoulders, in fact it’s more flattering because it will also emphasize your hips, making you look more balanced overall. A boxy cut simply makes you look wide all over.

Want to know how to style that blazer once you buy it? Here’s how to use your blazer to create working mom outfits at levels for Weekend Chic, Casual Friday and Client Meeting.

What to buy

Ann Taylor sateen jacket
$158 - anntaylor.com (on sale for $80)

Sans collar blazer
$98 - anthropologie.com

ASOS tailored blazer
$75 - asos.com

Twenty8Twelve slim blazer
£134 - julesb.co.uk

Iva drape jacket
$180 - reissonline.com

Get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff: Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get the free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping.

How to figure out what your body shape is

Jan
31

By Heidi IN Advice

Torso with measuring tape: How to figure out what your body shape is Hourglass. Pear. Apple.

You’ve heard these terms before, right? They’re the slightly awkward, and not always flattering, ways we try to describe a woman’s body shape.

Perhaps more accurately, they are an attempt to describe a set of body proportions: the relationship of widths across various points in the body.

Fruit metaphors aside, what’s the point of knowing this information?

It’s to properly dress your body.

And by “properly,” I mean in a way that fits and flatters you.

This is not about looking thinner. Not really. It’s about looking balanced. (Skinny girls can have hips wider than their shoulders, too.)

But before you can read any article or book or blog post about dressing for the “x” body shape, you first need to know what yours is. It starts with a measuring tape.

How to figure out your body shape

Get out that measuring tape, and take and fill in these measurements: bust, waist, hips and shoulders.

(If you need help with this, just Google “how to measure ____” and look for any one of a number of videos demonstrating how to.)

Then translate your measurements into body shape. Here are the most commonly used shapes and their formulas:

Triangle: You’re wider on top than you are below; that is, your shoulder measurement is more than 5 percent larger than your hip measurement. Also called the apple shape.

Pear: Or dewdrop, or inverted triangle—this is the opposite of the triangle, so the proportions are flipped: your hips are more than 5 percent larger than your shoulders.

Rectangle: Aka, the flute. Your shoulder and hips are the same or nearly so, but your waist isn’t much smaller; it’s 25% less at the most.

Hourglass: This one’s easy—your shoulders and hips are the same or very close, and your waist is more than 25% narrower, usually about 10 inches smaller.

Not as tricky as you thought, I hope?

Now when I talk about how to buy and dress the x shape (such as this guide on buying blazers for the pear shape), you’ll know which advice is best for you.

Your turn

Did you have the body shape you thought you did?
Which body shape metaphors do you prefer (triangle or apple, inverted triangle or pear, etc.)?
Or should we come up with less silly names entirely?

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Thanks for reading. Did you like this post? Please leave a comment or share it with someone else; just use the handy sharing widget below.

(Want to get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping. It’s my gift to you!)

How to choose the best T-shirt for your body shape

Dec
6

By Heidi IN Advice, Style Q&A

Picture Perfect T-shirts

A staple of every woman’s closet, from the most casual to the most chic, T-shirts are comfortable, easy to wear and work in a variety of outfit levels.

Now you’d think that a T-shirt is so basic you wouldn’t have to pay too much attention to how it fits and flatters your particular body shape.

But neckline, fit, length, sleeve type and even color can all vary and some will look better on you than others.

(And by the way, we’re talking about closet staple T-shirts. That means knit shirts in solid colors or simple patterns, like stripes. It doesn’t mean T-shirts with elaborate graphic patterns or “I’m With Stupid” written across the front.)

Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Finding the best T-shirt for your body shape

Make sure it fits! Begone, baggy men’s size XL shirts. (Unless you’re gardening or kick-boxing.) For most styles, you want your T-shirt, or any other knit shirt, to fit smoothly and snugly–but not skin-tight. Women’s styles are cut with a slight flare in the waist, unlike boxy men’s styles. Even if you choose a looser silhouette, it should never look like you’re mistakenly wearing a man’s shirt.
Check the length. If you’re petite, does it drape too low? If you’re tall, does it cut off awkwardly at the waist? Think about what you’ll be wearing it with. If you’re going to tuck it in, make sure there’s enough length so it won’t constantly slip out of your waistband.
Look at the neckline. A standard crew neck is most common, but is less flattering for busty figures. A V-neck or scoop neck elongates your line and is flattering to most. If you’re narrow-shouldered, a boat neck will widen them–and also balance a pear-shaped figure.
What about the sleeves? Cap sleeves are the most difficult to wear as they cut just above your bicep, the widest part of your upper arm; not so flattering, unless you’re super toned and/or Madonna. You’re much better off with a length somewhere closer to your elbow.
Consider a pattern. Not all T-shirts have to be solid colors. Horizontal stripes are helpful to small-chested gals, particularly if they run across the top of the bust.

If you’re not sure which of these options work best for you? Try them all on! Let your mirror be your guide.

Get a scoop-neck T and a crew neck T, ideally both in the same fabric and color, and try them on. Your eye will tell you which one works best.

Still not sure? Ask a friend. (The one who’s honest, but gentle!)