Discover the different body shapes and how best to dress your body shape to flatter
One of the 2016 fashion trends you can expect to start seeing in stores is the paperbag waist pant and skirt. They are a slightly tricky trend to style so I want to give you some pointers here if it’s a garment that you want to wear. They suit a waisted body shape (X, A,…
Yesterday I was having a conversation with a woman who mentioned that she finds, due to a medical issue that distorts her body shape, it incredibly difficult to find a pair of trousers that fits when she’s out shopping. What she didn’t realise, is that I think 80% of women or possibly more find if…
If you’re not sure which body shape you are then read my posts on how to figure out your body shape, , Body shapes explained – the defining points Plus read: understanding the waist and determine your shape and do the Body Shape Calculator Quiz here and it will email you the correct Body Shape Bible. If…
As I’ve discussed before when deciding upon your body shape, the waist is one of the three key defining points (along with shoulders and hips being the other two defining points – not bust!). If you are looking at your body shape and deciding whether or not you have a defined waist, measurements can give…
I have muffin top, I know, hard to believe (not). It’s the curse of most H shapes I think as we have shorter waists usually and we put weight on first around our waist so it doesn’t take much to make a muffin top. There are many 8, V and even some A and X…
Imogen, I am part of the evolve your style program and I have an issue for you to address. If you’ve already written a post regarding this, could you share the link? I am a v shape with a somewhat short waist. I am 5’4 so slightly petite. I want to have my upper body…
As I discussed here when I explained how lines work, body shape tells us: Where to put the verticals Where to put the horizontals to balance, broaden or highlight Where to place detail Where to keep boring/dull/plain/no detail That’s it! So let’s look at the I Shape (it’s owners would describe their shape as “boyish” or straight…
As I discussed here when I explained how lines work, body shape tells us: Where to put the verticals Where to put the horizontals to balance, broaden or highlight Where to place detail Where to keep boring/dull/plain/no detail That’s it! So let’s look at the 8 Shape (commonly called the hourglass shape). Putting this information into…
As I discussed here when I explained how lines work, body shape tells us: Where to put the verticals Where to put the horizontals to balance, broaden or highlight Where to place detail Where to keep boring/dull/plain/no detail That’s it! So let’s look at the H Shape (commonly called the rectangular or brick shape) Let’s look…
As I discussed here when I explained how lines work, body shape tells us: Where to put the verticals Where to put the horizontals to balance, broaden or highlight Where to place detail Where to keep boring/dull/plain/no detail That’s it! So let’s look at the X Shape (commonly called the hourglass shape) So putting these…
As I discussed here when I explained how lines work, body shape tells us: Where to put the verticals Where to put the horizontals to balance, broaden or highlight Where to place detail Where to keep boring/dull/plain/no detail That’s it! So let’s look at the O Shape (commonly called the apple or oval shape) I have made…
As I discussed here when I explained how lines work, body shape tells us: Where to put the verticals Where to put the horizontals to balance, broaden or highlight Where to place detail Where to keep boring/dull/plain/no detail That’s it! So let’s look at the A Shape (commonly called the pear shape or triangle shape) …
Given the number of people who contact me asking about identifying their body shape (if you’re not sure what body shape you have, do the Body Shape Quiz to find out!), it’s obviously something that is considered to be an important factor in the whole “finding flattering clothing” issue that many women face. I’m…
Recently I received two requests for posts on issues surrounding trouser fit and flattery asking about issues such as knock knees and thick calves. Given my post on which pants suit your body shape I’m now going to go into these body variations. Knock knees (where the knees have an inward curve and then the…
So when I’m talking pants here I’m not talking about your underpants (panties or knickers, whatever you call them). I’m talking the best shape of trousers for your body shape! I shape – you are straight and may describe your shape as boyish, so create some curves with pleats at the waist and hips, or…
I often get asked about the best shape garments for each body shape. So I thought I’d create this infographic for you to give you a simple set of guidelines. When thinking about shapes for each body shape, we are usually wanting to create the hourglass shape or the idea of two triangles stacked on…
I was asked recently how to know if your arms are long, short or average – so I made this short video to show you how to tell. It’s a simple trick to find out if your arm length is long, short or average. Why does it matter? It influences how you will…
I suppose I’m “of a certain age” in some circles at least – look young 40s but I’m actually mid 50s – and the jewelry thing has me stymied. I have delicate features and small bones, so need smallish jewelry. Chunky or large things are just completely out of scale on me! I no longer…
I have a question about using the column of colour to look taller (as a curvy petite H shape ) – should I only wear darker tops, avoiding white or cream tops ? There are two major ways to wear a column of colour, on the outside, or on the inside. The version on the…
Choosing Collars and Lapels O/A shape – broader collars to balance hips I, V shape or petite – narrower/smaller collars not to further broaden shoulders or overwhelm your frame H, X, 8 shape – medium collars – higher will make you look taller, lower will draw attention to bust and make larger Large bust…
I am a sewer and some ideas about how to choose fabric to sew would be great. It can be challenging to locate good fabric and then imagine how it will look best sewn, and then find a suitable pattern. Fabric Drape How fluid or stiff is the fabric. The drape is not about how…
