To be a V shape, your shoulders need to be wider than your hips, by a good couple of inches. You may or may not have a waist, many V shapes have a shorter waist, if so, then use the tips from the H shape through your waist area – that is – no tucking,…
There are so many different accessories to choose from when adding that finishing touch to your outfit. Accessories are the icing on the cake – they add the interest and detail, a touch of sparkle or sheen that grab the light or texture and colour that may otherwise be lacking in your outfit. One of…
Imogen, I’m a new follower to your blog and check it almost daily. I love it! It has so much information and for the first time I can relate to the types you suggest. I had a question I posed on a sewing website as I’m considering making a dress using a fabric with a border…
It’s summer in the Northern hemisphere and if it’s actually hot (sadly summer isn’t always so hot everywhere), but if you need a new swimsuit and want some tips to flatter your body shape, as they are the most unforgiving of garments, then read on. Swimwear to Flatter Your Body Shape I shape – horizontal…
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…
Today we are diving into a question that resonates with many woman: how to style outfits that make you feel confident, especially when you have specific areas you’d like to camouflage, like a set of curvy hips. One of my readers wrote to me looking for ways to feel confident and stylish while navigating the…
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…
Many women are obsessed with their body and perceive it to be lacking. According to a study done by Triumph: 70% of women are not happy with their body, but 79% of their partners ARE happy with their partner’s body (women, listen to your partner, they love your body and think its great!) 82% of…
Do you have advice on choosing a wedding dress? Picking one is a struggle… colorwise, they are often icy white (not easy to wear). Shapewise, when long, they are either very voluminous or very straight… many thanks!! Colour – Choosing the Right White There are so many versions of white available (you can read another…
Reader Question:Also, is there any rules with shoes and body types? Particurarly thinking about boots, as it’s getting colder here in Europe 😉 Thanks again, Maija When thinking about what are the best shapes of boots and heels for different body shapes, consider your shape and what will balance it. Stiletto heels with their long…
An A shape or Pear shape body has narrower shoulders than hips. If you’re not sure if this is your body shape, why not do my body shape calculator quiz here and then download your free Body Shape Bible which is full of tips on how to dress your shape. If you’re an A (otherwise…
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 revisited the body shape guidelines to try and answer a dilemma I have around necklines. I’m 163 cms tall, broad-shouldered, DD-E cup. After my first baby weaned I developed pigmentation in a large band around my neck and décolletage. This skin gets red and blotchy when exposed to the sun, even with sunscreen and…
Reader Question: “Where is the best place for a V-shape body to wear brooches? I’m especially interested in areas in the portrait since the brooch can help with both value contrast and colour contrast.” Most women when getting dressed focus on the body parts they like least. This is completely the wrong way of going…
One of the many benefits of my 7 Steps to Style program are the monthly Q&A sessions. We get together on Zoom and I answer member’s questions so they get the support and information they need to keep on improving and defining their own personal style. This was the question of a fabulous member,…
People seem to be obsessed with understanding what their body shape is, they feel that if they just knew that then they’d know exactly how to dress, unfortunately, body shape is only 1 element of dressing your body, there are also other considerations, such as body proportions, body variations (ie. big bust, petite, luscious bottom…
I think about relationship between body shape and neckline shape (oval and round versus straight and sharp). Is there any dependence between this two factors? I think, that rounded somatypes need more rounded necklines and straight body shapes need more sharp or straight necklines. But what about body shape with both sharp and curved linen…
If you like the look of a straight or pencil skirt, which shape should you choose for your body? This Premise skirt from Nordstrom with pleat details at the waistband is only suitable for women who are and I shape, straight up and down and very slim, with no hips as it will give you…
Say “Aye!” if you are frustrated by shopping because what looks great on a hanger doesn’t look great when you get it into the change rooms and try it on your body? We are led to believe that all women LOVE shopping. That all we want to do is shop til we drop, day after…
One of the big trends I’ve noticed both in fashion shows and online is the belted blazer. When I was at a Melbourne Fashion Week show, many of the ‘hot young things’ were wearing belted blazers, most commonly in a check pattern tweed fabric. So, should you invest in a belted blazer? Is The Belted…
Fashion trends are constantly changing, and new silhouettes are key to staying current. However, it’s important to stay true to your own personal style without feeling left behind. For example, if you’ve been wearing skinny jeans or pants for years, and now wide leg pants are coming back in, you may wonder how to adapt…
