If you’re an A shape, 8 Shape or X shape and want to broaden your shoulders to make your hips look slimmer, here are a few styles to consider. What we’re using here is the rules of horizontal lines (that you can read about here.) If you want to make your hips look smaller,…
What size are you? That’s a loaded question. I can tell you that I’m not a size. It’s not how I define myself and defining your self worth on a size is a very negative thing to do for your psychological health. I wear clothing that has size labels inside, and I van tell you…
Why should you care about the size of your clothes? Yet I see again and again women judge themselves, their value, their worth on the number that sits on a label inside their clothes. That’s it, it’s just a number. A number that has no value. You are worth so much more than any number…
Before I purchase anything (in fact before I even bother to try it on, as I don’t get naked if it’s not got some chance of working), I always, always, always check the label on the clothes for: Fibre content Care instructions Why is this? Well I know that some fabrics pill easily (you know…
If you’re an A shape with narrow shoulders or even an 8 shape or X shape or just have more sloping shoulders rather than square shoulders, how can you make them appear broader to create more balance? Necklines – horizontal necklines like boat necks, square necks or wider v-necks can help to broaden. Shoulder detail…
Given that there is no standard sizing, we all have garments in our wardrobes that range between 2-4 sizes (or at least have found when trying clothes on that in some stores we are one size and in another we are apparently ‘larger’ or ‘smaller’), so why are we so hung up on that number…
1. Being influenced by the sales assistant who is paid to get you to buy clothes (whether they suit you or not). Retail sales staff are paid to sell you clothes. Some are even paid extra commissions based on how much they sell. So it’s in their interest that you buy as much as…
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…
Active wear design is something that you may not have thought a lot about whether or not it’s something that is going to create harmony with your body or not. So what should you consider when choosing your active wear tops? There are some fairly common colour blocking options that you’ll find on a lot…
I was recently asked by a reader how to minimize her broad square shoulders. Now this is a problem I’d love to have, but this is not about me. This post is for the women who feel their shoulders are too broad and make them feel masculine. Look for narrower necklines, so narrow V necks,…
Balance is the concept of visual equilibrium. When we talk about dressing for your body shape and body proportions, what we are trying to do create visual balance. There are 4 main principles of co-ordination that influences how you achieve balance with your outfits. These are: Levels of Refinement Principle of Volume Related Shapes Related Lines When…
Live a long way from stores? Shop online and have it delivered! Want to get something that isn’t available in your location? Find it online! Love to find unique and interesting pieces that nobody else is wearing? Online is the way to go. Here is my ultimate guide to online clothes shopping so that you…
I was in the shops yesterday and noticed that suddenly racks of swimwear has appeared – so for all of us in the Southern Hemisphere who are heading toward summer or around the equator where it’s always warm, I thought I’d put in some tips on choosing a new swimming costume (bathers or togs as…
Here we have one version of a V body shape (inverted triangle) body. You will notice that her shoulders are broader than hips, but there is not a lot of curve through the body either. Some Vs are significantly wider than their hips, others are just a bit wider (like this example). How to dress…
There’s something magical about stepping into a thrift store or vintage boutique. If you love vintage and second-hand fashion, you know the thrill of uncovering unique, high-quality pieces that bring personality to your wardrobe. But mastering the art of thrifting requires skill—one that can transform your personal style while being budget-friendly and sustainable. Why Vintage…
Decoding Fabrics: The Science of Choosing the Right Material for Your Wardrobe When it comes to crafting a wardrobe that aligns with your style and lifestyle, the choice of fabric is just as crucial as the cut, colour, or design. Understanding the properties of different fabrics can help you make more informed decisions, ensuring that…
Reader Question: How do I create my own figure flattery guidelines when I have to take into consideration my body shape, my body proportions and my body variations? This is what I call the body equation and here are tips on how you can put together your own set of personalised guidelines, as you are…
Hi Imogen, I’d love to learn more about altering store-bought clothes for different body types. What are the alterations you may need to do based on your body shape? Firstly, it’s great to know what your body shape, body proportions and body variations are, so you can figure out which tips are most useful for…
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! 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…
What Styles of Tops Suit Your Shape? Depending on your shape there are some differences in the styles of tops that you should look for when shopping (or sewing) for them. I’ve collected a variety of styles for each of the body shapes on these shoppable boards so that you can easily find some great…
Yes, body shapes can be confusing, we are all unique, so there is no exact standard for body shapes, but these are guidelines. You can be a mix of body shapes, though you will probably find that you fall more into one shape than another. If you have the top half of an A and…
