Style Articles
| DRESSING TO YOUR BODY’S NATURAL SHAPE |
Are you small on top and round out at the bottom? Or is your body long and lean like a
column? Whatever your shape may be there are proven techniques used by professional stylists
to create the most flawless look for your specific body type. Fashion experts have invented
numerous ways to describe our body’s silhouettes. Some use geometric shapes, while others
use descriptive words likening our bodies to fruit, or that of women portrayed by famous artists,
and some simply classify our bodies alphabetically. Which ever terms you subscribe to is up to
you. Knowing the tricks to dress according to the guidelines for your body type is the key to
looking your best.
There is one central goal to looking your absolute best and that is to create the appearance of
balance. When your outfit is balanced, you become the focal point wearing your clothes, rather
than your clothes wearing you. There are many ways to create the illusion of balance depending
on your body-type.
Kendall Farr, celebrity fashion stylist and author of the “The Pocket Stylist,” tells us there are four
fashion fundamentals that clothing designers use to construct clothing:
A common misconception about a body's shape or frame is that it can change over time,
possibly through pregnancy, puberty or weight lost. However, the body’s frame is something that
people are born with. Weight may be gained or lost in different body areas throughout life, but
the body’s shape (or frame) will never change.
The easiest way to figure out your body shape or silhouette is to tape together newspaper and
have a friend draw your body outline wearing only a swimsuit or underclothing. You can also
enlist the help of a professional -- an expert style coach will analyze and identify your body
shape, while also helping you create a balanced wardrobe containing outfits which flatter your
figure and your lifestyle. After you know your body’s shape and learn how to shop for clothes that
best fit you, shopping will be an exciting event.
Television is packed with beauty and fashion make-over shows -- whether it’s an episode on
how to find the right pair of jeans on Oprah or “What Not to Wear,” on TLC, a show designed to
identify clothing outfits that fit individual body shapes. You can find more information about
dressing for your body shape or hire a style coach online at: www.inspirestyle.com.
column? Whatever your shape may be there are proven techniques used by professional stylists
to create the most flawless look for your specific body type. Fashion experts have invented
numerous ways to describe our body’s silhouettes. Some use geometric shapes, while others
use descriptive words likening our bodies to fruit, or that of women portrayed by famous artists,
and some simply classify our bodies alphabetically. Which ever terms you subscribe to is up to
you. Knowing the tricks to dress according to the guidelines for your body type is the key to
looking your best.
There is one central goal to looking your absolute best and that is to create the appearance of
balance. When your outfit is balanced, you become the focal point wearing your clothes, rather
than your clothes wearing you. There are many ways to create the illusion of balance depending
on your body-type.
Kendall Farr, celebrity fashion stylist and author of the “The Pocket Stylist,” tells us there are four
fashion fundamentals that clothing designers use to construct clothing:
A common misconception about a body's shape or frame is that it can change over time,
possibly through pregnancy, puberty or weight lost. However, the body’s frame is something that
people are born with. Weight may be gained or lost in different body areas throughout life, but
the body’s shape (or frame) will never change.
The easiest way to figure out your body shape or silhouette is to tape together newspaper and
have a friend draw your body outline wearing only a swimsuit or underclothing. You can also
enlist the help of a professional -- an expert style coach will analyze and identify your body
shape, while also helping you create a balanced wardrobe containing outfits which flatter your
figure and your lifestyle. After you know your body’s shape and learn how to shop for clothes that
best fit you, shopping will be an exciting event.
- TIP: If your shape is smaller at the shoulders and bust and wider in the hips and bottom,
you are in the majority of female body-shapes. Your clothing goal is to shop for clothes
which draw attention upwards away from the fuller hips and thighs and add volume and
visual interest to your upper half. This is one of several tricks for achieving a balanced
look.
Television is packed with beauty and fashion make-over shows -- whether it’s an episode on
how to find the right pair of jeans on Oprah or “What Not to Wear,” on TLC, a show designed to
identify clothing outfits that fit individual body shapes. You can find more information about
dressing for your body shape or hire a style coach online at: www.inspirestyle.com.
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Improve your look
with the help of these
services:
with the help of these
services:
- Style Coaching
- Body Analysis
- Closet Shop
- Partner
Shopping
Knowing these basic principles will allow you to buy the best option for you and
your body shape. The silhouette is the shape, outline or cut of an outfit. The
proportion is how each piece of the outfit relates to one another. The composition
of fabric complements and supports the silhouette. The last principle is the optical
illusion of an unbroken body-line and how to keep it looking its longest. Farr
suggests that understanding clothing is designed first for silhouette and second for
measurement, shoppers will be better equipped to find clothes that fit correctly.
your body shape. The silhouette is the shape, outline or cut of an outfit. The
proportion is how each piece of the outfit relates to one another. The composition
of fabric complements and supports the silhouette. The last principle is the optical
illusion of an unbroken body-line and how to keep it looking its longest. Farr
suggests that understanding clothing is designed first for silhouette and second for
measurement, shoppers will be better equipped to find clothes that fit correctly.
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1.800.963.4833 www.inspirestyle.com |