When it comes to fashion, one size does not fit all. The key to looking stunning and feeling confident is dressing for your body type. Whether you’re tall or petite, curvy or athletic, there is a flattering way to show off your unique assets and stay stylish. In this article, we share pro tips and advice on how to pick the perfect outfit that flatter your figure and make you look and feel amazing.
1. Recognize Your Unique Body Type
Every individual is unique, and it all starts with your body type. Unlocking your body type can help you understand the physical shape you are in, and the foundation for achieving sustained health and wellness. Trying to fit into someone else’s mold is almost always a futile effort. It can lead to unnecessary stress and disruption in the way you relate to food and exercise.
When it comes to your body type, the first step is to accept it. No matter your shape or size, celebrate your uniqueness and the special talents that come with it. Realize that all bodies are beautiful and powerful in their own unique way. Your body knows how to take care of you, so make sure to love it for all its capabilities.
Once you learn to appreciate your body for what it is, you can use the knowledge to apply a more targeted approach to your health and wellness. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Take measurements of your body
- Take note of things that help you reach peak performance (i.e. types of exercise and foods that work best for you)
- Know when to rest and take breaks
Understanding what your body can do for you is the first step to unlocking its potential. Take some time to get to know your body type and be kind to yourself!
2. Strategies for Dressing to Flatter
Dressing for Your Shape
Do you want to look your best? Start by understanding what pieces flatter your shape. Get to know your body type and dress for it. Apply the 80/20 rule by selecting pieces that best accentuate your shape. Do you have broad shoulders and narrow hips? Balance your body shape by pairing off-the-shoulder tops with high-waisted bottoms.
Think Color Theory
The color of your clothes can flatter your figure in a few ways. When dressing for your body type, try colors that will make you look your best. Believe it or not, black can actually broaden your figure while lighter colors can make you look slimmer. For example, if you have an apple-shaped body, you can draw the eye down and create a slender silhouette by wearing darker colors on top and lighter colors on bottom.
Accentuate Your Best Features
When selecting clothing, pick pieces that draw attention to the parts of your body you love the most. Do you have great legs? Show them off with a cute skirt. Are you proud of your toned arms? Choose off-the-shoulder tops or strappy tank tops. Whatever your features may be, make sure to wear something that highlight your best assets!
Try on Everything
Finding the best style for you comes down to a lot of trial and error. Make sure to take the time to try on clothes before you commit to buying them. Everyone’s body shape is different, which means clothes that look great on one person won’t necessarily look the same on you. The same goes for sizes – just because you’ve been wearing a certain size doesn’t mean you should avoid trying on different sizes.
3. Creative Color Combinations for All Shapes
Creativity is the key to creating eye-catching shapes and colors in art and design. With the right color combinations, you can turn any shape into a work of art. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Play Up Contrasts
Contrasting colors grab attention and can make the shapes in your design pop. To add contrast, use opposite colors on the color wheel, like yellow and purple or red and green. You can also use monochromatic contrast, like blues that range from light to dark.
Incorporate the Color Wheel
The color wheel is a great way to find complementary colors that make shapes stand out. Analogous colors are those that are next to each other on the wheel, like yellow and green, and they often pair well with neutral colors like white and black. Triadic colors assemble into a triangle on the wheel, like blue, orange, and red, and create a vibrant and striking composition.
Mix in Neutrals
To bring balance to vivid colors, try incorporating neutral colors like white, black, and grey. They provide perfect breaks between vibrant tones, creating visual depth and making the colors you choose stand out even more.
Choose Your Own Colors
Above all, remember to make your design your own. Play with the colors you like and find the combinations that work for you. Guides and tips are great for suggestions, but no one knows your eye like you do!
4. Creating Balance with Accessories
Accessories bring that extra spark of style. They’re the crowning touches of an outfit, a little extra that shows your personality off in an outfit. When incorporating accessories into your style, finding the right balance is key. It’s important to make sure the colors don’t clash, as few pieces as necessary are worn, and that they don’t take away from the outfit. Here are some tips to help you get the balance just right:
- Match colors with your clothes. accessories can give your outfit variety and texture, but too many bright colors can make an outfit too overpowering. Avoid this by using shades of the same colors in your outfit.
- Think carefully about the type of accessories you are adding. A few statement, standout items can give your outfit a smart, on-trend look. Any more than this could be overkill. Do a quick check to make sure too much isn’t being added.
- Remember to focus on the outfit. Accessories should be used to complement the outfit – they are there to take an outfit to the next level in a subtle way, not to be the center of attention.
Minimalism is key. Aim for fewer accessories rather than many. The idea is to have a few pieces taking center stage rather than a bunch of small pieces fighting for the spotlight. Finally, take a moment to step back and look in the mirror. Doing so allows you to see the whole outfit and check how the different colors and accessories work together.
5. Beauty Advice for Enhancing Your Look
Eyes
Your eyes are the windows to your soul and the beauty of your face. Invest in good mascara and multiple shades of eye shadow if you want to make them look bigger and brighter. An eyeliner enhances the shape of your eyes and give you a more distinguished look. Experiment with different shades of eyelids to give the impression of a more awake and sparkly eye. And always remember that subtlety is your friend – don’t go over the top with make up.
Lips
Take care of your lips with a good lip balm. It will not only smooth the texture of your pout but also make sure you keep the skin hydrated, fresh, and cared for. Lip liners and various top coats are great for adding subtle hues of colours to your lips without making them look glossy or overly defined. Keep it natural for a more elegant look.
Cheeks
Blush can instantly lift your look in an instant. Whether it’s a soft pink, blush pink, or a variety of warm or cool tones, the right blush will give your cheeks the definition you need. Pick a shade that looks the most natural, and remember to always stay away from shimmery ones – it should always look softly flushed and natural.
Skin
To enhance your look, invest in a good skincare routine so that your skin stays healthy and well balanced; this is the base of your beauty. Find out your skin type and purchase suitable products for it. Increase your intake of vitamins and minerals to help your skin look brighter and more radiant.
6. Tips for Choosing the Right Fit
1. Research the Styles: Before you buy, do some research! Learn the key features of the different types of bottoms. Whether you prefer a high-rise jean, a mid-rise version, or a low-rise option – the more you know, the better!
2. Try It Out: Any choice you make regarding pants, skirt, or shorts should be based on comfort. Don’t rely solely on the sizes provided – always try the garment on and walk around in it!
3. Get an Accurate Measurement: A tailor’s measuring tape or a basic fabric tape measure at home will do the trick! Measure your hips, waist, and inseam to better determine which garment and size is right for you.
4. Don’t Forget the Details:
- Do the rise (crotch-level) and the leg length flatter your frame?
- Do the pockets make your bottom look bulky?
- Does the fabric move well with your body?
- Are the thread and zipper of good quality?
These details can make or break the outfit, and the wrong fit won’t do you any favors!
It’s time you dress to impress yourself, not anyone else! With the right tips and styling advice, you can choose the perfect outfit to fit and flatter your body type. Embrace the body you have and dress to feel beautiful and confident. Here’s to looking and feeling your best.
