I often get asked “I have ____ body type, what should I wear?” My answer is usually “wear whatever the hell you want to wear.” That probably annoys people, and I understand if that doesn’t sound very helpful, but the truth is that what you should wear should come from you. It doesn’t have to be based on your body shape or your coloring. You don't have to wear what's "most flattering".
An example: as you may have noticed, my favorite silhouette is the skinny on bottom/drapey on top. This look is technically best for someone with a midsection that they want to hide, a smaller bottom half and great legs. I am pear shaped, with bigger hips, bigger thighs, a bigger butt, and smaller shoulders and upper body. I’ve gotten to a place where I just say these things as statements of reality. None of it is necessarily negative, just body parts in proportion to other body parts.
Since I have a smaller top half and waist, most experts would say that my ideal silhouette is a high-waisted full skirt or dress. But you know what? That silhouette doesn’t fit my personal style. My style is not girly or retro or overly feminine and I would feel super uncomfortable wearing clothes that are. I’ve had clients with the same issues and while I could say objectively that they looked smaller in the “flattering” items, they would rather wear something slightly less flattering that felt more like them.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to give you my opinion. If the color of your top is too close to your skin tone, I’m going to tell you I don’t think it’s a good idea. If you are wearing something that hits you at the exact widest part of your body, I’ll talk to you about proportion and line. But what we’ll do is figure out the look that you want FIRST, and then make it work for your body SECOND. Different body types can all work with the same kinds of looks.
When you’re wearing what you love, you exude a confidence that’s more authentic than any flattering item will give you. It took me a long time to get to this place. Hopefully I can make the process faster and easier for you! Check out "work with me" for more on how you can get help with your fall wardrobe.
(Sign up for the mindful closet Making Space course to follow the process I use with my clients to define their style, edit their wardrobes, and move to a mindful way of shopping. )