As I mentioned in the prior post here, one of the factors to consider when developing your own style is to determine and be loyal to your current body shape. Emphasis on current, not the shape you aspire to have. And what do I mean by “be loyal” to your current body shape? Once you understand your body shape, don’t steer away from outfits that work best for your shape. It’s tempting to try the latest trends but let’s face it, not everyone can pull off a maxi dress or a midi.
This is probably one of the more critical steps in this process and surprisingly, most women are not aware of what body shape they have. What we women tend to focus on is our weight or our dress size, rather than what works best for the way weight is distributed on our body. For example, two women with the exact same weight of 130 pounds could have very different body shapes and hence, what will flatter one may not work for another.
Once you’ve determined your body shape, you also have to consider where your problem areas lie. In my previous example, two women weighing 130 pounds each, perhaps both have an hourglass shape, but one considers her tummy area a problem after having one or more kids, while the other has a perfectly flat tummy. Making this determination will help you consider outfits that may help camouflage your problem areas. For some, this may not be a pleasant process – it’s difficult to face up to our physical problem areas but you’ll find that once you do, shopping for clothes can be much simpler and fun!
I myself have an inverted triangle body shape; I’m wider in the shoulders and my problem area is my stomach…I’ve had two c-sections. What does this mean for my style or shopping habits?
- I only wear mid-rise jeans; low rise jeans only emphasize my stomach area and creates a muffin top
- I try not to wear boatneck tops as they emphasize my wide shoulders
- Although I’m not fond of them, Peplum tops balance out my shape, putting more emphasis on my hips rather than my shoulders
- I love wearing a-line skirts or dresses where the bottom half floats away from my body
- Pencil skirts are fine too but the top must de-emphasize my shoulders
There are many other guidelines I abide by because I’ve determined and accepted my body shape and if I stick by these rules, shopping and getting dressed can be more enjoyable and stress-free.
What about you? Do you know your body shape? Your problem areas? What rules do you live by? Stay tuned for the next post on this style series.
Dear Boo and Lulu 
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