Dear Imogen,
Thank you so much for creating Inside Out Style. Many of the style blogs I find are designed for models or teens, at least that's how it seems to me. Most of your articles are for more mature women, with children. And you don't pretend to have a perfect figure, you teach us how to make the most of the bodies we have, and work with our assets while covering our flaws. Thank you for a blog that helps the average woman - it's a rare blessing.
And that brings me to my question. I have an A body type, with a long torso and short legs. I'm only 5'4″. I'm also about 170 lbs. This combination makes it very difficult to find clothing that works for me.
Some of the articles contradict each other, and I'm not sure which rules to break. Wide leg jeans are great for A body types, but they make me look shorter than ever. Belts are great, but not if you have a tummy you're trying to hide.
I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I need a casual (but stylish)wardrobe. I love jeans, and basically live in them for most of the year. I don't wear dresses often, unless I'm going out on a date with my husband of 16 years.
Thanks again, for everything you've taught me!
Sandy
How to Dress For Conflicting Body Shape Advice
Humans, strangely enough, aren't all the same. In fact our body shapes are quite varied and individual.
Body shape guidelines are that - guidelines, not rules and are merely suggestions of the kinds of shapes and styles to try. They certainly are not the only information you need to know to dress well, and I'd recommend reading what knowing your body shape really tells you ( and what it doesn't cover).
Your unique shape and features, including body proportions, and body variations (such as being petite in height) will make it important to take all these pieces of the style puzzle (and you can read about all the elements of the style puzzle here) to find a formula that works for you.
Wide legs are great for some taller, but instead why not think about a more modified version such as a bootcut or trouser cut, which don't have the same width or volume, so won't shorten your legs down. Shorter legs need overall narrower trousers, but they don't have to be skinny!
Remember, body proportions are just as important as body shape guidelines.
You don't have to belt, but you can make sure your tops are shaped to flatter - that they come in at your waist rather than going straight down.
Look at the recommendations for hiding a rounded tummy- you could use a print or pattern to help hide it, or think about which of these tips also work with your A Shape rules.
When discovering what works, it's about looking at each element, the recommendations, and then with all your puzzle pieces together, finding the ones that work across multiple areas, leaving out the guidelines that aren't relevant for you.
For example, I'm an H shape and belting is not something that is advised, but I've discovered that I can belt with a wide belt (never narrow) when what I'm belting over is voluminous - such as in this outfit. The wider belt works as my narrowest point on my torso is just under my bust, so the belt starts to highlight this feature rather than just my wider waist.
With the voluminous cardigan draped over the belt you're not seeing a really obvious horizontal line around my body (which is widening) and because the shape under the cardigan (skirt) is straight I'm not adding lots of extra volume.
Take the pieces that work for you - as my mother always said "What you gain on the swings, you lose on the roundabouts". Body shape guidlines are not a hard and fast set of rules that will work for everyone, as you are unique. They just give you a starting point to being experimenting with shapes and styles that might have a chance of flattering your beauty.
Futher Reading
Tips on finding your body shape hereWhat to Avoid A ShapeWhat to wear A Shape What does knowing your body shape really tell you?Best pants for your body shapeWhich are the best proportions to flatter your proportionsPetite proportions - skirts and dressesHow to measure your body proportions
Dear Imogen,
Thank you so much for creating Inside Out Style. Many of the style blogs I find are designed for models or teens, at least that's how it seems to me. Most of your articles are for more mature women, with children. And you don't pretend to have a perfect figure, you teach us how to make the most of the bodies we have, and work with our assets while covering our flaws. Thank you for a blog that helps the average woman - it's a rare blessing.
And that brings me to my question. I have an A body type, with a long torso and short legs. I'm only 5'4″. I'm also about 170 lbs. This combination makes it very difficult to find clothing that works for me.
Some of the articles contradict each other, and I'm not sure which rules to break. Wide leg jeans are great for A body types, but they make me look shorter than ever. Belts are great, but not if you have a tummy you're trying to hide.
I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I need a casual (but stylish)wardrobe. I love jeans, and basically live in them for most of the year. I don't wear dresses often, unless I'm going out on a date with my husband of 16 years.
Thanks again, for everything you've taught me!
Sandy
How to Dress For Conflicting Body Shape Advice
Humans, strangely enough, aren't all the same. In fact our body shapes are quite varied and individual.
Body shape guidelines are that - guidelines, not rules and are merely suggestions of the kinds of shapes and styles to try. They certainly are not the only information you need to know to dress well, and I'd recommend reading what knowing your body shape really tells you ( and what it doesn't cover).
Your unique shape and features, including body proportions, and body variations (such as being petite in height) will make it important to take all these pieces of the style puzzle (and you can read about all the elements of the style puzzle here) to find a formula that works for you.
Wide legs are great for some taller, but instead why not think about a more modified version such as a bootcut or trouser cut, which don't have the same width or volume, so won't shorten your legs down. Shorter legs need overall narrower trousers, but they don't have to be skinny!
Remember, body proportions are just as important as body shape guidelines.
You don't have to belt, but you can make sure your tops are shaped to flatter - that they come in at your waist rather than going straight down.
Look at the recommendations for hiding a rounded tummy- you could use a print or pattern to help hide it, or think about which of these tips also work with your A Shape rules.
When discovering what works, it's about looking at each element, the recommendations, and then with all your puzzle pieces together, finding the ones that work across multiple areas, leaving out the guidelines that aren't relevant for you.
For example, I'm an H shape and belting is not something that is advised, but I've discovered that I can belt with a wide belt (never narrow) when what I'm belting over is voluminous - such as in this outfit. The wider belt works as my narrowest point on my torso is just under my bust, so the belt starts to highlight this feature rather than just my wider waist.
With the voluminous cardigan draped over the belt you're not seeing a really obvious horizontal line around my body (which is widening) and because the shape under the cardigan (skirt) is straight I'm not adding lots of extra volume.
Take the pieces that work for you - as my mother always said "What you gain on the swings, you lose on the roundabouts". Body shape guidlines are not a hard and fast set of rules that will work for everyone, as you are unique. They just give you a starting point to being experimenting with shapes and styles that might have a chance of flattering your beauty.
Futher Reading
Tips on finding your body shape hereWhat to Avoid A ShapeWhat to wear A Shape What does knowing your body shape really tell you?Best pants for your body shapeWhich are the best proportions to flatter your proportionsPetite proportions - skirts and dressesHow to measure your body proportions
