Finding the Perfect Fit: A Guide to Choosing Garments that Embrace Your Style
If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me "I wish I could find clothes that fit me", well I wouldn't be a millionaire, but I'd have quite a few dollars!
So why is it so hard to find clothes that fit?
Have you ever stood in front of a mirror, trying on a garment, and felt that something was just not right? Perhaps the cut was off, the color clashed with your complexion, or the style seemed at odds with your personality. For many intelligent, accomplished women over 40, this scenario is all too familiar. Balancing demanding careers and family commitments, making the right fashion choices can sometimes feel like a daunting task. This is because not only do you probably lack time to schlep yourself from store to store and try everything on you can find, but also, you may be lacking in knowing which brands have the cuts that suit your figure, which is why there are a few things you need to know before you shop, plus I've found a fabulous tool that may help it make it a little easier to find stores to hit that has a slightly higher chance of fitting your unique body.
1. Understanding Your Body Shape
The first step in this journey is understanding your body shape, body proportions, and variations. Each of us has a unique silhouette that can be beautifully accentuated with the right clothing choices. Are you an H, O, A, V, X, I or 8 body shape? Identifying your body shape helps in selecting garments that highlight your best features. You can take my free body shape calculator quiz to figure out your shape and the elements of design you're looking for in clothing right here.
For example, because I'm an H body shape, I know that I can wear oversized tops that don't come in at the waist (because my waist is not the smallest point on my torso) as I don't want to highlight my lack of waist.
But not only do you need to know the shape, but you also need to know your body proportions (I've got tips on how to measure yours here) and your body variations, these are the other bits of your body, like bust size, calves, necks, upper arms, ankles, petite or super tall etc. They also impact what fits and flatters your body.
Plus when shopping, it's useful to know your measurements (particularly if you're shopping online as measurements on garments may be provided, and you can compare yours to the listing).
We all want our clothes to fit because a well-fitted outfit can transform your appearance, boosting your confidence and comfort.
2. Colour Analysis - Embrace Your Palette
As a personal color analysis expert, I've seen firsthand how the right colours can illuminate your face and bring out your natural beauty. Colours that complement your skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour can make a significant difference. Are you light or dark in value (value is just the fancy technical term for how light or dark a colour is, and your value relates to the colour of your hair)? Bright or more muted? Warm or cool undertone? Understanding your color direction (and I have 18 palettes that allow for the nuance for every skin tone and colouring rather than the limited selection in the Seasonal palettes) allows you to choose garments that resonate with your personal palette, ensuring that you always look radiant.
Because I have a light value (light hair) and know my best palette (Sublime) I can then look for clothes that flatter my complexion and are in harmony with it, rather than feeling like I'm looking washed out or need to wear a load more makeup to compensate for the colours.
3. The Role of Fabric and Texture
The fabric of a garment plays a crucial role in how it fits and falls on your body. Different fabrics have different weights and levels of stretch, affecting the garment's shape and comfort. Textures can also add depth and interest to your outfit, making a simple piece more dynamic and expressive.
Are you naturally textured with curly or wavy hair? Then opt for textured garments that hamonise with it, rather than smooth fabrics. Alternatively, if you have smooth hair then go for smoother fabrics rather than overtly textured ones.
4. Tailoring - The Secret Weapon
Tailoring can be a game-changer in achieving the perfect fit. Even off-the-rack items can be transformed into bespoke pieces that fit your body like a glove. A skilled tailor can adjust lengths, seams, and waistlines, ensuring each piece flatters your form perfectly. If you choose better quality garments made from good quality fabrics, they will last and are worth getting tailored to make them fit perfectly.
Here are tips for the best alterations based on your body shape.
5. Online Tools and Resources
In today's digital age, numerous online tools can assist in your quest for the perfect fit:
Virtual Fitting Rooms: Many online retailers now offer virtual fitting room experiences, using AI to recommend sizes based on your measurements.
Size Guides and Measurement Tools: Size charts and detailed measurement guides can help you choose the right size when shopping online. Why not try out SIze Charter, which helps you find the brands that relate more to your body measurements which gives you a greater chance of the clothes actually fitting you.
6. Create Your Personalise Style Guidelines First
Before you go shopping, so that you don't waste more money on clothes, you want to create your own personalised style guidelines first, so that when you do shop you're doing so with a greater chance of more hits and fewer misses. To do this you need a proper education in colour and style, and you need to understand how your personality shapes your style preferences too, along with your style values and what you need for your lifestyle. There is a lot to it, which is why you've made mistakes in the past. I'm here to guide you, to help you figure this out, which is why I developed my 7 Steps to Style program to give you the framework to create those style guidelines that will have you making the best choices for you and your unique body.
Remember, fashion is not just about following trends; it's about expressing your unique personality and feeling good in what you wear. By understanding your body shape, embracing your color season, choosing the right fabrics, and utilizing tailoring and online tools, you can transform your wardrobe into a collection of garments that fit perfectly and reflect your individual style.
Have you ever experienced the transformative power of a perfectly fitting garment? How did it impact your confidence and self-expression? Share your stories and let's inspire each other on this journey of style discovery.
What Guidelines to Follow When Your Body Shape isn't "Standard"
How to Create Your Own Figure Flattery Guidelines with the Body Equation
Understanding the Style Puzzle - 9 Keys to Unlocking Your Style
