There is no one route to style. You cannot become instantly stylish just from understanding your body shape (sorry Trinny and Susannah, it’s just not that simple). There is, what I call, the Style Puzzle, a group of elements when they all go together define your personal style.
These puzzle pieces are just the start too. You can delve into them and branch out to discover more and more!
Personality
To me, the personality element is the most important, it is all about being our authentic selves. Our uniqueness is to be enjoyed and displayed. We need to express who we are through everything we wear. It will tell us whether we want to stick to or break our “rules”.
Creating Harmony with Your Personality
Rules are Made to be Broken
How to be More Creative with Your Wardrobe
How to Develop Your Personal Style
Discover Your Signature Style
The Difference between Signature and Personal Style
S is for Style
Who do You Want to Be?
What Did You Discover About Your Personal Style?
How to Find Necklaces to Suit Your Personality Style
What’s Your Colour Personality
How Your Personality Influences Your Choice of Prints
Defining Features
These relate to the harmony we display based on our facial appearance. It’s something I go into much more fully in my 7 Steps to Style system. When we relate the shapes of the details in our clothing and accessories to our facial features, we create a harmony and resonance that is particularly pleasing.
What are your Defining Features?
Body Shapes
Knowing your body shape will tell you where to put the detail and interest in your clothing. Where you want to look for horizontal lines to balance, or add verticals to elongate.
Body Shapes Explained, Defining Points
Body Proportions
To me, proportions are more valuable than body shape. Proportions are all about balance (which is something we find most aesthetically appealing). Proprtions tell you where to end hems, lengths of skirts, jackets, tops, sleeves and jewelry . They also tell you more about where to add detail and where to keep clean and have minimal attention drawn to areas of your body.
How to Measure Your Body Proportions
Body Proportions Explained
More Ways to Flatter Your Body Proportions
Body Proportions Explained – Long Rise
Body Proportions Explained – Small Bust but Long Decolletage
Body Proportions Explained – Large Bust
Body Proportions Explained – Short Mid Body
Body Proportions Explained – Short Body, Long Legs
Body Proportions Explained – Long Body, Short Legs
How to Use the Golden Mean when Dressing
Scale
Scale tells you how large or small your accessories and clothing elements need to be to create a harmony and balance.
S is for Scale
3 Essential Elements when Choosing Flattering Prints
How to Understand the Elements of Prints
What Size Handbag
How to Choose a Necklace
Large Bust – Large Necklace
Texture
There are so many different sorts of fabric textures. Thick, chunky, fine, furry, smooth, soft, buttery, just to name a few. The textures you choose will be influenced by your personality and your body shape, but also by your appearance.
T is for Texture
The Yin and Yang of Clothing
Finding the Right Texture and Sheen for You
How Formal is that Fabric
How to Flatter Patterned Skin
Choosing Flattering Texture
Sheen
Another fabric element that reflects your personality as well as your natural appearance.
Matte Sheen or Shine?
What Sheen Should I Choose
How to Wear Metallic Accessories
How to Add a Touch of Glamour to Your Everyday Style
N is for Nighttime
What to Wear to a Wedding
How to Choose an Evening Dress that Will Last a Decade
Levels of Refinement
Somatype
Somatype is the Greek word for Body Type. It relates to how your flesh is arranged over your bones. Are you hard and muscly, bony or soft and cushioned? Your Somatype will tell you which will be the most flattering and comfortable fabrics, both weight and drape to choose.
What Sort of Fabric Drape Should I Choose for My Body
Colour
It’s not in the picture of the puzzle, but to me is an integral part of choosing a flattering garment for you. Colours either harmonize with your natural colouring, or they create a dissonance, which can be unpleasant, or even make you appear sickly.
SIgnature Colours and more Finding Your Signature Colours
Understanding Colour Systems and Personal Colour Analysis
Using Simultaneous Contrast to Change the Way a Colour Looks
What is Monochromatic Dressing
Getting Your Contrast Levels Right
What are Clashing Colours
How to Mix Colours
Understanding Colours – Tints, Tones, Shades
Understanding Undertones
How Your Colouring Changes as You Age
Understanding Colour Properties
How to Work with Your Colour Palette
How to Combine Colours
What’s Your Best Neutral – Red Hair
What’s Your Best Neutral – Grey Hair
What’s Your Best Neutral – Brunette
What’s Your Best Neutral – Blonde
Shades of Grey
Going Green
What Are Universal Colours
Which Metallics Can I Wear?
C is for Colour
These posts I’ve linked to here are just some of the many I’ve written on these various topics over the years. But as you can see, discovering what suits the uniqueness of you – comes down to way more than just understanding your body shape!
What have you found to be the most relevant information to finding your style?
