https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:32:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1426427 Sat, 17 Jan 2015 18:27:09 +0000 MsMaven 1426427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question.&nbsp;Aside from the middle issues, my style has maintained a certain consistency through the years. I do wonder though, if I had been a short hourglass instead of a tall beanpole, would I have adopted a much frillier or feminine style? I suspect so.&nbsp;</p> <p>When I was younger and thinner with a small waist and much flatter stomach I liked to show off my waist. I nearly always tucked in tops and wore interesting belts. I would wear skirts gathered or pleated at the waist and not think anything about it. Of course, it was different in the Mod era in the early 60s--it was fun to wear shifts, chemises and trapeze dresses for a change. Now I only wear pencil or slightly flared skirts, never tuck tops in, and look for styles that don't make the mid-body an issue.&nbsp;I wouldn't wear a trapeze dress again, but I've learned to never say never.</p> <p>Overall I think I have kept a fairly consistent style despite weight changes and different fashion eras. I'm going to ponder this question some more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1426247 Sat, 17 Jan 2015 12:02:54 +0000 Gemma Morriss 1426247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am really tall, if different body then shorter and slightly bustier. &nbsp;Finding clothes when really tall I find can be quite difficult. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1425889 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:37:50 +0000 Anonymous 1425889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Tulie</b>, I totally get the difference just 5 lbs. can make on us short women! And on me, that extra weight goes mostly to my midsection. :(</p> <p>On the plus side, by going back to the styles that worked for me years ago, I look like I have a different body. Illusion dressing is what it's called, and it works pretty well.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1425882 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:26:00 +0000 Julie 1425882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, the heels I'd wear if I were shorter than my 5'10"!&nbsp; Which would probably change my style completely...also, it would be nice to be more "swan waisted" as someone put it, and I wouldn't say no to a butt of reasonable proportions.&nbsp; So I think my style would definitely be different! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1425314 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 21:57:20 +0000 tulle 1425314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, yes--in fact, I unconsciously adjust my style choices if I lose or gain even 5 pounds!&nbsp; (When you're short it doesn't take much to change your look entirely.) But if I had a completely different body, if I were tall and lanky with broader shoulders, I would dress like Katherine Hepburn and Lauren Bacall in the forties, happily! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424912 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:09:52 +0000 anne 1424912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such an interesting thread. I think over the years my style has adapted to my body but there are certainly things I'd wear differently if I looked different.<br />My small bust (high five Jackiec!) means a lot of styles are either baggy in the bust or don't drape well. &nbsp;My short legs and muscular thighs (lots of you with this build) mean I barely wear trousers.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424772 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 02:52:24 +0000 Windchime 1424772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a fascinating question! I am sure that if I weren't as tall as I am, that I'd wear higher heels--at least when I was younger. </p> <p>In a way, I DO have a different body now than I did about eight years ago. I used to be effortlessly thin and now I have "womanly curves." My hair was dark brown; now it's greying. Even my complexion isn't the same. I'm having to recalibrate my best colors and styles; what worked well when I was younger doesn't necessarily flatter me now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424758 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 02:25:30 +0000 K.M. 1424758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Super interesting question. I don't think I would have a different style overall, as I think that style is an expression of my personality (though I suppose my personality might be different in a different body type). But I would wear certain looks (within my style) that I don't. I've always wanted long, lean, stick legs (I have short legs; my thighs are muscular and my calves are skinny, and in the middle, I have big bony protruding knees). If I had them, I'd wear shorter hemlines and especially dressy shorts. I love the look of them (you know, in a suit, with tights and heels...) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424725 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:12:30 +0000 jackiec 1424725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great thread! I've been pondering this on and off since you posed the question, Shannon. I wonder if I'd have a different style if I had a different body? My entire being seems to have morphed out of low self esteem as I grew up well behind the pack. I was an extremely late bloomer, and I believe I dressed to "hide" my non-growing, tiny, flat-chested body as an adolescent. Never sticking out, always just barely blending in. I always wore double-layer loose t-shirts. When I finally grew, I grew in height but not much anywhere else. So I continued to camoflauge my barely existent chest. I wore loose Levis and loose men's button-downs in the 90's (but hey lots of those were actually in style). I still have a hard time with anything clingy and always wore Vnecks thinking they were the best way to pretend I had something there (oh and padded bras - hah ). So my style has really grown as a byproduct of my self esteem. I still prefer fluid tops, and I think I always will. If I had a different body type, sure, I might have developed a different style. I probably would have been way more confident, which may have emboldened me to try &nbsp;brighter colours, flashier trends. Who knows. As it is, I'm still a "blend-in" type of a neutral gal. I wouldn't change anything in retrospect (ok, maybe one size up in the chest but what the heck). I've always admired the long drapey looks on others but for some reason can't get them to work on me. Maybe that's how my style would be different.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424645 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 22:41:12 +0000 Keturah 1424645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been me! I lost a total of 175&nbsp;lbs., 120 originally, then 55 which I regained and lost. But the bulk of it I've kept off and maintained for over 14 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div><br />I've always been drawn to fashion since I was old enough to change my clothes by myself. (Which I did nearly every day, 4-6+ times a day, to the exasperation of my mother.) I suppose for me, fashion is about who I am on the inside. I've found when I am unhappy and uncomfortable in my skin, my fashion tastes don't change, but they do get suppressed. It made me feel so bad about myself, longing to wear clothes in my style but feeling too overweight and unpretty to do so. Put another way, lack of confidence and body depression&nbsp;didn't make me want to shine in any clothes too fun, too beautiful, or too exotic and glamorous. Besides, finding the clothes I love that would fit my height and weight was more expensive, and more difficult.&nbsp; </p> <p></p> <p>One of my goals during and post weight loss&nbsp;was to not only&nbsp;wear beautiful clothes and fashions with joy and confidence, but to experiment with fashion again and find my own sense of style. Basically, I've spent the last 2-3 years completely reinventing (or reconnecting with??) myself and fashion.&nbsp;</p> <p></p> </div><div>If I did have a different body type I'm not sure if my style would change, since what I wear is more dependent on my heart and head. I would probably adapt styles to suit my body type, just like I do now. But I can't see myself significantly changing my style based on my body type. Maybe it's because I just haven't ever thought of doing so?? If I did make some changes, perhaps it would be to be simply a bit leaner, and not to have some of my jiggly bits and loose skin on my inner thighs. If that happened, I might be a bit edgier with my clothes, or perhaps just wear shorts more often without worrying about my jiggly inner thighs showing.</p> <p></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope this doesn't come across as body loathing, as I love my body now and have made peace with my perceived flaws, body shape, weight, and height.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>xo&nbsp;</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424630 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 22:16:48 +0000 Karie 1424630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, an interesting question. I practically appeared at birth at 5'8" and my current weight (and you're not getting that number out of me). Really, I have been at this weight since my 20's (Nope. Not telling you how long ago that was, either!). And I have always had <i><b>the belly</b></i><b></b>. That incredibly stubborn, pouchy, laughs-in-my-face when I do Pilates, belly. I have always had to dress to minimize it. If I didn't have that belly, oh the fun dressing would be! I could actually wear something that clung without having to double up on the Spanx and give up breathing for a few hours! Oh well. I suppose I&nbsp;would still dress like I do - a little bit classic, a little bit trendy. </p> <p>Got to run - I don't want to be late for that next Pilates class :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424481 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:54:07 +0000 Sal 1424481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Back this morning from our adventure and had to chime in on this interesting thread.</p> <p>If I was a smaller frame I feel I could wear some looks more easily (skinny jeans and a simple tee for example). &nbsp;As a short waisted person with a bust there are&nbsp;some looks that I like that do not love me back. &nbsp;But this is the case for most people so I try to mostly play to my strengths - I don't always achieve this of course.</p> <p>There are some looks that tend to be easier to achieve with a certain body shape, ie the gamine Audrey Hepburn look. &nbsp;I love this simple way of dressing but need to adapt it to make it work for me....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424454 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 18:08:41 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1424454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't read the other responses but will later.</p> <p>I can answer this from personal experience. &nbsp;I have been average weight/BMI for most of my life but for about 5 years in my late 20s and early 30s, I weighed about 15 lbs less than my normal low end and was VERY thin and in my recent peri-menopause years or two I have been about 15 lbs heavier than my normal high so I have ranged from a small size 4 to a curvier size 10. &nbsp;I found that I could wear looser drapier fits when I was very small and look good in them. &nbsp;When at my larger weight, I need to take more care in the shapes I choose to wear or I have a tendency to look bigger than I am. &nbsp;I also need to take much more care with surrendering the waist. &nbsp;I felt I had far more freedom to experiment with trends as I didn't need to worry as much about figure flattery when I was at the lower end of my range. &nbsp;I am not sure whether this was due to my personal insecurities or my body and comfort.</p> <p>Very interesting question Shannon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424425 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 16:53:30 +0000 MsMary 1424425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such an interesting thread!</p> <p>I kind of DO have a different body -- I lost a bunch of weight a few years ago and have changed from an apple to more of an inverted triangle.&nbsp; And my size is smaller so I can fit into way more styles than I could before.</p> <p>Honestly, back in the day it was such a struggle to find clothes to fit that I never really paid much attention to style, so as long as I was decently covered and looked reasonably okay, that was about it for me.&nbsp; And believe it or not I had never even owned a pencil skirt in my life, whereas now pencil skirts are my number-one go-to item.&nbsp; So yeah -- my style has definitely changed as my body has changed.&nbsp; But... on the other hand I think the style I have now is the style I really had all along and I just had to find it.&nbsp; Does that make sense? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/3#post-1424365 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:27:18 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1424365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah - you have articulated one of my issues too! With being petite, our options are more limited. Sometimes availability affects our style.</p> <p>Janet - and if I sucked in my stomach I would be more hourglass than apple - but eventually I'd have to breath - lol!</p> <p>Thank you all SO MUCH for your thoughtful replies. There is a lot of great and interesting information shared here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424351 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:01:31 +0000 Janet 1424351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heh, if I clench my glutes and slightly rotate my hips outward, I can make my saddlebags temporarily disappear -- and...instant IT! It's kind of hilarious. Too bad I can't walk around that way. Hehe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424296 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 13:41:48 +0000 Marlene1 1424296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It would be great fun to try out a new body type - for example, to show off a tiny waist instead of attempting to camouflage waistlessness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424294 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 13:38:17 +0000 Elly 1424294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm another one that dresses my personality, not my body type. I'm a curvy hourglass with secondary IT tendencies and a fairly large frame (5'9"-- long legs and arms) yet I enjoy masculine/tomboy-based fashions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424264 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 11:17:27 +0000 Summer 1424264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a very interesting question, Shannon. I think that a change in body shape will inevitably lead to a few tweaks becoming necessary. For instance, my rectangular body morphs into an IT when I lose weight, and I find that anything too skinny on my bottom half tends to make me top-heavy. The style of my clothes doesn't change, but the proportions certainly do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424258 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:59:15 +0000 Dixie 1424258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think my style would change a lot as I would translate the same style in clothes that fit me right. I think I like both feminine ba ba boom and a more androgynous/tomboy style. Maybe I would keep the same style and wear specific items that I like but don't wear right now (which are basically a few). Really is one of those type of things that I don't want to think too much because I'm happy like this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424173 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:07:02 +0000 sarah 1424173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting question, Shannon, that I contemplate frequently. And I think that the answer is a tentative "yes". First, my size limits what I can find to purchase. For example,&nbsp;as a petite who nearly always has to wear petite sizes, I feel quite limited by the number of brands I can wear and within those, the number of styles that are available. This is especially true for jackets.&nbsp;For example, I recently bought a felted wool moto jacket from Ann Taylor. It's black, not my ideal color, but I really wanted to try out that style, and I have had the darndest time finding petite moto jackets. So I gave it a whilrl, and&nbsp;I love the way it gives me a different vibe than the bzillion blazers I have in my closet. I'm so glad that I gave it a try, even though the color wouldn't be my first choice.</p> <p>Second, I'm drawn to looks that I know wouldn't work for me but that I would probably wear if I could. For example, I love Cocolion's casual uniforms, but drapey tees with skinny jeans simply don't translate from her tall, lean frame to my shorter, busty,&nbsp;non-lean one. I've gradually realized that there are certain looks that simply won't work for me, and I need to dress the body that I have. But it's a hard lesson that I'm constantly relearning. Just tonight I returned a dress to Anthro, one of Angie's picks, that was a complete disaster on my short, busty frame with my muscular quads. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424154 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 03:30:35 +0000 Beth Ann 1424154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting thread!&nbsp; Like many have said, I think my basic style preferences wouldn't change, but I would play with different proportions, fits and silhouettes were my body type different.&nbsp;&nbsp; These are the things I've changed most -- both because I'm no longer the pear-leaning hourglass I was in my early twenties, and because these elements change with the times.</p> <p>My weight is the same from last year, but it has shifted higher -- to my torso.&nbsp; This has changed my general approach to outfit formulation.&nbsp; I don't mind adapting, but I often know that a change of lifestyle (diet and exercise) is in order when I find myself indulging in what I call "camo dressing":&nbsp; dressing to hide flaws, rather than highlight assets.&nbsp; I'm at that tipping point at the moment, but I refuse to think less of myself because of it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424121 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 02:55:09 +0000 SarahTheWhite 1424121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting question.&nbsp; As others have pointed out, changing body size and body shape are very different things.&nbsp; My size change has always been pretty proportional - bottom half is always larger than the top, and bust is some variation of small and smaller.&nbsp; This makes keeping the same style pretty easy.&nbsp; But if my whole shape were to change?&nbsp; I'm sure that would change the face of my style pretty significantly.&nbsp; I do think that certain preferences like color/contrast and pattern/texture combinations would stay the same for me (those are very natural and intuitive to me and deeply ingrained in my sense of self).&nbsp; I sometimes give myself a reality check and acknowledge that I might not actually love the changes if I magically received some of the things I've wished for, and then I give the body that I DO have a little appreciation. :-)&nbsp; Fun topic!&nbsp; Thanks for that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424091 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 02:01:33 +0000 Carla 1424091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My sense of style (or lack there-of) is in my head. So, if I had a different body type, I don't think I would dress differently. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424084 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 01:55:58 +0000 Jaime 1424084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question Shannon. If I had a completely different shape - taller or with a waist let's say, I am pretty sure I would dress differently because part of how I dress relates to what I like on me and me would be different as Gigi points out. But I think my general taste would be similar.&nbsp;The biggest change would be if I were different from the neck up - completely different face and hair as Mia suggests. I am sure I would see myself differently and have a somewhat to very&nbsp;different personality, so who knows what I would like.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424073 Wed, 14 Jan 2015 01:33:44 +0000 Peri 1424073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If we're putting in requests, I'd ask for one that didn't hurt. And then my basic style wouldn't change, but I would get to be much more stylish than I am now because I could wear whatever shoes I wanted and that would open up so many more possibilities. I would wear dresses a lot because I could wear shoes for them, especially in the summer. I would wear the ankle pants that are so trendy. And I would wear jeans. And skinny type pants because they wouldn't hurt either. </p> <p>This is probably not the change you meant, but it's the one that would be significant for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424005 Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:50:47 +0000 Aziraphale 1424005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Goodness, no. If I had lush curves, I'd dress a lot more Mad Men and a lot less hipster tomboy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424003 Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:40:45 +0000 Gigi 1424003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion. I haven't read all the responses yet.</p> <p>I would say that from my perspective, my style would probably change. I think that if I had a different body type, I would think of myself differently, and therefore my style would change in at least some ways—because I would be a different "me." For instance, if I were large busted, I would probably feel more bombshell and would either appreciate that and dress more va-va-voom or else would feel uncomfortable with that and would enjoy styles that dressed&nbsp;it down. But when our whole body shape changes (I'm talking about body shape and not simply gaining/losing weight and staying the same shape), I think that *we* change too and our perception of ourselves changes. That would indicate a style change to me, because I think the changes would be on a deep level.</p> <p>I also think that we often gravitate toward styles that make us look good, and over time, those become genuine likes for us. So if different styles make you look good, you will be fishing in a different pond, so to speak. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1424001 Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:31:04 +0000 Deborah 1424001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a cool question! I honestly don't think I would wear anything different. Like you Shannon I am seeing good results from my eating changes and if anything I think it's just a matter of looking "better" in my chosen style. What I do acknowledge is that as I slim down, the few more body con pieces I have will like be worn more. For example I have a work dress that is draped but still fitted and I feel a bit self conscious in it right now. Same for a tank dress I have. Two of my special occasion dresses are more fitted to the body and do fit me nicely but a little less tummy would be nice lol. I am pretty committed to my style irrespective of size/body. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/if-you-had-a-different-body/page/2#post-1423982 Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:10:39 +0000 rachylou 1423982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm trying to think if there's any style I feel I can't do because of body type. Not really coming up with anything. It would probably give me a leg up on Mod if I were wispier, and I could achieve *buxom washer woman* in my Ren Faire costume with more bust... but this is probably not something that should be encouraged anyways. </p>