https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:05:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1052063 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 02:41:39 +0000 Windchime 1052063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The concept of proportion in dressing has been new for me since finding YLF. There is a lot to consider, and it's definitely relative!<br /> The room where I dress has a mirror where I only see my reflection from just a bit above the knees and upward. Sometimes I think something looks fine in that mirror, but a look in a full-length mirror tells a somewhat different story! I now realize the difference often has to do with proportion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051914 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 22:46:59 +0000 always trying 1051914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>K--you just said what I was trying to say--only better.&nbsp; This is what I was trying to say as to why the capsules I was putting together, and why the one print top I thought was going to be perfect with the whole blue, grey, black capsule didn't work.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051900 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 21:44:42 +0000 Caro in Oz 1051900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with everything k wrote. All the rules in the world are nothing compared to trying the clothes on, playing with them&nbsp;&amp; wearing them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051834 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 19:27:23 +0000 K. Period. 1051834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Proportions are key and optimal proportions change by outfit! And they are the thing you can't know until you actually put an outfit on. &nbsp;I remember Angie saying that laying out potential outfits is one part of building a capsule or putting together outfits, but that the trying on is the make or break moment. And I seem to remember her saying that often it is just minor issues with proportions that keep the outfits from coming together or being optimally flattering. &nbsp;That was a huge relief to me! I always wondered why an outfit would look great in my mind or even laid out or hung up together, but somehow was a bust when actually on. Because of proportions. And that is the one thing you really can't judge without an outfit actually being on the body. You can tweak proportions (for tops by&nbsp;tucking fully, tucking a little, front tucking or&nbsp;not tucking and for pants&nbsp;with what type of shoes you wear), but there are times when you can't tweak them enough.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051828 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 19:19:18 +0000 Anonymous 1051828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know what you mean!&nbsp;The length of tops is a huge concern of mine. I have a long torso, so they need to be long&nbsp;<i>enough</i>, but if I wear them past my crotch point, my leg length seems to shorten tremendously. Also, once I get fixated on one proportion, it's hard to notice any others. I wonder if our eyes all go to different parts of a person's outfit (our own "problem" areas).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051823 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 19:04:03 +0000 cade 1051823@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Try to keep the 2/3 to 1/3 ratio in mind when dressing. It is the most flattering proportion regardless of size. You might have a bit more leeway with trousers than with skirts, but in general the closer you are to that ratio the better the overall proportions. Half and half always will cut you in half. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051810 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 18:40:45 +0000 Suz 1051810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Proportion is hugely important and can be very tough to get right, especially when you are playing with varied silhouettes and buying your clothing across seasons (as the proportions change to work with new shapes). But getting proportion right is not only key to figure flattery but also key to looking more modern. I do not pretend to have answers in this department. Alas.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051760 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 17:15:49 +0000 Thistle 1051760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Proportions remind me of geometry. I am terrible at both!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051756 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 17:13:36 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1051756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally agree.&nbsp; There are times when an outfit looks off to me and I know it is the proportions but I can't quite figure out the specifics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051743 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 16:54:09 +0000 Alexandra 1051743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, there are many things to consider with proportions - total height/length, relative height/length of the elements, length vs. width, etc. I find it interesting but also mind-boggling at times. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/proportion-is-relative#post-1051739 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 16:50:07 +0000 always trying 1051739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>proportion is relative...I am finding that, although there are rules like with full skirt a large volume top doesn't work, there are exceptions.&nbsp; It depends on the actual pieces one is trying to put together, your size and body type.&nbsp; a tall thin person can wear a big full midi skirt with a bulky top, and still good, without being lost in the garments.&nbsp; On the other hand a short chunky person can sometimes look thinner in the same outfit. Most of the time tight fits can make more moderate people look fat,&nbsp; Personally, trying to look thinner is always my goal. <br />For those of you who remember my post about the jeans trouser lengths and widths, I am now playing with the tops with skirts, dresses, jackets, etc.&nbsp; Again there are disappointments as to what I was giong to wear with what.&nbsp; Bought a soft fabric, silky feeling button down top, collorless, with a round neck--Nordies rack--grey, cobalt, black print.&nbsp; very straight but a little volume.&nbsp;&nbsp; thought other than with the new skinny jeans, the old cobalt ones, and the black it would look good with the grey straight leg derssier trousers--but it just didn't look right proportionally.&nbsp; So this, i concluded is where the top actually hits on my body. It is the length that makes it not work with the wider leg trousers.&nbsp; I am now convinced that porportionally one has to take a good look at the whole look.&nbsp; For me it is abolish the whole ideas of things one can and can/t wear when it comes to things like length of tops, jackets, etc.&nbsp; It depends more on what they are paired with, where it actually hits on you--which will be different than it does on some other person, who will have a different body length between bust and waist, widest part of hip, etc. </p>