Do you always follow the rules for your body type? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you always follow the rules for your body type?

4babiesMe

I'm just curious. I've discovered that I'm an X/hourglass after losing all my baby weight (Yay!), which explains why my legs look so short and stumpy in skinny jeans and flats. (I'm a size 8/10, with big thighs). As a motg, I just can't do jeans and heels. It's just too dressy for my everyday life. My widest part is my low hips/upper thigh, so there is like a spotlight right there, unless I'm wearing a long tunic or cardi (which doesn't do much for leg lengthening). I'd still like to lose another 2 sizes, so I can only hope these looks will suit me then.

Anyway, rambling (I'm really good at that!). The point is, as much as I'd love to rock skinny jeans and a loose-fitting blouse, I've realized it's just not the best look for me. Do you ladies give up certain looks just because it doesn't suit your body type? Or do you ignore the rules, knowing that you might not look as good, but who cares because YOU like it?

Body Type

25 replies

Latest reply was from

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I'm a 8/10 hourglass. I know I'm supposed to emphasize my waist but I almost never do. I wear sack dresses all the time. Loose or oversized top over skinnies too.

Joy

Veteran

I do best if I follow the rules for my nody type, so I think I at least follow Angie's guidines. But I do have fun and am probably not always age appropriate.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely not whatever they are:-0

FlorenceFearne

I think most of us try to strike a balance. I personally wear big stompy shoes, boots that cut off my leg line, and severe colors all the time. Are those things super flattering? Maybe not. But conversely, I try not to wear things that make my shoulders look wider, I try to balance my top and bottom, and I don't generally wear volume-on-volume. Short version is, only you can decide the right combination between the rules and the things you love.

AJ

Veteran

I like knowing the rules for my body type so that I can learn the right ways to break those rules to fit my needs.

I'm an IT which means my shoulders are broad and my waist and hips have no shape. So ideally, I want to wear dark colors on top to soften my shoulders and wear a-line or bright colors on the bottom to add curves to my lower half. However, when I'm feeling bloated, I've learned to highlight my shoulders to draw attention away from my tummy. Or if I want to wear colorful shoes, I'll go monochromatic with my top and bottom to make me look taller.

Gigi

Veteran

I don't always follow the rules. I think most people's wardrobes are probably a balance of things that look good and things that we just like for some reason or another, despite the fact that we don't look *as* good in them. I found early on in my fashion journey that I was buying only things that I looked good in, regardless of whether I liked them on their own. And that creates a certain kind of happiness, the happiness of looking good. However, it's lacking the happiness of really enjoying the clothes themselves, and I found that my "happiness quotient" wasn't very high. So I have started paying more attention to whether I am buying based on this "utilitarian" reasoning, as I want my heart to be more involved. So I guess I would say that a wardrobe in which everything makes you look good isn't necessarily going to be a wardrobe that makes you happy. You also need pieces that you like with your heart, for whatever reason.

Angie is always saying that the most important thing is to have fun with your wardrobe. So if you like a particular type of ensemble, I would say wear it regardless of whether you look as smashing as in other types of clothes. I will say that I try to make modifications in the stuff that I wear that is not good for my body type. For instance, I am short, so maxi skirts are generally a no-no, so I try to find ones with vertical detailing and a straight cut so as to maximize my height. But I don't stay away from the maxis altogether. How can I? I love their movement and how they make me feel.

Gosh, I guess I'm a rambler too. :^)

jayne

Veteran

i am an hourglass with heavy legs, pearish. I have never ever worn wide legged pants, the ones always recommended for me. I would rather look like a popsicle than have elephant legs. I was also told never to tuck in shirts because the difference between my waist (small) and hips (big) was to be hidden. I ignore that now, and rather semi tuck so from the back the diff is less visible but I can show off my flatter tummy in the front (benefit og being a pear is usually a significant waist).

I do follow the rules about shoes though, choosing always a chunky heel over a delicate one. For me, that rule rings true as I always feel unbalanced (visually) in a delicate heel. plus they are more comfortable and easier for me (a long stride) to walk in.

I pick what I agree with, and ignore what I do not agree with. But the rules are good to know. I don't feel I know them all, and the rules change too. The wisdom of the wide leg pant seems to be dubunked by a few stylists now. (gok comes to mind)

KeepTheKey

(website)

I like to ignore the rules for an hourglass shape, because I find I can make many of the things that are supposedly off limits work, as long as I tweak them. Of course, sometimes I also say "to hell with the rules!" and wear things that are said to be unflattering without any alterations, and I enjoy them just as much. I can't always show off my tiny waist, right?

Ariadne

Veteran

Usually, but not always. Sometimes pure pragmatism, or.love for a particular trend, wins out. I have to tread carefully, though, because I find I usually end up not feeling as good in less conventionally flattering outfits, even when I'm consciously choosing to break the rules! That's just me, though, and I admire and aspire to be a bit more like posters like Anma, who can break the rules with flair, skill and aplomb. It takes a certain combination of confidence and expertise that I'm still developing.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I am a 2/4 hourglass, but if you look at my photos, I do not photograph like a thin tiny girl! So for the most part, at least 95% of the time, I stick to hourglass rules. I just feel happier and content when I do - but then, my favorite, favorite look/theme/motif in all the world is a cinched or corsetted waist, because I love love love costume and period looks and influences. I don't feel like my creativity or options are limited in any way, and I usually feel like I have more options for looks and outfits than I know what to do with.

Anonymous

I have to really love a trend to break the figure-flattery rules. I'm much better about that than I used to be, for the reasons Gigi wisely mentioned. When I dogmatically stick only to a few silhouettes, I'm not necessarily happy with how my outfits turn out. My body type is similar to yours (I'm a bit bigger, though) and I got SO BORED with wearing bootcuts and a fitted shirt or tee all the dang time. It's still a fallback combination for me, but I'm a lot happier with my wardrobe now that I have other things to choose from.

I hear you on practicality winning out, at least most of the time. It can be a challenge to figure out how to look fashionable while picking clothing that can stand up to the wear-and-tear of the MOTG lifestyle. I give mad props to the women who wear heels to the grocery store, but it ain't happening in my world.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I guess I do, but I don't think of it as "following rules". I just wear what I think looks good on me and is comfortable. Usually those things are not mutually exclusive. Mind you, I'm a slender rectangle. a shape which allows quite a few options. One of the best options is a tomboy look, which happens to be in line with my preferences. I'm in touch with my masculine energy, lol.

I do love to look feminine at times too, and among these looks there are some my body can pull off no problem, and a few that are truly better suited to a definite hourglass shape. I've tried them more than once, but they never work. For example, I love the look of a high contrast belt placed right across the natural waist, which on an hourglass emphasizes the enviable hip-to-waist ratio, but on me just looks awkward. I try it every now and then, but always abandon it. Better to wear a low-slung hip belt, or leave the belt off altogether.

vibgyor004

Hi, I m an hourglass too! Post YLF, I have started dressing according to my body type and I try to do that most of the time but not all the guidelines work right for my high hip hourglass body so I do bend them according to what suits me more! There are days when I think I am not dressed for my body type at all, i mean i feel the frump...those days I do accessorize well, wear nice earrings or a fancy pair of shoes or a statement ring/ necklace or take a nice handbag out just to take the focus away from the clothes and trust me that day I get good compliments from my tiny toddler!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am a real proponent of dressing for the life you live. But that doesn't mean ignoring figure flattery. As Gigi said, if you know the rules, you can seek a balance.

Here's what I might do in your situation:

Figure out what the rules say.
Imagine one entire outfit that would (a) follow the figure flatter rules and (b) work for your actual lifestyle.
Create that outfit. Wear it a few times. See how it compares to your options.

For an X hourglass in wintery weather, that might mean...

a casual A line skirt or dress, tights or leggings, knee high flat boots (to de-bombshell), topper as needed.
bootcut or straight leg jeans with a semi-tucked sweater or top, low heeled booties.
skinnies tucked into knee high boots, with a loose top, covered by a more fitted jacket over top to indicate the waist.
a tunic top and skinnies of the same colour value with low heeled booties. This would be to avoid the high-contrast cut in half issue you refer to.

E

Veteran

Yes and no. I definitely follow my personal rules as to what works for my body type, that I figured out via trial and error. I'm almost always either in a full skirt or slim trousers with a round neckline top, because I feel best in those clothes. But I have no qualms about waist surrendering or leg shortening looks (and I almost always wear flats, despite my shortness and proportionally short legs). And occasionally I'll love something else about a clothing item so much I don't mind that it breaks my rules. I don't get bored wearing the same 2-3 silhouettes over and over, but that's because I still feel like I have plenty of room to play with colours and textures and accessories and other variations on the theme. Like a sonnet: the structure stays the same but the poems are infinitely various. It's interesting to me how different people need different amounts and types of variety when they get dressed! I would never be happy with a tiny wardrobe or just 3 colours, so I can understand why others would want to change silhouettes more.

Anonymous

For the most part, I do. I'm a neat hourglass, not a full hourglass, so I have a little more flexibility when it comes to style. I don't feel like I always have to emphasize my waist, and in the summer I wear capris even if they shorten my legs. What else can I do when it's hot, for Pete's sake? Some rules just need to be taken with a grain of salt.

4babiesMe

Suz, thanks for the suggestions!

And thank you, everyone, for your comments. It's interesting to see the different takes on "the rules." I guess we all have our own personal sense of style, even if that means breaking those rules sometimes. It's about what makes us feel fabulous.

Emily

Veteran

Not anymore! Bo-ring. I am an hourglass as well and I wear loose tops and skinnies all the darn time. In fact, I'm doing it right now

I posted this on Neel's "do you purge?" post, and I think it applies here as well:
I had an art teacher who said something to the effect that beginner students try to be very precise and accurate, then once they are comfortable with that they let themselves be more creative and allow their work to be more their impression of the subject than a copy. Personally, I experienced the same journey style-wise. A couple of years ago I was very picky and felt uncomfortable in any style that wasn't textbook flattering. Now I find that it just isn't as important as trying something new that makes me smile!

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Amy

(website)

Veteran

I don't always dress according to the rules for a pear, but do try to observe the rules for short waisted figures. I'm unhappy when unbalanced from top to bottom.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Another hourglass here, although, before my 40's, I considered myself a pear.

I think body type is just one of the pieces of "data" I use when choosing outfits. Amy's point is an example, being shortwaisted is something that affects her decision making process, too. For me, while I'm still an hourglass, I carry a little more of my weight in the midriff than I used to, and I've found that structure in a garment in this area is my friend --- a firm, slightly wide waistband and belt, a horizontal waist seam in a dress, all of these are far more flattering.

It sounds like leg lengthening might be a big priority for you. I wonder if tucking, or a faux-tuck, or semi-tuck, might not change the proportions for you in a positive way. Also, for me, a straight leg is my best "skinny" look, because I want my pants to skim my leg, but not cling to it. Straight legs that are modern, not "mom jeans" can be hard to find, but worth it!

In the "flowy top and skinnies" formula, I wear a dark pant, not as tight and stretch as a legging, but with more weight and structure. I favor a print in the top, and find it looks best with the structure of a jacket to balance. If you have a shorted, shaped jacket, it will restore the sense of a "waist" in your figure, too.

Windchime

Veteran

My mother used to tell me that, as a tall person with long legs, I should avoid vertical stripes. But the right kind of vertical stripe in a pant makes me very happy! I actually bought some tuxedo pants just a couple of weeks ago and feel great wearing them.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The body type dressing posts are guidelines - not rules. They are an effective starting point when you're stuck. That is all. There is only one rule on YLF. And you know what it is.

K. Period.

Veteran

I'm definitely a fan of that one rule of Angie's!

I follow most, but ignore some. I'm an IT. I still wear certain combos (boat necks with skinnies) that I love even though they emphasize my shape rather than creating balance. They make me happy and at the end of the day, that's my ultimate style goal, so I don't care that they don't make me look like an hourglass.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

As a child of the 60s I've seen rules come & go. When I was young the rules said match your shoes & bag, don't show leg between your boot & hem, don't wear pants to work.....& on & on. So the rules change My burning question is who makes the rules? Love what Angie says about this

Anonymous

Caro's right. I was born in 1961, and have seen a lot of fashions come and go. No need to stress over creating a certain silouette.