First step, let Angie help you get absolutely clear on your body type. Often we think we are this or that -- but it is tough to be objective about ourselves. All my life I thought I was a pretty pear. Hmmm. Well, maybe I was, as a teen, but probably not. Small busted slim hourglass/ rectangle with very slight IT tendencies, reporting for duty. Like, um, the opposite of what I thought.
Body type is number one. Then consider proportion. And colour. There are a zillion colour "systems" out there, and IMO it is crazy to get too religious about it, but it does help to know generally whether you suit cool or warm colours, and in what intensity range.
Some of us have found Kibbe's categories useful. Confusing as all get out, but also very instructive on line, proportion and detail that is harmonious with your personal features.
Another system is Carol Tuttle's Dressing Your Truth. I have not read the book and don't go along with everything she says (nor do I like her examples much), yet she is onto something in terms of the categories themselves. You can take a free five day "course."
But the best aid to figuring things out is to take photos. Experiment. Try things out. Consider which specific items and which clothes in particular make you feel wonderful. Think of your favourite outfits ever. Think specifically. What were the colours? The fabrics? The textures? What was the occasion? Level of dressiness or polish? Ask yourself if there are any common themes between one and another of your most loved outfits.
This might be very difficult to see at first. I remember when I tried this exercise -- my two very favourite outfits dated from the 80s. (Yup. I had been ignoring fashion for a long time!) One was faded jeans, Monk strap Doc Martens, a belt, a houndstooth B&W tweed blazer, a black turtleneck. The other was a silk two piece blue-grey midi dress with pumps and pearls.
All I could think was ?????
In retrospect, both were classic, simple (even minimal), strong, modern (jeans, jacket and dress were all very up to date silhouettes of the time), a bit trendy (the shoes and accessories were au courant). They also were comfortable and fit me extremely well; I could STRIDE in them. And they were polished (for their respective settings). In short, they were very "urban princely."
Taking pictures and looking yourself is helpful; asking for the forum's thoughts will speed your learning even more. Angie is a genius, but she works best with visuals!
