How do you add structure? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How do you add structure?

Greenjeans

Veteran

I'm intuiting that outfit structure is something that works for me but am not entirely clear on the concept. I get that waist definition and a strong shoulder line create structure. What other elements help an outfit appear structured? If you're someone who prefers structure, is it something you consider when shopping (do you only buy structured items)? Or do you add structure when you get the item home via styling?

Is a boxy jacket structured or do you need waist definition for an outfit to appear structured?

Is structure associated with a certain type of dressing? (Is structure preppy? Is it vintage? Is is glam?) Or can you find it across all styles?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Anonymous

I believe you can find structure across all styles. I am NOT preppy, vintage or glam, for example, and wear my own hybrid of silhouettes . Yet, I pretty much always add something to give the outfit structure or I feel like a shapeless, dowdy blob. Which does happen anyways , but I try not to look like that A jacket or coat (duster weight for inside) is almost always my solution. I find an architectural earring also adds the sharpness and definition I like - when the outfit is softer or flowier....

Greenjeans

Veteran

Ha! I love that you used the word "architectural," lisa p., because that was going to be my next question. Does architectural equate structure?

Anyway, I adore this thought that adding an architectural earring adds structure. It sounds like you're saying structure is a defined outline?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No Green Jeans, you don't need to define the waist to create structure. Not at all. A boxy jacket can have a structured shoulder line and sleeves, for example.

You might find this post helpful:

https://youlookfab.com/2014/05.....an-outfit/

Personally, this us how I do it, but not all at once!

Shorter lengths on fluid and boxy tops
Tailored sleeves
waist definition on midi dresses and skirts
Shorter lengths on sack dresses
shirt collars
scrunched sleeves
high necklines
semi tucks and full tucks
impeccable shoulder fit
dainty footwear

Joy

Veteran

I roll my sleeves and cuff or peg my pants, add a structured jacket to loose dresses and semi-tuck or full tuck tops.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Hey, thank you, Angie, this is clarifying!

"Impeccable shoulder fit" is my new shopping mantra.

I'm also feeling inspired to attend more to necklines.

Lesley

Veteran

Such an interesting question, and interesting to brush up on the topic with the post!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great, Green Jeans. For example, look at my boxy chore jacket. Lots of structure on the shoulder, neckline and sleeves:

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Jules

Veteran

Exposed forearm and ankle/lower calf. Deep V neck on sleeved midi dresses.
X shape ie/ if attempting wide legged culottes, need a top that broadens the shoulders.

The Cat

Veteran

I usually don't give much thought to the subject of structure. However, as I reread Angie's useful blog post from 2014, I nodded along and found that I DO add structure to my outfits, but almost unconsciously. I like to wear items that are somewhat tailored and fitted, and I often feel it natural to wear things like collars and belts.

SarahD8

Veteran

Such an interesting discussion!

I am someone who generally prefers NOT to define the waist. (My natural body lacks waist definition, and I've found that most of my attempts to create the illusion of a waist instead point out the lack of it.)

Instead I create structure primarily with:
-fitted bottoms (paired with looser/fluid items on top)
-tailored shoulders and sleeves
-openness at the neckline

I think it's interesting that Angie says she creates structure with high necklines but I create structure with open ones. I suspect we are both correct and our different structure strategies reflect our different body types/features.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SarahD8, you are bang on the money!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Nodding along with everything on this thread. Some of the elements that add structure for me are: great shoulder fit, exposed calves and lower arms, angular necklines, and pointed shoes. I also try to get my hair to look more angular than round, if that makes any sense!

Julie

This is great, thanks for bringing up the question. One of my "style goals" this year is to pay more attention to incorporating structure into my outfits! I never thought of the vneck in this way, but I do love them. I've been trying to be more intentional about pairing flowy pants with form-fitting tops and vice versa.

April

Veteran

My personal analogy is tents. There are billowy wedding tents with masses of soft fabric, and there are tightly structured tents where every panel of fabric is secured in some way. Similar notion.

If you took a billowy tent and tied up the billowy side panels, you'd create something more structured.

ChristelJ

Veteran

Such a helpful thread. I struggle with adding structure when it's hot. If one is only wearing a flowy dress, or a soft top with crops or shorts, how to add structure without adding another piece? If skin on arms or legs is already showing, maybe that's structure enough....choice of footwear would certainly be a factor, too. I'm intrigued by the idea of angularity Shevia mentions. Angular neckline or hems might add.

lyn67

Veteran

Structure is a concept I always applied myself unconsciously but mastered here from Angie on YLF!
I suspect shorter lengths on certain type of items (like Angie said) means with other words they let showing off some skin (for ex. on ankles with cropped pants or cut out booties, sandals; on forearms(scrunched sleeves) or even collar bones, with boat necks, etc.) or body lines (by let show off a more tailored fit of a clothing item from underneath (for ex. a shorter boxy top, chore jacket will let show off some good fitted tailored hips for ex.). Or am I wrong?

Anonymous

Nodding along with Jaime . Hair MUST be structured too .

lyn67

Veteran

Hah, Shevia said a good word here-"angular".

Does structure mean always "angular" and NOT "round"?
Or is rather about achieving clean geometric lines(and that can include the round, too?)
Then, think body parts vs. cuts and design elements to achieve the look of structure!
Anyway, I nowadays wondered about what it is a perfect shoulder fit for me as with age and putting on weight I now have a sloppy shoulder line and bigger upper arms which then come out rounder/out from underneath the so called perfect shoulder seams- so, yes- I have better luck creating structure on my shoulders with some amount of shoulder pads which correct roundness to angular.
Then, will showing off some of our natural curves(female roundness) add more structure to an outfit than hiding them flat(for angular)?

Eliza

Veteran

This is a great topic. I am a seeker of structure. Learned here that showing a bit of ankle or skin above the wrist can add structure to an outfit. My hair is voluminous and at times wavy; regular maintenance of a structured cut is needed. I love angles, but am not angular. Enter diagonally cut items, (sometimes asymmetrical) or prints with lines on an angle that create architecture. Agree that a long narrow earring helps and I would be nowhere without a great collection of toppers of varying styles, seasons, and lengths. If they are more fluid, what is under them is not. My bags generally are architectural and I love an interesting shoe that showcases ankle bones.

Will follow this with interest.

Helena

Veteran

Hi there, I always immediately think 'jacket' when I hear 'structure', but actually I think for my casual style, I've learned to create casual structure with:

semi-tucking knit tops so the waist (and belt) shows
cropped or neat lengths on pants
neat-fitting clothes
sometimes, a collar shirt under a sweater
neat hair that doesn't fly around
minimal movement - I avoid the overly drapey, swishy, jingly or flappy. I think if I did a swishy skirt, I would probably overcompensate elsewhere with additional structure

And, when the excuse for a blazer comes up, I'm not opposed to that either!

Liesbeth

Veteran

Structure may be the only thing in outfit building that comes naturally to me :).
For me, it’s mainly about fabric (preference for wovens, textured knits, midweight to heavy), cut (e.g. collars, shaping seams, in-built shoulder padd...), and fit (oversized must be boxy, not fluid, and preferably with structure around the neck-shoulder point as Angie bezutifully puts it).
I instinctively choose many strucured items because they make me feel pulled together.
In summer I add at least a pair of chunky booties or sandals to add structure, and feel best with a denim jacket on top.

Sal

Veteran

Interesting thread. I think we all do it many ways...,, my hair is not structured - but I do prefer some structure in my clothes.

Things that make me feel too unstructured include-
- flared long pants with round toe shoes
- oversized tops and bottoms together
- oversized top with oversized jacket
- waterfall cardigans
- most jersey tunics and long tops.

LaPed

Veteran

I desperately need a haircut and definitely notice that my hair is lacking structure! I like clean lines and angles, and if it's soft all over I feel it doesn't suit me as well.

I also add structure through scrunched/rolled sleeves, cuffed pants, full and semi tucks, belted waists, tailored fits, and sturdy "menswear" fabrics. Probably others I can't think of.

It's interesting that Angie mentions dainty footwear; I find that many feminine shoes (ballet flats, mules, etc) are too slipper-like to provide a structured look. A pointy toe would probably help, but is uncomfortable for my feet. I tend to see sturdy boots or chunky platforms as more structured.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

La Ped, that would depend entirely on the shape of your feet and your style

Chunky shoes are grounding for your style and feet. A structure of sorts. Agreed. They are less structured on my feet because the aren’t tailored and sleek. My feet swim around in most chunky styles.