Small-scale details on not-so-small bodies (really long) - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Small-scale details on not-so-small bodies (really long)

Day Vies

Veteran

I've had a long-standing grievance with the general admonition that
women who are, curvier, voluptuous, larger, (insert your euphemism here)
etc. should only wear large scale jewelry, prints or details because
smaller more delicate details get "lost" on our frames. This grievance
was reignited when Beth Ann posted the following on a thread of mine because of a pendant necklace I wore this weekend:

"I've not been wearing my more delicate pieces, because I sometimes
wonder if they, because of their scale, make me look bigger by
comparison"

Now I'm not saying that the general rule is altogether wrong, but what I am saying is this "advice" discourages experimentation. It forces women to put themselves into a box (a negative one at that!) believing that unless they are small or some amorphous ideal of small that small details should be avoided.

Perhaps it's a leap but I've always felt that this thinking suggests that women
who aren't small are less feminine. Smaller more delicate things are
inherently feminine to me. Have you ever noticed this or am I just
overly sensitive?

I decided to play around with scale in today's outfit to prove that small scale details can work on curvy girls. I chose a blouse with an all-over smaller print, and a skinny belt as my small-scale details. Sometimes the details don't need to stand out on their own or be taken in all at once -- for me it's enough that the entire effect is sufficiently compelling to keep the eye engaged.

I added a thick black belt because the blouse is a wee bit too big and
the larger belt holds everything in place (I'm not going to the tailors
anytime soon so I have to make this work in the meantime). I really like
the effect.

I am wearing:
Polka dot Blouse - Merona (Target)
Trouser Jeans - Old Navy
Red Belt - Dorothy Perkins
Black Belt - Simply Vera Wang (Kohl's)
Trench - Land's End
Bag - Dooney & Bourke large zip zip

I'd really like to know your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Please share.

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

46 replies

Latest reply was from Day Vies

Kristin L

Veteran

I think the small print looks great on you! I don't remember hearing about how larger women should stay away from dainty/smaller pieces. I'm curious to see what others have to say.

Vildy

Veteran

This is one of my favorites of your outfits, so I guess you've proven it works.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I never heard this. Sounds dumb.

You look great! Love that top!

Day Vies

Veteran

Maybe this is a secret they save to whisper in the ears of us more rounded women when they see up purchasing dainty pieces

amiable

Veteran

Wow - it looks stunning! I've heard (and read) that advice too - and it always confuses me, because I can't figure out where on that spectrum I am. (I suppose that's my own problem though).

You certainly have shown how to carry off small prints! This is one of my favorites of yours too!

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I think Inside Out Style had something about choosing flattering prints recently. Helpful to a point, but if I like something, I'm going to try it regardless of what the "rules" say and form my own opinion on whether it works on me or not. Short, small women are not supposed to wear large scale jewelry but I ignore that because that's the kind of jewelry I like. I think you look beautiful and this totally works for you!

Aziraphale

Veteran

I have heard this too. It's the flip side of "small women should not wear large prints or it will overwhelm them". Like any fashion "rule", I take it into consideration, then ignore it if I think I know better. I think it's a rule because like all basic optical illusion stuff it's sort of true -- a small pattern on a big piece of fabric looks smaller, and a large pattern on not very much fabric looks larger. But I don't think it necessary follows that smallness is more feminine, or that looking more feminine is inherently better. I personally prefer to dress androgynously about 75% of the time, hiding my waist in a way that is definitely not feminine. I don't do it because I think it looks bad, obviously! I do it because I like how it looks.

I think you look fantastic in that outfit, by the way.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

You look adorable!!! I love it. Small-scale looks just that to me -- small-scale. It doesn't make anything else around it look bigger.

Day Vies

Veteran

You all are so supportive and smart (disregarding horrible advice where appropriate). I'm glad I ignored it too.

deb

Veteran

I have never understood this 'rule'. It makes no sense to me and agree with you that it depends on how the item is used and the overall effect it has in an outfit. You proved this myth incorrect by putting together this beautiful outfit that looks wonderful on you.

MsMaven

Veteran

Your outfit looks great. You've experimented with color, scale and proportion and it works in a fabulous way.

I've heard and read this advice for years. I suppose it has some use as a starting place. Scale, line and proportion are important, but they aren't the only factors. I think personality is equally important.

Unfortunately, a lot of yesterday's "rules" and helpful advice just ended up making women feel inadequate.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think you look great! One of your best outfits! I've heard that advice too - although usually in reverse - small women should avoid large prints, jewelry, etc. I think it's something to take with a grain of salt - all bodies are unique and fashion is very subjective.

Glory

Veteran

Well you look fabulous! I think if I followed all of the rules written for me: short, over 50 etc etc, I might just have to hang in a bathrobe all day

Diana

Veteran

You look great and I think that rule is silly! There will always be both big prints and small prints that do not suit any particular person. It has nothing to do with size.

Although sometimes it does have to do with design. Not with prints so much but with design elements like lapels or pockets, if they are not proportionally sized up with the rest of the garment, it can look a bit out of place. But of course that has nothing to do with the wearer and everything to do with the designers and manufacturers.

I really love the double belt. So clever!

Anonymous

Hot damn, you look fine DV! I think all rules are meant to be : 'ignored/adhered-to/ tweaked as you see fit'... delete as appropriate
YLF!

always trying

Veteran

Small prints, etc. on larger women is something I have never herd of either. AND IMO some of those large print dresses look like wearing the drapes off the wall, and not good on anyone,, but that is just my opinion. One of the things that bothers me though are very large wedgies on very thin legs.

rachylou

Veteran

You look sharp! Are you wearing the skinny belt over a wider belt? (I'm a little confused, as per normal ;>). I'd never heard that rule before (see previous parentheses). I have to agree with what you've said. I mean, I can see a little tiny pendant on big chain as being useless, but on people... it all depends. Delicate pendant on short delicate chain is something that I'd think would work on all people.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You are a true master of proportions, DV! The small print is perfectly balanced by the strong contrasts in color value, and the red narrow belt highlights your waist beautifully. I agree with the others, this is one of your best outfits ever

The rule is not new to me either, and it is silly if taken to literally, but as a starting point it could provide some guidance, I think. Too dainty or too big is not a good look on any frame. The best rules are those that bend, don't you agree?

jayne

Veteran

No opinion on the rule, never heard it before but being a big girl I admit that I struggle with thin belts and delicate necklaces. Maybe that I don't know how to pick the right one, or wear it. But I love your belt over belt combination

Echo

Veteran

DV, you look fabulous, as usual. I think you have a particularly good eye for what works and what doesn't, and so the "rules" are meant to be broken. In other words, "rules" are easy ways for people withOUT a good eye to try to conform to society's expectations of feminine beauty (which is a whole other can of worms that I won't even try to open right now).

However, there were two women who wrote a fashion book or two (I think they may have been on the telly as well). One of them was a little larger than the other, but they based the ideas of jewelry scale on frame size instead. So although one woman was bigger than the other, she had a finer bone structure and so she chose finer, delicate pieces of jewelry. The smaller woman had "bigger bones" (despite being thin - no euphemisms here) and so she wore chunkier pieces of jewelry.

But again, those are just a different version of rules, IMO. The mirror ought to be the ultimate rule-maker for everyone; if you like what you see there, then it's all good!

Day Vies

Veteran

Absolutely Ingunn -- the best ones are the ones that bend. I just think it's unfortunate that this is the rule that sticks in people minds rather than more helpful rules like perfect pant lengths or proper jacket fit.

Echo - I love your synopsis of the scale issue. I do believe it depends on features and it makes sense that between the two women you described that the reverse of this rule should be true between the two of them.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am all for celebrating the curves of a woman's body and just adore your style. Who are these silly people who make these rules that the general population quote and use to keep ourselves in a box??? We have to stop doing this. I only say, I don't like how this works on me, after trying things for myself

Adelfa

Veteran

I've always thought of myself as big boned and chunky (I'm 5'5"). But I love my small symbolic pendants and will never give them up! So thank you!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

That's just like the rule that I shouldn't wear larger prints because I'm only 5 feet tall. "Phooey" I say! It's all in what you pair the prints with, what article of clothing the print is on and the confidence in which you wear it. You got that in spades DV and look SMASHING in this outfit and don't let anyone tell you otherwise

Day Vies

Veteran

Shannon -- absolutely, it's how you're wearing the print and what it's paired with.

Eliza

Veteran

DV- You look so good in that outfit and agreed, the context of the choice is key. I think a lot of not so great looks can come from taking an isolated "rule" here and an idea there, trying to cookbook your way to fabulousness.

That's what I respect so much about Angie and this site. Variables to consider when creating a look are discussed, context is provided and everyone has their own preferences, style goals and lifestyles. It is dynamic and a work in progress. People are having fun and thinking. Two of my favorite things!

I really like your use of color and proportion here. Smile worthy head to toe.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

DV, you look stunning! No question about that.

I have heard this guideline before, and as the others say, I believe that like many of these ideas, we need to take it with a big (and I mean big) grain of salt. There is some truth behind the idea. A teeny tiny piece of jewellery will get lost on a big frame...or, as Diana says, "gamine" detailing (not necessarily pattern, which is different) will look fussy or silly on a larger boned or taller woman. Or even one whose facial features do not support it.

It's so highly personal, and has to do with personality as much as with size and body shape.

For example, my big bold striped skirt, of the other day. I'm 5'4" and have a relatively small frame. (My bone structure is actually on the small side of medium, according to the charts.) Not only that, but my colouring is quite low contrast. But I chose to buy and wear that high contrast, large scale pattern skirt, and I venture to say that it suits me. Why? Because I'm not afraid of sticking out a bit. My personality lives up to its demands.

Meanwhile, you are always polished, gracious, and ladylike. And classic! So a classic pattern like polka dots in any size is a no-brainer for you! In this case, the dots look super fab with the tight curl of your hairstyle -- injecting a bit of fun or whimsy. Meanwhile, the red, black and white colour scheme amps up the power of this look to make it suited to your intelligence and determination and drive. All in all, it's perfect for you. Because you have an inherent sense of what's right for you that no rule can comprehend.

cobaltblue

Veteran

I love what Suz just said, that her "personality lives up to its demands." That fits you perfectly, too. Your personality seems to bubble forth joyously and trumps any rule re: structure or size.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I've only ever heard it the other way around. That a large print dwarfs a tiny person so our smaller sisters should wear prints that don't look like upholstery.

I was saying that tongue in cheek but I really do only recall the warning for the tinier women.

12