what looks good on you - YouLookFab Forum

RoseandJoan

Sort of would be the short answer, I have learned the necklines and silhouettes that flatter my body shape but prefer to wear what feels right. It's what Angie would classify as just flattering enough.

3 years ago

Synne

Veteran

I have tried and failed a lot, experimented with different silhouttes and cuts. It is also very useful to use full lenght mirrors, make sure to also see yourself from the sides and from behind (can be truly shocking, lol). Another
good tip is to take outfit photos. Can you notice a pattern in what makes you feel good in an outfit? I am also trying to analyze what works on celebs and other people with MY body type. And the Kibbe-id system has been helpful to me.

3 years ago

Veruca

Active Member

I've made many fashion mistakes. I now only wear what suits my apple shaped body. Always draw attention to the best parts of your body ie I have big boobs that I hate so wear scarves to hide them, long jumpers to hide a flat bottom, leggings if you have great legs or wide pants if you don't or a gorgeous maxi. Read up on what suits your particular shape and shop accordingly. Always check your outfit in a full length mirror.

3 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

Yes, I know a great deal about it.

I guess that you have a feeling of at least a few things that compliment your body. It might be certain styles, items, lines, lengths, colours, patterns or textures ... And you can learn a lot more from websites like this one and insideoutstyleblog.com. Explore the YLF Archives here:
https://youlookfab.com/archive/

3 years ago

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

The thing is, I've learnt that what 'suits' you is actually subjective. If you're looking for the conventional figure flattering priorities (slim waist, long legs, bigger bust etc) then there's lots of resources out there for that. But if your figure flattering priorities are different, then just apply the opposite to what you read

E.g. I'm more of a pear/ hourglass shape. Growing up, I was therefore reading article after article about how I *MUST* wear wide legged trousers or A-Line skirts to hide the width of my hips/ curve of my bottom. But I always felt they made me look more dumpy than anything (especially as a petite who was also reading so much on how I should try to dress 'taller'). And like Veruca mentioned, I actually had nice legs (the assumption is that pears don't)! And NOW, to make things even *more* confusing, the Kardashian shape is now trendy! The people who used to make fun of my round rump are now doing squats to try & get one too! I knew I was onto something when I started tucking tops into high waisted bottoms years ago (back when mid-to-low-rise trousers & hiphuggers were still popular) - it worked best for ME.

My point is that figuring out your 'figure flattering priorities' (regardless of trends) should be your first action item. Angie has articles on this to get you started:
https://youlookfab.com/2015/11.....riorities/

3 years ago

Anonymous

Sometimes I feel I'd be suited overall to a different time- though not exactly sure what that time would be

I'm with Zaeobi in KK bum-shape. It may be "trendy" but they still don't make pants for us!

Truthfully it's a moving target. Even when you think you have it all sorted, the styles change and you end up having to rethink everything based on what's available. Luckily we have Angie to help us make sense of it

3 years ago

Helena

Veteran

I agree with Zaeobi and suntiger ... It's a moving target and also what matters most is what matters to YOU. As mentioned, Angie talks alot about figure flattering priorities; for example, the standard advice for me (small busted rectangle) is the try to create the look of curves, but I don't usually care so I don't worry too much I bet you have a better sense than you think and hope you'll stick around if you think we can help you out

3 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! Like others have said, it can be a moving target, and sometimes conventional wisdom just doesn't seem to fit, when it comes to your own preferences, personality, lifestyle, etc.

I've always had a pretty good sense of what works on my shape (which has gone up and down in size multiple times over the years but remains essentially hourglassy/pear with big hips and boobs). I've learned that I don't usually love playing up curves as much as I prefer sort of easing them out, trying to create elongating, vertical lines with my outfits -- gently shaped waists rather than cinching, low contrast between top and bottom rather than high, tailored or easy fits rather than the extremes of bodycon or oversized.

I think that trying on things with a good full-length mirror, and taking photos, can really help. I was kind of shocked when I started taking photos of my outfits -- some things like prints and certain style details really show up differently in a photo, and I notice things that don't seem evident in the mirror.

3 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I agree with Janet and that what looks good is constantly changing, even colors.

3 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Welcome! Currently my answer to your question is most of the time I do know. There is a big difference between figure flattering clothes and personal style. However, when I started reading posts on this forum, I had no clue about either style or figure flattery. I did not find it helpful to rigidly stick to the guidelines for my particular body type (ie. Pear, rectangle, apple, etc.). Some people on the forum have used David Kibbe’s work, but I also did not find that useful. Sorting my style preferences and developing a sense of what I like (hopefully also what flatters) took time and experimentation. One of the more helpful early suggestions I received was to look at a book called The Triumph of Personal Style by Carla Mason and Helen Villa Connor. The book provided a way to think about what might be flattering by analyzing my personal features. An example would be to look at whether your frame is skeletal, muscular, mounded or some combination (definitions provided in the book), etc. Depending on the answer, different weights and drapes of fabric might be more complementary. I rounded out my understanding by reading Angie’s posts. In the end, this forum has been the best and most helpful resource. Good luck!

3 years ago

Sloper

Veteran

I've always felt that my body is bizarre/way out of normal proportions. I'm very self-conscious and teasing hit me hard as I was growing up. Didn't help to grow up in the 60's and 70's diet culture when there were no "normal" "plus" or "curvy" models in the media.

It's been a lifetime of trial and error in many dressing rooms to find things that I think work. And even now (age 60+) I still wonder!! I was too insecure to ask for help or opinions - and I think I've wasted alot of time (and probably $$$ too) by struggling on my own.

Zaeobi's comments resonate with me. I've always had lots of "junk in the trunk" and discovered quite a while ago that tops tucked into hi-waist pants work well. I think I'm taller than Zaeobi, so fortunately wide legs pants look ok too.

But I still tend to fall back on loose untucked tops to cover the bum - however, because I also have a full bust - I look like I'm wearing a circus tent or refrigerator box. I'm making a concerted effort to wear more fitted tops, and invest in really good bras.

And, after many years, only now am I looking for more fitted bottoms (guess I do have to thank Kim K for that!).

Anyway, while I'm relatively new here, this group seems very welcoming, kind and generous with comments and critiques. I hope you can find some info/tips here that help.

3 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

It’s really quite complicated. I can’t tell at all if a garment will look good while on the hanger. There are a few things that I know don’t work well for me - like tailored shirts and fabrics with no ‘body.’ Princess seams are my friend. But there’s also the fact that I don’t love bodycon... I love clothing bells and whistles which inevitably hide the body... ruffles, architectural sacks, that sorta thing. I am more interested in interesting outfits than ones that make me look good, if you know what I mean.

3 years ago

cat2

Veteran

It wasn’t until I was in a Dutch museum in my late twenties that I saw a representation of a woman with my figure. It’s hard feeling like you don’t exist, or were left behind in the Renaissance. I go with what is supposed to be figure flattering for my shape, except when it comes to pants, where I will cheerily wear culottes, crops and other purportedly stumpifying cuts.

3 years ago

suzieq

Active Member

For me, it’s all about illusion dressing. I highlight what I consider to be my best assets, & hide what I consider to be my problem spots. I also take into account my short stature & curvy body when choosing which silhouettes look best. I find that a full-length mirror tells no lies, & makes me aware of how an outfit looks on me.

3 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I am mostly focused on what doesn't look right on me.

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oddly, I find that if I go with what I like instead of trying to do a thing, I usually do better. See my recent experiments at wearing a corduroy skirt with bare legs, lol.

A couple things trip me up these days though—I tend to forget that bubble butt has melted into soggy pancakes, and I’m always fighting a potbelly tendency. Like Zaoebi and others here, my ideals aren’t always the conventional ones. Besides preferring a high & round backside, I also like having a broad back and shoulders. Those came naturally back when I was a competitive swimmer. These days, I’m trying to build them up again. That apparently goes against what women “should” want our bodies to look like. So if I see something on how to downplay broad shoulders, I make sure to do the opposite.

3 years ago

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