A rectangle looks best in straight or semi-fitted styles that enhance her angular shape. Rectangles normally avoid belts because they call attention to their waistline, however there are two types they can wear effectively: a narrow belt, color-matched to the garment, with an eye-catching buckle or a low-slung belt or chain belt worn asymmetrically.
A rectangle looks best in straight or semi-fitted styles that enhance her angular shape. Rectangles normally avoid belts because they call attention to their waistline, however there are two types they can wear effectively: a narrow belt, color-matched to the garment, with an eye-catching buckle or a low-slung belt or chain belt worn asymmetrically.
A triangle needs to balance her body shape by calling attention to her slimmer upper body, visually minimizing hips and maintaining the waistline definition of her curvy silhouette.
The goal for an oval shape is to strengthen his or her shoulder line to balance middle body fullness. Straight styles, without darts or princess seams to shape the waist, work best for this figure. Tops generally look better worn out rather than tucked in. Jackets from fingertip to duster length are the most flattering.
An inverted triangle needs to balance her proportions by minimizing her upper body and emphasizing her trim lower body. This figure is flattered by wearing a low-slung belt, worn asymmetrically. Like the rectangle, an inverted triangle usually prefers to wear her tops untucked, skimming her waist area.
An hourglass woman looks best in styles that repeat, or at least allude to her curved shape and defined waist.
A Glamour magazine survey confirms what has long been suspected. Over 95% of American women are dissatisfied with some element of their body proportions. That often-unjustified dissatisfaction makes it hard for women to objectively evaluate their body type and choose garments that will flatter them. Most importantly, the biggest style mistakes are of women trying to hide some imagined figure flaws.
The relative proportion of color or design elements can make or break a look. A balanced 50:50 ratio is usually dull and uninspiring. Unbalanced proportions are more pleasing to the eye. For example, pair a shorter jacket with a longer skirt or trousers. A longer jacket works best over a short skirt, not a mid-calf one. The ideal is to create a 3:5 ratio – the so-called Golden Mean. But a simpler 1:2 ratio is almost equally effective. In evaluating proportion in an ensemble be aware that components other than the actual garment may need to be considered. For example, black tights appear as an extension of a black skirt. Dark brown hair extends the visual area of a dark brown jacket.
