structure

How to Evaluate a Garment for Comfort

by Sally on September 14, 2011 · 40 comments

We’ve already covered how to evaluate a potential purchase for quality and longevity, but what about comfort? I mean, aside from the obvious – does it itch, pinch, pull, or otherwise irritate you from the moment you pull it on – are there ways to determine if a garment will be comfortable under multiple circumstances, and on a longer timeline than its initial dry run in the dressing room?

Funny you should ask.

Wear it as you would in real life.

I’m a big proponent of the Shopping Catsuit: A neutral tank and pair of leggings that needn’t be removed in the dressing room to gauge overall fit. However, you probably don’t wear a Shopping Catsuit on a daily basis, and when investigating overall comfort, you need to give a garment a dressing room test run that is as close to “real use” conditions as possible. Don’t slip on a skirt over your leggings unless you’ll always wear it with leggings. How will you know if the waistband digs, if the seams flap or itch? Try it on as you’d wear it in real life, and make sure it’s comfortable under those conditions.

Sit down.

Most of you probably do the sit-down test for skirts and pants, but I HIGHLY recommend it for all garments including shirts, blazers, outerwear, underwear, and dresses. There are definitely jobs and tasks that require us to be standing for long periods of time, but no one stands all day and all night. So don’t just decide that skirt looks smokin’ hot as you twirl around in front of the mirror. Sit down, sister. Does it ride up? Pinch or pull? How about that button-down shirt? When you sit, does it pull across the bust and constrict your movement? And that darling dress? Still darling when you’re seated? If something is comfortable when you’re up, it had better be just as comfortable when you’re down.

Then stand up. Then sit down again.

You think I kid. It’s not just the sitting that’s important, it’s the interaction with your torso as you bend and contract. This test will also give you an idea of how easily fabric will wrinkle, and how sturdy construction feels as you move about.

Lift your arms straight in the air.

This helps test that all-important arm/shoulder mobility issue; Most tops and layers feel fab when you’re standing up and have your arms straight at your sides, but few of us remain in that position indefinitely. You want to know what’s going to happen when you need to get a jar of peanut butter or a ream of paper from a high shelf, and if this garment is going to impede you in any way. Again, you might know to try this out with shirts and blazers, but I encourage you to do it with everything. Pants, skirts, and dresses shift around and can become less comfy and more restrictive when you’ve got your arms extended, too.

Give yourself a hug.

I mean, obviously you deserve a hug. But also, wrapping your arms around yourself will give further information about arm/shoulder mobility. Also helpful in finding out if short and cap sleeves will dig into your arms depending on your position. Don’t do this with too much force, as even a beautifully-constructed blazer will tear if you yank too hard on its shoulder seams. And the self-hug won’t do much for pants, so you only need bother with tops, sweaters, dresses, and jackets.

Touch your toes.

Do you have any idea how often you lean over to pick stuff up? As someone with an ongoing back injury who has been forbidden to bend at the waist, lemme tell ya, it is WAY more often than you’d think. And when is a waistband most likely to burrow into your abdomen? When you’re bent double. Clearly, you’re not going to stay bent over so some discomfort is totally acceptable. But if something feels like it’s gonna slice you in half? Skip it.

Yes, that’s a lot of contortions. But it’s just you and the clothes in that fitting room, and going through these admittedly crazy-seeming motions can help you can screen out uncomfortable garments before ever leaving the mall.

How do YOU test a garment for comfort and fit? Do you utilize any of these tests yourself? Any others to recommend? What are your comfort-related sticking points?

Image courtesy Old Navy

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

{ 40 comments }

Reader Request: The Perils of Undergarments

by Sally on March 11, 2011 · 54 comments

A frustrated reader e-mailed me this request:

Between visible panty lines and those funny back fat folds that my bra creates, I feel like my underwear often ruins my look. I’m not willing (or frankly able) to wear spanx all the time. I’m not comfortable in a thong. I often wear high-cut panties to match the waist on my pants and skirts even though on their own they look like granny panties. Cotton undies are good for health reasons, but I’ll do microfiber if the fabric on my pants or skirts is thin. How to balance comfort in one’s undergarments with a desire to keep a sleek line in clothing? I’m not terribly concerned that the undies look sexy on their own. I just want them to create a sleek line under my clothes without pinching me or compressing me too much.

Undergarments exist in tremendous variety, but most are designed to cover, support, or both. Panties, slips, and camis cover our parts and help create smoother lines. Bras and shapewear support and re-shape parts of our bodies that are naturally soft.

Personally, I believe that undergarments designed to COVER should never pull, pinch, or subdivide the body in any way: If your slip digs into your midsection, size up, move the seam to a less fleshy part of your abdomen, or choose a style that has a wider, stretchier waistband. (I just bought one with a lace waistband and it is a revelation!) If your panties dig into your buns, try a different size, style, or material. It’s easy to get stuck in a panty rut – find a style that’s comfy and just buy in bulk – but if you wear close-fitting clothing or fret about panty lines, bear in mind that different styles will work better with different skirts and pants. The main thing to remember is that base layers meant to provide coverage shouldn’t mess with your body, they should work with it easily and seamlessly.

Support undergarments, on the other hand, are eternally problematic. Even champion athletes who are covered entirely in hard muscle generally get dented a little by bras and shapewear. Why? Because garments designed to support soft body parts need to be stiff and tight in order to do their jobs, and stiff, tight garments dig. They just do. If you want to support your breasts in front, you likely need a fairly snug fit around your ribcage. And snug means subdivision. On nearly all bodies.

I’ve heard some experts say that if your bra subdivides your flesh in back it’s the wrong size or style. That may well be true, I suppose, and if ALL of your bras dig, it might be time to get a bra fitting. Especially since our bodies shift all the time, and getting fitted once per year is always best practice. However, I feel that the backlash against “back fat” has gotten a little ridiculous. In recent months, I’ve seen at least a half dozen products designed specifically to combat “back fat,” which fuels the now-widespread belief that this it is some horrendous stylistic faux pas to be combated at any cost to your pocketbook and comfort.

Should you do everything in your power to present a sleek, smooth silhouette at all times? Yes. Should you seek out undergarments that make this as easy as possible? Yes. Should you have a DEFCON-1-level meltdown if you catch a glimpse of some “back fat” as you pass an obliging mirror? No, no, NO, NOOOO. Additionally, no. Life is too short to waste your energy on such matters, and no one else will care about these things nearly as much as you will.

Since procuring a set of undergarments that works for every outfit, every bloat level, and every occasion is a long, difficult, and costly process, here are some ways you can dress around imperfect undergarments:

  • Blazers: Nearly all blazers are crafted from thick, stiff, structured fabrics that will trump any squeezy bra. If you live in a warm clime, opt for lined linen or tropical weight wool.
  • Dusters and long cardigans: Since pantylines are typically in the rear, an outer layer that goes past your bum can mask some pinching.
  • Shawls and wraps: Learn to swathe yourself in drapey, loose layers right around your bra area and no one will see if your bra is digging in a bit.
  • Slips: Not only do these layers prevent skirts from sticking to tights, they work wonders in the concealment department. A clingy jersey dress won’t cling to your butt nearly as much if you’re wearing a slip. If your midsection is getting pinched, you can also try hiking your slip up and tucking it into your bra band. It will create a slippery layer between bod and clothing, so long as the outer layer doesn’t fit too snugly.
  • Cut and fit: Some garments are designed to cling and reveal, and for those, undergarments must fit impeccably. But nobody can even IMAGINE how your butt looks when you’re wearing a full, pleated, circle skirt. Nobody will examine your “back fat” levels if you’re wearing a cropped jacket. Even if you prefer a more tailored look overall, make sure your wardrobe has enough variety in it to encompass some looser, less fitted items.

As you can see, most of these options involve layering … which means they won’t work as well in the dead of summer. And they really are no substitute for cultivating a set of undergarments that works with, not against, the natural lines of your figure. But if you’re in a hurry, or it’s laundry day, or something comes up and you end up in imperfect undies, try one of these solutions out.

In terms of comfort, that’s a balancing act. Undergarments that support and sleek down CAN be comfy, but generally aren’t. So you’ll just have to prioritize as you dress. If you want to wear a fitted ensemble and will be driven crazy by lumps, you may have to resign yourself to shapewear and a less-than-comfy day. If you want some middle ground, try a combination of fitted items and a few of the tricks listed above. If comfort is the priority, screw the confining undergarments and focus on bodily happiness. Undergarments should never be implements of torture, but the styles that support and shape are unlikely to feel like PJs. So some days will be comfier than others.

That’s my take, anyway. What are your views on undergarments and fit? Do you tolerate some pinching and subdivision? Live in fear of “back fat” and do everything you can to mitigate it? Can anyone recommend other ways to dress around lingerie lines?

Image via Amazon.com.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

{ 54 comments }

Repost: Reader Request: The Side View

by Sally on August 31, 2010 · 21 comments

Reader Vildy asked for some input on how to flatter her profile. Since she feels she looks considerably more slender from the front than from the side, she asked for a side-view analysis and a few figure-flattery tips.

This is a question that is quite close to my heart. And so, my friends, it is time to properly introduce you to my tum.

First, here’s me from the front:


And now, from the side.


Helluva difference, no? Just like Vildy, I look considerably slimmer seen face-on. Not better, mind you, just slimmer.* And I have learned a number of tricks for minimizing my midsection bulge that I will now share … with the understanding that they are best suited to women whose natural waists are a bit smaller than their bellies. My guess is that those who appear proportioned from the front but less so in profile will be built similarly to me. And since Vildy didn’t specify, I’m going with that theory!

You apple-shaped ladies will find most of these tricks useless, I’m afraid – click here for a few apple-specific musings.

EMBRACE

1. Full skirts


A full skirt with a nipped-in waist will draw the eye to your narrowest point, and flare out stiffly from there, masking the tum entirely. SCORE.

2. Princess seams

Much of de-emphasizing the belly is about emphasizing the waist. Princess seams are ideal for this, as they nip in at the natural waist and float over the hips without clinging.

3. Belted button-down shirts


This is basically a way to create the effect of a full skirt while wearing pants. Belting at the natural waist emphasizes its slimness, and since button-downs are generally stiff, they’ll flare out naturally beneath the belt.

4. Belted floor-length skirts

Belt nice and high, and let pick a long skirt that is A-line or full. It’ll create volume lower on your body, but overall have the same effect as a shorter full skirt. This look works best if you’re average or above-average height. Shorties might get swallowed up by all that length …

5. Vintage-style shirtwaist dresses


Belting helps, but this style can work on its own, too. Make sure to find a frock that has waist definition and a flared skirt.

6. Fitted blazers


And I mean FITTED. This blazer is my ideal, as it is practically a corset. As with all of the other key pieces, it emphasizes the waist, flares out over the tum, and creates pleasing proportions.

AVOID

1. Dropwaists

I’m pretty well convinced that dropwaists look horrendous on all body types, but they’re particularly offensive on havers-of-tum. You’re basically making a snug packet for your entire upper body, from shoulders to hips. What a fantastic way to draw attention to your spare tire!

2. Empire waistlines


I know that many, many style experts declare this style to be a life-saver for anyone with some weight around the middle. And they DO work for some folks, but not for all. Depending on your build and the cut of the garment, empire waistlines can make the slimmest of us look preggers. If you’ve got a protruberant tum, do you really want to stir up those rumors?

3. Well, just general tightness

My tee was super tight, and my skirt was pulling across the belly and hips. Both of which drew attention to my middle. The giant floppy bow sprawled across my collarbone helped distract, but still. Overly tight clothing will cling and reveal, so make sure your clothes are fitted without being suffocatingly snug.

FOR WHEN YOU DON’T CARE

1. High-waisted skirts and pants

If you’re more concerned with emphasizing your waistline than disguising your tum, high-waisted bottoms are fantastic. But don’t expect a bump-free side view.

2. Sheath dresses

There’s that same pink dress from the top two photos. A true sheath features a pencil skirt-esque bottom half, and since you’ll have an unbroken line from shoulders to knees, there’s no way to disguise the tum. But hey, check out how hot I am in my sheath, tum and all.

3. Long, slim, fitted layers

Same basic concept as the sheath: It’s gonna hug your curves, both the ones you want to emphasize and the ones you want to mask. But if you want to play around with proportions and look cool instead of svelte, go for it.

Is your front view drastically different from your side view? Is it tum-related? If not, what causes the discrepancy? Do you do anything specific to mitigate?

*Please be aware that if you decide that your tum is bigger than mine, and I have no right to be self-conscious, I will not publish your comment. See this post for further explanation.

{ 21 comments }

Ex-squeeze Me?

by Sally on January 28, 2010 · 73 comments


So I’m curious: How do you feel about lumpage and bumpage? As in, are you willing to tolerate tights or panties or jeans that squeeze your midsection into … well, sections? When you pull on a pair of tights, do you suffer from Segmented Worm Syndrome, and tolerate it? Do you just accept that some bras are going to dig into your backflesh and wear thicker shirts to mask it?

Because let me tell you, I have ZERO TOLERANCE for such things. Oh, all right, I get segmented by my tights sometimes. But I hate it passionately and tug on them constantly and would rather have a pair that comes up to my bra-line than one that sits at my waist and squeezes. I buy my thongs in XXL because I cannot abide divided hipflesh. And I’ll own up to occasionally purchasing bras that don’t fit because it drives me bjonkers to have a lumpy back. (Don’t turn me in to the Fashion Police, please.)

My opinion is that if something is pushing your body around, shoving it outside the garment, chopping it up into segments, or otherwise fighting against its natural shape, it just doesn’t fit you. And I am willing to buy up five or six sizes, if necessary, to get something that sits peacefully against my parts. It’s more comfortable, it’s more flattering, and I’ll use it more.

But I am a medium-sized girl with relatively few sizing hang-ups.* It occurs to me that someone on the road to weight loss might be mortified at the thought of buying tights two sizes up, that women on the cusp of plus-sized might struggle to find thongs that WON’T bind, and that some things just segment and nothing to be done. Also that, depending on how you’re built, trying to find certain garments that don’t squeeze may feel like trying to find a talking unicorn with nine legs.

How do you feel about The Big Squeeze? Are you willing to work around it? If a garment is sized FAR larger than your baseline but fits better, will you buy it? Will you buy it but resent it? Where on your bod do clothes typically squeeze you, and how do you deal with it? What non-squeezy garments are hardest to track down?

*Emphasis on the relatively.
Illustration courtesy Nin(j)a.

{ 73 comments }

Reader Request: The Side View

by Sally on November 2, 2009 · 62 comments

Reader Vildy asked for some input on how to flatter her profile. Since she feels she looks considerably more slender from the front than from the side, she asked for a side-view analysis and a few figure-flattery tips.

This is a question that is quite close to my heart. And so, my friends, it is time to properly introduce you to my tum.

First, here’s me from the front:


And now, from the side.


Helluva difference, no? Just like Vildy, I look considerably slimmer seen face-on. Not better, mind you, just slimmer.* And I have learned a number of tricks for minimizing my midsection bulge that I will now share … with the understanding that they are best suited to women whose natural waists are a bit smaller than their bellies. My guess is that those who appear proportioned from the front but less so in profile will be built similarly to me. And since Vildy didn’t specify, I’m going with that theory!

You apple-shaped ladies will find most of these tricks useless, I’m afraid – click here for a few apple-specific musings.

EMBRACE

1. Full skirts


A full skirt with a nipped-in waist will draw the eye to your narrowest point, and flare out stiffly from there, masking the tum entirely. SCORE.

2. Princess seams

Much of de-emphasizing the belly is about emphasizing the waist. Princess seams are ideal for this, as they nip in at the natural waist and float over the hips without clinging.

3. Belted button-down shirts


This is basically a way to create the effect of a full skirt while wearing pants. Belting at the natural waist emphasizes its slimness, and since button-downs are generally stiff, they’ll flare out naturally beneath the belt.

4. Belted floor-length skirts

Belt nice and high, and let pick a long skirt that is A-line or full. It’ll create volume lower on your body, but overall have the same effect as a shorter full skirt. This look works best if you’re average or above-average height. Shorties might get swallowed up by all that length …

5. Vintage-style shirtwaist dresses


Belting helps, but this style can work on its own, too. Make sure to find a frock that has waist definition and a flared skirt.

6. Fitted blazers


And I mean FITTED. This blazer is my ideal, as it is practically a corset. As with all of the other key pieces, it emphasizes the waist, flares out over the tum, and creates pleasing proportions.

AVOID

1. Dropwaists

I’m pretty well convinced that dropwaists look horrendous on all body types, but they’re particularly offensive on havers-of-tum. You’re basically making a snug packet for your entire upper body, from shoulders to hips. What a fantastic way to draw attention to your spare tire!

2. Empire waistlines


I know that many, many style experts declare this style to be a life-saver for anyone with some weight around the middle. And they DO work for some folks, but not for all. Depending on your build and the cut of the garment, empire waistlines can make the slimmest of us look preggers. If you’ve got a protruberant tum, do you really want to stir up those rumors?

3. Well, just general tightness

My tee was super tight, and my skirt was pulling across the belly and hips. Both of which drew attention to my middle. The giant floppy bow sprawled across my collarbone helped distract, but still. Overly tight clothing will cling and reveal, so make sure your clothes are fitted without being suffocatingly snug.

FOR WHEN YOU DON’T CARE

1. High-waisted skirts and pants

If you’re more concerned with emphasizing your waistline than disguising your tum, high-waisted bottoms are fantastic. But don’t expect a bump-free side view.

2. Sheath dresses

There’s that same pink dress from the top two photos. A true sheath features a pencil skirt-esque bottom half, and since you’ll have an unbroken line from shoulders to knees, there’s no way to disguise the tum. But hey, check out how hot I am in my sheath, tum and all.

3. Long, slim, fitted layers

Same basic concept as the sheath: It’s gonna hug your curves, both the ones you want to emphasize and the ones you want to mask. But if you want to play around with proportions and look cool instead of svelte, go for it.

Is your front view drastically different from your side view? Is it tum-related? If not, what causes the discrepancy? Do you do anything specific to mitigate?

*Please be aware that if you decide that your tum is bigger than mine, and I have no right to be self-conscious, I will not publish your comment. See this post for further explanation.

{ 62 comments }

Showstopping Style on a Pauper’s Budget

by Sally on August 24, 2009 · 33 comments


I got about 16 hillion jillion requests for ways to look awesome on a stringent budget, and I HEAR THAT, kittens. I mean times are tight, for one thing … but shopping smart is best practice no matter what the economy is up to. So here are a few guidelines that can help you keep your look fresh, fun, and affordable even if you’re hurting for cash.

TIPS FOR LOOKING LIKE A BIG SPENDER
Buy Muted Colors
As The Budget Babe pointed out recently, blaring brights are super fun but muted tones look more expensive. When you’re trolling Target for tees, pick out raspberry red instead of fire engine red, steel blue instead of superman blue … anything with a little less saturation. You’ll be amazed how much classier those tones will play when paired with your neutrals.

Buy Brushed Metals
I love the shiny. LOVE the sparkly. But when I want to give off a chic, cultured-lady vibe, I reach for my brushed, matte jewelry every time. None of it was particularly costly, but it all looks sleek and mod and … well, spendy.

Buy Gray Instead of Black
Black is ubiquitous and it fades after a few washes. Gray is less common, gives off an upper-crust vibe, and is virtually fade-proof. Even if you’re not ready to delve into alternate neutrals, go for some gray to instantly up your chic quotient.

TIPS FOR LOOKING LIKE A TREND-HOUND
Buy Trendy Accessories, Not Clothes
Even if you can’t afford to buy this season’s hottest leather bomber or fabulous frilly frock at full price, you can probably find a way to work an of-the-moment accessory. Whether it’s a particular handbag shape, style of necklace, or type of shoe, chances are you can snap it up at a mall or thrift store for pennies on the dollar. Trendy clothes may be easy to procure, but they’re often shoddily made … and they show it. Trendy accessories are easy to get for cheap and generally don’t APPEAR to be cheap unless inspected closely.

Make a Trend Wishlist, and Thrift it
The three ladies pictured above are wearing plaid, harem pants, and florals. ALL thrifted. Nothing is new, kittens. Thrift for trends.

Check Your Closet for “In” Colors
Unless you live in a black and white world, you likely have some lurking items that qualify as super-stylin’ merely due to their hue. For fall? Amethyst purple, teal, and magenta. Got anything in those tones? Does your roomie/sister/boyfriend/girlfriend/mom?

TIPS FOR MAKING DO
Learn to Sew/Alter
Yeah, it’s a bit of an undertaking. But how fab would it be to do your own hemming? Add trim to boring old blouses and dresses? Even cook up your very own designs from re-purposed duds? Winter’s coming. Maybe some sewing lessons will make it fly by.

Polish Your Shoes
Artfully destroyed or worn-in shoes may look chic and rocker-ish, but scuffed and faded shoes just look dreadful. Colored shoe polish works wonders if you can match tone, and an oil sponge is positively miraculous on tanned leathers.

Dye Stained Garments
Waste not, want not! Want a fuchsia dress, and hate your old, pit-stained gray one? Pick up a pack of RIT and go to. A few words of warning, though: Only dye something you’re totally willing to throw away if the dye job gets botched, and don’t expect it to actually BE the color on the box.

Do any of these options ring your chimes? Other creative ways to keep your style fresh without breaking the bank? Lay ‘em on us!

Images courtesy (from left to right) caroline, zombielace, chickendinnercandybar, all via Missa‘s 100% Thrifted Flickr group.

{ 33 comments }

Counterintuitive Clothes

by Sally on August 12, 2009 · 44 comments


Here’s something I’ve learned firsthand from my style consultation business. It’ll be old news to many of you, but since it surprised the hell out of many of my clients, I thought it was worth a quick post!

Non-skinny people can look fantastic in fitted, tailored clothes.
Skinny people can look fantastic in loose, formless clothes.

Not a cut-and-dried dichotomy, by any means, as every figure is different. And, of course, taste and comfort levels influence decisions about looseness and fittedness as much as figure flattery does. But I’ve put plus-sized women in pencil skirts and petite women in flowy tunics, and both were amazed by how fantastic their bodies looked.

When you’re not skinny, voluminous clothes often conspire to make your BODY appear more voluminous. You may end up inadvertently creating the illusion of bulk where there is none. When you’re skinny, fitted clothes can be quite flattering, but depending upon your body shape, they may draw attention to your slenderness in ways you’d rather avoid.

When you’re not skinny, fitted clothes show off your actual figure. Your instincts may be to mask, but your best bet is often to reveal. Remember my mantra: It is more attractive to show the world an “imperfect” form than a formless mass.

When you’re skinny, volume adds whimsy to your overall look. Looseness must always be counterbalanced, and an unstructured top, tunic, or dress needs to be anchored by a fitted pair of pants, trim vest, or slim blazer. But slender limbs protruding from an avalanche of loose cloth can look fun and funky instead of unruly and unflattering.

Now, I generally prefer fitted clothes for women of ALL figures because I think that bodies are meant to be seen, not disguised. And, of course, volume works beautifully for some curvaceous figures and tailored works fantastically for some slight figures. Nothing hard and fast, here, as always. But having worked with makeover clients on both ends of the height and weight spectrum, I have been amazed by the unexpected flattery of instinctively-opposite styles on extreme figures. And so have the women I’ve made over!

It just goes to show that exploring options outside your established comfort zone can be extremely rewarding. You may not end up buying that sheath dress, but trying it on costs nothing. You may hate that deconstructed jacket, but no one will ever see it on you if it never leaves the fitting room. Don’t limit yourself because you think your body looks best only in certain styles, or because of arbitrary style rules. Let yourself branch out. See what happens. And this goes for EVERYONE, not just plusses and petites!

What say YOU to this? Personal experiences to contribute? Disagree completely? Agree but don’t know how to apply it to your own style? Let’s hear it.

Photos courtesy mamichan (right) and uneduex (left).

{ 44 comments }

Elements of Flattery

by Sally on October 30, 2008 · 21 comments


You’ve heard me spout endlessly about the importance of figure flattery. My little arsenal of tutorials was created specifically to help you decipher which styles work for your unique bod, and just this week I wrote about the importance of learning to flatter yourself stylishly. But what makes something a flattering piece or ensemble? What separates the cool and stylish from the staid but complimentary? What are the elements of flattery?

When I’m contemplating a potential clothing purchase, flattery figures into my decision-making process 99% of the time. And to determine if an item is truly flattering, I generally consider the following factors:

Cut
What is the shape of the garment? Does it give any hint as to the shape of the body inside it? If not, it will remain in the realm of the unflattering. Example: I love giant, boxy, slightly-cropped sweaters. LOVE them. And I’ll be damned if they don’t make me look like a burly construction worker. I can offset a boxy sweater with skinny jeans to create an artsy-cool look … but if I want to appear feminine and svelte, I need to pick another cut of sweater to flatter my figure.

Color
Do the colors within an outfit enhance or deaden your complexion, eyes, and hair? Do the colors within an outfit play well off of each other, or do they fight for attention? In my experience, color, or lack thereof, is the most neglected element of flattery. The wrong color can make you look like a flu victim, but the right color can make everything about you glitter and glow. Learning to utilize color is essential to flattering your natural beauty.

Quality
Can you tell from 50 yards away that it’s made of cheap, flammable crapfabric? Can you tell from 50 yards away that it’s made of expensive, handspun cashmere? Are the seams neat and secure, or jagged and sloppy? Clothing made from inferior materials via shoddy workmanship will generally be less flattering than high quality, well made clothing. Not ALWAYS true, of course. But generally speaking, well-made fabrics tend to flow better, and well-designed garments tend to fit better. A higher price doesn’t automatically denote a higher quality item, as we all know. But a piece that you’re certain has been well designed and constructed from good materials is more likely to flatter.

Accessorization
Can how you accessorize an outfit affect its ability to flatter your form? Yes and yes. If I try on a skirt that will hit me mid-calf, I must think very carefully about what my shoe options will be. If I try on a crewneck sweater, I must think about how I will downplay that unflattering neckline and decide if it’s worth constantly working around that feature with scarves and necklaces. Accessorization can make or break the flattery factor.

Fabric drape
How does the material fall around the body? Related to quality, drape is essential to flattery. Clothing that moves and flows when you move and flow looks natural and elegant. Clothing that is stiff and brittle may rack up some coolness points, depending on how it’s styled, but it’s unlikely to flatter your female form.

Modesty
Does it show bits of bod it shouldn’t? Does it mask absolutely everything? Go to far in either direction, and you hit “unflattering.” A hat, turtleneck, oversized sweater, wideleg slacks, and pair of tall boots is a look … but not one that is likely to showcase your delicate collarbone, slender calves, or fantastic rack. A tube top, miniskirt, and strappy sandals is a look … but not one you’d want to sport anywhere that isn’t a nightclub. Erring on either side of modesty will interfere with your efforts to flatter your figure.

Fit
Does it fit to the natural curves of your body without clinging or pulling? Although closely related to cut, fit has a bit more to do with garment size. You can select a cut of clothing that is exquisitely flattering to your shape – like an a-line skirt or sultry halter top – but if it doesn’t fit you properly, it won’t flatter you. If it’s a size too big or small, or if the construction is shoddy and it pooches or pulls, fit is compromised. But with fit in your favor, flattery is easily achieved.

Not sure I’ve hit all the high notes, but it’s a start! Very curious to hear if anyone disagrees with my choices, or has other items to add.

When you think of figure flattery in clothing, what elements spring to mind?

All images courtesy Boden.

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