Styling can be one of the most powerful ways to improve your physical appearance. Fashion can either enhance your figure or do the complete opposite when done incorrectly. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to ensure that you wear clothes that will improve your shape properly. Your style is what dictates the first impression you have, so placing some importance to it is never a bad idea. Certain clothing combinations can create the illusion that you’re slimmer, so whether you got to hit the gym or not, at least you can still look your best with the right outfit.
How To Style Your Way To Looking More In Shape
Know Your Individual Sizes
Most people think that the standard size of their upper bodies is usually the same as their lower halves. However, most of the time those two sizes vary from your built. Knowing your shirt, pants, and dress sizes are vital to ensure that you only wear clothes that fit properly. It is also important to bare in mind that some stores and their sizing metrics can differ from others. Therefore, scanning through a store’s personal sizing charts is highly recommended to make sure that you don’t buy the wrong sizes.
Know Your Body Type
To better know what sizes would complement your body the best, it’s important to determine your body shape. Finding out whether you are a pear, apple, hourglass, or triangle shape will help you figure out which clothing items will balance everything out. For pear shape body types, it’s often recommended to wear jeans like bell bottoms or jumpsuits, as they help to elongate the body while maintaining shape. The hourglass body and most petite figures, in general, are lucky enough to rock almost any type of outfits so long as the size is just right. As for the triangle and apple shaped figures, wearing outfits that even out your figures like peplums or halters will help to bring out more symmetry and shape.
Invest In Simplicity
Simplicity, when done correctly, is one of the best ways to enhance a figure. Basic tees like ribbed shirts are considered to be the universal style that will flatter almost every body type. Mike Schwarz from RibbedTee.com explains that t-shirts are too thick and boxy to use as an undershirt, whereas a well made undershirt will be comfortable and undetectable. The added clothing you wear with your top is what further helps to enhance your figure in a positive light. Topping a simple ribbed t-shirt with a cardigan and waist belt is one of the best ways to create a more slimmed down figure without being too over the top. Going back to basics will always trump wearing too many accessories at once, as balance is always key.
Spanx and Undergarments
With any outfit you wear, investing in quality Spanx and undergarments, in general, is always a great idea. Never get any undergarments that are too tight because like regular clothing, size matters for those items too. When you wear the wrong size bra, not only will you be uncomfortable, but how your clothes fit you will completely change as well. Rule of thumb for your bra is that it should fit perfectly on the middle hook while still being able to fit if you go all the way or to the last hook. As for Spanx and underwear, you should never feel like you are being suffocated when they are on which is a common mistake. You should feel tucked in just enough so that you appear slimmer but not uncomfortable.
Styling Beyond Outfit
Beyond the clothes you wear, there are a couple of other things you can do to help style your way to looking like you’re in the best shape possible. Hairstyling and accessories play a huge role in enhancing overall physique and appearance. For your hairstyle, it’s imperative that you know your face shape pretty well. Find out if you’re an oval, round, square, heart, or diamond shape. Oval face shapes, fortunately, can rock all hairstyles whether long or short. The best hairstyle for round and square face shapes would have to be Rachel from Friends cut with the hairline down the middle. This layered cut helps to lengthen the face and soften the features. As for heart and diamond face shapes, having full bangs or side swept bangs are a wonderful way to enhance the prominent areas of the face while slimming it at the same time.
To feel your most confident you have to put your best foot forward. There’s nothing wrong with dressing your best to build that confidence from within you. Fashion’s all about knowing your body and utilizing different styles in a way to enhance what you are already blessed with. With the simple tips above, you will be able to create the perfect outfit looks that bring out the best shape you have.
