One Size Fits All - Fashion/Style Tips For All Shapes!

Do you have style? Hmm… that five letter word can be so controversial? If you’re wondering if you have style, I’d start by asking yourself two simple questions…

(1) Do you put effort into your wardrobe and/or appearance?

(2) Do you dress for your body type?

I wasn’t always “stylish”. In fact, I was really a plain Jane back in the day. I felt like I put effort into my wardrobe and appearance, but I certainly didn’t dress for my body type. Toward the end of the 11th grade I went from baggy mens guess jeans to fitted dresses and that’s where I think my style began. All of my friends were shocked at my transition. Nothing prompted me to change (that I can recall) I was just ready to switch things up.

Then, a few years ago I went from black, blue and grays to prints and colors which feels like another evolution of my style. Then, over the past couple of years I learned about my specific body type. I was always pretty slim, and fashion is definitely not a one size fits all. People would look at my size and say “oh you can wear anything” which is completely untrue. Just because a particular store carries my size doesn’t mean they carry items to fit my body type.

Before we get into my fashion tips, perhaps we should touch on the 5 body type of women.
(1) Apple Shape - larger on top and a bit smaller on the bottom.

(2) Pear shape - (opposite of apple) smaller on the top and larger on the bottom.

(3) Hourglass shape - the most balanced of all shapes. A balanced upper and lower body with a clear defined waist line.

(4) Inverted triangle shape - (most athletic builds) your shoulders are broader than your hips.

(5) Rectangle body shape - well balanced from your shoulders all the way down to your hips

Can you be more than one body type? I think so… My measurements are a bit unique, I’m a 32, 27, 34 (I think). I have a clear defined waist, but my upper body (specially bras size 32DD) is larger than my bottom half. Then my legs are a bit thick (compared to my waist) so all 26/27 jeans won’t fit me. Sometimes they’ll fit my waist, but be uncomfortably tight on my legs.

Through trial and error, I’ve learned that incorporating some fashion tips into my everyday look made a HUGE difference! While most clothes aren’t one size fits all, these fashion tips are…

(1) Get to know your body shape - this was huge for me. Everyone can’t wear everything. I am a mixture of a few (apple/hour/rectangle) and learned that high waist pants (like Mom Jeans), fit and flare dresses/jackets, crop tops, crewnecks, etc. are best for my body shape. You will rarely catch me in a form-fitting dress, pencil skirt, or straight leg pants because it’s a struggle for me to find ones that (a) I love and (b) will flatter my body type.

(2) Own at least one conversation piece - You can throw together a regular ole outfit and add on a conversation hat, bag, shoe, scarf, blazer, etc and look amazing! Try to add a conversation piece to your look (even on your worse days) to enhance your outfit and your overall mood. I usually spend my most money on conversational pieces because I’ll get more use out of them. Spending a lot of money on one pair of pants is a waste to me because when you began to repeat them they don’t get that same effect. However, we can repeat scarfs, blazers, hats, bags and shoes. We can switch up our entire outfit and throw on the same hat and still pop.

(3) Try a statement shoe - most men and women really make shoe contact before eye contact and a good printed boot or a pop of color sneaker says I might not have it together today - but I got style. DONT bum it out with your shoes. Once they start to wear down take them to the shoemaker for fixing or just say goodbye to the ones that are holding on by a thread.

(4) Plan It Out - girl listen… hitting that snooze button knowing you don’t have an idea what you’re wearing to work will only hurt you in the long run. And trust me… I’m speaking from experience. I’m not a morning person. Well… correction, I can wake up early I just don’t like getting out of the bed early. So… here’s what helps me with looking stylish even on the days I wake up late. On Sunday (that can be physically Sunday or your “Sunday” which is the day before you start your work week - not everyone is on a Monday - Friday schedule) I would suggest you check the weather (that’s important) and then put together 3 outfits and 1 social gathering outfit. Iron them and hanger them in the closet so they’re ready when/if you need them. I have been doing this on Sunday for the past few weeks and it definitely pays off in the mornings or when a last minute event comes up! I don’t think of it as laying my clothes out for the next day, more like just preparing for the week. Doing it daily is too much of a hassle for me and isn’t something I can keep up with. Once my week starts I’m usually in busy mode until the next weekend.

(5) Accessories - I get compliments on my accessories all the time. You don’t have to be over the top with it, or too fancy. A few bangles, ring, necklace, etc can really take you up a notch. I typically buy my accessories from the Kate Spade outlet (on sale), Bloomingdales (also on sale) or small business owners.

(6) Own Pieces You Can Repeat - I remember I used to transfer all my spring/summer dresses to another closet for the winter to save space. Well not anymore! I now try my best to invest in pieces I can repeat during other seasons. I’ve become a huge fan of throwing a sweater over a summer dress or using a light leather jacket as a blazer for work during the winter. Also don’t be afraid to throw some stockings underneath a pair of your favorite shorts. I’ve invested in some amazing fleece tights that keep me super warm and allow me to still wear dresses during the winter! I’m fact, I’m warmer with a dress and my fleece tights than a pair of pants.

If you enjoyed reading and found this useful, please leave a comment below and I’ll keep them coming! Also share your fashion tips as well!