August 21, 2014

The importance of knowing what styles do not work for you


Nearly any thorough article or book that offers fashion guidance will usually tell readers to determine and then gravitate towards those styles that work best for one's particular body type. This is solid, wise advice for sure, and is often one of the hallmarks that can help make someone look like they clearly have a great eye for style and styling alike. I too suggest that you do the same, but by the same token, it's important to stop and think about the pieces that don't work for you and why such is.

It's easy to slip on a frock in the dressing room, take one quick glance in the mirror, and quickly shake your head as you shimmy out of it at the speed of light. Did you stop though to consider why this piece didn't seem to work for you at first glance? What was it about the item or how your body suddenly appeared in it that didn't sit right with you?

Chances are, if I asked you to tell me five styles right now that almost always look great on you, you can, and that's wonderful. Can you though, tell me just as quickly five that don't do you any favours? Ideally, you want to be able to answer both questions with the same degree of confidence because knowing what not to wear for your body type can be every bit as important as knowing what to wear.



{What are your figure's strengths and weaknesses? Do your wardrobe choices currently flatter your best features and minimize or help disguise those that you'd happily banish in a heartbeat if such were possible? Image source.}


You might be thinking, well, Jess, if I know one, don't I know the other by default? Solid question. To a degree, yes, but not entirely. Think for example of all those middle ground styles. The ones that look so-so on you and that you might own some of at this very moment, perhaps often pairing them with others that suit you even more better.

They look neither awful, nor flat out fantastic on you. They're functional and may be filling a void temporarily until you can replace each one with an even more flattering similar piece, or you may be content with them as they are, but they're not clear cut stars in your wardrobe and you'll want to move away from them over time, if possible.

One of the true keys to having a stellar wardrobe, of any size, is filling it not so much with pricey items, but with ones that fit you excellently, compliment your skin, hair and eye colouring, and which look not just good, but marvelous on you - and when paired with each other.

Believe it or not, while certain styles will flatter each of us more than others, there are actually not a great deal of pieces that most folks can't wear at least one version of. Usually it comes down to a matter of fit, cut, colour, length, and material used as well as - and this is a biggie - the other elements of the outfit you're wearing that day.

For example, the following are some examples of styles that typically look horrible on me, why such is, and what I've learned from years of devoted fashion experience can help get around those problems in many cases (this is by no means a complete list of such items, just three that really stand out in my mind).

-V-necks: As discussed back in this 2012 outfit post, v-necks rarely do me any favours. Why? Because I have small shoulders, am not overly busty, don't have a particularly long neck (which you'd think a v-neck would help with, but oddly, doesn't seem to in my case), and am relatively short waisted. V-necks tend to suddenly give me unwanted linebacker shoulders and only serve to shorten the appearance of my waist's length further.

As a common fashion element though (very much including on many 1940s dresses), I'm not in a hurry to bypass them entirely though and have discovered that I can sometimes wear them if I opt for a wide v-neck, not a narrow one, a fitted cut to the garment (and/or over all ensemble) such as with this great 1940s red wiggle dress, and a thin fabric. Adding a layering piece with a different type of neckline that is more flatter can also be very helpful, as can not wearing a necklace, which would further "chop up" the shape of my collar and chest area, thus further shortening the over all appearance of my torso size.

-Pleats: As someone who is short and curvy, pleats can spell style disaster for me in a New York (Fashion Week) minute. Often they add width to my hips and the appearance of many unwanted pounds to my figure, especially if they're either very wide or very narrow. The trick, I've found in many cases however, is to opt for pleats that start not at my waist, but lower down my legs, say at mid-hip or ever further down (such as with this great vintage pleated plaid skirt).

In doing so, I keep the top of my hips streamlined looking, not wider than that area really is, and allow the volume of the pleats to pool towards the lower half of my legs, which can at times actually help make them look longer, especially when partnered with high heels (as I almost always do when wearing a pleated skirt or dress).

-Stripes: We've probably all heard that horizontal stripes make you look wider, and in some cases that can be true. I've experienced as much, but have also found vertical stripes to be unflattering, arguably even more so. For some reason, they (especially if they're wide), just don't seem to work on my petite height-ed hourglass figure. Unless...I keep the width of the strips very narrow and only sport small does of it at a time. Case in point, this charming cropped thin knit top (even there though, I'm not wild about how wide the stripes make my upper arms, which are by no means the thinnest part of my body, look).


Now, inquiring minds will no doubt want to know, are there pieces that no matter how much you play around with their proportions, shapes and other elements are simply so unflattering that you avoid them like the plague. Yes!!! Goodness gracious, yes!!!



{Like everybody on the planet, I have certain styles (and colours - but that's another post entirely) that don't do a lick of good for my figure. I've worked diligently over the years to recognize and be honest about myself when it comes to such pieces and rarely purchase or wear them, as I know they'll simply languish in my closet and be a source of frustration for me when I do try them on. Three such examples of which - cloche hats, drop waists, and skirts that hit above the knee - appear in the 1920s photo above. Image source.}



Though I am typically the type that's keen to live by the expression "never say never" and that certainly applies to my fashion choices, as a general rule certain things that look so intensely unflattering on me that I never or almost never wear them in any form are shorts (unless they're Bermuda style and hit below the knee), mini skirts or any skirt that hits above the knee, leggings, collar-less suit jackets (they, like v-necks, tend to make my top half look wayyyy bigger than it really is), mock necks, round eyeglass or sunglasses frames, knit skirts and dresses, slinky 1930s style bias cut or other similar dresses, drop waist dresses, thick cable knit sweaters, cloche hats, pillbox hats, white and other really light coloured tights, lace and most decorative patterned hosiery, choker style necklaces, sheer sleeved tops (unless I'm wearing something with opaque sleeves overtop of it, say like a blazer or cardigan), and two-piece swimsuits, amongst others.

Note, this is not a list of fashions that I necessarily dislike. The two can, and often should be, very separate camps. These are garments and accessories that time and time again I have tried on and looked frighteningly bad in. Instead of lifting up my figure, playing to my body's strengths and making me feel positive about my appearance, they did the precise opposite.

The universe, compounded by very key factors like genetics and my health, has not blessed me with a supermodel's body by any stretch of the imagination, however by learning about, and honing my eye for spotting, those pieces that don't do me one red favour, I've been able to build up a wardrobe of items that genuinely do. They (or at least the bulk of them) make me look taller, leaner, and better proportioned.
 
I've learned that 3/4 and full length sleeves work best for me. That I absolutely need my hemlines to hit below (not at or above) my knees and ideally in the mid-calf range. That wide skirts are best partnered with fitted tops, that bulky fabrics can actually make thicker upper arms look bigger than they are, not camouflage their size, and that t-strap shoes can actually work well for those with curvy calves and short legs, assuming you have fairly average sized or slender ankles. There are other points like this too, all of which I think about every single time I go clothes shopping, get dressed, or even in many cases, add an item to an online wishlist.

Each of us, no matter the shape and size of our body will have pieces that don't work for us. While it may be tough to accept that, for example, a turtleneck sweater, a mini skirt, or a crop top isn't our fashion BBF, in doing so, we allow ourselves to focus on those items that do work. We stop wasting precious fashion budget dollars on pieces that end up gathering dust in our closets and build a wardrobe of items that we can turn to day after day with the utmost of confidence.



{Just because you've been wearing a style for years, it doesn't mean that it's actually one that works well for your body. Take a long, hard look at the way a piece falls, hugs, drapes and sits on your. Does any part of your figure look bigger or smaller or differently shaped than you'd ideally want it to? What would an unbiased stranger say if they saw you wearing that piece? What is your own inner voice telling you when you're brutally honest with yourself? All of these things should factor in when building up your vintage wardrobe. Image source.}


If you haven't spent much time in your life focusing on the pieces that don't work well for you, I encourage you to do so asap. Go to closet and take out five, ten, twenty, however many pieces you want that you rarely, if ever, wear.

Try each one on in front a full length (or the largest that you have) mirror and access the situation. Is there a reason that you've worn an item so infrequently? If it's not because you need something else to make it work (say, the right pencil skirt to match a vintage suit jacket that's missing its original skirt) or it's a piece like an evening dress or holiday sweater that typically only gets worn once or twice a year, what is it about that item that has kept you from embracing it?

Chances are, the fit is a good part of the problem. You know it already, but you may not have wanted to admit as much to yourself. After all, you probably plunked down some cold hard cash on that piece at one point, loved it on the hanger (or online listing), and kept telling yourself you'd make it work one day, but you haven't - and in all likelihood, you never will.

That's okay! Fashion, like all things in life, is not without its own degree of trial and error. Instead of bemoaning the fact that that pair of 1930s beach pajamas, wide shouldered 40s suit, or strapless 50s sundress make you look like you've gained fifteen pounds and/or shrunk three inches, confidently decide to sell or give it away and move on. Focus your attention on the pieces in your closet that work wonders for you and purchase others like them. The more you surround yourself with, and actively wear, fashions that look fabulous on your current figure (and that's a key point unto itself, as few us will have exactly the same figure throughout our whole life), the less likely you'll be to buy items that don't work for us.

You'll have only to spot that over-sized polka dot blouse or Grecian goddess inspired dress to know that, no, no, that's not for you, as you beeline towards the Swiss dots tops and sweetheart neck dresses instead. No one can have everything work for them. That's just a simple fact, and while I do ardently believe that one is free to where whatever they please any, ol' time, objectively most of us to want to get the best out of our figures that we possibly can and making smart fashion choices centered solely around items that we know work well for us is a vital component there.

So the next time you go shopping, online or off, remember to keep your eye out not just for pieces that work well for you, but for those that don't, and before you find yourself tempted to buy a coquettish floral cape or cute culottes, stop and ask yourself, will they actually look good on my body or just when they're hanging in my closet? Your wardrobe, your wallet, and most definitely your figure, will all thank you for it.

47 comments:

  1. I think this is so true. Especially with colours! I have really pale olive toned skin. So some colours make me look sea-sick. I have found ways around it though. For example I can wear a skirt in that colour with a black top and its not as obvious that the colour looks bad. Also, I tend to avoid anything that requires a bust. I haven't really figured out what length I should be wearing yet though, because i feel like everything makes my legs look super long and awkward. I guess 3/4 is probably the best...

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    1. I know that "sea sick" quality you describe for sure. That's me in some purples, yellows, oranges, and fuschia (near my face), amongst others. Wise lady! I do the same thing when I like a colour but it isn't as kind to me. Sport it in small doses and/or away from the face, making sure that the other colours you're wearing do you all kinds of lovely favours.

      Heel height can factor in a lot there, as can the type of garment (for example, pencil vs circle skirt). For my legs (which are short and curvy), I find that a medium to high heel with a mid-calf length skirt is by far the best combo, but hitting on that certainly didn't happen overnight and of course I still wear some other combos, just depending on my outfit (but if I want my legs to look their best, that's the winning formula for me).

      Thanks for your great comment, honey!
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. I usually wear flat shoes just because I suck at walking in heels, but sometimes i honestly think that heeled shoes actually make me seem less lanky and more elegant. That's if I am standing still, LOL. I am hoping to get my Besame violet brightening powder in the mail soon so I am wondering if that will make a difference when it comes to certain colours making me look bad...

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  2. This is exactly on my mind lately, as I sort through what looks good on me, what doesn't, what I like, and so on. It seems a never-ending process. I did write a post about it earlier this spring, but am thinking of revisiting it again. As for doesn't-do-me-any-favors: gathered dirndl style skirts (I don't need bulk around my waist, which is the smallest part of me); anything gathered around the shoulders and blousy like a peasant top--I'm smallest on top, and it makes me look matronly; shorter skirts (anything at the knee or above) don't really do me favors, as the best part of my legs is from the knees down; fitted puffed short sleeves are pretty much always a no, as my upper arms are wide but my shoulders are narrow. Ditto for sleeveless or tight short sleeves. It's not a great look for me. I also don't really look great in high-necked anything because my neck is short and it makes my face look heavy for some reason. My best look is something fitted on top with a neckline that shows my collarbones but not my cleavage, and a-line and fitted on the bottom (like an hour glass shape, really) that comes to just below the knees.

    My current problem is one of color palette, as I feel I've done a pretty good job of finding silhouettes that work for me. I have tended toward fabrics that caught my eye, but that doesn't necessarily flatter my skin tone, or even work tonally with the rest of my closet. Most of my closet tends toward a navy blue base, and I have a few things that either don't work with anything else in my closet, or don't work with my navy base, and that bugs me. I'm trying to make peace with my sewing process and understand that sometimes making the thing is enough and part of learning what I'm doing, and not everything I make is going to be loved or functional for me, but I'm hoping to make the ratio work more in my favor going forward (and so far, it hasn't been too bad; I just have this expectation that everything I make will work out, and it works out to about 70% so far).

    Great post, and thanks for all the work you put into it!!

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  3. Great information! I'm a separates girl. I would love to wear dresses but everytime I put one on I get a blah feeling. It's taken me awhile to figure out what does look best and now I'll take what I learned today and purge some more!

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  4. For me, I definitely have to have something with a defined waist! (Or I just look huge all the way down!) I need short or cropped cardigans rather than the hip length ones that are so popular now. Like you, I look best in below the knee styles. I look dreadful in any thing with a very high neckline although surprisingly turtlenecks work ok.

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    1. I'm with you entirely on all points, dear gal - including turtlenecks (as long as the top they're attached to is fitted). It sounds like we would be delightfully at home in each other's closets. :)

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Fantastic advice it always pains me when I see a great item that I know will not be flattering on me. I cannot wear modern racer back tank tops the swoop at the chest is always too low for me and I too find v-necks to be unflattering! 3/4 length sleeves are my all time must have. I will hem or roll up sleeves on any item I purchase if they are not 3/4 length.

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    1. It's 3/4 sleeves for the win for me as well. They're, by far, my favourite sleeve length. I can't do racer backs either and halters can be dicey, too. I'm not big on racer backs, so that doesn't bug me, but I do like halters. I find the trick there is to wear them with a cardigan, shrug, wrap or something else of that nature that covers my shoulders and part of my arms.

      Thanks so much for your comment, lovely Daphne!
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. This was a fun post! I definitely know which styles to avoid! I don't like boxy 20's & 60's style dresses - they make me look like a little short, brick with legs.

    Lisa.

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    1. Same here, my dear friend, boxy styles (especially those that don't clear my knees) are usually a train wreck on me as well. I can do some shift dresses (50s/early 60s types/styles), but that's where the line is drawn. I'd love to be able to successfully pull of most 20s and 30s styles, but they're never gone to shine on me like they would a lithe, tall gall (my exact opposite figure wise).

      Thank you for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. You've definitely got a lot of good points there. I'm very curvy, especially on the bottom, and while I would absolutely love to work 20s drop waisted dresses, they make me look like I'm built like a brick. I also really love ankle boots, and own several pairs of them, but they make my legs look quite stumpy if I don't wear them with pants or hoisery that matches the color. Shopping is definitely a much easier experience when you start to embrace what you really like and what really likes you, rather than getting hung up on the stuff that you just wish you could wear.
    On the other hand, like you said, it's a really rare style that you can't wear some variation on, so it's good to stay open minded and try things that you might not necessarily expect to suit you. It's interesting how something can look unflattering one year, and then, as your eye adjusts to a different silhouette, you find yourself liking it.

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  8. wise words!
    did´t counted how often i talked a client out of her "dream dress" because in real life it was completely wrong for her. hard task.
    hugs&kisses

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    1. Oh my goodness, I can fully imagine. It takes a keen eye and caring spirit to be able to deliver such information with tact and grace, which I know you always did to your clients, dear Beate. Still, that must have been stressful at times for you for sure!

      Oodles of hugs & kisses coming right back your way!
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. This is a great post, I'm very good at spotting what looks good on my, but not so good with what doesn't and why. I'm guilty of buying things that look fabulous on the rack or in theory, when I reality they stay in the back of the closet ignored. Thank you for sharing, I enjoy each and every one of your posts.

    Knitting in Pearls

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    1. That is seriously, completely lovely and encouraging to hear, sweet lady, thank you so much.

      I think we all, even those who know what truly does and doesn't look good on them, buy the odd piece every now and then just because we think it looks beautiful on the rack. Fashion is a type of art unto itself and as passionate devotees of it, it makes perfect sense to me that we'd want a piece for the feelings seeing it evokes in us alone.

      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Three huh? Let's see, 1) Boat Necklines, 2) Braces/Suspenders, and 3) Capri pants.

    That said, I have many items in my collection that are unflattering for fit, but just too fabulous to not wear (kimonos, mod mini dresses, bustle skirts). But yeah, if it were just a run of the mill shirt with a boat neckline, I'd skip it.

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  11. I could not agree more! I think as we promote freedom to wear whatever one wants, occasionally folks forget to take this into consideration. This is such an important thing to consider and it boosts one's confidence to be wearing something that plays to one's strengths. (Not to mention, as you said, it helps keep the pocketbook full.) I, for example, also have a very short waist, and so there are certain things that look just awful on me! I've learned throughout my life how to recognize the garments that will help and the garments that will hurt (NO drop-waist dresses!).

    Fabulous post!

    Cheers,
    Jenny

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    1. Excellently said, sweet Jenny, I couldn't agree more. I'm also with you when it comes to drop-waist dresses. They look so frightening appalling on me that I don't believe I currently own a single one. They're beautiful and visually I'm drawn to them, but I have only to think of what a nightmare they become on my short, curvy figure to quickly put the brakes on the notion of purchasing this style for myself.

      Big hugs & tons of happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. What an incredibly insightful post! You know I find that certain shinny materials don't help me. We can't all look our best in everything. I think this is part of the thrill finding what does work for us. I like things with a bit of support and also like you, love a great three quarter sleeve. I've also found pale colors or colors in yellow hue don't suit me well. I think it is all in having the right tailored appearance too. When clothes fit well, it can make all the difference. I also am with you on the skirt front. The short above the knee look is kinda over for me. Excellent post dear Jessica!

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    1. Thank you very much, darling Joanna. I'm with you on the shiny fabric front (and also on loving garments with structure to them - no leggings, breezy linen pants, or boxy tunics for this gal! :)). As much as I wildly adore satin, for example, in full garment form (not, say, just a bow or touch of it along side another fabric, or on a hat), it usually looks rather unflattering on me. Over the years I've bought a few satin blouses in the hopes that one would finally do the trick, but no dice really.

      Thank you for your wonderful, supportive comment, my dear friend. Sending oodles of hugs and happy weekend wishes out to you!

      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Great tips! It is very helpful to know what simply doesn't look good on you--definitely simplifies shopping because once you know, you can just skip all of those styles entirely. I in general avoid any sort of sleeveless top for sure--I'll wear one once in a great while but they really don't flatter me.

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  14. I am short so I can;t wear long dresses! I love them, but I know it;s not for me :) My knees are not great, so it;s not a showing point.
    You post is lovely!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  15. There were so many excellent points in this article. Now you know I am prone to wearing what doesn't suit me if I want to - but I have been looking at my blog photos and slowly but surely I am starting to see what might actually flatter me (I've been in a style wilderness for a few years due to not being sure what I want to wear at this age and also what suits my changed, post-illness figure). Some of the things I thought would look good don't anymore, but for every style I've lost, I've gained a new one. I've recently discovered I can wear fuller skirts than I thought after years of believing one had to be tall to carry them off. So lovely to be able to include a more feminine style, I will be sewing some up when I've completed my current projects. Thank you for your lovely post Jessica xx

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    1. That's fantastic, dear Philippa. Loving a good, fully skirt as I do, I'm delighted to know that you've discovered some styles do indeed work well for your beautiful figure. I actually find that some fuller skirts, especially those that hit me at about mid-calf, actually make me look taller than I am, which is quite the boon for a petite height gal like me. :)

      Thank you for your terrific comment, lovely lady - have a stellar weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. I am definitely still working out the best and worst styles for me, and I have made many of those terrible buying decisions that are based on optimism rather than sense! One good thing about maternity has been forcing me to start from scratch. I have had a really fun time learning what suits my totally different body and getting to buy a new wardrobe for it!

    I love that you have styles that you rule out completely, but also ones that just require particular details to work - that is something I haven't considered before. Very good advice :)

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  17. Oh yes - what a great post!
    I'm a firm believer that people can wear what they want, but some things are more flattering than others.

    It really does take a long time to figure out what suits you the best - especially when buying online (I wish I could wear pleats too)

    x

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  18. Complete and meaningful post, dear Jessica.
    You have touched the subject that is deeply imbeded in all our minds: the "fit" issue. Like many, I too have suffered from clothing issues, until I relized not all clothes are made for me.
    For one: turtle-neck. Do I like seeing them? Sure I do, they are so feminine and elegant. Unfortunately, they do not occupy space in my wardrobe, since they tend to shrink my upper part.
    Another thing that I fail to wear is low-cut anything. In the past, I wore low-cut jeans, and skirt that rest on my hips. But, as years go by, I realized that high-waist skirts fit me superbly, and make the outfit much more wearable (there are no "this skirts flows around me" moments). Now, the problem here is, most of the skirts I try on in shops claim to be high-waist, but the "waist" part is way to wide.
    ..
    A thing I never wore? Tank-top. In my entire life, I have never undersood that piece of clothing. It looks like a tight skirt, but it goes up. It does not like to stay put, and whenever someone who wears it leans foreward - there's that dreaful fear of it falling off. :)

    Stellar post!

    Marija

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  19. Terrific post, especially for those of us with ever-changing bodies. Well, in my case it's an ever-growing body, but what the heck! :) I've been learning again what suits me and what I really need to leave behind until I can drop just a little of the extra poundage. Even my colouring has changed with age, but one colour I know I can never wear is yellow - makes me look like I've been dipped in nicotine and left out to dry *bleah*
    Funny enough, I've been slipping back into my old Goth days lately and breaking out the dark colours again. I think it's because I've dyed my hair dark purple - it's opened many doors on different colours I can wear again. Oh, and yes, the grey hairs are now magenta! *lol*

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely lady! For a long time I thought that I couldn't wear yellow either and avoided it in large doses, but as I got older, I came to discover that most folks can wear at least one shade of just about (if not) every colour. In my case, with yellow, it means sporting the shades on the lightest and darkest ends of the spectrum and avoiding most of those in between. Since hitting upon this fact, I deepened my love with mustard yellow and was thrilled to discover it's actually one of my best hues! All this to say, if you love yellow, don't give up on it entirely. There may be one shade out there, especially if worn in conjunction with a colour that really looks sensational on you, that may very well work for you.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. I've just found your blog and it's wonderful!

    This post reminds me of how when I was at school all my friends were very straight and slim and I'd try wear stuff they wore and never feel right. I'd look all boxy and bigger than I actually was!

    3 years later I tried on my first 1950s dress and the fit was perfect for me. I now keep a look out for 1950s dresses with a 12 inch bust to waist difference and have lots which are happy and stress free to wear!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet dear. I'm tickled pink that you found my blog and very much appreciate both of your comments yesterday. I hear you all the way! Even as a child I didn't feel at home in a lot of modern clothes (save for some styles of dresses and skirts, namely), but the moment I slipped on my first well fitting vintage garment as a teenager, I knew I'd found my fashion calling. 40s and 50s styles in particular suit curvy gals incredibly well and can make figures that would be ill served by most modern styles sing like the stunning, curvy beauties that they are so incredibly well. I'm really happy that you discovered this as well and that getting dressed is way less stressful for you these days.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. When I was taking fashion selection, we talked about this a lot. We figured I'm more of a 'pear shaped' gal, and I should wear things with padded shoulders to balance my wide hips. And being 5ft 2, I gotta not wear things that are super long, lest I look much shorter than I am!

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    1. Hi Carla dear, I'm the same height as you and my figure falls into the hourglass with a wee bit of pear to it shape. I have small shoulders and must proceed with great caution where shoulder pads are involved, lest they add unwanted bulk to my figure and make me look like a linebacker. I like a very small shoulder pad in some garments (see my post from last week with the 1940s style denim dress from Vivien of Holloway for a good example of the max size I'll usually sport), but generally remove larger ones. Personally, I love a pear or hourglass body and unless the difference between your top and bottom half is really substantial, I'd say embrace your shape! You can downplay it with darker hued on top, necklines that draw the eye up, fuller hairstyles (and/or hats), dark colours on the bottom, medium and high heels, and garments that flow gently over the hips (say a longer cardigan in a thin fabric).

      Thank you very much for your comment - have a stellar weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Yet another well written post from you Jessica :)
    One of the things blogging has helped me notice is that skirts work for me, funny thing is I spent half of my life avoiding them. I loathed them.
    Yet, when I take pictures for the blog and am looking through them I realise what looks good and what does not - other times things look great but they just felt so bad on that I never wore them again.
    I had to smile when you mentioned that we all have items is our closet that do not work for us. It was like attending church and having the priest give a sermon and me feeling like it was for me. That's actually the way you can tell if a sermon was good, if you felt it was headed right towards you :)

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  23. this is a good thing about growing older. you know better and better what cuts work on you and which styles you should avoid ....

    i love 20s and early 30s styles ... i think they are adorable! But i now that this kind of low waisted /no waist fashion wasn't made for. i look like a bridge pier, when i don't focus on my tiny waist!!!! wide /padded shoulders don't work on me either but i still often end up buying a short jacket with wide shoulder, if it comes to early 40s styles. i just sorted out a lovely jacket 10 minutes ago, because we're doing another flea market tomorrow ... hopefully the right person will take it home! :)

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  24. This is such a great post, packed full of useful tips and advice and the benefit of your own experiences. I used to know exactly what did and didn't suit me but having gained weight I find it much harder to recognise what flatters the body that I have now rather than the one that I used to have. I still find myself drawn to the items that I would have loved to wear before. I may need the bite the bullet and do some serious looking in the mirror!

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  25. So very, very true! Sometimes it's not about being critical of yourself, but rather being honest about what works and what doesn't. There are two colours that I've tried valiantly to introduce to my wardrobe for years: yellow and dusky pink. While I adore both of these shades, I've come to realise that they do nothing for me, and make me look washed-out and sickly. Now that I know this, I can save a lot of time when shopping.
    It's also important to note that our bodies change over time. Sometimes looks that worked for us when we were younger no longer look so flash as we age. I've had to accept that some of my tried-and-true favourites aren't flattering on my body as I get older.

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  26. A wonderful and insightful post. There are many gorgeous pieces that I must steer away from because they just don't suit my body. Pleats -no can do! Knee length- no way! Such a shame, but knowing what works makes it easier to focus on what will flatter. XXX

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  27. An excellent point to bring to attention and one that I struggle with a lot. Many times even when people say "oh that looks so good on you!" I don't always feel good in it, so that's another dynamic to deal with. Finding things that fit well, flatter your figure, AND make you feel like a million bucks is not as easy as the fashion world would have it sound! Sometimes you just have to break all the rules and wear what ever the hell makes you feel good. Plain and simple! I think you do that really well, Jessica :)

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  28. Such a thoughtful, well written piece. I think you have inspired me to analyse my own wardrobe to pin down my style preferences and silhouettes that work the best with my figure. Thank you sweet gal! ♡

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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  29. I think this topic, more often than not, is overlooked again and again. As I plunge into the vintage/rockabilly world, though my options are endless, doesn't mean on my extremely curvy figure that everything will work. I know that a-line/full skirt works wonders and is so very comfy on me. And despite my reservations at first a wiggle skirt looks very nice on me as well. As for tops, I have broad shoulders and a busty chest, so v-necks do well on me more than high neck tops. As for pants, I'm leaning against high waist as it just emphasizes my worst features and I feel so uncomfortable in them. I was so upset about that. Now I'm wondering if my short curvy figure would do well with the skinny/slim fit jeans??

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    1. Hello dear Seanna, first and foremost, thank you very much for your absolutely wonderful bounty of comments on so many of my recent posts yesterday. I sincerely appreciate and enjoyed reading all of them.

      Agreed, it's an area that isn't covered enough. Sure, there are entertaining shows like "What Not To Wear", which can help one person or a small number of people at the same time, but generally they don't stop and encourage viewers to really try to understand and get to the root of what does, and equally importantly, doesn't work for their body type. That's what I was aiming for here and I'm happy to know that you enjoyed this post.

      Wiggle/pencil skirts are sensational on a lot of curvy ladies across the size spectrum. I adore, assuming their not ultra skin tight and that the fabric has a bit of support to it, what this style does for my own hourglass shape and probably wear pencil skirts more often than any other style.

      Have you tried a mid-rise pant/jean? They're often totted as being the most universally flattering (I only wear mid or high waisted pants myself these days). It's not a terribly vintage type of waist on pants/jeans per se, but if you went with a dark, classic colour, it would be easier to style in a vintage direction.

      Thank you again & have a really lovely day!
      ♥ Jessica

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  30. You are so absolutely right, it is just as wise to know what doesn't work for your body than what does. I know that e.g. shoulder pads are not for me since I have quite wide and square shoulders. I look like a rugby player if I wear shoulder pads. I didn't even wear them in the eighties where everybody did. What looks best on my body is very similar to you, the fifties New Look in short. What looks worst is the twenties. No dropped waist, oversized tunics and short skirts to me please. Really great post, dear. :)

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    1. Same here - rugby or American football player all the way! Save, for if they're very small and in some types of structured garments, but even then, I'm much more apt to carefully remove them (my new Vivien of Holloway 40s style denim dress is a very notable exception there).

      Thank you very much, sweet lady! I thoroughly enjoyed writing on this subject. It's one of those topics that had been rattling around in my head for ages (years), but that I hadn't yet devoted an entire post to. With so many folks buying new pieces for fall and winter these days, now seemed like a great time to delve into it.

      Thank you very much for all of your fantastic blog comments today - huge hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Great post Jessica. I can totally relate. Though I absolutely adore the mod styles from the 60s, my small frame, shoulders and wider hips do not translate into a flattering look in those shift dresses I often wish I could wear. I have resigned myself to the fact that styles from the 40s and 50s work best for me as I do have a smaller waist. So the fitted bodice, fuller skirt looks best on me.
      I would love to offer a word of advice as relates to knowing what looks good on you before shopping online. Since I have been selling vintage style clothing since 2002 I have to say a large percentage of our returns come from gals who bought a dress because they so loved a style that they "had to have it", yet never considered whether it was a style that would work with their body shape. This only results in buyers remorse and the price of shipping costs both ways because when they finally get the dress and try it on they email us that it doesn't flatter them at all and need to return it. So it is very important to know before hand what silhouettes work best for you, especially when ordering online. Once you know this you can concentrate only on looks that will flatter you, resulting in saving time and money. Those shipping costs do add up :)

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    3. Thank you very much for adding that very important point, Theresa. You're spot on - just because you love the look of something doesn't mean your figure will adore it, too. You're more apt to look great in a dress you think is cute, but aren't crazy about, if it fits you well, than one that you adore but it looks like a hot mess on your body any day of the week.

      I appreciate you adding a longtime vintage seller's perspective to this topic. Thanks again!

      ♥ Jessica

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