How to Dress for Your Body Type

The most important thing about dressing for your body type? Understanding that all bodies are beautiful and deserving of great style.

It's About Proportion, Not Size

When I talk about body types with clients, we're really discussing proportion. Have you seen Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, or Sarah Jessica Parker? They rock voluminous, ornate, printed, ruffled, and puffed sleeve looks all the time.

The secret is proportion. The volume of a sleeve or skirt that a 5'10" lady would wear should be different than that on a 5'4" one, but they can wear the same dress.

Creating Length

If the length of your legs is not your favorite feature, we can camouflage that. To create length:

• Dress in long lines and monochromatic colors
• Wear higher heels when appropriate
• Draw the eye up and down with vertical accessories
• Choose pants and skirts that elongate rather than cut the leg line

Flattering Your Midsection

If your midsection is what concerns you, we'll draw the eye away from that area:

• A fantastic jacket can do the trick
• Create drama around your shoulders with interesting necklines
• Use strategic layering to create a streamlined silhouette
• Choose fabrics with structure that skim rather than cling

Body Type Tips For Men

Guys, if you wish to appear taller, the color and pattern of your suit can matter. I love a pinstripe for this. I also love tone-on-tone dressing.

The less you cut the body with color and pattern, the longer and leaner you will look. Try a navy shirt and tie with a navy suit. Or a great neutral turtleneck with the same color jeans. It will automatically make you look more vertical.

Live Where You Are

We all have parts of our bodies that we like more than others. The key is to accentuate those. You should feel fantastic in your clothes every day.

I hear from my clients all the time: "I want a new wardrobe, but when I lose 10 pounds, tone up, etc." My answer is always the same: "LIVE WHERE YOU ARE!"

A good tailor can take care of the rest. Your body is worthy of great style right now, exactly as it is.