We all have things about our bodies that we don’t like, or want to camouflage. I have plenty of these. I am aware that these things are both real and perceived. And, over the years, I’ve developed “coping mechanisms” to deal with them. I have adapted my style to my body type. I’ve found ways to work with, and counteract, some of the peculiarities of my body.
I am letting you in on my secrets – how I have adapted my style to my body type. And, honestly I’m feeling a bit vulnerable. These are things I’ve just done to accommodate my body in hopes that no one noticed the “flaws”. And here I am, pointing them out.
But, I know we’re all friends here, and my hope is that however you feel about your body, you’ll know there are things you can do to make the most of what you have. And, guide the eye away from what you don’t like. Because the whole point of style and clothes is to FEEL good, confident, beautiful in your own skin.
First, the Blessings
I am so fortunate in so many areas – and I am extremely grateful for these characteristics. Some of it is luck and hereditary and others, just plain hard work.
At 5’8-1/2 (when I stand up straight) I am blessed with some height. I maintain my weight at about 130 lbs (the hard work) and I have a small waist and thin legs. Grateful.
The Challenges
While I do have a small waist, it’s offset by relatively wide hips. And my hips don’t gradually get wide. They get wide abruptly – think shape of a guitar. The effect is a fairly short distance between my waist and my chest (and gravity is not helping this distance!).
I have annoyingly poor posture and one shoulder that is visibly lower than the other, because I have scoliosis. At 13 years old, I was diagnosed with it and had to see an Orthopedic doctor every few months to have the curve measured. With each visit, if the curve had progressed to a certain percentage, I was going to have to wear a full torso brace. In the 70’s the braces were hard plastic that came up to your neck. Before each visit, I wished and prayed SO hard that I would not have to wear the brace. At 13, I couldn’t comprehend the embarrassment of having to wear the brace. As the Dr. would put the Xray up and calculate the percent of my curve it was torture.
In the end, I didn’t have to wear the brace. As I look back now, my posture and curve might be better if I had worn it. But when you’re that young you’re not thinking long term.
Blessings In Every Curse
At this stage in life, I realize there are blessings included in every curse. The Dr. emphasized exercise was going to be key to maintaining my health long term. He suggested that I get into a “symmetrical” exercise like swimming. I was already a strong swimmer, so my parents had me join a swim team – and that started a lifelong love of swimming.
I get some sort of exercise every day. Most days it’s a 2-mile “power walk”, twice a week I do weight training (3, 5 and 8-lb. weights). If I don’t do some movement I just don’t feel right. And, I think it has, and will be, the key to maintaining my health as I age.
My Style Tips and Tricks
My back and my posture have always been something I’m self-conscious about and one of the biggest areas that I’ve had to adapt my style to.
For my body there are things both on the top and middle that I’m trying to balance and adjust for. These are some of the do’s and don’ts for me as I adapted my style to my body type.
The “Do’s”:
Wear Mid-Rise Pants/Jeans
In jeans, a mid-rise works the best for me. I generally bypass my waist all together with sweaters or button-down shirt. I totally sat out the high-waisted trend!
Wear Cropped and Flare Jeans/Pants
I love a flare because it seems to balance my hips, especially with a cute shoe or boot. A cropped flare is even better.
Wear My Hair Shoulder Length or Longer
My hairstyle is a big component to disguising my uneven shoulders and my less-than-optimal posture. When I wear my hair around shoulder length, it draws attention away from the fact that my shoulders are uneven. From the back, it’s less pronounced that I may be slouching. This coupled with collared shirts and layering helps make my posture less noticeable.
Draw Attention Away From My Back
Try as I might, I know I’m not going to stand up straight all the time. So, I will wear collared shirts and layer with a jacket, or sweater draped over my shoulders.
Add Structure and Interest on Top
I am always on the lookout for an interesting top. For my body type, I’m looking for something with structure, or that can be layered. Whether it’s a crisp button-down shirt or a different cut of sweater, I can make use of it. If it’s in an interesting color, all the better! In my closet, I generally have more tops that I alternate with a core set of bottoms, depending on the occasion.
Layer the Top
This works on multiple levels, to hide my poor posture and bring attention away from my shoulders. I love bold, long wraps or scarves — they keep me warm and are another layering item. (Yes, I also love white jeans!) I think a wrap elevates any outfit. The pics below are all from my camera roll over the years.
Style Trends I’ve Skipped
The “Don’ts”:
- Wear anything high waisted.
- Wear Skinny Jeans – Skinny jeans just emphasize my wide waist. However, I can make an exception if I wear them with a big sweater and boots.
- Wear Baggy Jeans – My frame doesn’t generally hold baggy bottoms. This is why I was so shocked with the Barrel Jean trend worked on me, as I wrote about in this post.
- Wear T-shirts and crew-necks without a layering piece.
- Wear Cardigans — Most cardigans will end up slipping to the right side because of my lower shoulder. I can make an exception if I layer with a button-down shirt.
- Wear Short hair or Pony tails — I generally wear my hair shoulder-length and down to distract from my shoulders. (I also feel like my ears stick out, but now I’m getting too self-critical!).
- Wear Fitted dresses – I love the long, lean look of a fitted sweater dress but without a jacket or something, this would accentuate my poor posture.
Adapt to Your Style
There are lots of articles out there that will tell you to determine your body shape, then apply this or that formula. My style perspective is less formulaic, and honestly, less educated. However, if you’re looking for something more “scientific” I think this is a pretty good reference.
Everyone’s body is different. I am not an expert, but this is my practical advice to anyone that asks:
- What do you feel good in? Take a look at your wardrobe and think about what you feel good in, why and when. Take note, then the next time you feel that way, take a picture! Once you’ve broken down those elements of when and why, you can replicate it.
- Study Other Women. Who’s look do you like? What do you like about it? Really break it down to the items and why you like them. Then apply it to your body and style.
- Distract From Your “Flaws”. If there is a something you don’t like, you can visually guide the eye away from that area.
- Guide Attention to Your Fav’s. In the same way you will try to downplay the areas you don’t like, you can highlight the areas you do. Accessories can really help with this. Belts, bracelets, shoes, scarves, can be used to guide attention.
- Balance. Pay attention to creating a sense of balance between the top and bottom. The accessories can tip the scale here, so you may have to experiment. Don’t give up. Keep trying until you reach the right balance for your body and style.
- Scale and Proportion. Beware of going to oversize or too fitted. You will have to play with the right scale for your shape. Many times it’s a mix that will work. This is tricky, because it’s about the relationship of each piece. This one will take some trial and error. Again, take pics and analyze along the way.
Keep Your Eye on the Prize
This is how I’ve adapted my style to my body type. Again, everyone’s body is different — and you are perfect the way you are. The goal is for you to FEEL good. When you feel good about yourself, some mystical, reciprocal confidence transformation happens. Look good. Feel good. That’s the prize!
WETSU! WETSU!
XO JT
