A Guide to Understanding Silhouettes and Personal Style — Inside Out Style

Are you tired of feeling frustrated when putting together outfits that don’t quite feel right? Or maybe you find yourself staring at your wardrobe, wondering why certain clothes don’t flatter your figure the way you hoped they would. The secret lies in understanding the foundations of style—your body shape, proportions, and variations—so that you can create outfits that truly flatter your figure and express your personality. Here are the essentials!

1. Understanding Your Body Shape, Proportions, and Variations

The first step in building outfits that look and feel great is knowing what works for your figure. This involves understanding:

• Body Shape: The overall silhouette of your body.  Not sure of your shape?  Do my free body shape calculator quiz and download your body shape bible.
• Body Proportions: How different parts of your body relate to each other in length and scale.  Discover how to measure yours here.
• Body Variations: Features like bust size, calf size, ankle width, upper arm shape, or neck length. These details make you uniquely you.

These three aspects help you decode what kind of clothing will suit you best. For instance, whether you’re petite or tall, your proportions and variations guide decisions about garment lengths, sleeve styles, and other details that influence how your clothes fit and feel.

2. Discovering Your Silhouette

Silhouettes form the backbone of style because they create the outline of your outfit and are directly tied to your body shape. There are three main silhouettes to consider:

• Fit and Flare: Ideal for those with a defined waist broader at the top or bottom (or both). This silhouette accentuates the waist, creating an hourglass effect. Think A-line skirts, dresses with cinched waists, or tailored blouses that highlight your midsection.
• Straight (Column) Shape: If your figure is straight through the middle or only slightly defined (putting a belt on just makes you feel wide) or you have a bit of a tummy, a straight up-and-down shape works best. This silhouette avoids emphasizing the waist and instead creates a streamlined look, perfect for shift dresses or long cardigans.
• Waisted Column: This silhouette suits those with a defined waist but with hip shapes (like the classic “Barbie shelf hip” of the 8 body shape). It emphasizes the waist while maintaining a clean column shape, balancing out the proportions.

Knowing your silhouette makes it easier to identify pieces that work for your body when you’re shopping. If a garment doesn’t align with your silhouette, it’s unlikely to flatter your figure. Recognizing this can save you from countless “almost right” outfits!  Now there are some variations specific to each of those silhouettes for each of the body shapes, but just knowing your overall look can save you so much time, energy and money when shopping or putting outfits together.

As an H body shape I’m best in a column silhouette.

3. Understanding Proportions: The Key to Lengths and Fit

Body proportions guide you in determining garment lengths and where they should end on your body:

• Should your skirts be above or below the knee?
• Where should your tops end to create the most flattering line?
• How long should your sleeves be to balance your arms and torso?

By knowing your proportions, you gain insight into these crucial details that can transform an outfit from awkward to chic. For a deep dive into measuring and understanding your proportions, explore my additional resources and experiment with what feels most comfortable and balanced for your body.

4. Addressing Body Variations

Everyone has body variations—those unique features that make us different from one another. It could be a fuller bust, broader shoulders, a short neck, or any number of other characteristics. These variations influence the types of details that work best for you, such as necklines, sleeve shapes, and fabric choices.

For example, if you have larger shoulders and upper arms, avoid skinny jeans that create an unbalanced look. Instead, opt for wider-leg pants that balance the top and bottom of your silhouette. Similarly, if you want to downplay upper arms, choose floaty sleeves or sleeves that don’t cut off at the widest part of your arm. The goal is to draw attention away from areas you don’t want highlighted.

5. Bring Attention Where You Want It

As I always say, “If you’re looking at my eyes, you’re not looking at my thighs.” Creating focal points is all about directing attention. To draw attention to your face, use accessories, interesting necklines, or patterns that frame your features beautifully. Avoid highlighting areas you prefer to downplay—such as wearing spaghetti straps if you have broad shoulders as it will just look more unbalanced.

6. Infuse Your Personality into Your Style

Once you understand the technical aspects of dressing for your figure, the fun part begins—expressing your personality. Your style should be a reflection of who you are, not a list of rules imposed by others. If you love stripes but dislike florals, lean into that. If you prefer simple, classic pieces over bold patterns, honour that preference. But if you love an animal print or bold pattern don’t feel you have to hide in solid plain outfits that make you feel bored.  Your style is uniquely yours.

Style is as much about what makes you feel good as it is about what looks good. Find joy in wearing what resonates with you.

7. Finishing Touches: Accessories and Details

Accessories are the finishing touches that transform an outfit into a complete look. A simple outfit can be elevated with the right necklace, scarf, or pair of earrings. These details create focal points, draw attention where you want them, and bring cohesion to your outfit.

Accessories also give you the opportunity to further express your style and personality. Are you drawn to minimalist jewellery or statement pieces? Do you prefer a bold bag or a classic clutch? These elements add the final layer to your outfit and tie everything together.

8. Your Style, Your Guidelines

To bring all these elements together, you need a system—an approach that’s uniquely tailored to you. This is where my 7 Steps to Style program comes in. This program offers a comprehensive style education covering:

• Your body shape, proportions, and variations
• Your colouring and how to choose colours that enhance your features
• Your personality, lifestyle, and values to build a style that feels authentic

By understanding these components, you create your own personal style guidelines—a “North Star” to guide your shopping and wardrobe decisions. Rather than being swayed by trends or retailer suggestions, you’ll have the confidence to make choices that are perfect for your unique self.

When you invest the time to understand your style, you save time, money, and energy. No more trial and error or settling for clothes that don’t quite fit. It’s about empowering yourself to make informed and intentional style choices that serve you.

Ready to elevate your style?  7 Steps to Style  is designed to guide you every step of the way, so you can confidently build a wardrobe that flatters your figure and expresses your authentic self.