Over the past couple of years, I have really started to appreciate two things that can have a noticeable effect on the overall appearance of an outfit: keeping body proportions in mind and utilizing the magic of alterations to make simple (but large) differences.
This chart is a great example of both concepts:
www.fashioncode.com
To get a closer look, and a description of some of these styles, click here. Before and Afters
Here are a few additional photos from Putting Me Together. Even though this blogger is a couple of decades younger than I am, she offers solid fashion advice that can be helpful to any age group. If you skim through the headings at the top of the page, you will find excellent tips and advice.
Another example from another style blog. (Note: Some of the after pictures may show a style that is shorter or tighter than you prefer to wear your clothes. You can always choose a more moderate version if that suits your style better.)
From The Fashion Code.
And one more from Missus Smarty Pants
Hopefully, these photos will give you food for thought–not only as you look at your current wardrobe but the next time you go shopping, as well.
here are a few of my own photos on another subject altogether. I’m using them to show how two simple, non-noticeable pieces (brown skirt and brown shirt) can act as a great background for several different looks. I promise you that no one will notice that you’re wearing the same two pieces under the four different toppers. (I know I’ve given examples of this principle before but whenever I find a few new looks to illustrate it, I love to share what I’ve found.)
This first picture is extra fun because the topper I’m wearing came from Meagan’s mom, Sheri. Meagan brought a whole bag of things from Sheri when she arrived for Christmas and I sent a few things back with Meagan for Sheri. How great is it when your daughter-in-law has a mom who shares clothes with you? Thanks, Sheri!
Topper-free, Shirt-$4, Skirt, $4, Necklace-$3, Leather belt-$5, Boots (by Talbot)-$7
Yellow Jacket-$4
Green blazer-$5
I bought the green blazer five years ago and have loved wearing it with skirts, dress pants and jeans.
But I digress. Back to the brown outfit we go for one more picture.
Cardigan-$4
I have just recently started experimenting with belts (as seen above), after having not worn them for many years. They really make a difference in helping to define the waistline.
I also never wore boots up until about two years ago. I always admired the way they looked on other women but didn’t really know how to incorporate them into my own wardrobe. But the beauty of thrift store shopping is if you try a new look and it doesn’t work, you have only spent a couple of dollars on the experiment instead of $75.
And so I bought one pair and loved them! Now I have about six pair which I bought for an average of $8 per pair at various thrift stores.
I just have to keep reminding myself to try new things and expand my horizons a little.
Since this is the start of the new year, is there anything in particular you can share with us that you are wanting to change or try in regards to your wardrobe? Any helpful tips in general? It’s always so much fun to hear everyone else’s stories and ideas.
Find the other posts in this series: Small Changes Favorite Style Bloggers Stars and Understudies Proportions and Alterations. Mom Jeans In the Middle Patterned Pieces
Hi, Interesting article.
Basically more form fitting flattering clothes, a shorter skirt, higher hem and waistline, more cleavage, shorter sleeved and going from round toe flat mary janes to pointy toes, high heeled slingback sandals.
They all start from oversized more covering longer baggier clothes.
Antonymous,
I loved that video; isn’t it amazing what a difference just a couple small changes can make? I have definitely paid attention to the difference pointy shoes can make over round toes. Just another one of those small (but important) differences.
The brown outfit is terrific. Love your ideas with it.
It does depend on your body type as to what looks best. The tunic top with the tight leggings definitely looks better on me that the shorter tops with pants. I have narrow hips and a wide waistline. Also personal taste. I prefer photo 1 (to the left) on the striped shirt, jeans combo, for instance. I’ve tried both types of ensemble and the longer length looks better, as long as the jeans are slim. Start widening the legs and hems of the pants, and then you gotta shorten that top. At least on me.
Thanks for sharing all of this. I am enjoying this a lot.
Cath,
So glad you are enjoying the series; I appreciate you letting me know!
I agree wholeheartedly that there are no hard and fast rules; it all depends on your own body shape and proportions. Also, I agree that if you have wider pant legs you need to have a narrower, shorter top. It’s all about the balance–top to bottom.
Thanks for your insightful comment!
Whine alert: Why can’t clothing manufacturers give us a choice, each year, in jacket/sweater/top length? But nooooooooooooo….everything is long or short!
Thanks, I feel much better after that whine. 🙂
Jan,
A good whine every now and then makes all the difference in the world, doesn’t it? I’m glad you could get get it out! 🙂
I have always liked long tops but definitely see how the shorter ones look better. Will have to try to remember that when buying a top and may even try to hem some I have.
Ann,
It would be fun to experiment on just one or two tops and see how you feel in them.
I think longer tops, as they might lengthen the upper body, look great with shorter skirts and higher heels, it’s a matter of balance.
And of course that’s also not an absolute rule.
Antonymous,
You’re absolutely right on it being a matter of balance; a long top and a long skirt aren’t usually the best choice.
I’m glad that you repled, thanks. Sorry I couldn’t find your blog back!
I agree and I might add a further observation, I see many ot those low heels and long skirt examples might look much better indeed, with a much higher waistline or shorter tops.
Some long or shorter dress with belts just below boobs also can look great, provided the dress looks natural and not pinched :). Of course this makes the legs look like they start higher.
But nothing prevents combining low waist and long skirts, balancing with high heels.
I also notice most slingback sandals are preferably worn with much lower heels, because, dunno, they just look higher as they have a sleeker line, the ankle strap only goes halfway around the ankle and stops at the sole, leaving the front bare.
I agree, it’s all about, balance, details and creativity.
Antonymous,
Glad you found the blog again. It is sometimes a challenge to find your way back down a particular Internet “road.”
And your words, “balance, details, and creativity” sum up all our fashion conundrums perfectly.
Interesting ideas! I like your outfits and accessories (necklace, boots etc). I am a big boot lover. A few years back I hit an end of season sale for a snazy pair of almost knee length black boots. How I loved those boots (at first).
The problem was that it gets so cold where I live that those boots just couldn’t keep my feet warm unless I was running from car to house in them.. They were not good for walking in down the street let alone for outside acrivities or events. One dark night, as I attended an out door winter festival in weather colder than minus twenty, lI was near tears from the pain in my feet from standing on ice for a few hours.. That was it for those boots!
Shortly thereafter I bought a pair of super warm but not so stylish boots (ok they’re ugly) The fancy boots got relegated to the closet, only worn henceforth to dressy indoor events.
Last year when the zippers broke beyond repair on the styliish boots, I happily chucked them., with nary a thought of replacing. This winter season I only am wearing the unstylish heavy boots everywhere I go. My feet might not be stylish now- but they aree WARM!!
Jenna,
Standing on ice for two hours in minus 20 degree weather?
Let me just say right off the bat that you are SUPER woman! It got down to 28 degrees here earlier this week and I thought I would never survive. 🙂 We had a light dusting of snow and school was cancelled. You Canadians are TOUGH!
Also let me say that I am in complete agreement on comfort trumping style, especially with footwear. If my feet aren’t happy, my whole body is miserable. Enjoy those comfortable boots! 🙂
I have found a great way to expand your wardrobe without expanding your closet or budget is Pinterest! I peruse outfits I like and pin them. Then, I open the app while I am standing in my closet, pulling things together that I never would have thought about. I typically spend 20-30 minutes on Sunday afternoon pulling together 5-7 outfits for work, complete with tights and any accessories. I get any ironing or little repairs (buttons, hems) at the same time. Keeps my mornings stress free, helps me mix things up, and allows time for a morning work out or some quiet time. Sometimes, I get so inspired, I have a couple weeks worth of work appropriate outfits ready to go! You can also use pictures of outfits from Polyvore, or from pages of any magazine.
Kristy,
Wow–I’m impressed by your organizational skills! I honestly can’t even imagine having all my outfits chosen a week ahead of time. It would be a great stress-reliever to wake up every single day and have to spend zero seconds making outfit decisions.
Thanks for sharing such a great idea. I need to learn to use Pinterest more for that kind of thing.
Wow! Those before and after photos are amazing! The correct proportions make all the difference. Thanks, again, for some really solid and useful advice. 🙂
Lee Anne,
I just realized I posted the following comment in the wrong place with the wrong name. Middle age strikes again!
(Original comment)
They ARE amazing, aren’t they? Hard to believe the women haven’t lost weight in between the pictures, but they haven’t!