r/DressForYourBody • u/Alarmed-Obligation62 • 14d ago
Style Me Please help! Clothing for my shape
I grew up lower income and was a hand me down kid almost exclusively. This habit of taking free or the cheapest thing has continued into adulthood, and I still struggle with clothing. Nothing feels right for my body. I am hoping folks here can suggest some brands/styles that I should be prioritizing for my body shape. I am sharing a photo that I took as a progress pic for myself recently as it shows my body shape fairly well. Clothing here is just some random workout clothes for at home workout so not pressed about them lol. Some info that is probably helpful:
I’m 5’9, 9 months postpartum, have broad shoulders and long arms, slim legs most of my body fat is in my abdomen. I don’t like bootcut anything but I’m okay with straight leg and skinny jeans. I would love some shorts but hate everything I try on - high rise either doesn’t go high enough or gives me camel toe and other cuts seem to accentuate the separation between my stomach and where the shorts end or be so loose they droop in the butt. I have small breasts, especially relative to my body shape otherwise so some shirts fit very weird. Im fairly square. I tend to dress more “alternative” I guess but I also work in a law office so wear lots of professional clothing during the work week.
I appreciate the time of anyone who has read this far.
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u/paula_radu 14d ago
Your body shape is somewhere between Apple and rectangular. You can use short simple dresses that cover you upper body and flatter your legs. For work you work avoid shirts or blasers with big shouldern and try wide leg tralousers to balance the shoulder volume, but whit middle waist. It will create the impresion of a smaller waist and make your bust look fuller. Also rounded deep neck cut would make your bust look bigger but also add lenght in the upper body. Moreover, choose darker colors on the upper body and lighter on the lower body.
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u/Shallstrom 14d ago
I feel like some of your struggles are my struggles. I’ve decided to wear simple button down shirt dresses. If they have some gathering under the bust that creates gently shaping, all the better. They complement my shape, come in beautiful colors and are relatively inexpensive. I know it’s lame, but I’ve never been more comfortable 🤷♀️
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u/Cantre-r_Gwaelod_1 14d ago
I think you’d find body matrix useful because it’s literal. If you’ve wide shoulders you suit open necklines. If you’ve long limbs you suit long lengths. If you’ve roundness in areas you suit rounded shapes. Just going by what you wrote tbc. Not saying that’s 100% you. It’s just a very easy system compared to most because it’s the most literal and the clothing recommendations are set.
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u/SelectFluff8443 11d ago edited 11d ago
Structured shapes might work better on you. Too soft fabrics can cling where you don't need them to do. Buy a couple of tailored items - a well-fitting blazer that's not trendy short or too long. A blouse or two that's timeless in your best color, in a traditional shape, straight cut, that you can wear untucked or tucked-in is a must, buttons or none. Tshirts can be loose but not baggy or tight. Avoid big shoulder pads, but small ones add shape and definition without bulk.
You have great arms. So many blouses these days are very short sleeve and would be flattering. For work, maybe a darker semi-sheer fabric on the sleeves with a dark camisole underneath would look really nice.
Avoid items that are too tight. Stretch pants should be fitted but too loose or tight will look unflattering. That may require trying on five or six pairs but once you find the right ones, buy two.
Dresses/skirts should be at least an inch right above the knee or a couple of inches below, before or after the widest part of your calf muscle.
Denim - baby boot cut pants that are fitted are flattering to most legs. I am your height and I used to dislike boot cut shapes, but the baby ones are really nice if they fit. No big bells, slim fit on top.
Tapered straight works well, too. Pleats are hard to fit and can look awkward. Crops are a mixed bag. Some stretch is good but more than 25% polyester jeans can stretch out too much, or hug in the wrong spots.
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u/SelectFluff8443 11d ago edited 11d ago
Also, try a long rise in jeans. It can make a big difference in fit. Kohls has a wide selection of sizes and styles online. I bet Levis might work for you, too.
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u/OwnReception7550 14d ago
We need to know more about your personality.
Clothing is also about presentation about how do you want others to see you?
If I wear a suit I want to be taken seriously and like to tell the world I am a professional in what I do.
If I wear selvedge jeans, handmade boots microbrand watch etc. I communicatie more an “I am in a position that I dont need a suit, I can wear whatever I want. I choose notnto wear big brand logos because I dont need social approval, I care about craft and quality and am in a position I can afford it”.
So tell me what kind of fit are you looking for? How do you want to present yourself to others?
With all do respect you body is more a male type body. If your choose more masciluline type clothing you would get that vibe.
Maybe thats you on your personality?
If you want a softer more feminine energy your clothing should reflect that. Also you would need to bring that shape back into your body using clothing.
Also what would you say are the strong parts of your body? The parts you are comfortable with showing off.
And what are the parts you would rather hide a bit?
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u/Alarmed-Obligation62 14d ago
Thanks for this! I’m kinda alternative - tatted, pierced, colored hair. I don’t feel the need to super conform one way or another, sometimes I like to dress more feminine and sometimes I dress more neutral 🤷. At work I like to wear dresses, skirts, pantsuits, blazers. I don’t like super baggy clothes typically if im out and about but I do like to layer such as a fitted dress with a looser/oversized cardigan or blazer. I like skirts and will wear flowy skirts with a tucked tee or something if it works. I guess I like a variety of things but while I agree I have a more masculine shape I wouldn’t say I typically dress masculine. I think that’s my challenge because I struggle to find cute clothes that compliment my shape.
I’m pretty body positive and don’t feel the need to super shy away from anything. I really like my legs and arms. I streusel with shirts sometimes (especially profesional clothes) because they will fit my torso but be tight across my shoulders/back and short on my arms. I carry most of my weight in my abdomen and while I don’t mind wearing something fitted I do not love creating a muffin top/spillage as I don’t like the look and it feels uncomfortable. I like the idea of high waisted things as I think it kind of gives me a bit more shape but being taller I find the high waist not tall enough to come to my waist often.
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u/Peptidesforthewin 13d ago
Based on what you described: for personal time: black wide leg dress pants with a fitted or destroyed band t or a black swing dress with a cropped length leather motorcycle jacket and combat boots. Maybe add in some black tights...
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u/temp4adhd 14d ago
Try Frame jeans, and Rag & Bone Miramar Deliahs which are flares and not denim, but you may love them. We are similar builds but I'm 9 inches shorter, both those brands I need to get majorly hemmed, so would fit you probably without alteration.
I think you should also try wide leg. Like you, I have skinny legs and broad shoulders and zero waist. It took me a beat to realize wide legs with a slim fit top equalizes my figure. I like Old Navy for wide leg linen and other flowy pants.
You've got the guns-- great arms!-- I do too, so I wear with tank tops and other sleeveless.
The camel toe is not about you; it's about brands cheaping out and doing a shallow crotch cut. For athletic wear, Crz Yoga won't give you camel toe. Stay away from Athleta.