Style Advice For Every Body Type

As a bigger girl, I have gone through some pretty traumatizing fashion choices in my life all because of what I read in some magazine or had some well meaning person tell me would be a good idea for me to wear. As someone who came into their own sense of style later in life, I am proud to say that I have often get compliments on the way I dress, if I'm not getting strange stares from people in the street.

1. Know Your Measurements

Trust me, knowing your measurements can be half the battle. Different designers and stores can have different sizes, and if you leave your home country, everything you thought you knew about sizes will go out the window. However, if you know your measurements, you can typically find a conversion chart pretty easily in stores, so you can shop while you are on holiday in Paris without seeming too confused.

2. Know Your Body Type

If you're a pear shaped female, there's a good chance you know that if you buy a dress in a size for your lower half, you spend the entire time you are wearing it trying to keep it from falling off your upper half. Knowing your body type is just a step in the right direction of buying clothes that fit you comfortably.

3. Flaunt Your Assets!

But NOT ALL AT ONCE! There's an old rule of thumb (for the ladies, sorry guys), if you want to show off your legs, cover up a little bit of that cleavage, and vice versa. Have beautiful lips? Put a nice bright red on those suckers, but maybe do a natural eye. Captivating eyes? Go smoky with them, but do a nude lip. When it comes to showing off your body, remember that you don't need to show off EVERYTHING.

4. Do NOT Be Afraid To Shop On-Line

Again, if you have your measurements, a LOT of the guesswork that comes from shopping on-line can come in handy. Not all, but MOST on-line stores will allow you to return items (usually at their expense, but not always, make sure if you order on-line you read their return policy BEFORE you place your order) that don't fit properly. Also, if you are buying an item on-line that you can't find in your local store (regional buyers don't always buy items for their store that they don't think that they will sell, so even though YOU may love the item, your regional buyer may have a different target audience, however the internet store will typically have the entire line available, and sometimes items that are only available on-line), you can often times have the item delivered to the store for pickup without having to pay a delivery charge at all.

5. Try It On!!!

The first thing you should do once you have decided you like a clothing article is try it on. Make sure it fits you well. This goes back to the measurements and sizing issue again. Something that looks great on your best friend may look horrible on you. If you're at a store, go in to the changing room. If you're at home with your on-line purchase, try it on where ever you like. Make sure you look at it in different lights and do some big movements in the item. If you are getting your tux for your wedding, hug some people, you don't want your jacket to rip when Uncle Frank asks for one of your world famous bear hugs. Your clothes should fit you like a second skin, so too tight, or too loose, can turn out being a horrible, uncomfortable thing.

6. Pay More For the Oft Worn Items

It is definitely worth it to pay the price for a well fitted suit, that PERFECT little black dress, or a pair of jeans that makes your butt look like it was sculpted by Michelangelo himself. Especially if you intend to wear that item often. It is worth the money to have well crafted, well fitted, staple items that you can dress up in other ways... Speaking of...

7. Do NOT Spend Big Bucks on Trends

Your big clothing investment should be your staple items. Everyone wants to be on the forefront of fashion, and I am all for trends, they are fun, they are fresh, but they tend to fade away or go in cycles. My personal rule of thumb is to not spend more than $100 on any item that I can tell is going to only be in for a season or two. Why? Because I do not want it sitting in my closet for 10 years while I wait for everyone to decide that shoulder pads, plastic choker necklaces, or whatever other ridiculous thing we've decided is cool this year to come back in style. I don't feel as bad getting rid of the cheaper stuff. But it is nice to use the in style items to dress up those classic pieces. LBD with a neon statement belt? Heck yes!

8. If You Find Something You Love Buy Two of Them

Of all the advice that I've seen in fashion magazines, this one is the one that holds true the most. Even if it is something as simple as a button down shirt, if you find something that you adore, buy two of them. Heck, buy three or four if you like. Why? Because clothing gets worn out as time goes by. Having to say goodbye to your dearly departed favorite pair of shoes can be traumatizing. Knowing that there is a back up pair in the deepest corners of your closet for times such as these, can make your heart light again.

9. Hire a Costume Designer and Seamstress!!!

If you know exactly what you want, you see it in your mind, but you have no skill with a sewing machine, hire yourself a costume designer (most small towns have someone who works with their dance and theatre troupes, you may have to call around to the local middle school to talk to Janey Sue's mother, but it could be worth it to get the piece you desire). Costume designers are capable of taking the idea of a clothing item and turning it in to a reality. Additionally, you may find the item you were born to wear, but only in a size or two too big for you. If you have a good seamstress, you can get your alterations done and be wearing that item in days rather than continuing a search that leaves you feeling somewhat empty.

10. Be Comfortable In the Body You Have

Every single person's body is different than every other person's. We may have shapes and sizes that are the same, but at the end of the day, there are differences. Don't be ashamed of the body you've been given, and if you don't like it, there is nothing wrong with changing it IN A HEALTHY WAY. But remember, it is YOUR body, no one else's, so if you like it, and they don't who cares? Confidence adds to style 100% of the time.

11. Wear Whatever the Hell You Want

Right up there with being comfortable in your own body is being comfortable in your own clothes. If you want to dress as a medieval maiden to go to work every day, you just go right ahead. I am not going to stop you, and if your work lets you, why not? Style is a PERSONAL thing. Elizabeth Taylor used to go to the movies with friends wearing jeans, a t-shirt, a baseball hat, and a GIANT emerald necklace she got from Richard Burton. To the movies. Because she wanted to. You may get some looks, you may get some snickers, but if you are happy with the way you look than who cares what everyone else says?