Doncaster Fashionistas

“Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportion.” ~ Coco Chanel. The key to selecting clothing which flatters your body’s architecture is to provide a silhouette with an unbroken line, through the use of proportion, proper fit, and fabric selection. This is accomplished differently for each body architecture type, enhancing your strengths and downplaying your weaknesses. There is not a perfect body, just the perfect optical illusion. You can look beautiful, confident, and powerful at any size!

To start you need to determine your individual body’s architecture. Although you may go up and down in sizes throughout your lifetime, your natural body silhouette remains the same, simply scaling in its natural proportions. There are basically six body types, which we will refer to as A, B, C, D, E, and F. Body shapes D, E, and F are the same basic proportions as A, B, and C but represent plus-sized figures.

Type A and D: The width of your shoulders and torso are smaller than your hips, with a clearly defined waistline. Think of a triangle. (Sometimes referred to as pear-shaped.)

Type B and E: The width of your shoulders and hips are similar, and your torso is smaller, with a clearly defined waistline. Think of an hourglass.

Type C and F: The width of your shoulders, torso, and hips are similar, with only a slight waist definition. Think of a silo.

I will be posting recommendations for each body architecture type over time. Stay tuned!

* Shop petite departments and sizes, because the proper proportions have already been incorporated in the garment. Although missy or full-fashioned sizes can be altered to work, it will typically be more beneficial to spend extra time hunting for the right petite outfit and save on alteration fees. Alterations will encompass more than shortening items. They will entail details such as buttons, pocket placement, pant rises, and dart placements. If you simply must shop missy sizes, select carefully and consult with your alteration expert PRIOR to removing any tags. They will be able to give you a cost estimate of what it will take to alter the garment properly beforehand, enabling you to judge if it is worth keeping or returning the item.

* Focus on monochromatic or tonal combinations between your upper and lower body, rather than wearing contrasting pieces which will break up your vertical line and shorten your appearance. Add flair with the use of interesting fabrics, textures, and designer embellishments…. and accessorize!

* When you wear patterns or prints, select vertically oriented smaller scaled designs. Horizontal or large scaled designs will shorten your vertical line.

* Incorporate designer details and embellishments than enhance your vertical line. For example, look for details such as vertical seaming, ruffles, and zippers.

* In suites, look for single breasted jackets that create a vertical line on the body, and skirts that hit just above the knee, allowing the legs to show and further your vertical line. Further extend your line with pointed high heel shoes.

* If you wear longer skirts, they should drape softly and close to the body. They need to just clear your calf while revealing at least 3 – 4″ of your legs. You can further enhance your vertical line with the use of similar colored hose/ stockings or slim boots.

*** NOTE: Doncaster Clothing carries petite sizes from size 2 – 18! ***

Check out this video on what necklines work and don’t work for your body architecture, by Stacy and Clinton of “What Not to Wear”.

NOTE: This video is borrowed from UTube, and I am not in the video… but I agree with the advice.

Hot tip! How to quickly and easily remove deodorant stains from your clothing….

NOTE: This video is borrowed from UTube, and I am not in the video… but I agree with the advice.