Buzz
Finding the perfect outfit that complements your features can sometimes be a daunting task, especially if you lack a fashion-forward companion or a well-defined personal style. However, by focusing on dressing around specific criteria such as your skin tone, body shape, or the occasion you're dressing for, you can create a wardrobe that reflects your unique style. Remember, your personal style should always be a reflection of you, so feel free to adapt these methods to suit your own preferences.
Steps
Dressing According to Your Skin Tone
Understanding your skin tone. Skin tones can be described in various ways, from light to dark, pale to olive. The key to determining which colors suit you best lies in identifying the undertone of your skin, which can be warm, cool, or neutral. Here's how to determine your skin tone accurately:
- Examine the veins on the inside of your wrist. Do they appear blue or green? Blue or purple indicates a cool tone, while green suggests a warm tone. If you're unsure, you may have a neutral undertone.
- Consider the type of jewelry that complements you best. Gold jewelry suits warm tones, while silver is ideal for cool tones. If both look good on you, you likely have a neutral undertone.
- Observe how your skin reacts to sun exposure. Easily burning or turning pink indicates a cool tone, while tanning suggests a warm tone.
- Take note of your eye and hair colors. Blue, grey, or green eyes with blonde, brown, or black hair often indicate a cool tone, while brown, amber, or hazel eyes with strawberry blonde, auburn, or black hair suggest a warm tone.
- If you color your hair, the presence of terms like 'ash' or 'platinum' indicates a cool-toned shade, while 'golden' or 'mahogany' suggests a warm-toned hue.
For a cool skin tone, consider jewel-toned outfits. Dark blues, deep purples, and emerald greens are excellent choices. Try an emerald dress or a purple dress shirt paired with neutral pants.
If you have a cool skin tone, opt for pastel and camel-colored clothing. A baby blue sweater or a long camel coat complements cool skin tones well. Other pastels like light yellow, soft pink, and mint green also work beautifully with this skin tone.
If your skin tone is warm, embrace metallics. Silver or copper-colored fabrics are ideal for warm tones, especially when combined with a vibrant red lip or gold jewelry. Men can incorporate metallics into their attire with jewelry, avoiding metallic shirts or pants.
Choose neon or vibrant colors if you have a warm skin tone. Bright hues like neon green, pink, or yellow can make warm skin tones stand out. Stick to simple accessories to let the vibrant colors shine. Other bold shades like cobalt blue and teal also complement warm skin tones.
If you have a warm skin tone, opt for reds, oranges, and olive greens. These warm, vibrant colors enhance warm skin tones and prevent a washed-out appearance.
Choose the perfect shade of gray according to your skin tone. While white and black are neutral, gray can add a unique touch to your appearance. Opt for dove gray for warm skin tones and charcoal or pale gray for cool skin tones.
Embrace bold colors if you have a neutral skin tone. Neutral skin tones can pull off a wide range of colors, from jewel tones to neon shades. Experiment with bold warm or cool colors like cobalt or camel to make your neutral skin tone stand out.
Dressing Based on Your Body Shape - Women
Take measurements accurately. To determine your body shape, measure your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips with a measuring tape.
Identify your female body shape. Use your measurements to determine if you have an inverted triangle, rectangle, triangle, or hourglass shape, based on the proportions of your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips.
Consider an empire dress for rectangle or triangle body shapes. Empire dresses define the bust and flare out, creating a flattering silhouette. For rectangle shapes, choose a snug-fitting empire dress to create the illusion of a defined waist. Triangle shapes will also look great in empire dresses, as they elongate the legs.
Opt for a t-shirt style collared dress if you have an hourglass figure. Collared dresses with simple lines draw attention to the shoulders and neck, especially when worn with a V-neck. Leave the top buttons open for added emphasis.
Try wrap or surplice dresses, suitable for all body shapes. The wrap dress features a cross-wrap design with a tie or bow, creating a flattering V-neckline. Surplice dresses are a permanent version of the wrap style, also offering a flattering neckline. Pair them with skinny jeans or cargo pants for a casual look.
Opt for cargo pants if you have an inverted triangle shape. Cargo pants add volume to the lower half, balancing out an inverted triangle shape. Choose styles with hip pockets for rectangle shapes to create curves below the waist.
Consider men's trouser cuts for triangle shapes or shorter frames. Traditional men's trousers with a straight cut from the hip, slanted side pockets, and cuffs can elongate the thighs and create a streamlined look, ideal for triangle shapes or those with shorter frames.
Opt for skinny jeans if you have an hourglass figure. These jeans are snug around the waist, hips, and thighs, tapering down to hug the calves and ankles, creating a long and lean look for your legs.
Consider boot cut pants or jeans for any body shape. Boot cut styles run straight from the hip to the knee and then flare slightly to the ankle, providing a balanced and elongated appearance for all body shapes.
Dressing Based on Your Body Shape - Men
Identify your body shape as a man. Men's body shapes are determined by torso length and muscle distribution. Common shapes include trapezoid, inverted trapezoid, rectangle, triangle, and oval.
Embrace the latest trends, cuts, and colors if you have a trapezoid body shape. With a well-proportioned physique, you can experiment with new styles, cuts, and colors, such as bold stripes, navy or cargo green blazers, and slim-cut khakis or jeans.
Achieve balance in your outfits as an inverted trapezoid shape. Opt for straight or relaxed slim cuts for bottoms to complement your broad shoulders. Use belts and pants with pockets to highlight your narrow waist. V-neck knits and tees can narrow your chest area, while graphic prints and logos add a leaner look without overwhelming your silhouette. Unstructured double-breasted jackets can widen your torso without adding bulk to your shoulders.
Avoid structured jackets with shoulder padding or wide lapels if you have an inverted triangle shape. Opt for tops with narrower scoop necklines and shorter sleeves. Avoid three-quarter length sleeves as well.
Layer your clothing strategically if you are a rectangle shape. V-neck sweaters over collared shirts can widen your chest and shoulders while narrowing your hips. Scarves and circular necklines can also widen your upper torso. Consider tailored blazers or jackets for a more slimming effect.
Avoid double-breasted suits or sleeveless tops if you are a rectangle shape. Geometric prints on tops should also be avoided as they draw attention to your wide chest. Layering sleeveless tops can help balance your proportions.
Opt for well-fitted clothing if you are a triangle shape. Choose single-breasted styles and button-down shirts to streamline your torso. Straight-leg trousers and chinos work well for this shape, along with structured blazers and jackets. Darker colors on top can be flattering, especially when layered with a brighter shirt or tee.
Avoid horizontal stripes on your stomach area if you have a triangle shape. Opt for vertical stripes and regular cut tops to reduce shoulder width. Choose regular cut pants instead of tapered or skinny styles.
Choose vertical stripes and pinstripes if you are oval-shaped. They elongate your body and create a leaner appearance. Avoid horizontal stripes and ensure your pants are the right length for a balanced look.
Add color or prints to your outfits if you are oval-shaped. Pair printed or textured shirts with darker pants or jackets for an interesting and flattering look.
Avoid cowl necks, wide crew necks, or polo necks if you have an oval shape. Opt for simpler belts or skip them entirely to avoid drawing attention to your waist.
Dressing Based on the Occasion
Dress smartly yet professionally for job interviews. Remember the basics: avoid jeans, revealing attire, or sneakers. Men should opt for a suit or a collared shirt paired with nice shoes and a tie. Women have more flexibility; a silk blouse with a pencil skirt and heels, or a graphic collared shirt with fitted pants and dressy flats are great choices. You can also try a sheath dress with a belt and cardigan for a professional and unique look.
Clarify the dress code for a dinner party by asking the host. Avoid underdressing or overdressing by directly consulting your host for suggestions on attire.
- If unsure about the dress code, women can carry a pretty scarf and dangly earrings for a quick dress-up, while men can have a blazer or tie handy to elevate their look as needed.
Opt for a dressy casual style for cocktail parties. This can include a top with unique details paired with a skirt or tailored pants for women, and trousers with a dress shirt for men.
- Women can choose heels or fancy flats, while men can go for leather loafers, oxfords, or slip-on shoes.
- Complete your outfit with a blazer or sports coat for men, and a fitted jacket for women.
Maintain a professional yet approachable look for work functions or office parties. Consider your office culture and avoid overly formal or provocative attire.
- Avoid outfits that may hinder your professional image.
- For women, opt for fitted trousers paired with a nice top and blazer, or a wrap dress with simple jewelry. For men, a patterned or textured tie with a collared shirt and fitted pants is ideal.
Avoid wearing white to weddings unless you're the bride or groom. Opt for other colors like black or red, keeping the season and setting in mind.
- For a summer wedding, a simple silk dress in a bold color or print for women, and a collared shirt with cotton pants for men, work well.
- For fall or winter weddings, consider a form-fitting sweater dress and boots for women, or a v-neck sweater over a collared shirt for men.
Choose simple and respectful attire for funerals or wakes. While black isn't mandatory, opt for dark neutral colors like navy, brown, or forest green. Avoid overly festive clothing or accessories unless specifically instructed otherwise by the bereaved.
Tips
- This article divides sections by gender for clarity, but feel free to dress based on your preferences, skin tone, body shape, and the occasion, regardless of gender.
