I’m sure you’ve heard the terms before, hourglass, pear or apple in reference to body shape but what does it all really mean? Knowledge is power and the premise behind knowing your body shape is that it will help you discover how to put your best foot forward, highlight what you love about your body and unlock the secrets to what fits and flatters your body shape the best. That’s why I’m so excited to share with you my brand new Outfit Formulas™ Body Shape Capsule Wardrobe and the free Body Shape download! Click on my Coffee Chat below for more details.
Over the years of doing capsule wardrobes, I’ve been asked a lot about body shape and what looks flattering on what shapes. I think that you can be on-trend as much as you want to be or have a closet full of clothes, but if you don’t really understand the concepts of how to dress your unique body shape, then those pieces are not going to fit and flatter you to the extent that they possibly could.
One of the things that I really wanted to base Get Your Pretty On and Outfit Formulas around was that there are so many different shapes and sizes. I wanted to celebrate and be really inclusive of every woman with every capsule wardrobe. Our community is such a beautiful representation of every single body shape and size. We have all different ages, heights, shapes, sizes, you name it. If you look on my Instagram and you see that a lot of the pictures are me in the outfits, I want you to know that in our private communities we’re seeing so much diversity and so much beauty. That’s really at the heart of what GYPO is about, that it’s such a beautiful representation of everybody. Every age, every background, every budget, no exceptions. Fashion and feeling good in your clothes is for every woman! I really want every woman to celebrate the body that she has and the beautiful and unique shape that she has. There are truly pieces out there that fit and flatter every shape and that’s what we’re gonna get to today!
Measure First
To determine your body shape you have to measure first. I’m going to give you the broad strokes here for determining your body shape but there are more detailed directions (and maybe some math but don’t worry) in my free Body Shape download so be sure to check that out! You’re going to need a measuring tape, pencil and paper. In order to take accurate measurements, you must be either naked or wearing tight-fitting clothes such as leggings and a cami. It’s also recommended that you don’t wear a bra when taking measurements so you can get them as accurate as possible. You’re going to measure three areas. 1. Shoulders 2. Bust 3. Waist 4. Hips.
There are four main body shapes. You may have heard them referred to as fruits and veggies like apples, pears and carrots or as shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and squares. The names are interchangeable, just remember that triangles are pears, inverted triangles are apples, rectangles are athletic and the hourglass is curvy. Again I go over in greater detail about the different shapes in the free Body Shape download and what silhouettes you want to include in your closet and what ones to avoid. Then for the free download, I’ve included a shopping list and four days of outfits! Below I’m going to show you the Day 1 outfit formula and how it translates into the four different body shapes. Let’s get started!
If your hips are wider than your shoulders, then you’re a Triangle or Pear shape which is the category I fall into. It’s all about proportions, and you’ll hear this a lot from me. You want to draw the eye to your top and waist which is why I went for a waist-length jacket and tank. I also chose these boot cut jeans because Triangle’s look great in any jean style and finished it off with some heels to elongate the legs.
Are your shoulders or bust wider than your hips? Then you’re an Inverted Triangle or Apple shape. For this body type you’re trying to create balance by drawing the eye to the waist by creating interest around your hips. For this look, I picked a moto jacket that hits below the waist with bootcut jeans and a flowing tank that also hits below the waist. If you have a bigger bust, which many inverted triangles do, be sure to opt for a jacket with some stretch to it or you can even opt for a black cardigan to complete this look, just make sure it hits you around the hips.
If all measurements are the same or very similar with no defined waistline, you’re a Rectangle or Athletic shape. Your shape is well balanced and you look great in just about anything. The main goal of a rectangle is to add some curve by creating a waist. I did this by adding a structured jacket on top and then tucking in a simple tank to show off the waistline and finally pairing it all with a wider leg jean style which will enhance the waist as well.
If your shoulders and hips are about the same size with a defined waist you are an Hourglass or Curvy. You’ve got curves and you need to embrace them and show them off! This body shape is all about balance which it already has, you just need to keep it. To keep proportions balanced I picked a structured jacket and a sleeveless blouse that gathers in at the waist then finished it off with a pair of skinny jeans.
Things to Remember
You are Unique
Even though there are four different body types we are all unique and therefore may not fit neatly into one particular category. There is a chance that you may have a sub-body type and that’s okay. This is simply a guide to help you find clothes that will flatter you the best but that doesn’t mean that if you find something you love and that you feel great in that you should abandon it because it doesn’t “fit” into your body shape guidelines. If you’re struggling to find your body type, another method is to disregard your shoulder measurements completely and just use your bust, waist and hips.
Highlight What You Love
Learning how to dress with your body shape is all about learning to highlight what you love about your body! If you love your legs, learn how to rock them, if you love your curves, learn how to flaunt them and if you love your shoulders, learn the tops that flatter them. It’s all about using clothing silhouettes to draw the eye where were want and maybe away from what you don’t want front and center. So find what you love about yourself you can even go beyond naming your body parts. What are all the things you love about yourself? Go ahead, make a list….I’ll wait.
Don’t Get Discouraged
There are many other factors that may determine what your body shape is. For instance, height, where you carry your weight, where you lose and gain weight first. This isn’t to make you feel bad about yourself, especially if you don’t fit all nice and neat into one shape. Like I said before, you may have a sub-shape category and that’s totally, 100% okay. It’s easy to maybe wish you were another body type, I know I did. I am a pear and I spent my early years wishing I was a rectangle. People with curly hair wish theirs was straight and vice versa. There’s always going to be something, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to embrace it! Embrace yourself and accept that you are fabulous just the way you are! Once you’ve done that, then you wear what makes you happy and gives you confidence!
If you are a freshly baked dad or the one with a bit more experience this article is for you. Are you up for bringing some more balance to your wardrobe? Overall, do you want a more versatile, easy-to-pair set of clothes that you can wear every day no matter where you’re heading? Below I’m sharing a few tips on how to achieve that.
Start With Changing Your Approach
The essential thing to point out – creating a minimalist wardrobe is more about optimizing, not minimizing. The aim here is to build a thought-of and well-balanced wardrobe with the right amount of clothing so your daddy life would be less stressful.
Consider Your Budget, Lifestyle And Environment
Think of what do you do for work, what you enjoy doing during your spare time and on weekends. This will help to determine how formal or casual a style you need to go with.
How much could you spend and invest in some new pieces? You don’t have to replace your wardrobe all at once. It will help you plan your budget and save up for some more expensive garments.
What is the climate like in the place you live? Is it hot and humid, or cold and windy? Do you travel a lot? What is our daily routine like? How do you like to spend your free time? Answering these questions will help you to define your style, so you feel comfortable and confident.
Know Your Size
The thing you have to learn – stop trying to fit into pre-father clothes or pretend to be a slim-fit if you’re a bit larger gent. There’s probably nothing worse than seeing a grown-up man who’s wearing clothes that are too small for him. Your apparel should perfectly lay on your shoulders and overall fit you correctly.
Go For Neutral Tones
Vibrant patterns and graphic prints aren’t entirely off-limits, yet going for a more tonal and monochromatic look in neutral colours would be a wiser step at first. If you feel comfortable, try playing with the colour weel – mix and match different materials and shades for a more vibrant look.
Invest In Your Clothing
Invest wisely. Choose forever-live, high-quality pieces (Check Define Sleek’s guide to a capsule wardrobe and essential pieces). Go for a leather bomber jacket, quality jeans, knit sweater, wool suit or a navy blazer, look for a classy overcoat and invest in quality dress shirts and pants. Those things will age nicely and make you look sharp.
Less Branding
Over-branded outfits sometimes can send a wrong signal – ‘insecure dad trying to look cool’. A subtle logo with no pointing out can add a complementing touch to a plain shirt or a cardigan. The brand word or an icon should never be visible from more than a few meters away. Stick to the garments that look valuable because of their fit and fabrics. Let those things do all the talking, not some logos.
Main Rules On How To Structure Your Wardrobe
The core of your wardrobe should be formed of foundational pieces, classic and timeless items that work well in many different situations. Your foundational pieces should make the majority of your wardrobe. Moreover, these kinds of items should pair with one another without a struggle.
The middle section of your minimalist closet should be made of clothes that are not as versatile but are still relevant. This section could include seasonal items as well as pieces for specific occasions.
The top section should be made up of your experimental, colourful, nostalgic, and very occasionally worn items.
Final Thought
As it is sad that sometimes when your life tends to be a little too chaotic – start with your closet. Eventually, it could lead to more significant and better things.
About Renaldas – Founder of Define Sleek
In 2014 I was a professional chef and yet decided to pursue a career in men’s fashion industry after spending nearly a decade of making food at high-end restaurants across Europe. The decision to tackle a world of fashion was purely based on a passion for menswear, garments, and accessories which, in my point of view, are instruments to create a unique and distinctive statement of style. Without having much knowledge in this industry, I chose to enroll in fashion design courses in London to learn some fundamentals needed to succeed in this business.
The idea of Define Sleek was born back then with the aim to provide practical style advice and offer approachable content concentrated on longevity, sustainability and education about tailoring and bespoke fashion.
Define Sleek believes that style is more about how you live your life, your pursuits and values, quality and craftsmanship in all aspects of life.
As we jump into fall and kick off the Fall 2018 Capsule Wardrobe, this Style Your Size post has become the perfect example of just how flexible Get Your Pretty On Style Challenges really are.
Whether you are brand new to GYPO or if you’ve been around since the beginning, seeing how these Pretties have styled their size is sure to be inspiring.
Thank you so much to the Fall 2018 Capsule Wardrobe members who have shared their version of the Day One Outfit of the Day.
For some members, following the prompt exactly as it’s laid out works best. The members featured in this section may have mixed up one of two of the items, but for the most part, their outfit matches Alison’s suggestion perfectly.
Terri says, “I love how the A+A tassel necklace takes this outfit up a notch!”
One of the many great things about the Style Challenges is that you can substitute pieces. Alison offers substitution ideas within the program. For these members, a simple swap of the cardigan color makes the outfit a great fit for them!
Beth says, “I love creating multiple outfits from each daily outfit prompt. I am always finding new ways to wear what I already have in my closet! The GYPO program and community have helped me feel beautiful at my size (16 or so) and my age! (60!!)”.
Many members are finding fall temperatures where they live to be too warm for layers. As the members in this section show, subtracting the cardigan leaves them able to enjoy the outfit even when it’s warm out.
Laura says, “I didn’t use the cardigan because I live in Sunny Florida where the heat index was over 100 today”.
Peggy size 14 / Shanni size 4 / Laura size 4
Style Your Size: Use the Prompt as a Guide
Alison advises that you shop your closet first. Sometimes that means the Daily Outfit Prompt becomes more of a guide than a strictly followed recipe. The members in this section show just how together an outfit can be, even if the prompt isn’t followed exactly.
Jill (that’s me) says, “I am both in the process of losing weight and on a pretty strict budget. I’ve challenged myself to follow the Daily Outfits from what I already have in my closet this time around.”
Tammy size 2 / Eileen size 14 / Jill size 12
Can you put together this outfit from what you have in your closet? We’d love to see how YOU style it… in your size! Tag us on Instagram @_getyourprettyon!
Author Bio: Jill Riley is in charge of sending big hugs through customer service emails. She spends most of her time with her husband, son, daughter, and pup. When her nose isn’t buried in a personal development book, you can find her playing games with her kids. Discovering audiobooks and true crime podcasts has helped make sure her pup gets plenty of walks.
OK, so even though Mother Nature is NOT yet aware, fall is just around the corner, or at least my calendar says so! As usual, I’m getting prematurely hyped up about wearing fall outfits. Living in the south, logic tells me that this really isn’t going to happen for a few more months. But that’s not going to stop me from buying fall clothes, pairing them up and making my hubby take outfit pics in our air conditioned living room! (which btw, I’m still sweating in all of them)
Still, my enthusiasm for fall fashion cannot be contained, thwarted or otherwise poo poo’ed. It is by and far my favorite season of the year to get dressed. I mean who doesn’t love LAYERS?! If you don’t I’m just going to say, we probably can’t be friends.
I mean, have you seen fall 2018’s trends yet? This traditional girl is completely geeking out because they are SO classic! As a matter of fact, I made sure to chock the Fall 2018 GYPO Style Challenge full of classics that you most likely already have in your closet.
Today I’m highlighting a few of my favorite fall trends that are instant classics. How many of these do you already have?
Oh chambray shirt, you should have your own star on the style walk of fame. What else could be so versatile that it can be worn in every season? It’s the ultimate layering piece yet it stands on it’s own. Pair it in the summer over a tank or sundress, in the winter under a sweater or quilted vest or simply tuck it into jeans for spring and fall. This super soft chambray is a recent upgrade that I made to my wardrobe and I can’t recommend it enough!
When gray jeans first hit the scene a few years ago, they were considered a trend but IMO they’ve reached classic status. They match virtually every color and are the first pair I reach for when I’ve grown tired of my basic blue denim.
Love them or hate them, quilted vests (and their lighter weight cousin, utility vests) are making a strong showing for fall 2018. The puffier, heavier versions from a few years back have been pared down to a light weight layer that makes them so much more wearable. If you’ve hated these vests because they added bulk you might want to give them another try!
3. Leopard Flats (and leopard everything)
I just KNEW this day was coming! Leopard is back on the scene in a big way for fall 2018. You have no idea how positively giddy this makes me! Even though retailers weren’t featuring this pattern as much the past few years, I still continued to wear my leopard mules, belt and booties. Now my love is legitimized with it officially being one of fall 2018’s trends.
Loafers, loafers everywhere and lots of pairs to wear! Loafers are the quintessential fall classic and there’s a bumper crop this fall like no other. It’s safe to say they’re back in the spotlight. Whether you opt for the more traditional penny loafer or a mule or slide version, you can’t go wrong.
4. Slip On Sneakers
Athleisure is on the scene for fall 2018. An easy way to dip a toe in this trend is by swapping your regular flats for a pair of fun (and might I add comfy) slip on sneakers. Metallics go with everything!
Cheater, cheater pumpkin eater…denim jackets have been around forever, how can I have the nerve to put them on a fall trends list? Again, classics are all the rage and this is another that’s been thrust back into the mix in a big way. Layer one on over ANYTHING and I do mean anything. They are just that versatile. Not to mention, they’re the perfect fall layer, not too heavy, not too light.
If you don’t have them yet, run, don’t walk (but don’t fall) to get you a pair of taupe ankle booties. There’s a vicious rumor that riding boots are going out of style (btw, NOT TRUE, I’m extremely passionate about this topic in case you didn’t see my Facebook Live). The ONLY kernel of truth in that rumor is that ankle boots are having a moment. If you make one footwear update for fall, make it a pair of taupe ankle boots. Taupe matches both warm and cool colors and you can wear ankle boots with everything from boyfriend and skinny jeans to dresses and skirts.
It’s Your Turn: What pieces are you planning to add to your fall wardrobe? How many of these do you already have? Join the conversation in our GYPO Pretties Facebook group!
Fall 2018 GYPO Style Challenge News + Giveaway
Have you heard the news? The Fall 2018 GYPO Style Challenge is almost here! It opens on September 7th which is also my birthday, btw and as a gift to myself (and YOU, of course!) I chocked it full of my favorite fall classics.
What the heck is a Style Challenge you ask? It’s my online personal style program that basically gives you a personal stylist for practically nothing. But seriously, it’s personal style that fits your budget and size and over 24,000 women have joined since it’s start in 2014!
I started this program based on the premise that life’s too short to worry about what you’re wearing. I want getting dressed to be the easiest thing you do all day!
Trust me when I say this, it’s about SO MUCH more than clothes. It’s real women, real fashion and most importantly real FUN!
I’m not just tooting my own horn either, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and read through some of the 277 five star reviews.
OK, Alison, this all sounds awesome, but how does it work?
Glad you asked! It’s so easy. First off I give you a shopping list of classic basics and seasonal fall trends.You check off anything you already have in your closet and go shopping for the rest armed with your list. No more decision overwhelm, you’ll know EXACTLY what you need. Don’t worry, I also give you links to online options if you don’t want to leave the house.
The best part? Every piece on your shopping list gets paired up in at least 4-5 different ways helping you make the most of your shopping budget!
After your pieces are in place, you’ll get a daily outfit delivered right to your inbox made up of pieces on the list to style and wear that day.
It’s kind of like meal planning for your closet. I give you the ingredients list (shopping list), you check your pantry (closet) for any staples you already have and then I send you a daily recipe (outfit formula) to create your meals (outfits) for every day of the week!
How much does this cost?
I started the Style Challenge on the premise that EVERY woman deserves to have access to great style and the confidence that comes with it, no matter her size or budget. Access to everything in the program is just $39 per season (considering a personal stylist is $150/hour, I think it’s a pretty awesome deal!) We don’t charge you a recurring membership fee either, you pay for the program you want, that’s it. Plus since you do your own shopping, YOU get to set the budget and shop at your favorite stores.
You can’t put a price on confidence but if we had to, we’d say $39 makes it a pretty good deal! PRICELESS!
I’M TOTALLY IN! Now what?
The Fall 2018 GYPO Style Challenge will be available for registration on September 7th. The minute you sign up, you’ll get your shopping list and access to the first week’s worth of outfits plus all the goodies inside our members only area. Make sure that you’re on our newsletter list so you’ll be the first to know when it opens. In the meantime, you can learn more about Style Challenges and our other programs HERE.
25,000th Member Giveaway!
We are SO CLOSE to our 25,000th Style Challenge member! In fact it’s going to happen during registration for the Fall 2018 Style Challenge! To celebrate, we’ve got an EPIC giveaway planned. All you have to do to enter is sign up for the fall challenge. More details to come!
GET PERSONAL STYLE THAT FITS YOUR SIZE & BUDGET Join a community of over 30,000 women that have confidence in their every-day style choices. SIGN UP NOW t DO YOU HATE SHOPPING OR GET OVERWHELMED WHEN YOU WALK INTO A STORE? t DO YOU WANT TO MINIMIZE...
Do you struggle to put outfits together? Are you stuck in a yoga pants rut? Not sure if you can make the latest trends work for you? You’re in the right place!
I’m Alison, a mom of three and recovering yoga pants addict on a mission to make getting dressed and feeling pretty the easiest thing you do all day! Learn more about my story HERE.
I am so glad I was part of the Fall 2019 Style Challenge. It gave me confidence and so many great outfitt ideas. The ladies in the group were very supportive and I will defintetly be doing another challenge in the future.
Betty Weyandt December 20, 2019
I’ve been participating in the GYPO Style Challenges for three years now and I’ve loved it. I’ve always loved clothes, but I didn’t know how to put outfits together. My closet is now full of mix-and-match outfits, I have learned how to dress myself, and there is no more stress in figuring out to wear. The private FB group is full of wonderful ladies that build each other up. It’s so fun and is seriously the best group on FB.
Kirstin Rasmussen November 20, 2019
Get Your Pretty On has changed my life, seriously. I have always chased what is trendy but found from season to season, that things go out of style and I was wasting money on items that I would only end up wearing a few times. GYPO has enabled me to simplify my closet, helps me make smarter purchasing decisions, and I feel so put together and confident using the outfit formulas that are provided. This program is a GAME CHANGER. I've been following GYPO for a few years now and my only regret is not jumping on board sooner.
Michelle Kline November 20, 2019
Great community of ladies, helping each other look stylish, without breaking the bank, and using much of what you already own.
Chosen Faith November 19, 2019
GYPO challenges have been one of the best things I have done! It had taught me so much more than just creating a closet of clothes that I love but also to have confidence in myself, how to pick and choose colors that work for me instead of against, and had given a wonderful community of Pretties who are so special.
Maraline Freeman October 16, 2019
I love GYPO!!! I finally feel put together and stylish! The shopping lists and outfit combinations make shopping and getting dressed effortless.
Krista Probst October 16, 2019
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In 2014 I was a professional chef and yet decided to pursue a career in men’s fashion industry after spending nearly a decade of making food at high-end restaurants across Europe. The decision to tackle a world of fashion was purely based on a passion for menswear, garments, and accessories which, in my point of view, are instruments to create a unique and distinctive statement of style. Without having much knowledge in this industry, I chose to enroll in fashion design courses in London to learn some fundamentals needed to succeed in this business.
