Personal Styling
Colour, Texture, Size & Fit Analysis
Important:
• Black minimizes any figure shape
• White maximizes figure shapes
• Small prints emphasize large shapes
• Large prints emphasize small shapes
• One color head to toe creates length
• One color on top and contrast on bottom cuts a shape in half; it appears shorter
• Too tight or too loose is always too wrong
• Age inappropriate dressing emphasizes your age
1/ Understanding Styles & Colours
PERSONAL STYLE
Classic - MEN & WOMEN (White button-down shirt / loafers / blazer)
Romantic - Vintage WOMEN (Delicate fabrics / lace / vintage inspired clothing)
Rock’n’roll - MEN & WOMEN (Mix of element)
Bohemian - MEN & WOMEN (60s / 70s) Lucky Band, Free People
Creative Edgy - MEN & WOMEN (Asymmetric hemlines) Diesel, Zara, H&M
Glamazon - WOMEN (Sex Appeal / curve-revealing)
Minimalist Modern - MEN & WOMEN (Simple / neutral)
Sporty - MEN (Sports look) Jordan, Derek Jeter
UNDERSTANDING COLOUR
Skin tone:
COOL (olive, moss, orchid, cappuccino, cream, mushroom gray and violet-red)
WARM (red, peach, coral, orange, amber, gold, and yellow)
2/ Wardrobe essentials for W
• Black slacks
• Dark wash jeans
• Basic black & white t-shirt
• White button-down shirt
• Black knee length skirt
• Cardigan sweater
• Basic black or tan heavy lined wool coat
• Trench coat
• Camisole
• Neutral shoes
• Neutral bags
• Good shapewear and undergarments
3/ Women’s Body Shapes (APPLE, PEAR and HOURGLASS)
Hourglass Body Shape
• Waist that is 9” to 13” smaller than the bust and hip measurement
• Bust and hips usually the same width
• Medium to large bust
• Waistline is narrower than bustline
• Horizontal figure type versus vertical figure type
• Has waist definition
• Has a proportioned body
• Legs are in proportion, but this body type may also have shorter legs
• Facial shape also rounded – either oval, long oval or round
Ideal body shape. This shape can wear many silhouettes and does not need to rely on
clothing tricks to create a flattering figure. Remember to wear clothes which fit close to
body. Baggy and shapeless styles do nothing to flatter a look.
Oval Body Shape (Diamond)
• Apple shape, fullness at midriff
• Smaller shoulders and full neck
• Shape created by weight gain
• No waits definition
• Bust, waist and hips are very close in measurements
• Horizontal body line
• Legs are in great shapes
• May have short legs combined with broad shoulders
• Facial shape also round and curved
Proportion the top half of the body by wearing shoulder pads. Choose ‘V’ necklines and
vertical design lines. (Draped scarves, long necklaces, ...)
Prints work well as long as they are medium in scale, not tiny and not oversized.
Dark solid colors on the inside, lighter colors on the outside. Wear skirts only if they fall past
the knee, and with the same colour hosiery and shoes.
Triangle Body Shape (Pear)
• Small to Medium size frame
• Narrow or sloping shoulders
• Hips wider than shoulders and bust line
• Body larger below the waist than above
• May have small bust line
• Large hips
• Full legs, sometimes short legged
• This body type is also known as ‘pear shaped’
• Facial shapes usually with angles
Balance the upper body by creating visual width, use shoulder pads and lighter colors on top,
darker on the bottom. Wear tops with pleats, epaulettes, ruffles and patch pockets. Wear
simple and straight or slightly tapered trousers without pleats or gathers at the waist.
Colorful accessories can be worn around the neckline and shoulder area. Avoid adding visual
to the hip area with long jackets. Instead, choose jackets that are cropped or box style.
Avoid tight fitting jeans and opt instead for a straight cut leg; solid color shoes in a matching
shade serve to elongate the leg.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
• Shoulders wider than the hips
• Body larger above the waist than below
• Small hips and flat derriere
• Legs are shaped well
• May have full bust
• Clothes hanger shoulders
• May have short legs combined with broad shoulders
• Sporty/athletic physique
• Facial shape usually with angles
Wear darker colors on top, lighter colors on the bottom. ‘V’ necks elongate the upper body.
If wearing loose clothing that falls from the shoulder, belt at the waist to create definition.
Gathered skirts and flared hems look great on this body type. Wear wide legged trousers to
create visual balance below the waist. Use horizontal stripes and patterns. This shape can
wear halter tops well.
Use accessories and jewellery to visually elongate the torso (scarves, long necklines, ...).
Define the waist with belts or wrapped sweaters.
Rectangle Body Shape (Square)
• Very little or no waist definition
• Hips and shoulders look balanced
• Vertical body type
• Small derriere
• Legs are usually long
• Waist measurement from 1” to 8” smaller than the bust
• Very common figure type as women age or gain weight
• This body type is also known as ‘square’
• Facial shapes have sharp and square lines
Wear fitted jackets with defined shoulders (pads, lines, seams, …). Wear dresses with waist
accents to help create illusion of waistline. Wear gathers and pleats at the waist. Trousers
should be fitted with slight flair at the bottom. Jackets with waist defining lines are good.
Vertical lines will help elongate the figure. Depending on facial shape, wide necklines are
also good.
4/ Women’s Facial Shape
Knowing your facial shape allows you to choose appropriate eye glass style, hairstyles,
jewellery and make up tips.
Oval Facial Shape
This face shape is egg shaped; it can also be a long oval, think of a long oval as an elongated
egg shape. This shape is equal in size across the face horizontally and down the face
vertically, and as such is perfectly proportioned. This shape can wear many styles, shapes
and sizes of earrings, necklaces, scarves and hats.
Heart Shape
This facial shape is wider at the temples and tapers to a smaller, almost pointy chin. Across
the face from ear to ear is one width, and from hairline to chin length is longer. The heart
shape can be proportionally balanced by wearing jewellery styles that elongate the face.
Earrings can be long drops in angular shapes for maximum flattery.
Diamond Shape
Women with this facial shape have wide jawlines that stretch out to their ears. Typically,
they have wonderful cheekbones. To proportion this facial shape with jewellery, seek to
balance out the width by increasing visual length. Long drop shaped earrings will flatter a
diamond shape, as will long necklaces and scarves tied below the collar bone.
Square Shape
This face shape is angular, and equally as wide at the forehead, jawline and cheekbones. To
proportion the face with jewellery, choose earring styles that draw attention vertically
across cheeks continuing down the neck. Large chandelier shaped earrings work well for this
purpose.
Round Facial Shape
This particular shape is wide throughout the jaws and cheek area, almost a filled out oval
shape. This facial type can wear many styles of earring and necklaces, as long as the
proportion of visual interest is vertical (to elongate the face) and not horizontal (which will
widen the face).
Triangle Facial Shape
This shape has a wider jawline and narrower temple. The best jewels to wear are those that
will widen the face at the cheekbone. Earrings that are dramatic, bold and big, and worn
close to the ear, are the most flattering for this facial shape. The best neckwear will include
long necklaces to elongate the neck area. Chokers and wrapped scarves do not flatter this
facial shape.
5/ Basic Elements and Principes of Design
Horizontal Lines:
Horizontal lines tend to widen the areas where they are worn. They can be disadvantageous
for an apple-shaped woman, especially if she wears them across the widest point of her
midriff. On the other hand, horizontal lines can be advantage for a pear-shaped woman who
wears them across her shoulders or bust line. In this case, the horizontal line can widen and
therefore balance a narrow shoulder against a heavier hip and thigh area.
Vertical lines:
Vertical lines tend to elongate the areas where they are worn. A solid-coloured hip-length
sleeveless shirt can be elongating on someone with fuller torso. The column of colour from
shoulder to hip that contrasts with the wearer’s skin tone creates a vertical line. Adding
horizontal elements such as cap sleeves or a belt diminishes the vertical effect.
Diagonal Lines:
Diagonal lines tend to direct the eye to a point. They can also camouflage flaws by moving
the viewer’s eye to another areas.
Curved Lines:
Curved lines tend to soften a look and can sometimes add bulk. They are great for very thin
people who want to appear curvier.
