1
Decide which features you would like to emphasize. You can use outfits to make aspects of your appearance look bigger, smaller, more obvious, or less noticeable.[1] [2]
Patterns – Clothes with vertical lines will usually make the part of the body they're worn on look thinner. Meanwhile, horizontal stripes will often make that space look wider. Bright, attention grabbing patterns will draw the eye to where they're worn, so if you'd like to emphasize your bust, a patterned shirt is a good strategy. The converse is also true; dark, solid pieces can de-emphasize certain areas of your body, especially when paired with bright patterns.
Waist styles – Low-waisted paints can make your body look curvier with a more well-defined waist. Empire waists can help to emphasize your bust.
Structured tailoring – Clothing with structured tailoring can be used to emphasize and give shape to any part of your body. Boxy outerwear can make your upper body look bulkier, while shoulder pads can specifically make your shoulders appear wider. Pleated trousers can also make legs look thicker.
Types of hemlines – A-line skirts are great for adding curves and making your bottom half look wider. Straight skirts are also good for doing the latter. Tapered skirts have the opposite effect; wear these when trying to de-emphasize your lower body.
Fit – In general, baggy clothing will hide definition, while tighter fits will accentuate it.
EXPERT TIP
Catherine JoubertCATHERINE JOUBERT
Professional Stylist
Research your body type online to find styles that will look best on you. Personal stylist Catherine Joubert says: "When you look at your body in the mirror, be honest with yourself about what you see. For instance, if you have narrow shoulders and wider hips, you're a pear shape. Then, search online and look for clothing that will help you emphasize your best features."
Choose Good Clothes Step 2
2
Know your measurements. Whether you're buying clothing off-the-rack or having it tailored, it's best to keep your exact proportions in mind. Use a tape measure and write down the exact numbers. Here are the measurements you should take:[3]
Circumference of your head for hat sizing.
Upper arm for sleeves.
Neck, which is more important in men's clothing.
Widest or fullest part of your chest or bust.
Natural waistline.
Hips for women's clothing.
Inseam, which is the distance from your groin to the bottom of your ankle.
Choose Good Clothes Step 3
3
Make sure your clothing fits. The right fit is the most important part of choosing good clothes. In general, a garment that fits well but is in an unflattering style will look better than a piece with a poor fit in a style meant to flatter your body shape.[4]
Clothing that fits should be comfortable and not hinder your movements while not looking too baggy or sloppy.
If you're planning on losing weight, don't buy clothes that you assume you'll fit into in a few months. Instead, hold off major purchases until after you make any major changes.
Be sure to always hem your pants, especially if you're on the short side. A too-low hem will make you look much shorter.ChooseGood Clothes Step 4
4
Buy clothing that looks great on you now. If a garment doesn't quite fit now but you think it'll look great once you get in shape for the summer? It's not a good idea to buy it. Shop for your current figure, not the one you think you should have. You don't want to waste money on clothes you might never wear.
If a jacket or blazer won't button all the way, it doesn't fit. Try one size up or pick a different one altogether.
If you're swamped in a piece of clothing, it doesn't fit. If it hangs off of you, you should pick a different size.
Choose Good Clothes Step 5
5
Check how clothing looks from behind. This step is crucial in finding flattering clothes that a lot of people skip. A dress or a suit can look like a perfect fit from the front but terrible from behind.
If you have a phone with a front-facing camera, take it with you to the dressing room to check how the back of each garment looks on you. See if it looks baggy or too tight. Make sure that it is flattering on you, meaning it's not hugging the wrong curves and that it isn't showing anything it shouldn't.
After you check how your potential new garment looks on you from the front, turn around so that your back faces the fitting room mirror. Switch your phone to its front-facing camera mode and hold it in front of you, higher than your shoulder and tilted down slightly. You should be able to see your back's reflection in your phone's screen.
If your phone doesn't have a front-facing camera, bring a small hand or compact mirror when you go shopping instead. Choose Good Clothes Step 6
6
Don't always follow fashion trends. You may want to keep up with new styles, but if a certain popular look is unflattering on you, don't wear it. Develop your own style and only incorporate trends that fit it well.[5]
For example, if you're a skinny guy and ultra-baggy suits are in, don't waste money on this trend. You aren't likely to pull it off as well as other body types.
On the other hand, if you're pear-shaped and bulky scarves are trendy, take advantage of the chance to look extra chic.
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