Showing off a great sense of personal style can elevate your look and boost your confidence and mood. That said, fit is everything when it comes to fashion according to personal stylist duo Beckie + Martina. “Wearing pieces out of proportion with your body or that don’t suit your style and shape can make you look sloppy, outdated, and bigger than you are”. Here are 15 fashion mistakes you could be making that are unflattering, unattractive, and emphasizing your flaws.
1. Bulky Fashion Offenders
It’s also important to pay attention to cuts and detailing. Cap sleeves make your arms look thicker as they cut you off at an unflattering point. Boxy silhouettes hide your natural curves and can make you look like you’re wearing a tent. High necklines make your upper body look broader and add volume to your torso. And too much ruching can add bulk to the wrong areas.
2. High-Waisted Pants
High-waisted pants might be on trend according to Vogue, but be warned they don’t flatter everyone, especially if you’re top-heavy. “If you are bigger, high-waisted pants can add bulk more to your midsection, so go for a more mid-rise style to enhance your waistline”, says Miekle. You should also steer clear of wide-leg pants as they can add volume to your lower half, while low-rise pants can give you a muffin top. Straight-leg or slim-fit pants are more slimming for larger body shapes.
3. Loose Baggy Styles
You want to highlight your best assets and wear clothing that streamlines your shape and flatters your figure. Even if you are bigger or plus size, wearing loose, baggy, shapeless clothing will make you look larger and hide your natural silhouette. Opt for well-fitted classic pieces.
4. Tight Restrictive Clothes
You need to strike the perfect balance between well-fitted clothes and pieces that are too tight. Wearing clothes that are too tight can create unflattering bulges and draw attention to the areas you are trying to minimize. Your clothes should fit effortlessly and comfortably.
5. Avoid Horizontal Stripes
A nautical striped Bretton t-shirt or button-up according to personal stylist and fashion consultant Sarah Meikle is a fashion classic that will give you a touch of French chic.” The key however is to make sure the stripes run vertically as these are more flattering and slimming whereas horizontal stripes can make you look wider especially if they are broad and high-contrast.
6. Loud, Bold Prints
Bright, bold maximalist prints and patterns can overwhelm your frame and make you look bigger than you are. “It’s best to wear prints in smaller, more subtle patterns and in softer shades to create a chicer more streamlined look, ” says Meikle. The stylist also advises against clashing prints. “Stick to one print either up top or below.”
7. Light Neutral Shades
Light neutral shades can wash you out and also make you look larger because they reflect more light and add volume. “Darker colors like black, navy, and charcoal are more slimming if you’re bigger,” says Beckie + Martina.
8. Oversized Accessories
Accessories can make or break an outfit according to fashion stylists but the trick is to choose accessories that complement your shape and frame. “Thick belts, oversized bags, chunky shoes, and heavy jewelry can add visual weight and make your look appear disproportionate,” warns Beckie + Martina.
9. Steer Clear Of Chunky Fabrics
Thick, heavy fabrics and textures like wool, tweed, or bulky knit sweaters look chunky and add extra volume to your frame. Opt for lighter fabrics and lightweight knits that ideally drape well as these will look more flattering.
10. Button Up and Tuck In
A classic button-down shirt belongs in every wardrobe as they are chic and flattering, especially in crisp white and instantly give you a polished look. Provided you always tuck in your shirt, as leaving them untucked and hanging loosely looks sloppy and adds bulk around the waist and hip area.
11. Layer Upon Layer
Layering is an art form and most women don’t get it right. When you overdo it on the layers you will instantly add bulk to your look. Stick to a few well-fitted pieces to avoid looking bigger than you are.
12. Wide Oversized Shoulders
Oversized shirts, jackets, and blazers that are shapeless, ill-fitting, and too wide in the shoulders can make you appear broader. Avoid bulky 80s shoulder pads and shapeless jackets and ensure tops, shirts and jackets precision fit at your shoulders.
13. Tricky Peplum Tops
Peplum tops are tricky to pull off and don’t suit every body shape. If they aren’t well-fitted or you are heavy on top and around the midsection, they can also exaggerate your waist and hips. If you do try a peplum note, it should fall right at the hip to enhance your figure and it’s best to avoid anything with a loud print.
14. Wrong Bra Size
80 percent of women are walking around wearing the wrong bra size according to Huff Post. Wearing an ill-fitting bra creates bulges, makes your boobs look bigger, highlights underarm fat, and can make your upper body look larger. Get properly fitted to determine the right bra size for you. This will also help streamline your shape and make your clothes hang better.
15. Shiny Synthetic Fabrics
Shiny satins and metallic fabrics reflect light, add visual weight, and cling to the body to emphasize flaws, especially if they are made from cheap fabric that doesn’t breathe. Opt for matte fabrics over shiny and transparent textures as these are slimming and forgiving.