Are there any universally flattering clothes?

[JimmyJabs]

I don't think there are, and yet every year I seem to see the latest trend in jean shape or skirt length being touted as suiting everyone. Then, a couple of years later, everyone suddenly notices that e.g. skinny jeans or midi skirts actually don't work on the majority of bodies, and on it goes with another trend.

I think the styles I most often see being described as universally flattering are:

White shirt (not if you have large boobs or a bit of a tummy)
Little black dress (black isn't very forgiving to some skin tones)
Skinny jeans (terrible on pear shapes like me)
Maxi skirts (I think they're best on tall people - I just look like a pepper pot)
Voluminous prairie style dresses like that spotty Zara one from last year (they might be comfortable but they make most people look about three sizes bigger than they are)

I would like to be proved wrong though!

Kimono is a good shout as is most clothing closely identified with a culture’s material heritage. Colours and handiwork are usually an irresistible combination. We could all wear a sari or an embroidered bolero I suppose, but not great in British weather.

And what’s with all the midi dresses now? Every dress midi length. That is just the worst length on me bar none - stopping lower calf like that renders my legs into mere stumps. Knee length is fine, let’s stick with that eh?
It was Kate Middleton started all that nonsense. I blame her stylists.

Blazers look awful on me. I have narrow shoulders and large breasts, so either they fit across the shoulders but don’t come close to doing up, or they fit across the chest and do up, but comically swamp me across the shoulders. I have a couple of smartish jersey jackets, not blazer style, that just about work but usually I stick to sweaters or cardigans even with smart wear.

I agree that Princess seams look good on a fuller bust. I wear them quite a lot, especially for fitted dresses. I didn’t realise that ‘nobody’ wore them...

JimmyJabs yes, that kind of shape. A friend wore a wedding dress that shape when she was 5 months pregnant, the waist was slightly higher than her natural waist and it completely hid her baby bump.

Agree about kimonos as well, in fact any kind of expensive drapey loose fabrics look great on pretty much everyone as well.