How do you know what suits your shape?

[Hobbitlover]

As the title, how do you know?
Late 40s, hourglass size 18, big of knork & hip.
How do you figure out what suits you when all you do is hide in baggy clothes as you hate your shape/size🙈

Bumping for answers.

In reality, I try stuff on over decades and buy multiple of things that look Less Shit than others.

Also, you might find that things that are actually more fitted look better than things that are tents.

I dress like a baggy hobo on days off but prefer more tailoring for work.

Hi op I'm similar size I like dresses with a v neck that have a stretch waist and then flare over the hip as they give a good shape . Same with tops I wear v neck style tunic length over trousers .

For me, I guess it’s about balance and creating as good as sense of proportion as you can (usual disclaimers re ‘if it even matters’). I have wide-ish shoulders and narrow hips so I wear things that make my shoulders look narrower - halter necks are good - rather than sleeves with volume at the shoulders. Choose clothes that end length-wise at your narrowest points, or, say, use a belt to emphasise your waist if that’s something you want to show off (sounds likely). Show off your best bits, probably pick either boobs or legs to emphasise. Choose necklines / jewellery that work with your face shape - rounder faces suit rounder necklines / earrings / necklaces, and ditto the opposite if you have angular features. Don’t have too many horizontal lines ie hems of different lengths / tops of boots etc - though you can get away with more the taller you are. Think about how the volume of your clothes / hair balances out across your look.

Thank you everyone

I think I'm your shape and I went out yesterday and tried on loads of clothes in all different shapes. I really tried to try on lots of things that I would ordinarily never think of as 'me', in an attempt to steer myself away from black.
In the end I came home with 2 black long tube skirts .

I think it's hard to find things that fit both bust and hips, so dresses are a tricky thing for me. I find separates a lot easier. It's trial and error really. I tend to go for v neck, silky sleeveless tops that skin my stomach and are quite long, paired with long semi fitted skirt or more fitted jeans/leggings for casual everyday stuff. The dresses I have are fitted at the bust and flare over hips and I buy plain colours, not floral or prints since they make me look huge!

I think just go and try on loads of things you like and specifically those out of your comfort zone to satisfy curiosity and you'll probably find that you know instinctively what is 'you'.

Maybe have a look at Melissa Murrell on YouTube as she has a series on body shapes and what clothes flatter. I think the ladies she styles always look great no matter what their shape and size. Ultimately though she always says the same thing, which is to balance out your figure so your waist is the smallest part. As an hourglass you are half way there.

I also do the loose top/more fitted bottom thing or vice versa. Never tight or loose all over. There has to be balance.

Check out Kibbe body types (this youtuber does great videos):

What I love about the Kibbe principle is that not based on weight/size, it's about aspects of your body (sharpness/width and length), making it even more personalised.

I'm not your shape, but hourglass I would say find items that have / emphasise a waist .

But I try things on, decide what looks ok vs bad. I have a long list of clothing types I can't wear!

Also - look at celebs of your shape that dress well and get inspiration from them. Melissa McCartney?