Proportion, not perfection
Every body has clothes made for it. Your frame isn't a problem to solve. It's information that helps you choose lines that balance and flatter. Find yours below.
Which sounds most like you?
Look at your outline in fitted clothes, front-on in a mirror. Where are you broadest, and where are you narrowest? Many people are a mix, so take what helps.
Shoulders, waist and hips broadly in line
Add shape through structure: tailored jackets, considered layering and defined shoulders. A belt, a tuck or a horizontal detail creates a waistline, and texture adds depth.
Shoulders or chest are the widest point
Keep the shoulders clean, without padding or busy yokes. V-necks and open collars soften breadth across the chest, and a straight or gently wider trouser balances the upper half.
Similar above and below, narrower middle
Honour the waist with tailored fits, wrap shapes and tucked-in tops. Avoid boxy, shapeless cuts that hide your proportions; mid-weight fabrics that drape follow your line.
Most volume sits around the midsection
Choose fabrics that skim rather than cling. Open layers, like an unbuttoned jacket or overshirt, draw a long vertical line, and tonal dressing with an open neckline lifts the eye.
Hips or thighs are the widest point
Place interest above: colour, pattern and detail at the shoulder. Keep the lower half darker and plainer, and choose straight or gently flared cuts.
The goal is balance, not hiding
None of these is better or worse. The aim is simply to balance your outline so the eye travels easily, and to feel comfortable in what you wear.
Proportion and scale
Two more things explain why the same garment looks different on two people of the same size: how your height divides between body and legs, and the scale of your bone structure.
- Proportion: high rises and matching shoes lengthen shorter legs; mid rises and half-tucks balance a shorter upper body.
- Scale: finer frames suit finer details and smaller prints; broader frames carry bolder accessories and heavier fabrics.
Then get the fit right
Knowing your frame tells you which cuts to choose. Fit decides whether they look made for you.
If you're finding it hard to feel at ease in your body, our body confidence guide may help, and support is always available from your GP.