Most of us judge our bodies by a single number on a scale or a label. Stylists look at something quite different: the lines and proportions of a body, which have nothing to do with size. Two people of exactly the same weight can need completely different clothes, and once you understand why, shopping gets far easier.

There are three things worth knowing about your body. None of them is good or bad. They're simply information.

1. Your frame

Your frame is your overall outline: where you're broadest and narrowest. Broadly, people are straight through the body, broader above, balanced with a defined waist, fuller through the middle, or fuller below. Every frame has cuts made for it.

The aim of dressing for your frame is simply balance. If you're broader above, keep detail away from the shoulders and add a little volume or interest below. If you're fuller below, put the colour and detail up top. Your Style Profile works out your frame and the lines that suit it.

2. Your proportions

Proportion is how your height divides between your upper body and your legs. It's the reason a pair of trousers can look perfect on one person and odd on another of the same height.

A simple way to see yours is to stand side-on to a full-length mirror in fitted clothes and notice where your natural waist sits relative to the midpoint of your height.

  • If your legs are proportionally shorter, higher-rise trousers and skirts lengthen the leg, and matching your shoes to your trousers creates one long line.
  • If your upper body is proportionally shorter, mid-rise trousers, tops worn untucked or half-tucked, and belts in the same colour as your top balance things beautifully.
  • If you're evenly balanced, you can play with both, and dividing an outfit roughly one-third to two-thirds will always look considered.

3. Your scale

Scale is the size of your bone structure: delicate, medium or strong. It's why a fine chain necklace can disappear on one person and a chunky watch can overwhelm another.

A rough guide is your wrist. A slender wrist usually suits finer details, smaller prints and lighter jewellery and watches. A broader wrist can carry larger prints, bolder accessories and heavier fabrics. Matching your accessories and patterns to your scale makes everything look intentional.

Posture changes everything

How you stand changes how every garment hangs. Shoulders that round forward pull a jacket out of shape; a lifted chest lets it fall cleanly. The simple thread exercise improves the fit of everything you own.

Dress the body you have today.Bodies change through the years, with health, with children and with life. Clothes that fit you now will always make you look and feel better than clothes waiting for a body you might have later.