Have you ever gone through a life change that affected your body? Or second guessed what you can wear because of your size, height, proportions, or age?

Dressing our specific bodies can be one of the most challenging parts of developing your personal style and curating a stellar wardrobe.

The other week I received a DM on Instagram from an old friend. She told me she was grateful for my online style tips over the last year! Not only did she transition from a grade school teacher to a corporate woman, but she also had her first child and is now breastfeeding and pumping. 👏👏👏 What to wear after giving birth can be tricky so we chatted about clothing styles best suited for pumping at work, the right fits for a postpartum body, and how it's changed her personal style overall.

Life happens! We as women go through so many events that affect not only our lives but also our bodies. We all remember puberty and THOSE changes but there are also pregnancies, sicknesses, injuries, menopause, etc.

Wondering how to dress for your body type is something all women experience.

So, what do I recommend to my clients?

Choose The Right Pieces

There are certain wardrobe staples that are universally flattering! A simple, high-quality t-shirt is something I recommend for everyone.

Other universally flattering pieces include:

• Drawstring or elastic waist (pull-on) pants. These are great if you're going through body transitions/fluctuating between sizes.

• A plain, sleeveless shell top in a basic color. They flatter all shapes and sizes and are a wardrobe workhorse.

• Structured/ tailored clothing like blazers that call attention to your waist.

Throw “Can’t” Out The Window

Throw out the old fashion “rules” or your perception of what you “can't” wear. Most of those simply aren't true!

Most of my clients have spent years boxing themselves in.

One of my recent clients was certain she couldn't wear shorts because she's 5'11” and a size 16.

She ended up LOVING the ones I found for her and realized they were way more flattering than she ever dreamed they could be!

Style Up Your Outfits!

How you style your clothing has a huge impact on how it looks overall!

As a wardrobe and personal stylist, here are my favorite styling strategies for all shapes and sizes:

• Tuck your shirt in! The thinner the fabric, the more you tuck all the way around.

• Push long sleeves up to the elbow. This includes jacket and blazer sleeves!

• Add a third piece! This can be a layering item like a jacket, sweater, or open button-down shirt but can also be a stand-out accessory like a hairband, scarf, or statement belt.

• Accessorize! The old Coco Chanel statement “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” doesn't apply if you're only wearing one or two accessories! Have you seen the number of necklaces that woman wore??

Ultimately, I want you to embrace finding clothing you love (and that makes you feel great) REGARDLESS of your size, shape, or age.

If you’re sick of trying to update your wardrobe by yourself and want it done RIGHT, book a free discovery call with me.