STYLE STRATEGY GUIDE
Client: Judy Skinner
YOUR BODY'S NATURAL BALANCE
Your shoulders and hip line are balanced, with a high, small waistline that should always be
highlighted. In terms of proportions, you have slightly dropped shoulder which reflects on your
posture and an elongated lower body.
When pairing garments, opt for low-contrast Color combinations. The styling goal is to create
visual harmony by enhancing your Shoulders and Waist line, highlight your curves as well as
elongate your upper body.
STYLING PRINCIPLES
Key Objective:
To create visual balance, focus on drawing the eye upward by adding interest and
volume at the shoulders through color, texture, neckline details, or statement
accessories. This will help correct posture. Avoid high-contrast color pairings
between upper and lower garments, as well as horizontal lines across the hips.
Keep the lower body streamlined with clean lines, simple cuts, and minimal
embellishment.
Balance Focus:
✔ Draw attention to: Shoulders, ears, chest, hair, center of waist (through accessorizing, styling,and garment choices that enhance those areas).
✘ Avoid creating volume: Hips, wrists, and lower body.
5 Golden Rules for Balancing Your Upper Body and Lower Body proportions
1. Soften & Simplify
o Keep it clean and minimal details
o Fabrics should hug your curves
o Outline your curves -waist through two palms bellow your hip line
o Avoid bottoms with pockets
2. Avoid Volume to the Lower Body
o Bulky fabrics
o Tapered fit on lower legs
3. Define the Waistline
o Highlight your waist with belts, tucks, or stretchy fabrics that outline your curves
o opt for dresses and tops that cinch at the waist.
4. Balance
o Structured or Fun details on shoulder
o Upper body pieces should end at your hip area
o The hem of your tops should be curved or in an angle at hip line
o Statement necklaces, at neck bone length finalize your looks
5. Think in Flow & Movement
o Choose stretchy or Bias-cut fabrics with drape and softness
o Avoid stiff or bulky materials that add width
FABRIC STRATEGY
General Notes:
• Match texture to skin: Mature skin benefits from texture (e.g., crepe silk instead of shiny
smooth silk).
• Youth, Shiny, Oily Skin requires smooth, sleek or shiny fabrics
Fabric weight and structure:
Consider fabric weight across all categories (jeans, leather, cashmere, cotton blends, synthetics,
corduroy, polyester, velvet, spandex, crepe, rayon).
✔ Upper Body:
• Medium weight fabrics with some structure and stretch to it– Jackets/Coats• Light weight fabrics with stretch –Blouses/Camisoles/t-shirts/tops
• Fluid, fabrics with some stretch and weight to it
• Fabrics cut on the bias to accommodate curves.
✔ Lower Body:
• Flowy fabrics with weight to it – Skirts/Dresses
• Medium – weight fabrics with stretch and structure – Jeans/Pants
• Bias-cut fabrics (for natural drape and movement) – Skirts/Dresses
✘ Avoid:
• Upper Body:
o Stiff fabrics that don’t give in do not accommodate your curves
o Bulky fabrics (thicker knits, chunky sweaters).
o Medium to heavy-weight fabrics.
• Lower Body:
o Bulky, stiff, non-stretchy
o Lightweight fabrics not cut on the bias
GARMENT STRATEGY
UPPER BODY: Keep It Fun — Add All Details and Volume at Shoulder and Neck
✔ Invest In:
Silhouettes & Dresses:
• Clean outlines that fit at the waist and hug curves.
• Sheath, wrap, empire, bodycon, babydoll, shirt dresses.
Tops, Shirts, T-Shirts, Sweaters, Jackets:
• Fitted silhouettes that shape the waist.
• Oversized shoulder padding.
• Off-the-shoulder tops.
• Fitted T-shirts (paired with bold necklaces).
• Oversized button-downs (two inches tuck in front to add shape to the body).
• Boxy fit T-s (slightly tucked on the sides always pull or roll up sleeves).• Hip-length loose fits (always two inches tucked on each side).
• Sailor
• Western, tuxedo, Cossack, pullover, and fitted cardigans (closed).
• Structured coats: cocoon, wrap, draped vest, car coat, pea coat, trench (remember to
enhance the smallest session of your wait, with curvy darts on waist lines, cinch waist,
belted)
Necklines:
Boat neck, crew neck, jewel, Queen Anne, soft V, surplice, sweetheart, mock neck, high neck
(with bulky detail on shoulders), pop-up collar, split crew, asymmetrical, cowl, keyhole, tie neck,
scalloped.
Sleeves:
• Armhole (armscye) should sit at the edge of shoulder not inwards or dropped.
• Straps: minimum 2 inches wide.
• Shirt sleeves: roll or push up.
• Options: Puffed, Princes, bishop, puffed, cap, petal, ruffled, slit.
• Long sleeves: always shorter than wrist bone.
Shoulders:
Your shoulder is your first balance point. Enhance it with details.
• Keep seam line exactly at the shoulder
✘ Avoid:
• Silhouettes: Straight lines, shift, A-line trapeze, tent, peplum, balloon, tunic, trapeze,
princess cuts.
• Tops: short tops, halters, pin-tuck, henley, tunics, cape styles (unless with statement
collar), double-breasted, open cardigans, oversized styles.
• Necklines: flat lapels, deep V, U-shape, halter, squared, plunging, apron neck.
• Sleeves: peasant, lantern, bell, kimono, flounce, layered, extra long.
• Shoulders: Raglan seam, dropped shoulder.
LOWER BODY: Keep It Clean
✔ Invest In:
Bottoms:
• Clean lines around hips with straight cut starting a palm below hipline.
• Mid-rise.
• Waistbands.• Cropped pants should end at the widest part of your calf or above ankle bone.
• Long pants should hit your heel.
• Waistbands.
Pants:
• Straight, bootcut, flare, wide-leg, sailor, Palazzo pants (fitted at hips, avoid pockets
anywhere)
Skirts/Shorts:
• Straight, flowy A-line, bell-shaped, wrap, godet, sarong, asymmetrical, trumpet, small
pleats, mermaid, pencil slightly A-line.
Rise:
• Mid rises.
• Rear draped elastic bands.
• Wide waist band for structure
✘ Avoid:
• Tapered or overly voluminous styles.
• Pants: leggings, skinny, knickers, pegged, stirrup, cargo, jodhpurs, capri.
• Skirts/Shorts: tapered, bubble, bulky A-line, gypsy, ruffled, layered, cowl, sheath,
peplum.
PRINTS & PATTERNS
✔ Use Prints on Upper Body (unless in matching sets/dresses).
• Medium scale.
• Curvy prints (florals, abstract curves, polka dots, puzzle prints).
• Low contrast colors
✘ Avoid:
• Prints on lower body (a way to do it is to pair a top with shoulder detail to help balance
proportions)
• Geometric, angular, or straight-line prints on upper body.
Print Scale Guide:• Small prints = enlarge.
• Large prints = reduce.
• Angular prints = create volume.
• Curvy prints = emphasize body angles.
LINES & SHAPE
Curvy body = Curvy lines.
✔ Invest In:
• Curved, round, oval elements (prints, jewelry, buckles, sunglasses, nails, bags).
• Curved darts, seams, lapels, pockets, buttons.
✘ Avoid:
• Angular, geometric, straight-line prints or details.
• Rectangular, square, or diamond-shaped accessories.
• Straight lapels, pockets, collars, seams, darts.
Lines & Shape Chart:
• Straight lines amplify body scale.
• Curved lines reduce body scale.
ACCESSORIES
✔ Invest In:
• High-waisted belts (minimum 3 inches wide, should be loose fit and fall forward)).
• Statement earrings.
• Statement necklace (wear earrings or necklace, not both).
• Small-scale, delicate watches, bracelets, rings.
• Short-strapped shoulder bags (avoid long straps).
✘ Avoid:
• Low-rise belts.
• Bulky bracelets and rings.
• Bags that sit at or below hip areaLENGTHS & PROPORTIONS
Use garment structure, accessory, and neckline lengths, strategically to balance proportions.
✔ Invest In:
• Collar Bone: for necklaces, crew neck lines
• Second (Chest): Length of face (chin down) → guide for buttons/necklaces/Short
sleeves.
• *Shoulder: Most important balance point, add all details to it, keep the shoulder line.
structured, shoulder pads, seam line should be at the very edge pf the shoulder.
• Short Sleeves: At least a palm below shoulder (aligns with second balance point, chest).
• Third (Waistline): 2 inches bellow Smallest part of waist → Buttons, Belts, tops/jackets
(belts should be loose fit).
• Long Sleeves: No longer than wrist bone.
• *Fourth (hip Line): tops/jackets/coats should end (keep front lines curved), as far as
pants/skirts/dresses keep the hip line clean and outlined.
• Fifth (Mid-thighs): Two palms below hipline → Jackets/Coats/Layering pieces.
• Sixth(Mid-calf): Palm bellow Knee: Skirts/dresses.
• Seventh (Ankle): Two inches above ankle bone →Cropped pants/socks/ankle straps.
• Eight (Heel): Pants down to your heel/ block hells.
✘ Avoid:
• Pieces ending at widest areas (arms, waist).
• Cropped or short length upper Boby pieces.
• Palm above Knee, knee or right bellow knee length (skirts/shorts/dress).
• Extra-long sleeves.
SHOES
✔ Invest In:
• Bulky shoes.
• High-contrast shoes.
• Shoes with decorations on the foot-top.
• High-top sneakers.
• Loafers, wedges, some heel.
• Softly rounded toes.
• Boots must be tucket
• High Boots with Skirts and dresses only• ✘ Avoid:
• Nude-tone footwear.
• Shoes matching pant.
• Low-contrast color between bottoms and shoes.
• Low-top styles (wear with high socks)
• Thin, delicate soles.
• Driver shoes, fully flat soles.
• High-contrast shoes.
STYLING RACKS
✔ Invest In:
• Strong neutral base for versatile styling.
• Pull back neckline and shoulder for balance.
• Tuck the sides of your tops
• When tucking the front (keep front of tops flat, volume at the back).
• Accessories: statement earrings/necklaces, scarves (bold earrings + scarf = okay; avoid
bulky necklaces with statement earings).
• Throw sweaters over shoulders for balance and refinement.
• Roll or push up sleeves..
• Roll up short sleeves on t-shirts
• Drape jackets over shoulders for instant elevation.
Waist:
• Slightly Tuck tops (oversized tops).
• Use high-waisted belts (placed at smallest part of waist, close to empire line belts should
be loose fit and fall forward).
• Belt over longer tops (should be loose fit and fall forward)
• Jackets should be buttoned at smallest waist area or cinched.
• Shoulder bags should hit waistline (no higher no longer)
Upper + Lower Body:
• Loose bottoms should be fitted around hip line and require fitted tops (belt if needed).
• Loose top + loose bottom = front tuck for definition.
• Fitted top + Fitted Bottoms = top length should end at hip area with curved hem.
Color:
• Elongate body with monochromatic or low-contrast colors.• Mix up to 5 colors if connected (lip + shoes, earrings + shoes, bag + shoes).
• Use metallics (in your color palette) as connectors.
• Ensure all buckles, zippers, buttons, and hardware align with palette.
Fabrics:
• Mix different fabrics when styling (except matching sets).
Prints:
• Mix different scales, but match undertones/colors
✘ Avoid:
• Small earrings.
• Bulky watches, bracelets, or rings.
• Thin belts.
• Bag straps ending at hips.
• Sleeves down.
• Low-rise belts.
SHOPPING RACKS
• Stay true to your color palette.
• Shop multiple key neutral staples you love (clothes do not last forever)
• Add shoes and Accessories often.
• Invest in timeless quality leather, shoes, and jewelry.
• Metallic shoes and bags are a great investment as they don’t require to match with other
specific colors (refer to your color palette to learn your metallic)
• Layer pieces are great to create new options using neutral base looks.
• Connect shoe and bag colors.
WARDROBE RACKS
Capsule Wardrobe:
Curated by occasion, simplified for daily ease.
• Keep items grouped by category.
• Store off-season items separately.
• Seasonal capsules can be paired (Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter).Examples:
• Fall/Winter, Spring/Summer.
• Daily (work), Home Office, Errands, Airport, Travel, Resort, Athleisure, Gym,
Weekends, Lounge.
Organization:
• Hang majority of clothes.
• Fold T-shirts envelope-style in drawers.
• Shelves for shoes/bags.
• Keep lounge/athleisure in drawers.
• Separate seasonal capsules + black capsule.
• Use white velvet hangers (all the same).
• Remove dry-cleaner plastic before storing.
• Display purses.
• Jackets can have their own capsule.
• Keep a pouch in purses for easy switching.
FINAL NOTE
The source of all answers is within you!
"I trust this guide will support you in building a functional wardrobe that reflects your true
essence, enhances your best features, and empowers you—while simplifying your daily routine."
With love,
Thays Vick