Style Blueprint
Guide
YOUR BODY'S NATURAL BALANCE
Your hips are the broadest point on your frame, naturally drawing the eye downward.
The styling goal is to create harmony by enhancing your shoulders and upper body while defining the waist. We do this by:
Minimizing volume and attention on the lower body.
Adding volume, structure, and detail above the waist.
STYLING PRINCIPLES
Key Objective:
Draw the eye upward by adding interest to your upper body—through color, texture, neckline details, and statement accessories—while keeping your lower body streamlined with clean lines and minimal embellishment.
Balance Focus:
✔ Draw attention to: Shoulders, ears, chest, hair, center of waist (via accessorizing, styling, and garment details).
✘ Avoid emphasizing: Hips, wrists, and the lower body.
5 Golden Rules for Balancing Your Shape
1. Play Up Your Upper Body
o Always add detail, structure, and fun to tops, shoulders, sleeves, and necklines.
o Think bold earrings, textured tops, or playful jackets.
2. Keep the Lower Body Clean
o Stick to high-rise, fitted bottoms in stretchy fabrics with smooth lines.
o Avoid pockets, pleats, and hip-level details.
3. Watch Your Proportions
o Tops and jackets should end at the smallest part of your waist (or just below).
o Oversized pieces should end at list two palms bellow your hip line.
o Skirts/dresses end a palm below your knee; pants end at ankle bone or floor.
4. Use Accessories to Pull the Eye Up
o Go for statement earrings and necklaces at collarbone.
o Keep bags short-strapped (waist level, not hip).
5. Think in Curves
o Choose curved lines and rounded shapes in prints, seams, jewelry, and bags.
o Avoid harsh angles and straight geometric designs.
FABRIC STRATEGY
General Notes:
Match texture to skin: Mature skin benefits from texture (e.g., crepe silk instead of shiny smooth silk).
Consider fabric weight across all categories (jeans, leather, cashmere, cotton blends, synthetics, corduroy, polyester, velvet, spandex, crepe, rayon).
✔ Upper Body:
Structured fabrics (stiff enough to hold shape—blazers, coats).
Bulky fabrics (thicker knits, chunky weaves).
Medium to heavy-weight fabrics.
✔ Lower Body:
Medium-weight fabrics with stretch.
Bias-cut fabrics (for natural drape and movement).
✘ Avoid:
Upper Body: Thin, flimsy, flowy fabrics (unless paired with bold sleeves).
Lower Body: Bulky, stiff, non-stretchy, or lightweight fabrics not cut on the bias.
GARMENT STRATEGY
UPPER BODY – Keep It Fun!
Add volume, detail, and interest.
✔ Invest In:
Silhouettes: Fitted at the waist and thighs; Sheath, Bodycon, Slip Dress (bias cut), Mermaid, Column.
Tops & Layers: Oversized shoulders/padding, off-the-shoulder, wide scoop or curved V-necks, asymmetrical necklines, sailor collars, fitted tees (under jackets, with bold earrings), oversized button-downs, cropped tent styles, boxy fits, bulky sweaters (instead of cardigans). Chest-level pockets over center pockets.
Necklines: Off-the-shoulder, wide scoop, strapless (straight across), asymmetrical, wide lapels, sailor, boat, open collar, jewel (at collarbone), oversized lapels.
Sleeves: Petal, bishop, puff, circular cap, peasant, ruffle, leg-of-mutton, Juliet, cape, lantern, rolled-up, short or long (ending no lower than wrist bone).
Shoulders: Embrace details—prints, textures, cut-outs, shoulder pads. Keep seam lines at or inside the natural shoulder.
✘ Avoid:
Silhouettes: Straight, shift, A-line, tent, empire, peplum, balloon, tunic, trapeze, princess.
Tops: Vertical stripes, spaghetti straps, halters, wrap tops, straight blouses, vests, smocks, turtlenecks. Avoid plain fitted tops unless layered or accessorized with bold earrings.
Necklines: Sweetheart, keyhole, Sabrina, narrow lapels, tie-neck, stand-up collar.
Sleeves: Halter, raglan, kimono, batwing, bell, poet, butterfly, cowl, dropped shoulder, overly long sleeves.
Shoulders: Halter cuts, raglan seams, dropped seams, seams placed inward on the neck.
LOWER BODY – Keep It Clean
✔ Invest In:
Bottoms: High-rise, fitted at hip, clean lines, side zippers.
Pants: Bell bottoms, straight, boot-cut, flares (fitted until knee), cropped bells, jodhpurs, sailor cuts.
Skirts/Shorts: Pencil, dropped hip pleat, bias cut (ideal), wrap (front tie), trumpet, tulip, sarong (front tie), mermaid, tube.
Dresses: Bodycon, sheath, slip (bias cut), shirt dress, wrap (front tie), pegged, mermaid, column.
Rise: Always high-rise.
✘ Avoid:
Bottoms: Loose fits, bulky fabrics, hip-level details (pockets, pleats, prints), low or mid-rise.
Pants: Wide-leg, palazzo, parachute, pegged, skinny (unless paired with oversized top).
Skirts/Shorts: A-line, pleated, layered, ruffled, asymmetric, peplum, bubble, gipsy, sarong tied at side.
Dresses: A-line, shift, empire, trapeze, tent, ballgown, princess cut, slip (A-line).
PRINTS & PATTERNS
✔ Use Prints on Upper Body (unless in matching sets/dresses).
Medium scale.
Curvy prints (florals, abstract curves, polka dots, puzzle prints).
Vertical stripes (upper body).
✘ Avoid: Geometric, angular, or straight-line prints on upper body.
Print Scale Guide:
Small prints = enlarge.
Large prints = reduce.
Angular prints = enhance curves.
Curvy prints = soften scale.
LINES & SHAPE
✔ Curved, round, oval details in prints, jewelry, buckles, sunglasses, nails, and bags. Curved darts, seams, lapels, and buttons.
✘ Avoid angular or square accessories, straight seams, or geometric prints.
Rule of Thumb: Straight lines amplify body scale; curved lines reduce it.
ACCESSORIES
✔ Invest In:
High-waisted belts.
Statement earrings.
Tennis or dainty necklaces (collarbone length).
Small-scale watches, bracelets, rings.
Short-strapped shoulder bags.
✘ Avoid:
Low-rise belts.
Bulky wristwear.
Ankle straps.
Bags hitting at hip level.
LENGTHS & PROPORTIONS
✔ Key Balance Points:
Neckline: Collarbone.
Chest: Length of face (chin down) → guide for buttons/necklaces.
Waistline: Smallest part of waist → tops/jackets end here or max a palm below.
Knee: Skirts/dresses end a palm below.
Ankle: Pants/skirts end a palm above ankle bone.
Floor: Pants extend to ground.
✔ Short sleeves: at least one palm below shoulder.
✔ Long sleeves: end at wrist bone.
✘ Avoid garments ending at widest points (hips, thighs, mid-arm).
SHOES
✔ Invest In:
Nude tones.
Footwear matching pants/skirt/top.
Thin, delicate straps.
Drivers, ballerinas, wedges, low-tops.
Fun details.
Boots tucked in.
Slight heel, pointy-toe or rounded shoes.
✘ Avoid:
Bulky shoes.
Ankle straps/boots.
Fully flat soles.
High-contrast footwear.
Boots over pants.
Foot-top decorations.
High-tops.
STYLING RACKS
✔ Tips:
Build a strong neutral base.
Keep neckline/shoulder emphasized.
Tuck tops (full tuck for long, half for shorter).
Belts always at smallest waist.
Jackets open; sweaters thrown over shoulders.
Pair bells with wedges or heels.
Stick to monochromatic or low-contrast palettes.
Match metals to your palette.
Mix fabric types for depth.
Mix prints carefully (different scales, same undertones).
✘ Avoid:
Small earrings, bulky jewelry.
Thin belts.
Low-slung bags or belts.
SHOPPING RACKS
Stay true to your color palette.
Add shoes and earrings often.
Invest in timeless quality leather, shoes, and jewelry.
Repurchase key neutral staples you love.
WARDROBE RACKS
✔ Capsule Wardrobes:
Group items by occasion and season. Simplify by keeping each capsule together.
Examples:
Fall/Winter, Spring/Summer.
Daily (work), Home Office, Errands, Airport, Travel, Resort, Athleisure, Gym, Weekends, Lounge.
✔ Organization:
Hang most clothing.
Fold tees in drawers (envelope style).
Shelves for shoes and bags.
Lounge/athleisure in drawers.
Keep seasonal capsules separate.
Display purses, keep accessories visible.
Use matching velvet hangers.
Remove dry-cleaner bags.
Keep a pouch in handbags for easy transfer.
FINAL NOTE
The source of all answers is within you!
I trust this guide will support you in building a wardrobe that reflects your essence, enhances your features, and empowers you—while simplifying your daily routine.
With love,
Thays Vick