Most of the time, when style experts say that they are going to tell you how to dress for your body type, what they mean is that they'll tell you how to camouflage your flaws. They have perfect balance and/or the hourglass figure in mind, and their goal is to help you use your clothes to create the impression that that's what you look like.

I reject that intention. My goal is to share what I have learned about looking exactly like yourself, but at your most beautiful.

What do I mean?

I am solidly in the camp of those experts who suggest that once you understand what your body is doing - its shapes and lines and silhouette - you create outfits that do exactly the same thing, rather than opposing it in some way. Or trying to correct it.

I believe that you have the body structure you were meant to have. And that beauty, for myself, and for you, means dressing the body you have, not simulating the current cultural ideal.

Do you see what I mean? So, look for your shapes in the clothes, but also create them in the outfits you put together.
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In the past, I have been gently accused of wearing clothes that were at least a size too big.

It was true! I was hiding in my clothes, primarily because I was trying to hide my poochy belly. But once I realized that I was making myself look sloppy by doing so, I began to try to gradually move closer to my actual size.

But just as it's not a good idea to hide in clothes that are too big, I believe it's a mistake to wear clothes that are too small, and I often see women doing that, unfortunately.

I think it might be some version of sticker shock. Or in other words, wanting to claim the smallest size possible.

But squeezing into the smallest size you can get into is not flattering. In fact, it draws attention to whatever is not smooth or flat, and sometimes creates problems where none existed before.

Are you plus-sized like me? You know we are the worst affected by anything that does that. But maybe we think that's the best we can do?

(Ladies, I am talking about rolls and muffin tops and saddlebags and all those other ugly-sounding descriptives. I say them just so I can be clear about what I mean here).

One size larger may completely eliminate those problems. 

Now for those of us who need alterations: if going up a size to smooth things over will mean gaps or other parts of the outfit that are too big, try having the outfit altered or tailored to fit more perfectly. 

I have that problem myself. Because I am rectangular on top, but a sort of inverted triangle on the bottom, if I buy pants and skirts that fit my waist, there is too much extra material in the hips and pant legs.

Getting the pants altered is a perfect solution.

But sometimes I can't afford to alter everything I own. One thing that helps is to buy leggings or pants that stretch well, so they are more likely not to just hang there in space.

​What are your biggest fit issues? Let me know in a comment.

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine
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What you are looking for, here, are easy combinations of top and bottom, or one-piece outfits that you can wear in comfort again and again and enjoy. If you know you can count on them, there is almost no stress about choosing what to wear.

Because you are going to wear them over and over again, be sure to choose pieces that are of very good quality. You want them to last a long time.

Look for 2-3 daily uniforms in your new minimalist capsule wardrobe and organize them together in your closet. Choose the accessories you are most likely to wear with them, and make them easy to grab when you need them.

And let me know how it goes for you. I was thrilled to begin to identify uniforms I could count on again and again to look good on me. But also, to get clear on the compromises that were taking up needed space in my closet, so I could let them go.

Wishing you an easy, fun experience as you create your minimalist wardrobe and your daily uniforms.

​Love, Jeanine
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