Good Morning Friends!!

The Swag Gal here reporting for another Friday installment of Ask The Swag Gal. Today’s question requires a lengthy response, so let’s get right to it! Shruti R., from Houston, Texas asked:

My friends and i are always wondering what types of clothes we should wear to flatter our body type and our skin tone. I was just wondering if you had any ideas on the the colors that would flatter each body type, hair color, and skin tone!

As you know, Shruti, we all come in different shapes and sizes (thank goodness! Wouldn’t life be boring if we all looked the same?!) What may look good on one person, may not look good on the next and vice-versa. It is hard sometimes to find things that compliment each of our body types, but that’s where I come in! While I am pretty knowledgeable about fashion, I did have to do some research… here is what I found.

Dressing for Each Body Shape

Round Figures :

• V-Necks help to elongate and slenderize
• Avoid fitted tops
• Fitted skirts are flattering and accentuate your legs

Pear-Shaped Figures:

• Flowing pants and straight skirts help to de-emphasize your hips
• Cowl and square necklines will help broaden your shoulders

Hour Glass Figures:

• Draw attention to your waist by wearing pants with a contoured waistband, belts, or wrap tops that sit just at your waist, is a great way to accentuate your assets
• Girls.. you can get away with pretty much anything

Straight Figures:

• Long jackets will help lengthen your upper torso
• Necklines that fall below your collarbone will help elongate your neck
• Straight tailored skirts and skirts with a dropped waist will help slenderize

Colors That Complement Different Skin Tones & Hair Color

There are two types of skin tones: Warm & Cool. Click here to figure out your skin tone! Warm skin tones are complimented by “warm” colors like red, orange, yellow (think “fire”!), brown and pink. Cool skin tones are complimented by blues, purples, greens & greys (think water & ocean!).

The most important thing for any girl, any size, with any body type, with any hair color… is that you’re beautiful!

OF COURSE…the issue of body types is not only limited to women. Men face the same dilemmas as we do! (They just may not know it… or care for that matter.) For those of you guys out there who do happen to care… here are some tips!

Tall Men:

• Horizontal lines will make you appear more substantial and less lanky
• Try patterns that are spaced far apart to give you a more balanced, proportionate look

Short Men:

• Avoid eye-catching detail, as to ensure a “smooth” appearance from head to toe
• Wearing jacket and pants of the same color will elongate your body. (Light/dark combination cuts you in half, making you appear shorter)
• Wear pants at normal waistline and try out some suspenders! This will increase the apparent length of your legs

For the rest of you guys out there (obviously there are more body types than just “tall” and “short”, check out this blog. It gets right down to every detail. There is apparently an art to “manliness”. ha!

Happy Dressing!

-TSGal