Curves and Stripes Don't Mix!

Nothing divides fashion opinion quite like stripes!

Every year without fail, usually around Spring time, stripes make a return to the fashion scene. The breton striped top is often hailed as a wardrobe classic.......
Some fashion writers insist that anyone can look good in stripes, whilst others advise extreme caution and avoidance, especially if you are a little more 'well built'.....

My view?  It really does depend on your personal body shape. Balance and harmony are what are important in great personal style, so if your figure is quite straight shaped, you will look fabulous in lines which are straight too. Vertical stripes will suit you if your figure is 'oblong', with a relatively undefined waist and square shoulders.

But if you have a curvy shape, and especially if you are full busted, vertical stripes can look distorted over your curves - particularly wider ones. It's a bit like trying to draw a straight line on a balloon! The angular lines of a stripe are less flattering for a curvy shape in any case - you will look better in flowing curving patterns which harmonise with you. If you desperately want to wear a striped pattern, try a chevron pattern over the bust, or diagonal stripes instead!

The diagonal lines draw the eye inwards, visually narrowing your figure.

Do horizontal stripes make you look wider? Yes, some do. A lot depends of the width of the stripe. Bold broad stripes definitely visually increase your width, but narrow stripes can look good..... 

Regular stripes of all the same size also tend to be more 'widening', especially if they are more than 1 cm in thickness.  Of course there is a huge variety of striped patterns around , with all sorts of different widths and colours to choose from - just remember that strong contrast draws the eye, so don't put bright colours or big stripes across a part of your body that you'd prefer people not to focus on! 

There will be a style of stripe to suit your shape - the trick is understanding what works best for you.

If you'd like some help to discover the styles which really look fabulous on you, then do please give me a call!

Best Wishes

Cass