What's love got to do with fit?
1 cardigan - 5 ways
A basic black cardigan is a versatile and chic way to tie an outfit together
Feeling uninspired by your outfit? Start with a cardigan! This cute and inexpensive wardrobe staple is definitely most valuble player in my closet. Here are a few ways I have mixed things up with a cardi as the
focal point.
Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion is architecture: It is a matter of proportions." Not that finding clothing that fits perfectly is similar to a math equation, but the lady knew a thing or two about fashion. Her then-revolutionary and now widely accepted idea was that importance should be placed on fit not decoration. Ideally, everyone’s clothes would be custom- and tailor-made, but this is not always practical or affordable. However, I have a few simple hints that may help when purchasing clothing in a store that will fit well and will make you look and feel confident and stylish.
For most people, shopping for clothes can be a very daunting and frustrating task. Especially if you are unsure about what size and style to choose to complement your body and personal style. With the advent of "vanity sizing" in many retail stores and clothing lines, this can make shopping even more of a chore. Vanity sizing is when manufacturers will put a smaller size label on a larger cut of clothing to appease the buyer. This is why you may take a larger size in some clothing brands than others.
If you have a general idea on what size of clothing you may be closest to, it would be a good idea to take both the next size up and the next size down into the dressing room with you. (Don’t assume you are the same size in every clothing brand.) When you find a fit that works, try not to get too hung up on the number that is on the size tag. Cut the tag out if you have to. The most important variable here is the quality of the fit.
Although it sounds obvious, physically trying clothes on while at the store is a very important step. It may seem like a pain in the neck, but in the long run will save you time and money. If there is one available in the store, try to check out how the garment looks on you in a three-way mirror. You will be able to see the garment’s fit from all angles. Even better is to bring a friend shopping with you who will give you honest feedback (which can be more reliable than most dressing room mirrors.) Consider how each garment feels while you are wearing it and if it is flattering and proportionate to your body shape.
An easy way to determine your actual proportions is to take a measurement of your chest, natural waist, drop waist (about 2-3 inches below the natural waist), hips and inseam with a tape measure. These measurements will give you exact ideas on what your dimensions are and what size would fit your best. Most online clothing companies have size charts with these figures and you can always ask a salesperson for this information in-store as well. Salespeople are extremely helpful in finding the right size or fit and can offer their advice with sizing, styles or cuts.
The cut of a garment will determine how well it will flatter your body shape or complement the kind of style or look you are aiming to accomplish. Slim cut, skinny, fitted, loose, boyfriend and slouchy are all adjectives that may affect the way an article of clothing is purposely cut. Sometimes these descriptions will be printed directly on the label.
Skinny or fitted items are meant to be worn very close to the body and usually have a small percentage of stretchy material (like Lycra or Spandex) in the fabric blend. Loose or boyfriend styles are purposely cut longer and wider than your body’s actual dimensions. They are meant to be worn much baggier and slouchier rather than the opposite form-fitting skinny cuts. Some clothing companies will use the terms classic, perfect or original when referring to a cut of clothing that is fairly standard and is meant to be worn true to size. Generally, these are the styles or cuts that are usually flattering to most body shapes.
If you find a garment that appears to be the image of perfection but unfortunately it doesn’t fit like perfection - don’t fret. Hopefully the solution is as simple as finding a different size. But sometimes you have to just follow your heart, throw out the rulebook and make it work for you.
Kathryn Comer is a graphic designer for the Missoulian and semi-professional clothes horse. Her style influences are Grace Coddington, Diane Keaton and of course Audrey Hepburn. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .