Finally — Fashion Freedom
Fall is in the air, folks. And as the foliage turns, so do the trends. With textures, layers, and accessories, it’s fun to dress for fall every year, but 2015 is especially exciting because there’s a major shift coming. Get excited, because it will be easier than ever to flatter your lovely mombod this season.
I feel like I breathe a sigh of relief with women everywhere when I say, “the skinny-everything is on its way out.” Back in style are the curve-loving, easy styles of the 70s. (Updated, of course. Please no pea green.) Flares, fringe, forgiving waistlines, and fabrics that move make it simple to draw the eye to your most beautiful parts.
Embrace the Change
With children come changes to our bodies that are sometimes delightful, sometimes disappointing, and usually surprising. If you’re anything like me, you’re proud of the amazing thing your body has done to bring these tiny humans into the world, but you may be left guessing when it comes to dressing your new form. Maybe your boobs grew 10 cup sizes. Maybe breastfeeding has you down 15 pounds. Maybe your bottom is looking more bootylicious than normal. Or maybe there’s just a little more of you to love all over. Regardless, motherhood is a good look, and fall 2015 is all about celebrating the female form. Every curve, every size.
Read on for some easy tips on how to flatter your body type with fall’s best new trends.
Body Type: Rectangle
Who it’s for: Rectangles are slim, petite, or have a “boyish” figure (small difference between waist size and bust/hip size)
DO: Broaden Your Horizons
Big is in for 2015. Pants are going wider, outerwear more voluminous. Shawls, fringe, or structured tunics over ankle-cropped pants or body-con dresses are a terrific look for this body type, adding some impact to a small frame. As an added bonus, lots of these looks are easy to throw on, plus they double as a breastfeeding cover and are very forgiving if you’re not as toned as you were pre-kids. Chunky clogs or thick-heeled boots are also a win.
DON’T: Overdo It
Resist the temptation to go big all over. It’ll overwhelm a shorter or slimmer woman. If you add some heft up top, choose a slimmer pant silhouette. If you go wide-legged on bottom, choose a top that’s clingy. You do best with one statement piece. Culottes (shorter wide-legged pants) are a great alternative to palazzo pants, which may swallow you up.
Body Type: Triangle
Who it’s for: Triangles (or “pears”) are slim up top, narrow-shouldered, or less busty, and wider in the hips. They may be blessed with a Beyonce-esque booty.
DO: Free Yourself From Skinny Jeans
For ladies with more junk in the trunk, you’ve probably been waiting for years for skinny jeans to die. Now’s the time to bust out the high-waisted, flared looks. Choose a fabric that skims your body on bottom. To balance you out, draw attention up to the neck and face by wearing high necklines (nouveau Victorian is in now), shoulder detail, mock turtlenecks, billowy statement scarves, or wrap blouses with lots of color.
DON’T: Hide Your Backside
The curve in your lower back is one of your best features, so don’t cover it up! It’ll add weight to your midsection. Sheath dresses and dresses with stiffer fabrics are a definite don’t for this body type. And the trendy elasticized-ankle, athletic-inspired pants should be avoided unless you want to match your toddler’s saggy diaper look. I honestly don’t know why anyone likes that trend at all, so no loss there.
Body Type: Inverted Triangle
Who it’s for: Inverted triangles are narrow in the hips and broader-shouldered or more busty up top. They may be shorter-waisted. Many women have larger breasts while they are breastfeeding, so this is a good guide if you suddenly find yourself more well-endowed than usual.
DO: Get Down
To balance out the girls up top and draw attention downward, try low-slung, wide-legged pants with a clingy or knit top. Palazzo pants have beautiful movement, are super easy to wear, and have the added benefit of exaggerating the movement of your hips. There are a million fun skirt trends to try this season that are all eye-catchers. Car wash pleats are very in, as are high slits with fabulous tights. Finish off with a great knee-high boot to complete a pulled-together look.
DON’T: Get High
Inverted triangles are one body type that doesn’t look great in the high-waisted pants that are hot this season. You run the risk of your boobs looking like they’re about to swallow your belt. Similarly, avoid the nouveau Victorian trend of the high neckline and lots of shoulder detail (especially shoulder poufs). It’ll exaggerate the top part of your triangle and take attention away from your feminine waistline.
Body Type: Hourglass
Who it’s for: Hourglasses are slimmest in the waist and larger in the bust and hips. They may be plus sized or extra curvaceous.
DO: Hug the Curves
2015 fashion celebrates the hourglass. Hallelujah! The high-waisted exaggerated flare will really flatter your hips and minimize the midsection. Same goes for flounce skirts, which have made a roaring comeback this season. They’re better than ever with slits, asymmetrical lines, layers, and a little extra kick at the bottom. Pair either bottom with a small-patterned blouse or slimming knit sweater. Bright yellow accents are hot this season, and you can’t go wrong with a floppy fall hat to make simple jeans look special.
DON’T: Ignore Texture
Designers love fur this season, but try to avoid big fluffy ensembles that add too much volume and hide your figure. Also avoid stiff fabrics like some leathers and suedes that aren’t cooperative with your curves. Your best bets for movement and texture this season are fringe and car wash pleats. They’ll exaggerate your sexy hip movements and elongate you.
I loved this article! Thank you Erin for keeping us mamas in the know with style for the upcoming season! Great ideas!