Outfit + Styling Basics: Understanding Proportions
Proportions can completely change an outfit. They are critical for understanding how to dress your body shape or wear popular trends.
Proportions can be an intimidating part of putting an outfit together, but with a few easy changes, you can quickly improve.
Working with shapes in fashion is all about creating visual harmony (things look in balance) and flattering your natural body (making it look the way you want while working with what you've got)!
How Can I Dress Like Adam Sandler and Look Chic?
In this stylist's opinion, this is a great example of poor proportions.
Baggy-on-baggy looks are super hard to pull off and don't look good on most people (because most people feel frumpy in them)!
Big pants with a big sweater, big glasses, and chunky boots create visual overload. It's giving Gen Z who rolled out of bed.
Compare to this look.
Both feature baggy jeans, but this one uses a cinched, fitted blazer instead of a baggy sweatshirt.
Additionally, the shoes are small and pointy, barely visible. In this look, the jeans get to shine without competing with the other pieces.
Your look shouldn't ever swallow you whole; when in doubt, add something more form-fitting for contrast.
How Can I Dress Proportionally?
Experiment with different hemlines to see which ones flatter you best. For example, when looking for the perfect skirt, do you prefer how you look in mid-length, or does a maxi suit you best?
From there, you can decide which lengths suit your preference!
The same goes for pants. Pant lengths have different names (capri, trousers, etc), but once you know which lengths suit you, you can apply the same concept.
This diagram can help you categorize your skirts.
How Can I Mix Shapes In My Outfits Without Looking Crazy?
Generally speaking, the best outfits balance fitted pieces with looser ones. This creates more visual interest (another way of saying it looks dynamic/cool)
Knowing what suits your body is more than half the battle when it comes to styling any outfit.
What do you get the most compliments on?
What do you always enjoy showing off?
Do you love a leggy look, or do you prefer to flash a little decolletage?
Build your outfits around which parts of you make you feel the most confident.
Do you prefer loose on top/fit on bottom, or vice versa?
Can you put a small item on top of a bigger one to cinch it?
For example, pair a little vest with a big button-up, or a big sweater with a teensy little skirt. The key here with customizing proportions is finding the fit/loose combination that suits you best.
And who decides what suits you? YOU do.
How Can I Improve Outfit Proportions? Consider the "Weight"
The "weight" of a piece is important when dealing with proportions.
A jacket with loud colors, unusual texture, or more thickness will take up more physical space.
This will draw more attention to it! Let the rest of your look complement it rather than compete with it.
In these looks, the statement pieces (belt, jacket) are the stars of the show
Considering a piece's physical weight—its density or size—is especially important in winter.
Bigger coats and chunky sweaters are great examples; they should be paired with "lighter" items such as linen skirts, slim-fitting items, or delicate silks.
Weight is also about the loudness of a piece.
If it's brightly colored or loudly patterned, the key is balance. Pair your statement pieces with neutrals to let them shine.
Understanding outfit proportions is one of the most powerful ways to elevate your style and make popular fashion trends work for your body shape.
By paying attention to lengths, experimenting with different skirt and pant hemlines, and mixing fitted and loose pieces, you can create visual harmony that flatters your figure and boosts confidence.
Balancing the weight of your pieces—whether it’s a chunky sweater, statement jacket, or a boldly patterned accessory—is key to keeping your outfit cohesive. Remember: mixing shapes strategically allows statement pieces to shine without overwhelming your look.
Whether you’re playing with loose-on-top/fitted-on-bottom combinations, experimenting with midi vs. maxi skirts, or pairing chunky winter coats with delicate fabrics, mastering proportions is all about flattering your natural body while staying true to your style.
With these simple steps—playing with length, mixing shapes, and considering weight—you’ll gain the skills to dress with intention, elevate your wardrobe, and make any outfit feel balanced, polished, and effortlessly stylish.
Schedule A Call With Nicole
If you’re tired of not having anything to wear + want to build a closet you feel great about, scheduling a call is the right choice.
I take you through a 4-step styling process that makes getting dressed effortless.
Grab a time on my calendar + let’s get you styled.
