How to Balance Proportion when Styling your Outfit

Hi Everyone,

Happy Tuesday! I hope this post finds you well. Balancing proportions is about styling your outfits to create an overall aesthetic harmony. The way you achieve this is by wearing clothes that are fitted to your body shape. When you want to play with oversized clothes or unusual shapes, make it a fashion moment by keeping the rest of the look fitted. For example, try pairing a tight crop top with wide-leg jeans, or a puff-shoulder top with straight-leg pants.

 

In style terms, balance is about using two differently styled pieces together in correct proportions to establish an even distribution among the whole outfit. When done correctly, you can take two different, even competing style pieces, and make them work together to compliment each other.

Example 1

Big slouchy sweaters may be incredibly popular and comfortable but they can also look sloppy if not styled properly. To look proportionate, large, relaxed tops need to be paired with slimmer bottoms. Another tip for looking less lumpy in oversized cardigans is to pair them with slimmer tops underneath. This look works best mostly for slim figures and flatter the inverted triangle the least.

Example 2

Wide leg pants and full skirts need slimmer tops to look proportionate. There are a few exceptions to this rule which, unfortunately, usually only apply to tall, very lean women. For those of us not lucky enough to win out in the gene pool, big all over just makes people look big, it doesn’t camouflage. I know it seems counterintuitive, but hiding out under all big clothes eliminates shape and adds the look of bulk.

Example 3

Pencil skirts can be a staple in the closets of most women and they look better with heels. Heels are typically essential in making pencil skirts look proportionate on the body, particularly if they are at the knee or longer. You don’t have to select super high heels to make a pencil skirt look right on the body, even a small 1″ heel can make a huge difference but I would recommend 3″ minimum. Additionally, when wearing pencil skirts the tops you choose are equally important. Tops that are too long look disproportionate when worn with pencil skirts that are hemmed at or just below the knees. When in doubt, tuck you shirt in your skirt

Example 4

If you prefer flatter shoes and want to wear skirts, proportionately, shorter styles will work better with flat shoes and boots. Next, when choosing tops with shorter skirts, longer tops create a nice balance with shorter skirts.

And remember to add a belt whenever necessary. Adding a belt to your look is one of the easiest ways to make any outfit look more put-together. It’s also a great trick for bringing balance to a look that otherwise might not work—like a long cashmere sweater and billowy midi skirt.

Balance and proportion are key elements when styling an outfit. Our take home tip is that if you have an oversized piece on top keep it sleek and simple below. If you’re sporting a fuller silhouette below (whether it be a skirt or a bell-shaped coat) try pairing it with a basic, fitted piece on top.

Outfit details

Oversize sweater, dark denim, sunglasses @glamurboutique | 

Shoes (same) |

Earrings @gamonde| Clutch (similar)

Location @NHElrancho

So, did you find this post helpful? There is definitely more tips that I can share about the getting proportions right in your outfits. Maybe “how to balance your outfit based on your body shape (/body shape)”. But for now, don’t forget to comment below and let me know your tricks to properly balance your outfits.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

XoXo,

 

Moumous

Linking up with those wonderful ladies here

Photo credit @vonvonphotography