Cloth Body

Cloth Body

How To Make Any Body Shape Look Fantastic in Vintage

Vintage clothing never goes out of style. Who doesn't want to wear beautifully crafted garments that have stood the test of time? However, it's important to pick vintage clothes that suit you and your specific body type. Here are some tips to look great in vintage, no matter what your size.

Determining Body Shape

The first step to looking great in vintage clothing is understanding your body type. There are three main body shapes: apple, pear and hourglass. Apple shapes have narrow hips with a larger waist and chest. Pears are the most common, with a smaller bust line but larger hips and thighs. Hourglass shapes have defined waists and are evenly proportioned throughout the upper and lower body. While that seems enviable, even hourglass figures need to find clothing that accentuates their curves correctly.

Know your Vintage Year

Each piece of vintage was created to fit the preferred body type at that time, so each decade suits a different body shape. Hourglass figures look better in the curvier styles of the '50s, when actresses like Marilyn Monroe lit up the screen. Sixties A-Line dresses look great on pear shapes. The long skirts and peasant blouses of the '70s flatter apple shapes but appear frumpy on shorter frames. Understanding the style of the time and how it suits your body will help you decide what works best on you.

Sizing

While everyone knows their size in today's fashions, vintage sizes run quite differently, therefore disregard the actual number size. Take your measurements before you shop and if possible, measure the proportions of the garment to determine whether it will fit, or "eye-size" it to see if the clothing will suit your frame. Vintage clothes run small, so focusing on measurements and not the number will save you a great deal of frustration.

Test the Garment

While trying on before buying may seem a no-brainer, most vintage garments are delicate and have wear and tear, causing the fabric to sag, or fall. Therefore, try on the clothing first. Once the garment is on, test the fabric and how it moves. Pull your arms back and forth. Does it feel tight or constricting? Sit down on a chair. Can you sit comfortably or does the fabric pull or stretch? Even the well-made vintage clothing is fragile, so make sure the garment is functional as well as fashionable before you purchase.

Remember, no matter what the body shape, no one is going to look good in clothing that is faded, stained or worn. Inspect each garment thoroughly before trying it on, and again afterwards to make sure there are no problems. Now go out and show off your vintage!

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