The ABCs are among the first lessons learned in fashion studies. Like kindergarten, the starting point is the alphabet, the foundation of human communication. Fashion and what we do with it (style) is also a form of communication. In this instance, ABC stands for Accentuate, Balance, and Camouflage.
Learning to use these principles results in better outfits. Accentuate what you like best about yourself. Balance your proportions with necklines, color, wide or narrow, short or long layers. Camouflage what you do not want to draw attention to.
The outfit on the left is okay, but employing some of my favorite styling secrets can improve it. The elements I avoid include high crewneck tops with long sleeves in a light color, which add width visually. The tee also stops at the broadest part of my hip area, drawing the eye to that point. Rounded-toe flat shoes are comfortable, but they don’t elongate or add any interest to the look. The taupe shoulder bag adds volume around the bust and waistline. The lack of accessories robs the outfit of any personality.
Switching to a more dramatic bag held as a clutch creates a focal point lower on my body. A wrap-style sweater top with a V-neckline is more flattering for my roundish face, but it also visually cuts the upper body into smaller sections. Black (or any dark color) makes the upper body look less broad. Additionally, the sweater’s hemline stops at a more flattering point on the hips. The cognac shoes have a two-inch heel and a pointed toe to elongate the silhouette. Even a low heel increases my height a little and improves my posture. Bold silver jewelry draws attention to my face and hands instead of my bust.
Thanks for the analysis. Helps me to more carefully assess my choices. Greetings from Sydney Australia. Xx
When I first glanced at the picture with the white top, I thought “What?” Then I realized it was the “don’t” picture. The tan and black are so chic together. Beautiful example!
Thanks for all you do!
You look great in the elevated outfit on the right. The contrast is amazing. Thank you for sharing such helpful info once again.
Great points! Will definitely put it to use. By the way you look absolutely stunning!
This was a very interesting post with information I will use. I just consulted with a stylist to help me learn what proportions work for me because I was struggling on my own. I couldn’t seem to grasp what to do. Proportions and balance make a huge difference as this post shows.
Susan, as always you have hit it out of the park. I have a question, if your black sweater were crewneck, could you wear a necklace that would mimic the shape of the v-neck and get the same effect? Thanks!
Yes indeed! I always wear the crew and turtle necks for warmth and then wear something over them with a deep V, such as an open jacket, a vee neck vest, or a long pendant necklace.
Thank you for the modeling that shows how clothing and accessory choices can make such a visual difference! I love your posts because they always have an educational aspect to them.
Thank you, Jean. I really enjoy sharing what I’ve learned.
What a good way to show how small changes can make a big difference. When I looked at the picture with the white top I thought that was something I might put on without thinking to even check in the mirror. But the second picture makes a big difference. Just small changes can help us look a little better.
Nice comparison, the pictures certainly tell me to check myself in the mirror.
Your tips are very helpful and really do make a difference. My only question is the shoe choice. Wearing a 2 inch heel doesn’t work for a lot of us. Any suggestions on a different shoe option? Love the v-neck top!
Try sleek shoes with an almond-shaped toe in a color similar to your pants or your legs. Puffy athletic shoes or dark, bulky shoes with lighter pants always make the outfit visually bottom-heavy.
Always enjoy your tips! Love your style.
What a difference the black top with a v neck makes for better proportion. Each element you added created a more pleasing look. Thank you for the photos illustrating your points. It is so helpful. The pots are beautiful too! Enjoy a colorful fall week!
I appreciated your helpful hints today as I wear a white sweater as this and that is exactly how I look! Thanks for making it a classier look.
I can’t believe the difference choosing the right clothes for your body type makes. I need to rethink my wardrobe. Thanks for the ABC tips. Any more words of wisdom would be much appreciated.
Thank you, Sheila. I try to share something helpful in every post.
You look stunning! Love your hair!
Lovely fashion! Thanks for sharing helpful information. Enjoy your break!
I love when you do this type of post…showing us the “don’t” and the “do” pictures. It’s amazing the different between the 2 looks. I really like the black Banana Republic wrap top; could you tell me what size worked for you? Thanks and enjoy your break!
I am wearing a size medium.
Your outfit looks great! Can you tell me more about the silver earrings you have on? I love the top so much I decided to buy one! Thanks!
The silver earrings were made in Israel. I bought them at TJ Maxx last summer.
Black top looks gorgeous on you.
Thanks for the tips on styling this type of pants. I always feel like they make me look large but the right top and shoes really help to pull the outfit together without looking frumpy.
I can really see the difference in the two! Inspiring. I’m going to step it up a notch when I go to lunch with friends tomorrow . Thanks Susan
Wow….what a stunning difference between the two photos! Thank you so much for your very helpful tips!
Wow! I dress just like the Don’t picture! I have lots of accessories because I wore them when I worked, but rarely use them now, even when I’m going out. You’re right, they certainly add personality to an outfit, and it just makes the wearer look so much more interesting. Thanks for your advice, and I love receiving your emails.
Compliments! How small changes make a big difference!
I´ve learned a lot from you yet an one question:
Where are your fantasic glasses from?
Thank you♥
The frames are by Kate Spade. I bought them from my opthamologist at Johnson City Eye Clinic.
What a fantastic contrast in “ok” and “fabulous” looks! You look great and I love your “fabulous” look! I want to order the pants but have to figure out the sizing. Any quick tip on this sizing?
I wear a size 6 at Talbots, so I purchased these in a size 28.
Thank you for showing the styles side by side and telling the difference between the two styles. It was easier to see what you were talking about. I would like to know how you would have improved the style on the left with accessories or glasses, because we all have mistakes in our closet , but need to wear them.
Thanks again, Gwen
Wear your eyeglasses with small or no earrings and a long pendant necklace to create a V. You could also add an open vest or jacket to create vertical lines and breakup the expansive of your upper body.
It is so true about necklines and my appearance, at home with tasks, whenever I’m wearing round neck Tshirt, it is okay. When I have on the v-neck Tshirt I do look and feel shapelier and a bit polished. Thanks for all your tips. It’s a beautiful fall season in north central Arkansas, enjoy the season.
Great post! Very helpful.
I would love the fruitcake recipe
So instructive! Thank you, and I’d love to see more just like this!!
You are so lovely and stylish.
Always helpful.info.
But today’s message was super helpful.
Techniques I can use now!
Thank you.
Susan
I love the side by side comparison. I hope you do more of these as it is so helpful.
I absolutely LOVE the outfit that is so flattering on you! you look stunning. I look forward to your posts and thank you for sharing your life with us.
WOW! Did this post and pictures ever hit home. The difference the black sweater makes compared to the white is really amazing. Thank you so much.
All your blog posts are helpful but I especially appreciate the explanation of the individual elements and how they work on your body as they are clues for me on how to analyze an outfit on my own body – thank you very much!
Thank you! This is a great primer. I’ve always felt better in some tops than others, and I have learned from you why crew necks look horrible on me (something about the way my trapezius muscles meet my neck), so a V-neck helps my neck look leaner and longer. I’ve also found that t-shirts with thinner fabric are more pleasing on me than heavy cotton ones, which create more bulk. Not all t-shirts are created equal, no matter what some may say! Choose wisely! Thanks, Susan!
Thank you for sharing, Susan! The way you use color, geometric shapes, and jewelry are amazing… especially in how they can accentuate various parts of the body. I appreciate all of your wonderful lessons!
One of your best post! I have to visually see side by side the difference various clothing choices will make with an outfit and how it looks on the body. This was very helpful. I know I need to wear V-neck sweaters with my 38DDD bust, however, my 62 year old skin shows how much damage I did as a teen in the sun. I don’t always feel comfortable wearing a V-neck. Is a scarf with a V-neck my best option?
You can wear a softly draped or loosely tied scarf to conceal or reveal. Scarves are more elegant when worn effortlessly.
I really like how you compared the two looks side-by-side. The difference in the white long-sleeved sweater and the black wrap is a wonderful visual. Sometimes I put on something like the white sweater and feel it makes me look bigger, mainly because of where it hits on my body. Emphasizing the difference a high crew neck and a V-neck wrap sweater can make is new and fresh to me.
Thanks for the links. The black wrap sweater is on sale at Banana Republic for $25. (50% off!)
I appreciate this blog so much! I realize I’m never too old to benefit from your fashion tips.
Thank you for the lovely comment!
Always great information. Thank you so much. (You need to write a book. Really. Do it! We need it. People who don’t know about your blog need it.) God bless you, Susan.
Thanks, Patty.
I get excited when I get see a new post from you. Your health, food, nutrition, exercise, and daily activities are inspiring. In previous posts you mention you are an extremely early riser and begin your day in a very positive way. You also mentioned you do not eat after 11:00 a.m. I have not seen what time you go to sleep in order to accomplish these early times. Would you mind to share?
Thank you so much for all the support and information you offer.
I am often asleep by 8 pm and usually wake by 2.
I’m wondering if you had both outfits on the same day, because the white sweater really did add weight to your mid-section; and, looked a bit frumpy instead of stylish! I am amazed at what a difference those two items made!
Great job!
I dressed in the white shirt only for the example photo.
Your pants are my favorite color for a couple of years. I have corduroy pants, turtleneck and faux leather jacket, which I never wear together! I love solids but I vary my colors more than you do. Your suggestions are spot on! Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing style tips. I am almost 80 and you have helped me curate my closet. You have helped me avoid impulse purchases. I enjoyed the article showing your closet too.
Ann
Susan,
I have an ample bust as well. How do you navigate the winter weather. Any crewnecks, turtlenecks or scarves around the throat ? While I know it’s a better look, the v neck is not enough in the cold weather.
Crewnecks and turtleneck sweaters are much warmer, but I wear something over them to create vertical lines and divide the expanse of the torso.
I absolutely love the two photos side by side with your explanation. That truly emphasizes your point and easy to see what you mean. I learn something new or am reminded when you repeat something that I either forgot or pat myself on the back that I remembered your advice.
Many thanks for keeping us informed on new styles and how to incorporate them with our existing clothes. That is so helpful at least for me.
May you enjoy the weekend and have a safe trip if traveling.
Clara from Iowa
I’m a blue-eyed white haired senior…I hesitate to wear black near my face; I used to wear a lot of black when I worked but I don’t wear many black tops now….any ideas as to how to accessorize when wearing black?
You can use any dark color that flatters you, it need not be black. The reason I wear a dark color on the top is too visually minimize my bust.
Hi Susan, your blog with the side by side pictures is so helpful we often forget how to dress to look amazing.
Us Ladies! Need to wear outfits that make us feel good about ourselves.
Thanks to your fabulous advice we most certainly can do so.
Keep safe and well.
God Bless.
ELIZABETH SA
Thank you! This post is very useful! I would love to see more like this. The visuals are extremely helpful!!
I really love your posts!! Thank you again!!
Loved your post! Putting the two outfits side by side helped me so much. I will put these principles into action! Thank you.
What a great post. I have the opposite body style that you do. I am a triangle. Or pear-shaped if that’s easier to remember. I tried to enlarge my top and minimize my hips and draw attention to my waist. I still find great ideas in your blog. My friends say that I am a classy dresser. It is because of what I learn here.
What are your ideas about what to wear to the gym?
I wear leggings, sneakers and a tank top, or tee shirt. When I am walking in cold weather I wear this sweatshirt.
I love the suede pant !
Susan – thank you for this very helpful post, and especially the side by side pics. I would appreciate if you would share the lipstick you are wearing. Thank you in advance.
I am wearing Lancome lip pencil (color 100) and lip balm (color 50) over it.
Susan, l have to say your styling of the pants looks better than on the website you posted,!
Hello Susan, I really like the color of your pants. Is it the first time you wear it, because I don’t remember seeing you wear these pants in your previous posts. My preference is when you combine it with the black Vee-Neck top and the pointed toe shoes. And always with your superb hairstyle, you look really so lovely.
Yes. This is the first time I’ve styled the pants. Thanks.
Your pictures and descriptions are extremely helpful for figuring out what looks best and why. They help me in ways to really see the difference in dressing my body all the way down to the best accessories. I never would have thought about the way you carry a purse matter but it does! Thank you
Dear Susan,
In honor of Veteran’s Day tomorrow, I would like to thank you for your courage, sacrifice and service to our great country!
Dianne
Thank you, Dianne. My service time remains one of my best life experiences.
It would be helpful to show your followers examples of how to wear white in different lengths in sweaters, cardigans, shirts, T-shirts and outerwear. Keeping in mind your L and XL followers who were brought up on White emphasizes and black disguises. Thus never wearing white on top or below (size 14/16). But if there is a way, please share adaptable ways.
It is true that light colors advance and dark colors recede. It applies to makeup, tops, pants, and shoes.
You have such a wonderful style sense. I always like to see how you put outfits together. This right/left comparison was especially useful. Thank you!
I love that you put the 2 outfits side by side and explain what works, what does not work and why! I rarely (if ever) see this done! I like that you are always wearing the clothes vs a style board with pictures. I need to see it all put together on a human being! I often try to duplicate your lovely outfits.
You look wonderful, as usual. Lately I’ve found that I forget adding ‘casual’ jewelry to my outfits. What a difference in your photos when you complete your outfits. Thanks again for the reminder. I really enjoy seeing your before and after styles. Thank you!
Thanks for doing the side-by-side comparison photos. I can see the V-neck and shorter length of the sweater really makes a difference. I’ll be making this change.
Hello Susan, Colleen here. We have been invited to a wedding next month where the dress code is “Vogue Formal” What does this mean ? Would tailored slacks and a really smart blouse be ok. It is summer here in South Africa. Please help if you can. Thanks and take care, regards to Mr Mickey and yourself
When people list inventive dress codes, it is bound to produce some very creative outfits. I believe your suggested attire would be acceptable. According to Vogue, formal dress for women includes a floor-length gown, gloves, and hair typically worn in an updo. For men, formal attire consists of A suit with a vest and A white bow tie.