28.Sep.2009 The Fit: How to look stylish, no matter what your style

Open any fashion magazine and you’ll find a wealth of advice – and sometimes out and out insistence – on what to wear. Pants are out, dresses are in! Shoulders are bigger! It’s all about biker chic/bohemian nostalgia/power dressing!
It’s overwhelming.
Eventually a choice must be made: 1) to follow someone else’s advice mindlessly, looking at last year’s wardrobe thinking “wow, why did I even buy that?” 2) give up completely or 3) continue to love fashion, but develop a style that defies seasonal whims, and suits you to a tee. Looking at your typical street style website, you discover women and men rocking an array of styles: vintage, grunge, preppy. These people have been chosen by the photographer because they’ve made the style their own, and it suits them to a tee. But there’s also another thing that sets them apart:
Their clothes fit them.
There’s nothing that can ruin a look quicker than a bad fit. A too-short skirt that constantly needs to be pulled down makes you look uncomfortable and self-conscious. A blouse that gapes over your chest is scruffy. And most of the time, a baggy t-shirt won’t hide your lumps and bumps, but only serve to make you look bigger.
If you’ve been trying to squeeze into clothes that you bought 5 kilos ago, you probably won’t be comfortable, and it’ll show, no matter how stylish or fashion-forward your outfit is. However, if your clothes fit well and flatter your shape, then you’ll be far more stylish, no matter what your style is.
This doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a new wardrobe.
Why not visit a tailor, who can take you ill-fitting clothes in/out? Or learn how to sew and do it yourself. There are plenty of ways to work with what you’ve got:

• Roll up your too-long pants 
• Tuck in your too-big t-shirt
• Figure out what your body shape is, and how to dress to play it up.
• Go and get your bras fitted by a professional
• Have fun! It doesn’t matter whether you fit in or not if your clothes fit!