Proper Fit Makes The Clothes
November 2nd, 2009
According to my client,Oriana Khatso, Owner of Terra boutique in Dupont Circle, the key to buying clothing that works for your body is having an understanding of how clothes should fit and recognizing that almost everything these days needs a bit of tailoring. She says that it’s also important to recognize that size means virtually nothing in this day and age. Each designer uses a different size system which means in one brand you could be a size 2 and in another brand a size 6. If the tag really bothers you- cut it out and focus on what matters- does the piece fit or not?
When trying on items, scrutinize each piece utilizing this basic fit check system that Oriana provided to me:
General
When trying on items, scrutinize each piece utilizing this basic fit check system that Oriana provided to me:
General
- Never let a hem hit you at your widest part. This will only serve to accentuate these difficult areas instead of de-emphasizing them
- Befriend a tailor as most pieces will need to be altered in some manner to achieve the correct fit
- Avoid fabrics that itch, that stick or cling to you, that make you perspire, or make you uncomfortable in any way
- Only purchase items that are age appropriate and appropriate for the respective setting, event, or situation you find yourself in
- Focus on quality, not quantity
Tops
- A sleeve line should hit or fall just past your wrist
- Shoulder seams should hit your true shoulder
- Avoid tops that pull around your bust line or across your back
- Avoid tops that bunch in the back above your derrière, tops should lay flat
- Avoid bunching or pulling in the armpit area
- Avoid tops that accentuate the folds around the armpit area
- Avoid necklines that inappropriately emphasize your bustline
Bottoms
- Avoid pulling and/or creasing along the hip and upper thigh area.
- Avoid pockets unless they can be stitched closed or are set high, just below the waistline and are horizontal and not vertical
- Avoid bunching around or below the zipper area
- Pay attention to where the hem of your pant hits your shoe. The hem length will vary depending on the type of shoe you wear but a general rule of thumb is to have the hem hit the top middle of your foot
- Avoid hems that fall at the widest part of your leg or the least flattering part of your leg
