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How to Learn to Know What Looks Good on You

Has this happened to you? Your friend who comes to school one day and just looks WOW! in her new shirt and pants. You ask her where she got her outfit, and you run to the store to get yourself that outfit, too. And you put them on and . . . there’s no wow. You don’t even look like you’re wearing the same clothes. You look okay, but just not great. What happened?

Leah Feldon is a style consultant that wrote a best selling book called Does This Make Me Look Fat? She gives the answers to how to wear clothes that look good on you. Not just good-looking clothes, but clothes for you. Here’s what she has to say:

The teen years are years to experiment to see what styles are most for you. And they are also the years where you can wear all the trends and actually get away with it. You can experiment with style.

However, you need to pay a lot of attention to your body. So how can you wear what’s in style without sacrificing what looks good on you? You need to adapt the trend to your own body. Keep your goals in mind: (1) to look as good as you possibly can, and (2) to feel comfortable with your personal style.

Here’s how Leah says to do it:

Do a personal physical inventory.
Before you shop, you need to get a handle on the real you. Look in the mirror. The goal is to do an objective review of yourself. Don’t be tough on yourself! Don’t say, “I look fat!” or “I hate my chest!” Look at your reflection and pretend it is a loving friend you are trying to help. Pretend you want to give this “friend” really good advice.

Ask yourself:
What are this friend’s best features? What does she really like? What are this friend’s challenges in her appearance? What would be better not to notice as much?

Evaluate the trends for YOU.
Look at a trend you want to wear. Suppose you like low-rise jeans. Ask yourself: “What will they do to my body?” They have a horizontal line that splits your body right at the hips. So, are your hips an area you want to highlight?

Play up your good points.
Accentuate the positives. Which parts of your body did you identify that you liked the best? You want people to notice these parts most.

Check out some clothing trends and consider if they are right for you … or if you should skip ‘em. Leah gives her advice:

Cropped tops:
Cute look. But if your midsection isn’t your best feature, try wearing a short top over a longer one. You’ll get the cropped top look without exposing your midriff.

Tank tops:
A classic. Anybody can wear them. If you’re very big busted, think about wearing two tank tops together for a little extra support. They can be the same color or a different color. Let a little of the second color peak out for style interest.

Capris:
It Can be a tough proportion to work with. Generally, they’re not that flattering, especially if you’re short. If they don’t look quite right on you, go for a cropped pant-hemmed anywhere from right below the bottom of the calf to just above the ankle. This will give you same feel as a Capri but a more flattering line.

Flares:
Since the flare pants is usually pretty tight through the thighs, they look best on girls with long skinny legs — which doesn’t mean you can’t wear them if you’re not a model. Just make sure the pants isn’t too tight through the thighs, and that the flare bottoms are not ultra-wide.

Mini skirts:
It Can look cute depending on what you wear with them. Usually best with low heels; high heels and minis can look a bit tarty. If your legs are not your best point, opt for slightly longer lengths.

Long skirts:
Everybody can wear them. The best long skirts are not stiff, but move with the body a bit. For daytime, long skirts are usually best no longer than ankle length.

A-line flare skirts:
A good choice if you have ample hips.

Peasant tops:
Technically, anybody can wear them. Whether or not you opt to be more a matter of personality. If you’re more of a tailored or tomboy type, you probably won’t feel as comfortable in them as a friend who’s more girly.

Ruffles:
Just don’t overdo them. Keep ruffling small and minimal, and you can’t go wrong.

Off one shoulder:
This kind of asymmetrical neckline can look great; just make sure you’ve got the right kind of undergarments in your drawer—like some kind of strapless bra.

Tight spandex shirts:
Not a great idea if you’re big-busted, since they will bring attention to your breasts. Remember, you want people to notice you first, not your body parts. Loosen up.

You’ll know it when you feel it. You’ll walk over to that mirror and just feel great. So comfy yet? Feeling good? Looking good!