You don’t wear crop tops but this one is so cute. You want to try it but what do you wear it with? How do you introduce new styles to your rotation of clothes when you don’t know how to style it or if it’ll suit you? Well, let me tell you a secret – you can make anything “suit” you as long as you have the right fit and quality.

Most of us all have the same two arms, two legs, torso and skeletal frame but it may be laid out differently from one woman to the next. What “suits” one woman seemingly may not “suit” the next but it’s more a matter of fit. Ill-fitting, badly made clothes can easily look unappealing but it’s usually not a result of the style but how it sits on your body. Different body shapes are better suited for different methods of styling – I don’t see them as rules you must follow but more like guidelines that can assist you if it’s something that concerns you. The way I see it is that your body is like an equation that needs to be balanced (I’m terrible at maths but this is one formula I can teach you!).

1. Body Shape and Silhouette

Some body shapes seemingly suit every style but that’s not true – it’s just the way some women have found clothes to tailor to their body’s shape. Some women are particularly proportionate (I’m definitely not one of them) and so it’s easy to find clothing that suits them because everything is usually designed for a perfectly proportioned body. For those of us that aren’t as genetically blessed, there’s definitely ways to create the illusion and in turn, allow you to “suit” more styles.

For top heavy silhouettes with broader shoulders, designs that balance your shoulders will help to create the illusion of a less broad frame. That is, styles like halter tops and racer backs usually pull the focus of a garment to your neck and enlarge the appearance of your shoulders (something we don’t want!). Choose designs that are more balanced like spaghetti strap, sleeve or sleeveless tank styles. Symmetrical designs are best suited for broader shoulders. Pair this with something high-waisted like pants or a skirt (extra points for skirts that have a little flair to create more volume on your lower half of the body). High waisted garments create the illusion of longer limbs and a smaller waist and takes the emphasis off your shoulders and upper half.

If you have the opposite silhouette with a bottom/hip-heavy lower half and a more petite shoulder width, follow the opposite suggestions to the heavy silhouette looks and focus on halter, racer and off-shoulder looks and rather than doing high-waisted bottoms, try tighter/more form fitting pants. This will shift the balance of your silhouette to your upper half.

2. Trying Styles That You Don’t Usually Wear

I always implore my customers to try new styles and get out of their comfort zone because you never know how something will look on you until you try it! That cute crop top you’ve been eyeing but are too scared to try might end up being your favourite piece and the most flattering garment you own. How would you know until you give it a shot?

To try out something you’re not too familiar with, pair the new garment with items that you are more comfortable with wearing. For example, rather than jumping straight into a body-con skirt and crop top combination if you’re typically someone who prefers shift styles or less form-fitting designs, pair the crop with your favourite pair of high waisted jeans or culotte (flare) pants. Pairing styles you aren’t familiar with, with items that you wear regularly and find comfortable, is a great way to introduce new items to your wardrobe.

Rather than changing your entire look at once (which can result in you feeling self-conscious about your top and your bottom), try changing one aspect of your look at a time to test how it makes you feel. If you know your butt looks glorious in those jeans, you don’t need to worry about how it looks, you only need to think about your new top.

Layering and accessories are also a great way to take the focus off the new item until you’re more confident with making it a focus of your outfit. Worried about showing too much skin with the crop-top? That’s fine! Try wearing it with a loose cardigan or jacket. Are you usually a print-wearer and not used to more neutral colour schemes? Pair it with some statement accessories to add some glam!

3. Fit, Fit, FIT!

I can’t stress this enough. Find the right fit!!! It’s worth it to go the extra mile to take clothes to be tailored if they aren’t the perfect fit especially when you’re purchasing timeless investment pieces. You can make pretty much anything suit you if you have clothes that fit you correctly and aren’t too tight nor too loose. There should be breathing room so you can move around and feel comfortable but you also shouldn’t feel like you’re drowning in fabric!

Most of my collection can be taken in through the side seams or the back darts to ensure a better fit at the waist, but clothes typically can’t be let out (made bigger) so if you’re unsure, go for a slightly larger size and tailor it back down.

Take the effort to hem pants, skirts or dresses that are just a bit too long. It makes all the difference in how your legs will appear and will assist in slimming and elongating them if the bottoms are the right length. A good rule of thumb for midi-length designs is to let the skirt or dress fall to just below your knee, roughly one to half a hand’s width down from the knee (put your hand under your knee so that your index finger sits under your knee cap, the skirt or dress should fall about halfway to the full way down your hand.

Do you have a particular style you want to try out but aren't sure how to? Do you have any other advice to share? Comment below and let me know what you think!