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When you think about it, your clothes are essentially a way to frame a work of art, which is you. They’re designed to make you look nicer and more suitable for certain occasions. That’s why you wouldn’t wear your pajamas at a wedding, unless you have a very relaxed bride and groom.
As well as making you look nice with different colors and textures, your clothes also create a silhouette.
While fashion tends to come and go, building a silhouette is a timeless piece of fashion advice that will always be relevant. Here are some tips to help you better control your silhouette so you always love how you look.
What is a Silhouette?
When you think of a silhouette, you might think of a person or an object backlit against a bright light. You can’t see any details or color, but this makes their shape stand out so much more. This isn’t to say that these details don’t matter, as they still add so much to your complete outfit. So please don’t wear every clashing color and texture just because you’re focused on the silhouette (unless that’s what you’re going for). But it is important to consider the shape of your clothes as well.
Even if you’re wearing a bright and colorful dress, the silhouette will always be relevant. Your body also has a specific shape, but you can change this with your clothes in different ways. This means that you can look very different depending on your outfit, tailoring it to different events
The great thing about the silhouette is that you can play around with it. You aren’t just stuck to only thinking about your body type, because you can pick different shapes and textures to change it.
Maybe you want to look sleek, smooth, and sexy. Or maybe you want to create a different shape. You might prefer a blockier look with broad shoulders and straight lines. You might want a feminine floaty look with lots of added shapes. The important thing is that you consider your silhouette when you plan your outfit.
There isn’t necessarily a wrong type of silhouette to have. Your body type will heavily influence your silhouette, no matter what you wear. But you might be surprised at what you can control and what a significant effect it can have.
Shapewear
The most common way to change your silhouette and the method you’re probably thinking of is shapewear. Shapewear is designed to do exactly what it says on the tin, alter your shape.
But there are so many different types of shapewear, all designed to do different things. One of the oldest and most traditional forms of shapewear is the corset. The corset is designed to add shape and structure to your silhouette. Specifically, it helps you to achieve the classically beautiful hourglass silhouette.
Different corsets are designed to be worn differently. Many modern corsets, like the Guizio corset can look absolutely stunning when they’re on show. They have very intricate patterns and designs and are made from quality materials to be part of an outfit. But if you prefer, you can also use these corsets as a structural garment underneath your clothes.
When wearing a corset, make sure that you get one with the right size. This makes sure that it has the best effect without restricting your breathing. Corsets are traditionally comfortable to wear, and the extreme style you might be thinking of isn’t the most common style of corset. Yes, you gain a more defined waist, but you shouldn’t be uncomfortable with it.
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Another form of shapewear that is more common is compression shapewear. Rather than the hard structure of a corset, this shapewear is made of a more flexible material. Typically, compression shapewear works by making your silhouette more smooth. It can give you a more defined shape, but you also love any panty lines or other unsightly underclothing lines that you might see in some outfits.
This shapewear can help you feel more confident without fundamentally changing how you look. You can also get different levels of compression, so if you want a balance of control and comfort, you can find shapewear that isn’t too restrictive.
Building Texture With Layers
While shapewear is great for the silhouette of your body, that isn’t all there is to think about. If you’re planning to wear a slinky dress that highlights your body shape, shapewear is ideal. It can also be good for other outfits.
However, a lot of the time, you further change your silhouette with added layers. Layers are a great and practical way to change your outfits. More layers are warmer, which is perfect in the winter. But this also means you can remove them when you get warm. You can also play with colors and textures by adding layers, changing patterns and creating a complete outfit that’s more complicated than a top and pants.
Think about the different layers you add and how they will alter your silhouette at the end of the day. Bulky layers will make you seem larger and potentially create more soft shapes, especially if you’re using a soft material.
Some jackets might include shoulder pads and more structured designs, which will give you a slightly more severe and square shape. You could create some interesting effects by pairing this with a flowy bottom half and boots, to maintain some femininity in your silhouette.
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Honestly, anything goes. The important thing is that you think about the shape that you’re creating by adding more layers. It’s common in the winter for people to have more layers, but even in the summer you can have fun with it.
Some materials that are floaty and let some light through can add a sense of the ephemeral to your outfit, for example.
The Finishing Touches
The silhouette is all about the bigger picture, as you can’t make out a lot of the smaller details. But you can still think about some finishing touches when considering how to build your silhouette.
For example, your accessories like your shoes and bag are all included in your silhouette. If you want to keep it simple, don’t pair a sleek dress with a big, bulky bag and boots. They will be very obvious in your silhouette. Pare things down with a smaller clutch bag and simple heels for a classic look.
Or, if you do want to add more complication to your silhouette, this is a great way to have more fun with it. Think about the shape of your bag and your shoes, as well as anything else like hats that you might be wearing. Do they complement or clash your clothing?
Speaking of hats, one thing that people might forget about is their hair. When you’re getting ready, as well as getting dressed, you might also think about your hair and makeup. Your makeup won’t show up on your silhouette unless you put a comical amount of it on, but your hair definitely will.
Do you want a bit more height? Heels will help, but an updo can also add a good few inches, especially if you have a lot of hair. Do you want to keep things neater? Then a simple bun or another hairstyle that keeps your hair contained is a good answer. Do you want a relaxed look? You can simply wear your hair down and it still completes your silhouette.