Style Tip: Color or Proportion?

What’s more important in a garment? The color or shape? I’m always aware of proportion but got distracted by a heady color last month and am sharing my mistake to illustrate what went wrong. Today I’m talking about color and the power of proportion. Class is in session and I am the victim subject 🙂

Several girlfriends and I popped into a small boutique for some retail therapy last month. I love having unique pieces that I don’t see everywhere and that’s what this shop had. After putting several things in a changing room, I scanned the sale rack and zeroed in on an intoxicating color.

This top is an inherent color for me (matches my eye color and eyeglass frames). When I saw it was 85% off, I knew I had to own it. The problem is the shape is exactly wrong for my body silhouette.

I wore it with skinny jeans last month and added a scarf to draw the eye away from the unflattering shape. It didn’t help.

I wore it to meet my sister-in-law for lunch and asked my husband to take some pictures so I could show you why this top is wrong for me.

My silhouette is an inverted triangle. I have very broad shoulders and narrow hips. Things that flatter my shape are narrow on top or make my lower body look fuller. I’m flattered by light colored pants, full skirts, and palazzo pants because my shoulders balance them out.

This top does the opposite. It has dropped shoulders and dolman sleeves which accentuate where I’m broadest. It has no waist shaping so makes me look wider all the way down. To add insult to injury I wore it with full legged pants. I look like a rectangle.

Sadly the color is not enough to save this top. I tried tying the hem into a knot, but it’s too short. I tried pinning it with a brooch. It’s too short.

Meet my new “at home” top that makes me happy, just because I love the color.

Does color intoxicate you?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!