How to Choose Clothing by Style

Most women love to shop for clothing, but some get frustrated trying to determine what looks good on them, and they feel overwhelmed by the choices that are available. Choosing clothing by style is one way to make shopping more fun and less arduous. By getting a feel for what styles feel most comfortable and look most attractive, one can build a cohesive wardrobe full of pieces that are easily mixed and matched. This way, shopping sessions can be targeted; narrowing down potential pieces makes the shopping experience simpler and more satisfying.

With style in mind, avoiding unflattering clothes eventually becomes second-nature. It is also easy to imagine how potential pieces will work with other clothing. Otherwise, buying whatever looks good or seems popular may result in a bulging wardrobe of incongruous garments that cannot be put together with many other items, resulting in the classic "closet full of clothes and nothing to wear" syndrome. This guide will explain how to get organized for the next shopping session.

General Styles of Women’s Clothing

Fashion was not an issue for the majority of people until the 1900s, after the Industrial Revolution had taken hold. While the upper classes may have had some variety in their wardrobes prior to this time, clothes were considered primarily utilitarian, with most people owning one or two work or everyday outfits and a dressy outfit. After industrialization, more garments were mass-produced, different styles became available, and people could afford to own more than two or three outfits. Dressing gradually became a form of self-expression.

Origins of Style

In the academic and artistic design sense, there were originally six basic clothing "personalities" or styles. These were arranged on a spectrum from yin to yang, with yin styles being more feminine and yang styles being more masculine. The following chart describes the six styles and gives examples of famous people who exemplify each.
 

Style	Characteristics	Examples
Romantic	Feminine and sexy; velvet, satin, floral prints; figure-enhancing cuts	Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor
Ingenue	Feminine and dainty; lace, ribbons, ruffles; young, innocent-looking	Mary Pickford, Sandra Dee
Gamin	Sleek, fitted silhouettes; playful prints, geometrics; cute, whimsical, even boyish touches; short pixie haircuts	Audrey Hepburn, Leslie Caron
Dramatic	Eye-catching and bold; sequins, vivid colors, cutouts and plunging necklines	Cher, Barbra Streisand
Natural	Casual and relaxed; linen, denim, knits; outdoorsy, not fancy, sometimes sporty	Katharine Hepburn, Candice Bergen
Classic	Traditional, not trendy; wool, tweed, silk, pearls; looks that have stood the test of time	Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly

Styles Today

Modern styles have changed somewhat. The original categories have evolved; for example, Romantic and Ingenue would likely be considered the same style by today’s standards. Some new categories have also emerged. While on one hand there is more flexibility in fashion now, paradoxically, styles have converged somewhat, so that popular clothing is less distinctive than it used to be. A modern interpretation of clothing style categories might look something like this:
 

Style	Characteristics	Examples
Romantic/Ingenue	Lower-cut blouses, skirts and dresses, softly waved hair, a few frills	Michelle Williams, Taylor Swift, Zoe Saldana
Dramatic	The sky is the limit. Bold, colorful, attention-seeking	Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry
Bohemian (Boho)/Global	Peasant blouses, long gauzy skirts, hippie prints, earthy accessories	Sienna Miller, Vanessa Hudgens
Classic/Preppy	Khakis, sweater sets, button-down and polo shirts, simple jewelry and watches (gold, silver, classic stones)	Kirsten Dunst, Tea Leoni
Urban/Street	Leather jackets, baggy pants, designer sneakers, bling	Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne
Sporty/Casual	Cargo pants, sweats, flip-flops, minimal accessorizing, "undone" look	Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz
Vintage/Eclectic	Thrift-shop finds, period pieces, mixing the unexpected	Drew Barrymore, Chloe Sevigny, Adele

Many women are a combination of two or three dominant styles. In fact, blending styles is what creates personal style. Beyond style categories, though, one should consider whether the styles of certain piecesenhance or detract from the body. Not all dramatic-style women have the same figure, for example, so the same clothing will not look equally good on everyone in that category.

Clothing Styles that Flatter Different Figures

Aside from an overall fashion personality, when selecting clothing, women may want to consider specific styles of individual items and how they look on their individual body type. Many women want to enjoy the latest trends, but they do not stop to consider if that particular trend works in their favor. Assessing body type is fairly easy; most women are already aware of which one they are. An examination in the mirror will reveal the widest and narrowest parts of the body. The chart below describes the five basic female body types.
 

Type	Characteristics	Examples
A (pear)	Smaller shoulders/bust, larger hips/rear/thighs; tends to carry extra weight on bottom	Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Mischa Barton, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian
V (strawberry)	Broad shoulders or larger bust, narrower hips; tends to carry extra weight in upper back, upper arms, and chest	Renee Zellweger, Jennifer Garner
X (hourglass)	Larger bust and hips, narrower waist; tends to carry extra weight evenly	Scarlett Johansson, Salma Hayek, Christina Hendricks, Sofia Vergara
O (apple)	Larger belly, slender limbs; tends to carry extra weight around the middle	Queen Latifah, Elizabeth Hurley, Catherine Zeta-Jones
H (banana)	Equal bust and hips, straight (undefined) waist; tends to be long and slender, but extra weight is put on in the abdomen	Gwyneth Paltrow, Michelle Rodriguez, Keira Knightley, Nicole Kidman

It can be difficult to determine the body shapes of celebrities and models, because many of them maintain an abnormally low weight and level of body fat, making them look like bananas when that may not be their natural body type. Many famous women have also had breast implants or other cosmetic procedures that may alter the natural shapes of their bodies. However, these examples are based on how the celebrities have generally looked over time.

Flattering Clothing Styles for "A" Shapes

The trick to balancing an A body type is to minimize the lower half of the body while drawing attention to the upper half. This is a very common body type for women, as estrogen levels cue the body to store extra fat in the reproductive zone.

Jackets and Tops

Because A women are smaller on top, they can enjoy layering, because the extra bulk will balance their larger bottom half. A smaller bust and shoulders are flattered by details that add volume, such as puffed sleeves, ruffled fronts, and breast pockets. Sweater styles can be chunky with texture and ribbing. While dramatic shoulder pads are definitely an iconic 80s look, very gentle padding can help improve the lines of the shoulders so that clothing will hang better.

Pants and Shorts

In contrast with tops, the bottoms for an A-shape should be simple to maintain a sleek line. Pockets are best kept to a minimum and should lie flat; looser pockets or pockets with buttons, such as on cargo pants, will add bulk to the rear, hips, or thighs, depending on their placement. The overall lines of pants should also be considered; pegged, tapered, skinny, or cropped pants will accentuate the difference between the narrowest part of the leg (the ankle) and the largest part (the hip and thigh area). A better bet is straight or slightly flared legs, which will make the width of the hips and thighs less obvious in relation to the lower leg. A dramatic bell-bottom jean would not be ideal, as the width at the top of the thigh and at the bottom hem give the leg an unattractive hourglass appearance. While an hourglass figure is desirable, an hourglass leg is not usually a flattering look.

Skirts and Dresses

An A-line skirt will usually flow better over wider hips, but care must be taken to balance out the top half of the body to avoid a triangular look. It may be difficult to get a good fit in a straight pencil skirt, and it may feel uncomfortably tight in certain areas as well as look unflattering. Trendy and unusual styles such as tulip, teacup, and bubble skirts will only make a woman’s bottom half look larger, so it is best for pear-shaped ladies to steer clear of these.

Flattering Clothing Styles for "V" Shapes

The V body type is essentially the opposite of the A, but it is not nearly as common in women. The trick to balancing a V-shaped figure is to minimize the top half of the body while accentuating the lower half.

Jackets and Tops

Blouses with major gathering, shirring, or puffs at the shoulders will only make a V-shaped woman look even broader at the top. This is not to say some roundness is not in order; a slight curve can help to make the shoulders look softer. Shoulder pads are never needed. Jackets that are too nipped-in at the waist may create a manly effect unless the bottom of the jacket comes out in a peplum or has some volume below a belt or sash.

Pants and Shorts

Adding some volume to the hips and legs is a good way to lessen the visual difference between the upper and lower halves of the body. While Vs are likely to have slender legs, wearing a skinny jean will only highlight the narrowness of the lower body in comparison with the upper half. A straight or wide leg may look more flattering. Baggy styles will work as well. Both pants and shorts should be worn a bit longer to balance out the larger upper body.

Skirts and Dresses

Women with strong shoulders usually look great in halter-style and strappy dresses that show off the arms. When paired with a fuller skirt, these fit-and-flare dresses make a V body look perfectly balanced and very beautiful. Avoid any skirts that are too straight or fitted; A-line and dirndl skirts add gentle width to the hips while still being flattering. Like A-types, the Vs should also be careful with the teacup and bubble-style skirts, as the extreme width on top and bottom may look a bit awkward.

Flattering Clothing Styles for "X" Shapes

Some people consider X-shapes lucky; others prefer the waifish look of the H. The X is a traditional womanly body shape that is easily flattered but may be hard to dress in many of today’s slim-cut brands and styles.

Jackets and Tops

Women with larger busts will look gorgeous in scoop-neck and V-neck tops. Turtlenecks and crewnecks tend to diminish this asset and make a woman look more top-heavy than voluptuous. Jackets that are very straight will minimize a narrow waist, making an X-shaped woman look wide and heavy all over. Having jackets and shirts fitted and tailored is very important in keeping the waist softly defined so as not to look overweight. In fact, as a general rule, all tops should be closely cut without being skintight.

Pants and Shorts

Curvy women will look attractive in most styles of bottoms, as the figure does not need much balancing. A very slender hourglass can pull off skinny-leg and tapered pants, while a woman who is carrying more weight may not want to call attention to a larger hip area.

Skirts and Dresses

The X looks fabulous in dresses, as they suit her naturally feminine shape. Dresses to avoid would be any unfitted column dress that hangs straight down and is not fitted. A properly fitted sheath dress does wonders for the figure, as does a snug knit dress. If a woman is very busty, an empire waist should be avoided, as the dress hangs outward from under the bust and has a tendency to make women with large busts look heavy in the middle. Any skirt that is too rounded, such as a circle or tulip skirt, may look overly exaggerated; a slim pencil skirt looks great, as it accentuates curves without adding volume.

Flattering Clothing Styles for "O" Shapes

The O is the apple-shaped body that is frequently discussed in health information, with a rounder midsection as the distinctive trait. The goal for most women with this shape is to camouflage love handles and tummy bulge.

Jackets and Tops

The key to blouses, shirts, and jackets for an O is to try and "fake" a waistline and draw attention to other areas of the body. Any top that is too fitted will only make a round stomach more obvious. Going with a middle-of-the-road, gently fitted cut does the job nicely. Halter tops or racerback tanks are best avoided; the narrowly-set straps will only contrast with the width in the abdominal area, making it look larger by comparison. Tunic tops are flattering as long as they are not too large.

Pants and Shorts

Moderation is good for the cuts of bottoms as well. While it may be tempting to show off fabulous legs with a skinny jean, a tight pant will only make the stomach look even larger. Again, a straight-leg, boot-cut, or wide-leg pant is the best option. Shorts can be on the shorter side if the legs can wear them, but they should be slightly loose.

Skirts and Dresses

Women with O shapes frequently have very slender legs. Showing them off with a mid-length skirt is a great way to draw the eye away from the middle part of the body. A miniskirt may work for the very young and would be perfect with a longer top to balance the look and provide coverage. Gentle fullness in tops and bottoms keeps a larger torso in proportion with the shoulder/chest area and the hip/thigh area.

Flattering Clothing Styles for "H" Shapes

A woman with a straight-up-and-down shape is classified as an H. This could either be a woman with a more boyish figure (flat bust and hips, little curve to the waist) or a woman who really is another body type but is so slender that she appears to have a long, lean line.

Jackets and Tops

The H is lucky because most of what she needs is more volume, as opposed to less. While her waist may need definition, this is easily done with clothing. Layering is acceptable as long as it does not create too much bulk at the middle of the body. Many of the same rules for the A shape apply here. Padded shoulders and bras can help create more shape if a woman chooses. However, simply looking for correctly cut clothing may be enough to create the illusion of a waist. Turtlenecks look great on women who are less busty. An empire waist is also flattering. Any jacket, sweater, or blouse with a belt or sash will give the impression of a narrower waist.

Pants and Shorts

The H gal has more flexibility when it comes to pant styles. A skinny pant will look smashing, as will cropped styles. A very slender banana can wear shorter, tighter shorts than the other body types.

Skirts and Dresses

A-line skirts will create a waist because they increase in width toward the hemline. An H can also pull off a dropped waist, chemise, or an unstructured knit dress.

Specific Clothing Styles for Specific Body Parts

Just as certain clothing styles look better on certain overall body shapes, there are certain design elements that look good (and bad) when a woman wants to deal with particular areas or details. The chart below gives some examples of styles to choose and styles to avoid when addressing parts of the body that are not addressed in the previous section on figure types.
 

Body Issue	Good Styles	Bad Styles
Petite	Long pants (lengthen the leg), matching the tone of bottoms to footwear (to avoid breaking the leg line)	Cropped or capri pants (shorten the leg), oversized clothing (overwhelms), very long skirts (tend to "swallow up" the wearer)
Heavy upper arms	Half, three-quarter, or long sleeves (cover the arm); tank tops with wider straps (to look more in balance with thicker arms)	Cap sleeves (accentuate heaviness), spaghetti straps (contrast with thicker arms)
Flat rear	Pants with back pockets, particularly with button flaps (add volume)	Very tight bottoms (shows off flatness)
Heavy calves and ankles	Long pants and skirts (camouflage), low-cut shoes (lengthen and slenderize the leg line)	Cropped or capri pants (show off heavy part of leg), strappy shoes (cut across wide ankles)
Plus-size	Moderately cut clothing (skims the body to minimize bulk), clothing with structure (to give the body more shape); colors and prints as opposed to drab, plain styles	Too tight or too loose (both make a larger body look larger), knits (too clingy)

Choosing Clothing Styles with Confidence on eBay

Buying clothing on eBay is easy because clear photos and descriptions of garment make the styles easy to spot. Because eBay offers clothing items from millions of sellers, virtually any style is available. The eBay Women’s Clothing portal is easy to use. A fashion shopping profile can be set up to automatically filter preferences like brands and sizes in all future searches. Clothing can be sorted by size, brand, color, material, price, and condition. Additional buying preferences like location and buying format (auction or Buy It Now) can also be selected.

The seller’s return policy and feedback are crucial data to be reviewed. Feedback is an indicator of a seller’s reputation on eBay and an unbiased source of information about their quality, customer service, and reliability. Before making a purchase, make sure to understand exactly what the item is, research the seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect purchases. Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Specific questions can be sent directly to the seller via the "Ask a question" link at the bottom of every listing, and most sellers are more than happy to respond.

A seller with significant negative feedback or a seller who does not respond to emails should raise red flags and is best avoided. Still, items bought in good faith that turn out to be disappointing experiences can be handled through eBay Buyer Protection. If an item does not arrive, is different than described or pictured, or is damaged upon receipt, and contact with the seller does not resolve the issue, eBay’s customer service team can be notified; they will then begin an investigation into the problem. A decision in your favor will result in a refund of your purchase price plus original shipping.

Carefully read the details in item listings. Figure delivery costs into the final price. If a lot of money is spent, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships. Always make sure to complete transactions on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs. Never pay for eBay items using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone unknown.

Conclusion

eBay offers one of the largest selections of merchandise available anywhere. With such a wide variety of fashions to choose from, these personalized style tips, and the security of eBay’s Buyer Protection program, anyone looking for women’s clothing is sure to find the perfect pieces and enjoy a no-risk shopping experience.