How often do we get caught up in the idea of “flattering” when it comes to dressing ourselves? It’s one of those buzzwords that sneaks into every style conversation: “Does this make me look thinner?” “Will this elongate my legs?”
And because of this, I wanted to talk about rethinking flattering.
Quote of the day: “Caring about everything is a disaster.
Caring about nothing is also a disaster.
Nurture the small pocket of things that truly matter to you.” James Clear
Let’s step away from dressing to look thinner or taller and embrace a more playful, authentic approach to style. Fashion should be fun, creative, and most importantly, a reflection of who we are—not just a tool to shrink or stretch our silhouette.
I belong to many Facebook styling groups and a common theme presents itself no matter if the women are petite, older or cool. The theme is “is this right?”
Right and wrong are adjectives of the past when it comes to style.
Sure, sometimes we like some outfits better than others we put together, but it’s a journey. And every journey has its successes and failures. If you never make a mistake, then you aren’t growing.
And stagnant style is synonymous with frumpy. Another style term that I’ve talked about in the past.
The concept of flattering is rooted in the idea that our bodies need to be “fixed.” It implies that we should dress to create an illusion of a specific shape, rather than celebrating the shape we already have.
But why should our outfits be about hiding parts of ourselves or conforming to arbitrary beauty standards? Instead of asking, “Does this make me look thinner?” let’s start asking, “Does this outfit make me feel fabulous?”
I’ve been on a soapbox in the past around this idea after purchasing a sweatshirt with the words “Perfectly Imperfect.” It’s very uplifting to learn to think differently about our bodies and clothing styles after years of rules that Stress us out.
Insider tip: Rethinking flattering might include thinking about emotional words when you put together an outfit. Obviously, my go-to word is fun, but powerful, bold, playful, and uplifting would be others.
Another way of rethinking flattering is to embrace our bodies in the Aging process. Too many times, older women will not wear something sleeveless because of their jiggly upper arms.
I hope we can shift our thinking to the fact that the changes in our bodies are a blessing as our birthdays have accumulated. All of us know of young people who haven’t had the opportunity to age and get older.
Dressing doesn’t have to be so serious! By shifting our focus and rethinking flattering as our goal, you take away the stress of getting dressed.
Here are some ideas to let go of the flattering mindset and start having fun with your wardrobe. I don’t say these things without examples to prove how my crew has experimented with them. Make sure to check out our style ideas in the linked blog posts as well as my daily outfits included in this article.
Forget about “slimming” black for a moment and dive into a rainbow of possibilities. Love bold, bright colors? Wear them! Mix pink and red, throw on a chartreuse jacket, or rock a pair of blue shoes.
Color has the power to lift your mood and showcase your personality. The goal isn’t to blend in—it’s to stand out.
Who says you can’t pair a voluminous top with wide-leg pants? Or layer an oversized blazer over a flowy dress? Forget the old “rules” about balancing proportions and try silhouettes that make you smile.
Sometimes, breaking the rules creates the most striking and unique outfits as I showcased with culottes years ago.
Instead of worrying about whether something “slims,” focus on pieces that spark joy. A pair of glittery boots, a funky patterned jacket, or a sculptural necklace can become the centerpiece of your look.
Forget adding the basics to your closet. I bet you already have a ton of those. Instead, let your statement piece do the talking, and don’t sweat the rest.
One of the easiest ways to inject playfulness into your wardrobe is by mixing prints. Stripes with florals? Why not! Polka dots and animal print? Absolutely.
The trick is to have fun and not overthink it. Confidence is the key ingredient.
At the end of the day, fashion should be about what makes you happy. If you adore a flowy maxi dress that swishes when you walk, wear it. If you feel unstoppable in a bold power suit, go for it.
Your style is about you—not about someone else’s opinion of what looks “flattering.”
Insider tip: Always remember it’s called personal style for a reason…it’s personal.
Rethinking “flattering” doesn’t mean you’ll feel less confident—quite the opposite. When you dress in a way that feels true to who you are, your confidence will shine through. People notice when someone is comfortable and joyful in their own skin, and that’s far more powerful than looking a certain way.
Final Thoughts
Fashion should be a celebration of individuality, creativity, and joy—not a daily Exercise in looking taller, thinner, or any other “er.”
Let’s embrace our quirks, our bold choices, and our authentic selves.
If you’re a woman recovering from only dressing in a “flattering” way, then it might seem impossible to get dressed any other way.
The secret: next time you’re getting dressed, ask yourself: “Is this what I would normally pair together?” If the answer is yes, then try to wear something 180 degrees different. You might be pleasantly surprised with the compliments and outcome.
So go ahead, mix those prints, wear those bold colors, and have fun with your style. The world is your runway, and there are no rules—only opportunities to express who you truly are.
As much as I love my site, Jodie’s Touch of Style, I really enjoy putting together my daily emails. I consider my emails an extension of my blog that is chocked full of positive inspiration that one friend calls a “Variety Show.”
I include articles, videos, and posts that strike my fancy and since I have no siblings to share with, I share with you.
I hope I thank you enough because your support allows me to continue this journey which I LOVE!!!
Supporting a blog can be easy and free. Just visiting my pages, clicking my links (especially for Small Businesses and sponsored posts), and sharing the things you like on your social media make a huge difference. Spreading the word is how I can reach more wonderful people like you!
Or feel free to “buy me a coffee” which is a monetary way to tell me that you enjoy reading my blog.
Welcome to Jodie’s Touch of Style. I’m here to prove that it’s never too late to look great. Clothing and style are meant to showcase your inner personality. So let’s have fun and try new things.
The post Rethinking Flattering: Embracing Authentic Style Over Outdated Rules appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
Notifications
