The silhouette of a garment is it's outer shape; all garments have one of four silhouettes: very fitted, semi fitted, boxy and stiff or boxy and soft.

 

Being able to select the silhouettes that are best for you is an important step when purchasing clothing - get this right and your well on your way to a great look.

 

Very fitted silhouettes are best for slender, youthful women, Semi-fitted is flattering to all women and is the most desirable and universally appropriate of all the silhouettes. Boxy and stiff silhouettes fall straight, have no shape and fall stiffly. This silhouette is best for full figured women who
are under 45 years of age. For any woman over this age this silhouette can appear matronly if it is not in a current style and colour.

 

Box and stiff is good for women over 45 only if the hemline falls no lower than the high hipline. Boxy and soft is also a boxy silhouette but it is made of a soft fabric that moves with the wearer as they move. This is an easy to wear and flattering style for all ages and weights. It is particularly attractive on more mature, full figured women.