Feeling good in your clothes isn’t about changing your body—it’s about working with it. One of the simplest styling tricks to help you feel more confident tomorrow? Use color strategically to balance your proportions and highlight what you love.
How color placement changes your silhouette
The goal of using color to balance your body proportions is to create an hourglass shape. Picture an hourglass—with the top and bottom equal in size and a narrow middle. The idea is to use color to make your upper and lower body look more even in size while defining your waist for a naturally flattering effect.
Dark colors reflect less light, so they are less prominent and fade into the background, while lighter colors absorb more light and grab attention. That’s why wearing darker shades on areas you want to minimize and lighter or brighter colors where you want to draw the eye is such a great styling trick.
Darker colors help downplay an area, so if you want something to look less noticeable, stick to deep shades like black, navy, dark burgundy, or charcoal gray. To highlight a feature, choose bright colors, prints, stripes, or even something with a little shine.
How to Use Color to Balance Your Proportions
If You’re Smaller on Top & Larger on the Bottom
If you have a curvier lower body, the goal is to balance proportions by visually slimming the bottom half while drawing the eye upward.
- Wear darker shades on the bottom, like black, navy, charcoal, or deep burgundy, to create a sleeker look.
- Add color, prints, stripes, or texture up top. A bright sweater, patterned blouse, or even a top with pleats helps bring attention upward.
- Choose structured or voluminous tops. Puff sleeves, ruffles, or an interesting neckline can help create balance.
- Use accessories to emphasize your upper half. Statement earrings, necklaces, or a scarf can help shift the focus upward.
I wear a small or medium top and size 12 jeans. Here I’m wearing an oversized sweater front-tucked into black wide-leg cropped jeans.
Sweater (SOLD OUT) | Black Cropped Jeans (fit TTS) | Madewell crossbody bag | Ankle Boots
Since I’m bigger on the bottom, I often choose dark pants or skirts to create a streamlined look. This oversized tan sweater draws the eye to my smaller upper body. Front tucking the sweater and pushing up my sleeves helps to define the waistline.
If You’re Larger on Top & Smaller on the Bottom
If you have a fuller bust, broad shoulders, or a more prominent midsection, balancing your proportions means visually minimizing the upper half while adding more interest to the lower half.
- Opt for darker tones up top, like black, navy, or charcoal gray, to create a sleek, slimming effect.
- Keep tops simple with deep necklines, V-necks, open collars, and wrap styles to elongate the torso and avoid adding bulk.
- Use lighter colors or prints on the bottom. A skirt or pants in a softer shade, a pattern, or a textured fabric or pleats will draw the eye downward.
- Try flared, wide-leg, or A-line bottoms to add visual weight to the lower half and create balance.
Example Outfit: A navy V-neck sweater with lighter wash jeans or a printed skirt.
Does This Mean You Can’t Wear Color Anywhere You Want?
Absolutely not. This is just one tool in your styling toolkit. Style isn’t about rules—it’s about balance and personal expression. Wear anything you love just because you love it!
I wear white jeans and red pants.
In this outfit, I’m wearing red cords. A white puff-sleeve blouse up top draws the eye up, while the fuller sleeves create the appearance of a larger upper body that is similar in size to the bottom half.
Leopard Belt | Blouse | Straight Cords (select “Parisian Red”, fits TTS) | Ankle Boots | Black Bag
In this white jeans outfit, wearing a bold black and white horizontal striped relaxed-fit shirt makes the upper body appear proportionate to the lower body and draws the eye to the upper body.
White Jeans (Fit TTS)
At the end of the day, it’s not about hiding—it’s about styling your outfits in a way that makes you feel your best. And when you feel good, you look good.
