Clothes fitting is a perennial problem for women and men all over the world. We’ve all been there – standing in front of the mirror, trying to squeeze into that dress that’s just a little too tight. And it’s not just a problem that women face – men have their own share of struggles when it comes to getting clothes right. But what about Australian fashion? How do they get it right when it comes to clothes fitting? While Australia sits down, they are at the forefront of the world’s leaders in terms of fashion thanks to their focus on sizing, proportion, sustainability, gender fluidity, and comfort. There are many movements in Australian fashion which are focusing on the individual’s relationship with clothes, rather than the focus on fast fashion which is destructive for the environment and unsatisfactory to people with varying body types and tastes.
Sizing
You don’t necessarily have to go and get your measurements (although it does help and takes the guesswork out of things), but you can do what most people do and just try things on and figure out your numbers from there. Australian sizes are measured identically to the United Kingdom, so if you are a size 14 there, you are size 14 here, and vice versa. The Australian sizing measurements range from XXS to 5XL for women and XXS to 6XL for men, with kids ranging from 2 to 16.
Sizing is one of the most important aspects of clothes fitting, and it’s something that Australian fashion designers take very seriously. They understand that people come in all shapes and sizes, and that not everyone is going to fit into a size XS or S. That’s why they offer a wide range of sizes for their clothing, from XS to XL and beyond. This means that there’s a much higher chance of you finding clothes that actually fit, instead of struggling to squeeze into something that’s too small or too big.
Proportion
Another thing that Australian fashion designers get right is proportion. They understand that not everyone has the same body type, and that what looks good on one person might not look good on another. That’s why they design their clothes to flatter a wide range of body types, instead of just one type. This is particularly important when choosing the right pair of jeans. We are constantly seeing people trying to squeeze or fit into the newest styles, when they should be approaching their pants by what best fits their frame. Whether you’re tall or short, curvy or slim, there’s an Australian fashion label out there that will have clothes that look great on you regardless of what the passing trends are..
Body types
One of the best things about humans is that every one of us is different – inside and out. All of us are born with different genetics which will inevitably make us vary between tall and short, wide and skinny, strong or slender. The great thing about fashion is that it allows us to accentuate our best features and look great no matter what.
Women
There are many different body types and all of them are beautiful. While it can be unsettling to constantly be barraged with images of Victoria’s Secret models and celebrities in magazines and advertisements, by learning how to dress for your body type you can easily feel cool, comfortable, and sexy in your outfit. It doesn’t matter whether you have a pear-shaped body, hourglass frame, or athletic, lean shape, there are strategies to make anyone look and feel great.
Men
Fashion is just as important for men as it is for women. There are just as many body types for men as there are for women, and men should be aware of which category they fit into so they can accentuate their best features. Men are often categorised into five body type categories: rectangle, inverted triangle, trapezoid, triangle, and oval shapes, and each one can be dressed to impress.
Genderless fashion
One way Australia is getting it right is in the area of genderless fashion. We are seeing an influx of genderless fashion labels in Australia which is great if you have specific fits you are interested in or specific fits you want to avoid. This movement is all about embracing the fluidity of gender and not conforming to traditional fashion ideals such as “men in pants/suits” and “women in dresses/skirts”. Genderless fashion is asking the question: “why not the other way around?”
Eco-friendly fashion
Aussies care about the environment, and as such we are also seeing a wave of sustainable fashion taking hold. This is fantastic because one in three items of clothing end up in landfill, which contributes to our climate crisis, as well as more local issues such as water pollution, pest infestations, and the spread of disease. Brands like Citizen Wolf (and many more) are promoting healthier relationships with clothes by doing away with fast-fashion and tailoring and recycling clothes as people need them.
Australia is doing great things in the field of fashion, so if you are ever feeling frustrated with the fit of your clothes, there are strategies you can employ to feel and look good, and companies out there who would love to help you do it! If you want to find clothes that actually fit and feel great, the Australian fashion world is a great place to start.
Fashion tips for fitting your body
- Figure out your body type
The first step is to work out what kind of body shape you have and work out your fashion from there. If you have an oval body type (undefined waist, volume in chest and abdomen, round silhouette) then opt for vertical lines in garments, solid colours, and fluid fabrics which flow on your body. If you are skinny, avoid vertical lines and skinny jeans which elongate your figure, and go for bright colours with matching classic round glasses. No matter what, there is always a way to accentuate the frame you have got. But remember to be kind to yourself. Everybody has different bodies and they are all beautiful in their own way.
- Find good cuts
This goes hand in hand with your body type. Seek out and buy clothing that is cut well. This means sniffing out jeans that fit you right, dresses that sit well, shirts that are long or short enough. The idea of a good cut is that it works with your body, but also makes you feel comfortable and confident. If you are constantly having to readjust or squirm to make your clothes sit right, it is a bad cut.
- Pay attention to fabric
One final tip is to always pay attention to the fabric content of clothing. There are many different types of fabric, but all are not equal. Natural fibres like cotton and linen are usually more forgiving when it comes to fitting, while synthetic fabrics like polyester can be less so. If you’re unsure about a garment’s fit, always err on the side of caution and go for something made from natural fibres. Beyond fitting, you also want to wear clothes that feel good on your body, such as cotton, rayon, silk, and linen.
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