Style advice for the Arlette Skirt

Arlette for the O-types

For O-types, it's the stomach area that has to be watched out for. And that’s why drawing attention away from stomach area and focussing it on the shoulders and face is so important. This will give the illusion of elongating your figure and creating an inverted triangle silhouette.

Your figure goes best with a straight or slightly flared or slightly more form-fitting skirt.

There are two nifty version of the Arlette skirt - with or without ruffles – that are just right for you! Version 3 is less appealing for O-types because it creates next to no lengthening effect.

For more information on how to alter the Arlette skirt, click here.

The skirt’s ruffles work to emphasise your slender calves and ankles, which is exactly why you don’t want to make the skirt too long. The idea is to show off your great legs! A knee-length or mid-calf length skirt is the way to go.

The goal here is to elongate the silhouette. You can create the illusion of elongating your silhouette by wearing both skirt and top in the same colour and accentuating your upper body by adding an eye-catching detail. A nice necklace, for example, would do nicely. For the skirt and top, go for darker shades, but pair them with a cardigan or blazer with a vibrant colour or print.

It’s o.k. to use a print for the skirt, just be sure to choose a subtle one. That way you make sure that the eye doesn’t get stuck on just one part of your body, but will take it in as a whole.

You should also take time to consider your choice of neckline for the top: in your case, you’re best off going for a V-neck. Stay away from high-necked tops, blouses and solid-coloured sections in the upper body area. That is, unless you’re able to break up those sections with a lovely, eye-catching necklace, for example.

Another option is to go for a top with rolled up sleeves, rolled up sleeve hems or 3/4 sleeves. This will put the accent on your wrists. You can boost that effect by wearing a bracelet.

The shoes you should wear with this outfit: wedges.

 

Arlette

Arlette for the H-types

H-types are characterised by shoulders and hips that are about the same width. The only thing missing is a clear waist. Your figure is well-balanced and we want to keep it that way. Would you like to add a little more volume to your lower body? If so, make sure to do the same for your upper body.

You can visually lengthen a shorter upper body by making sure to pair the skirt with a V-neck top. The goal is to keep the shoulder line sufficiently wide, that way your waist will look smaller and your body longer.

A ruffled skirt will give a slightly more soft, feminine look to your straight figure.

The ruffles also create a little more volume at the bottom of your profile, which is also why you should be sure to add a smidgen of volume at the top too. That way your body remains well-proportioned.

For your body shape, the Arlette skirt goes nicest with a scooped, round or (deep-cut) V-neck top. Wear a blazer with wide shoulders (a jacket with shoulders pads might be nice, for example) over your top or light-weight jumper. The blazer/jacket creates a broad shoulder line that’s well in proportion with your lower body. It’s also how you can visually lengthen your upper body.

Be sure not to make the skirt too long, otherwise your lovely legs run the risk of going unnoticed. Find out here how to alter the skirt length.

Tip: make the skirt in a different colour than the top. By using two colours, you break up the outline of your figure around your waist and give your straight-up-and-down figure more shape. Go with a darker colour for the skirt. That will draw more attention to your upper body.

H-types can also wear prints: subtle graphic prints, vertical, diagonal patterns or prints are ideal.

Create feminine curves by accentuating your waist or emphasising typical feminine features with a low neckline.

Arlette/Pola7

Arlette for the I-types

A characteristic of slim rectangles is the lack of waist or curves.

That's what makes ruffles and layers the perfect additions for adding the volume your body shape needs. Feel free to use looser, more flowing fabrics or stiffer fabrics that retain their shape more. Tip: play with prints and patterns.

Fabrics that are too thin, however, are not a good match for slim rectangles. Look for a fabric that lends more structure – or shape – to your figure.

This combination will give your form more shape: the skirt, maybe in an eye-catching print, plus a top that adds a little volume to the shoulders. What that means: a top with bishop sleeves, a boat neck or horizontal stripes. The result is that your shoulders look wider and your waistline will look smaller. The ruffles gracing the bottom of the skirt and striking accents at the top add a serious dose of volume to your silhouette, which is precisely what a I-type needs!

Any version of the Arlette skirt can work for you, as long as you go for the right top. However, the very best option for your straight-up-and-down figure is version no. 3 of the Arlette (ruffles that run from high up in the front down to the bottom at the back). The flowing lines and bigger sections of the flounce make for an incredibly appealing silhouette. Find out here how to alter the Arlette skirt.

Tip: pair the skirt with a coarsely-knit jumper, maybe with a few, especially dazzling details for more volume. The Arlette also goes great with a t-shirt and a denim or leather jacket. Or why not try the skirt in a floral print, paired with a t-shirt with horizontal stripes?

 

Arlette/Pola9

Arlette for the A-types

The A-type has hips that are wider than the shoulders. The challenge here is to make your shoulders look wider so that they are more proportionate to your hips. To remedy this, you'll want to emphasise the top of your body. And by complementing this with flowing lines that detract from the hip area, you'll bring your silhouette into perfect proportion.

There’s no version of the Arlette skirt that doesn’t work with your body shape (with/without ruffles, straight/bias-cut). That is, as long as the skirt falls gracefully over your hips.

The tulip skirt visually breaks up the lower body into smaller parts, which helps make it look less heavy. Do your best to create as many vertical lines as possible to make your lower body look more slender.

The top can be in a print or pattern, but the skirt itself should be kept understated. Go for a fabric with a fluid drape, preferably in a dark colour. A subdued pattern, for example small polka dots, definitely works.

You can draw more attention to your upper body by combining the skirt with a (coarsely) knit jumper. Another option is to incorporate layers: a top, cardigan and a few accessories. Tops with bishop sleeves, a boat neck and a lovely neckline: they all work to create the illusion of width at the shoulders, making them a perfect match for the Arlette skirt.

Always accentuate the waistline, but be sure that the transition from the top to the skirt is a smooth one. Slightly tailored blazers with a clear shoulder line and wide collar create a nice counterweight to your comparatively wider hips.

Tip: opt for shorter blazers and tops. They should stop above the heaviest part of your hips.

Arlette8

Arlette for the X-types

Your shoulders and hips are more or less the same width and you have a clear waistline. Your body is naturally well-proportioned.

Choose garments that follow the natural curves of your body and highlight your waist as much as possible.

Tip: the tulip model complemented by a belt or a drawstring is an absolute eye-catcher and perfectly accents all your natural charms. Moreover, the ruffles will give your silhouette that extra touch of feminine grace. However, the skirt without ruffles works just as nicely with your body shape.

Go for a fabric with a fluid drape that gracefully hugs your natural curves. Pair with a top with a lovely neckline.

Less is more: that's your goal! (That means where accessories are concerned too!)

 

Arlette for the 8-types

Any advice that applies to the X-type  goes for you too. However, a more flattering look for the full hourglass is a skirt that tapers slightly inwards for a more streamlined effect.

Go for the straight or more form-fitting Arlette models. These versions really highlight your stunning curves. The bias-cut version doesn’t go quite as well with your figure.

Make the Arlette skirt in a fabric with a fluid drape that hugs your curves.

Tip: avoid oversized tops and go for a top that has a beautiful neckline instead. A V-neck is the neckline for your body shape. It’s a great way to elongate a shorter upper body.

 

Arlette/Pola9

Arlette for the V-types

The key focal point of V-types lies above the waist. What that means is that your shoulders are the widest point on your body or that you have a larger bust. In contrast, you tend to have narrower hips.

To create a balanced silhouette, it’s important to add some extra volume to the lower body (without overdoing it) and tone down your shoulders. The skirt's ruffles will add the volume you need at the bottom.

V-types are free to use a stiffer fabric or one with a fluid drape for this skirt. Prints, pastels or vibrant colours: anything goes!

Pair the skirt with a fine-knit jumper (avoid overly bulky knits) or a top with a fluid drape (for example, the Frances top in t-shirt fabric would be a nice choice.) Go for a simple top with a scooped or V-neck and combine it with a nice cardigan.

Tip: go for multiple fine layers instead of thick, bulky garments. Whatever you do, don’t go for a shrug (bolero jacket) or tops that have been cropped too short. That’s because they load even more volume onto the heaviest part of your body. Anything you wear up top should end at hip length or just under the seat.

To detract focus away from the upper body as much as possible, choose a top in a darker shade.

Your skirt is the most showy item of your outfit, which is why you should let loose and pick a colour that really stands out, a strong print, etc.

 

Arlette/Pola7