Style advice for the Clara Top
The Clara top’s hemline creates a horizontal line across your body. That means choosing the right length is crucial and will depend on your horizontal proportions (body shape) and your vertical proportions (leg length, torso, etc.).
Horizontal proportions
- If you have wide hips (A-types, X- and 8-types), the top should end just above the widest part (around your hips).
- If you have narrow hips (I-types, V-types and O-types), then the top can be worn somewhat longer (around your thighs).
Vertical proportions
- Is your torso long and are your legs short? Don’t make the top too long.
- Is your torso short and are your legs long? Make the top long enough to create the illusion of a longer torso.
Find out how to alter the length of the top on www.fibremood.com/en/shorten-and-lengthen-patterns.
The Clara Top for O-types
Most of the 0-type’s volume is centred around the midriff. To create a balanced silhouette, try drawing the focus away from your midriff and shifting it to other areas, such as your shoulders, face, legs, etc. If you create vertical lines and pick the right fabric as well, you’re sure to be rewarded with a gorgeous silhouette.
The Clara top's straight, loose cut drapes gracefully over your midriff and creates a nice vertical line. Make the top long enough, i.e. definitely past the hips. Tip: in a pinch, you could always transform it into a knee-length dress! Find out how to alter the length on www.fibremood.com/en/shorten-and-lengthen-patterns.
The top can also be loosely tied. The flared effect at the hem helps make your midriff look more slender. As long as you aren’t too busty, the round neckline will look lovely on you. If that's not the case, simply alter the neckline and make it a scoop neck. It’s sure to do your figure more favours.
Pair the Clara top with trousers that have a straight or slightly flared leg. Wear a pretty cardigan over it that adds structure to your shoulders and go for something dark to soften your curves. Another nice option would be to make the Clara in a subtle print and pair it with a jacket or cardigan in a solid colour, or vice versa.
Chose fabric with a fluid drape. Tip: fabric in a delicate print is ideal. It creates visual ‘chaos’ so that the eye doesn't focus on any one point.
Make sure your top and bottom are a similar colour to create a lengthening effect.
The Clara Top for H-types
H-types are nicely balanced between the shoulders and hips so the goal is to retain those naturally balanced proportions. The Clara top’s straight cut is exactly right for you.
With the Clara top, there’s no shortage of options:
- Make the top with ties tied at the front and back. That will draw the gaze to the centre of your body and create a waistline.
- Make the top long enough, i.e. definitely past the hips. You could also make the top without ties.
- Pair the Clara with trousers that have a straight or (wide) flared leg or go for a straight or A-line skirt. Make the Clara in a colour that’s lighter than your trousers or skirt. That contrast creates a break at the midriff, making your straight figure look curvier.
- While the round neckline will give your figure more shape, it's not really your best look. You could go for a boat neck instead, as long as you pair the top with flared, wide-leg trousers or an A-line skirt.
- Another good option would be to make a V- or scoop neck.
- Stiff fabrics and fabrics with a fluid drape both work wonderfully.
The boxy version (shorter version without ties) is less suited to your body shape.
The Clara Top for I-types
The I-type’s straight figure lacks ‘body’. The Clara top with ties tied at the front and back will give you what you lack. It essentially creates a waist.
The boxy version of the Clara also looks fab on you (the boxy version is the Clara pattern shortened by a few centimetres with no ties). If you go for this one, be sure to go for a textured fabric or one with a print or horizontal stripe. You could even wear a turtleneck under it in a light or eye-catching colour. Play with colours, patterns, textures, and shapes, pair either with a flared skirt or flared trousers.
The Clara Top for A-types
For these types, it’s essential to pull out all the stops on the upper body and keep the lower body carefully understated. That way you create a perfectly balanced silhouette.
The Clara top with ties tied at the front and back adds a subtle focus on your waist. The lovely round neckline draws attention to your torso. Be sure not to make the top too long; it shouldn’t be any longer than just above the hips.
The boxy version of the Clara (the Clara pattern shortened by a few centimetres with no ties) also looks great paired with dark, high waisted trousers.
Make the top in fabric with a fluid drape in a light or striking colour. Textured, shiny, or patterned fabrics are all fantastic for accentuating the upper body.
Must have accessory for this outfit? Gorgeous, eye-catching earrings! They add additional bling to the top of your silhouette.
The Clara Top for X- and 8-types
Your shoulders and hips are more or less the same widths and you have a delicate waistline. X- and 8-types have naturally well-balanced bodies.
Make the Clara top with ties so that you can tie them neatly and give your wait just a little more oomph. The round, feminine neckline looks simply divine on you. However, the boxy version (shorter version without ties) of the Clara isn’t as flattering on your body shape.
Make the Clara top in a fabric with a fluid drape, e.g. a fine knit, viscose jersey, etc.
If you’re a X-typ, pair with straight or wide-leg trousers or an A-line skirt. 8-types will look wonderful in a pencil skirt or straight-leg or slightly bootcut trousers.
The Clara Top for V-types
As a V-type, your centre of gravity is on your torso. Your shoulders are wider than your hips.
The Clara top with ties tied at the front and back adds a bit of a waist to your figure, but especially adds curves and interest in the hip area. Tying the ties helps the top flare a little at the bottom, which balances your figure’s proportions.
The lovely round neckline softens the lines of your upper body. However, you could also switch things up and make a V-neck instead.
Make Clara in a fabric with a fluid drape, such as a fine knit or a viscose so that the shaped sleeves drape nicely and don’t create any unnecessary volume around your shoulders.
Pair the Clara top with straight-leg or flared trousers (e.g. the Bertha or Benita trousers) or a skirt that tapers towards the bottom (the Pina skirt, for example).
Make Clara in something dark and pair with trousers or a skirt in a lighter shade. Playing with colour contrasts is a fantastic way to even out your figure’s proportions.
