How to wear stripes for every body shape (2024)

The stripe tee is a must-have staple in everyone’s wardrobe, but you can go beyond those Breton stripes and incorporate the trend into a variety of fashion items.

A perennial favourite, stripes continue to be a huge trend this season, but many people worry about how to wear them with style. Here’s our stripe how-to…

Which stripes are best for your body shape?

Now, we absolutely believe that stripes can be worn by all shapes and sizes, but if you’re looking for a specific pattern to flatter your shape, here are some options.

• Pear – for people with bigger bottom halves and narrower shoulders, opt for a horizontal stripe top to create the illusion of a bigger torso.
• Apple – Women with a larger midsection would benefit from vertical or diagonal stripes.
• Hourglass – Curvaceous figures can pull off any pattern – stripes too. But to accentuate curves, wear horizontal stripes to add focus to your hips and bust.
• Petite – Small women who want to maximise their height should opt for thin, vertical stripes to elongate the figure.
• Rectangle – For women that are ‘straight up and down’, without carrying weight in one particular area, horizontal stripes with varying width can look fabulous. If you’re wanting to create the illusion of more curves, opt for larger stripes.

Remember: Generally, vertical stripes make you seem taller, while horizontal stripes can make you look wider. Thin stripes are great for petite women but do be wary, as thick stripes can sometimes do curvy women an injustice.

MORE: 6 WARDROBE SECRETS TO MAKE YOU LOOK YOUNGER

Top tips for wearing stripes:

• Always look for fabrics that follow the shape of your body structure. So thick bodycon fabrics are great for highlighting curves – perfect, too, with stripes.
• Don’t be afraid of co-ordinates (co-ords). Matching a striped top and skirt can be daunting, but also beautiful.
• Don’t be afraid of clashing prints. Sometimes stripes and spots can go perfectly well together, or a horizontal stripe T-shirt and floral skirt. It’s all about trial and error.
• Make stripes your focal point. A bold striped skirt can look great with a plain black top and leather jacket. Alternatively a striped cropped jacket can really spruce up a plain black dress.
• Go from day to night with a stripe top and bold print, single-coloured bottom, such as single-pleat trousers.
• Don’t assume stripes are just for casual wear. A striped dress can look great in the office, or beautiful at a Summer party. So be bold!

Here are some stripes we’re loving:

JACKETS

1. Linea cropped jacket, House of Fraser, £99
2. Stripe jacket, Next, £65
3. Paul & Joe Sister stripe jacket, Boutique 1, £206

SHIRT DRESSES

1. Autograph ¾ sleeve striped wrap dress, Marks & Spencer, £59
2. Stripe shirt dress, Topshop, £55
3. Striped shirt dress, F&F, £9

DRESSES

1. Kate stripe sleeveless dress, Coast at Amazon Fashion, £159
2. Stripe tie-waist dress, F&F, £20
3. Stripe midi dress, M&Co, £39 (Available soon)

MORE: HOW TO NAIL THESE POTENTIALLY UNFLATTERING ITEMS

JUMPERS

1. Nita heart stripe sweater, Sugarhill Boutique, £44
2. Striking stripe sweater, Marc Cain, £139
3. Minha Striped Long Sleeve Jumper, Hilfiger Denim at Amazon Fashion, £80

TOPS

1. Joules Harbour stripe top, John Lewis, £24.95
2. Ario stripe top, Velvet, £134
3. Graduated stripe shell, Oasis, £28

SKIRTS

1. Armani Jeans A-line pleat stripe skirt, House of Fraser, £120
2. Jill stripe stretch-jersey skirt, Rebecca Minkoff, £80
3. Engineered stripe silk skirt, Jigsaw, £129

MORE: HOW TO WEAR LEATHER TROUSERS OVER THE AGE OF 35

Like this? Subscribe to the Good Housekeeping newsletter.