How to wear stripes to flatter your figure

From Prada to Dolce and Gabbana, stripes were all over the Spring Summer runway in September, but for those of us who aren’t super tall and slim catwalk models, wearing stripes can sometimes strike fear in our hearts. There’s a horrible little thought that creeps into our minds that tells us stripes make us look wider than we really are- but the truth is there are lots of great ways you can wear stripes whatever your shape or style. So we’ve handpicked a unique selection of striped pieces and asked our team at Outdoor and Country to model them on their varying body shapes. If you’re still unsure of what your shape is and how you can pull off this classic print, then keep on reading…

French Connection Peplum Tia Top, Seasalt St Enodoc Dress, Joules Medina Skirt

Hourglass

If like Amy, you’re an hourglass shape, then you’re wider across your chest, have a small waist and beautiful curvy hips. Styling this much sought after shape is pretty easy when it comes to stripes. To accentuate that slim waist, we chose this French Connection Peplum Top with its varying strip directions and peplum shape to show off Amy’s curves. Horizontal stripes around your hips will enhance your shape, while narrower stripes around the middle will draw attention to your slim waist!

GANT Striped Silk Shirt, French Connection Tia Skirt, Joules Kingston Striped Shirt

Petite

Are you never able to find trousers the right length for your body? Did you rejoice when turned up jeans came into fashion? Then chances are you have a petite 5’3 and below frame, so elongating the body with vertical stripes is a great way of letting you stand a little taller. Wider horizontal stripes can make you appear smaller than you are, so we dressed Angela in this gorgeous GANT shirt to elongate her frame.

Joseph Ben Cigarette Trousers, Dubarry Morrison Sweater, Joules Mollie Blazer

Pear

You can identify as a pear shape if you have a curvy bottom half with hips wider than your shoulders or bust. These Joseph Ben Cigarette Trousers, with their white racing stripe down the side, give the illusion of longer legs and evens Hannah’s hips, making them more in proportion with her top half. Pear shapes can also go for wider stripes on their top half; wider stripes will especially give the illusion of a wider bust.

Jack Murphy Katie Sweater, Joules Brooke Shorts, Musto Selene Dress

Athletic

Steph’s slim and sporty figure lends itself to stripes beautifully. We evened out her slightly wider shoulders with this Jack Murphy striped v-neck jumper. The wide darker stripe at the base creates a gorgeous curve around her slim hips. If you think you’re an athletic shape and want more of an hourglass figure, you can go for horizontal stripes all-over to create a more curvy shape.

Joules Riviera Dress, Joules Harbour Print Top, Brakeburn Stripe Skirt

Slim

Hollie’s slim frame can carry many different styles, but a horizontal stripe, like this Joules Riviera Dress, is far more flattering on her figure, as a vertical stripe creates a longer slim shape. Hollie has also accessorised with this charming Joules striped bag- so if you don’t fancy having stripes on your clothes, you can always give them a go with your accessories!

Seasalt Skysail Coat, Barbour Harewood Cardigan, Brakeburn Striped Rain Mac

Dressing for Pregnancy

Most mums-to-be, including our model Katie, prefer not to buy specific maternity wear as it can only ever be worn for a short space of time. But if like Katie, you still love to wear stripes then you can go for striped outerwear like this that you can wear throughout your pregnancy and beyond!

How do you wear your stripes? Show off your stripey style by using the #OutdoorandCountry hashtag on Instagram!