Three F’s of Fashion

Form vs Function:  The debate that challenges us to answer questions such as “Should I buy these shoes because they look good, or should I not because they hurt like hell?”

I was in my happy place yesterday (otherwise known as the Nordstrom shoe department) and couldn’t help but notice how high the heels have become. Shoe designers must subscribe to the theory: “The higher the heel, the closer to God.”

I was enamored by a beautiful leopard heel with a dangerously high stiletto any logical person would deem hazardous. I quickly remembered the boot I wore for 3 months after spraining my ankle, so I politely said “No thank you” to the tempting salesperson and kept walking in my comfy (and safe) flats. 

It got me thinking: Why do I buy the things I buy? Needless to say, I was perplexed until I figured out the Three F’s of Fashion (form, fit, and function!) that transformed me into a (soon to be) logical consumer.

1. FORM = Design, Style, and Fabric

When shopping for pants, there is a plethora of choices – cotton, denim, skinny, distressed, cropped, boot leg, pockets, and the list goes on. With so many options, it’s uber important to know your body shape, and this body type calculator can help you determine whether you’re an apple, banana, pear, or hourglass.

*Interesting fact: 45% of women are banana-shaped, 25% pear-shaped, 20% apple-shaped; and only 10% hourglass-shaped.

Once you know your shape, this makes shopping a lot easier. 

No time to figure out your fruit shape before heading out on your blind date? 

“It’s much easier to find a skirt that’s flattering. With pants, you have to consider the rise, the width of the hips, the legs, and how they fall on the tush.” – Stacy London, cohost of What Not to Wear and a New York City–based style expert.

2.  FIT = Shape and Size

P.S. You can shop my look below!

Fit goes wayyyyy beyond the size printed on the tag. Just because you can zip up a dress or button those jeans doesn’t mean they fit correctly. Why? Because not all size 4’s (or any size for that matter) are created equal. My suggestion? Forget about the number and hire a great tailor to make your clothes flatter your curves and shape. 

Second to the correct sizing, proportion is a huge component of how well clothes fit. The outfit I’m wearing is a perfect example of why you should never judge clothes on a hanger: When my stylist at Tootsies brought me this cropped top I thought, “She must think I’m wayyyyy younger (God bless her soul) because that much belly exposure isn’t age appropriate.” Then I slipped on the pants and have trusted her since. 

The high waisted bottom complimented the shorter length of the top creating a seamless transition that surprisingly elongated my body. 

3. FUNCTION = Activity and Purpose

Believe it or not, clothes are supposed to serve a purpose. Questions to ask yourself:

• Where am I going? This should be obvious, but you’re not going to wear the same thing to church that you wear to the club (at least, I hope not!)
• When am I going? Always consider the time of year (and weather) before you put on too many layers. Also important is the time of day to decide how formal or informal you should dress. 
• *What will I be doing? This is probably the most important aspect of shopping in general. Sit down and figure out how you go about your day.  If you spend 80% of your time at the office, most of your closet should be work appropriate. If you’re a stay at home mom, athleisure should be your go-to (get out of those PJ’s!) 

I hope these tips help you on your next shopping spree! I would love to hear any tips you have, and feel free to share this post!

Also check out my blog post that will help you calculate the cost per wear of your clothes!