A short course "design of everything for every body as a design object". Bravo, this is such a powerful and inspirational masterpiece, love this so much!
Fun, illuminating, and healing! These posts are just what I needed. I'm not trying to avoid my thick waist, I'm loving a strong vertical! My non-traditional wedding dress is a strong diagonal, which was exactly right for my wedding day, but more drama than I want IRL so that's why I haven't worn it again. This is why I love blazers (more vertical!) in theory but struggle to find ones I can wear all day (too confining on the shoulders). I pulled my t-shirt out of a full tuck this morning after reading this post and an "off" outfit improved immediately. This is so great. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Oh yay! I'm so glad that this writing is landing in a very practical way. That is exactly what I want, and yes, I truly believe this is the way to body neutrality and then finding our way back to loving ourselves before society messed up our head about that.
You are truly doing much needed work to help us move away from the flattering vs not flattering lenses many of us grew up with. Thank you, Asta, for your generosity in painstakingly explaining this series!
Hi Asta, I don’t comment often, but I need to tell you how much I appreciate your writing. I’m constantly amazed by your insights and that you’re willing to freely share them with us. I’ve learned more from your style writing then quite possibly anything else in my life - and they are empowering lessons that I actually want to learn (unlike many of the style “lessons” most of us have picked up throughout our lives…)! All that to say, thank you so much!!
Jennie, thank you so much for letting me know, especially since you are someone who doesn't comment often. I really appreciate you stepping out of that comfort zone to leave this comment. I write so that these concepts become shared amongst more women, so I'm really glad that it is landing. Let's chat often. I really appreciate you. Thank you thank you for being a part of this community.
Oh, this is so exciting, Asta! I’m going through body shape changes (menopause, grumble, I did not give consent for this), and this helps me understand how to shift my view of it. I’m not a classic hourglass anymore, but that overall shape is still there, influencing my lines. I have learned from your series that I can do both the horizontal break at my waist, but I can also honour my vertical (lol, “honour my vertical” sounds like a mantra!), and feel like me. I need to read this all again…
Yay! I am so glad this was helpful and you nailed it. Our bodies change with hormonal changes, childbirth, and whatnot. Just seeing our body in lines and shapes is so freeing without having to worry about having to be any specific particular shape.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I super appreciate you. Yes, it was fun to dig up those photos, and it was actually very helpful for me to see my own style evolution through writing this post.
This series is incredible! Will be revisiting this regularly to continue to hone my understanding of lines and what they convey on me. Thank you for sharing these concepts with the rest of us! You are amazing and have helped me define a lot in my style language
Ok, I’m going to work through this. I have a moderate vertical, balanced horizontal line (with broad shoulders, narrower waist and balanced hips), and blunt outlines. My style words are composed (to replace sophisticated, per the ChatGPT tool!), adventurous and energetic. I think composed is 50/50 vertical/horizontal and adventurous and energetic are diagonal, so maybe a little bit of vertical sometimes but not a ton? I think composed brings in some waist definition but the other two not so much. Shoulders > hips. In terms of blunt outlines, I think that suits all three words—nary a curvy romantic or angular minimalist vibe to be seen.
Composed + balanced = waist definition, high waistlines, layers that bring in both horizontal and vertical lines without introducing curves, high-contrast
I love how clearly you’ve worked this through. the way you mapped each word to lines and outlines is sharp. Where I’d build on it: “Composed” doesn’t just balance vertical/horizontal, it also gives you permission to lean into structure and restraint. So even when you bring in “adventurous” or “energetic,” you’ll naturally filter them through that composed lens e.g. barrel pants, but in a refined fabric; pleats or twists, but clean rather than fussy.
Also, don’t underestimate how much your blunt outline does for all three words. Blunt reads as present and clear because it reinforces “energetic” without slipping into chaos, and “adventurous” without veering into boho. It’s the thing that keeps your combinations feeling modern rather than nostalgic.
So if I were to translate your trio into one design note: structured play. Clear, defined shapes (composed) with injections of motion (adventurous/energetic), always grounded by blunt edges.
Finally I get why the “minimize your broad shoulders” never felt right for me!! Thank you so much for this series, it’s so exciting for a fashion nerdy over thinker like me x)
Hi Asta, wonderful piece. This is something I’ve never given any thought to, but makes complete sense in understanding why something may feel off to me on occasion. Thank you!
What if postpartum I’m just a straight 5”10 foot pencil haha lost all my curves, very flat now. Once again so happy there was a part 4 to this series. Very interesting to study and apply style this way.
That’s the weird thing about a lot of body typing systems, they claim your ‘type’ doesn’t change but we KNOW our bodies change. Babies, weightgain/loss, hormonal changes etc. all change our bodies. That’s why I think it is more helpful to just look at the lines in your body currently vs. prescribing yourself one style and then only ever doing that.
Yes so true and helpful advice. I’m leaning into this current state of my body. Having full acceptance of where I’m at has allowed for so much more freedom and fun when dressing!
Went to my Instagram posts while I was reading this. Outfits I love made a lot more sense and ones that didnt work I might try to fix now Im understanding the whole picture better! I have a structured bright blue skirt I love but never feels right-maybe I can work out what the issue is and get some wear out of it!!
These visuals were incredibly helpful! I’ve never thought of dressing in this way, but it makes so much sense after reading/seeing this. Thank you for breaking this down so flawlessly.
I've never thought about lines so distinct until after I read your series and now they are all I see - and in a good way! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and steer so clearly for us. You are a gem!! Also baby Asta is uber cute 🥰
Haha, thank you! It's so fun to look back at old pictures and look at our own evolution. Thank you so much for the feedback; I'm so glad this was helpful.
A short course "design of everything for every body as a design object". Bravo, this is such a powerful and inspirational masterpiece, love this so much!
Yuliya, I love that. Thank you so much.
Fun, illuminating, and healing! These posts are just what I needed. I'm not trying to avoid my thick waist, I'm loving a strong vertical! My non-traditional wedding dress is a strong diagonal, which was exactly right for my wedding day, but more drama than I want IRL so that's why I haven't worn it again. This is why I love blazers (more vertical!) in theory but struggle to find ones I can wear all day (too confining on the shoulders). I pulled my t-shirt out of a full tuck this morning after reading this post and an "off" outfit improved immediately. This is so great. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Oh yay! I'm so glad that this writing is landing in a very practical way. That is exactly what I want, and yes, I truly believe this is the way to body neutrality and then finding our way back to loving ourselves before society messed up our head about that.
Thank you so much again.
You are truly doing much needed work to help us move away from the flattering vs not flattering lenses many of us grew up with. Thank you, Asta, for your generosity in painstakingly explaining this series!
Yes, that is exactly the entire reason why I'm writing this, and I'm so glad it's landing. Thank you so much for the feedback.
wow I learned so much here! I now know why full tucks, cinched waists and baby tees never feel good. so empowering. a new lens!
Yes! I’m so glad. Thank you so much for letting me know.
I agree completely! Thank you, Asta!
Wow wow wow this is a masterclass! Will be saving and thinking about this for a long time 💛
Thank you so much, friend.
Hi Asta, I don’t comment often, but I need to tell you how much I appreciate your writing. I’m constantly amazed by your insights and that you’re willing to freely share them with us. I’ve learned more from your style writing then quite possibly anything else in my life - and they are empowering lessons that I actually want to learn (unlike many of the style “lessons” most of us have picked up throughout our lives…)! All that to say, thank you so much!!
Jennie, thank you so much for letting me know, especially since you are someone who doesn't comment often. I really appreciate you stepping out of that comfort zone to leave this comment. I write so that these concepts become shared amongst more women, so I'm really glad that it is landing. Let's chat often. I really appreciate you. Thank you thank you for being a part of this community.
Oh, this is so exciting, Asta! I’m going through body shape changes (menopause, grumble, I did not give consent for this), and this helps me understand how to shift my view of it. I’m not a classic hourglass anymore, but that overall shape is still there, influencing my lines. I have learned from your series that I can do both the horizontal break at my waist, but I can also honour my vertical (lol, “honour my vertical” sounds like a mantra!), and feel like me. I need to read this all again…
Thank you!!💕
Yay! I am so glad this was helpful and you nailed it. Our bodies change with hormonal changes, childbirth, and whatnot. Just seeing our body in lines and shapes is so freeing without having to worry about having to be any specific particular shape.
Omg you are a GENIUS. Loved every bit of this especially photos of baby Asta 😘
Left me with so many thoughts and a clearer understanding of why I feel good in certain pieces.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I super appreciate you. Yes, it was fun to dig up those photos, and it was actually very helpful for me to see my own style evolution through writing this post.
This series is incredible! Will be revisiting this regularly to continue to hone my understanding of lines and what they convey on me. Thank you for sharing these concepts with the rest of us! You are amazing and have helped me define a lot in my style language
Thank you so much for the feedback. I super appreciate it. So glad to hear this is landing well.
Ok, I’m going to work through this. I have a moderate vertical, balanced horizontal line (with broad shoulders, narrower waist and balanced hips), and blunt outlines. My style words are composed (to replace sophisticated, per the ChatGPT tool!), adventurous and energetic. I think composed is 50/50 vertical/horizontal and adventurous and energetic are diagonal, so maybe a little bit of vertical sometimes but not a ton? I think composed brings in some waist definition but the other two not so much. Shoulders > hips. In terms of blunt outlines, I think that suits all three words—nary a curvy romantic or angular minimalist vibe to be seen.
Composed + balanced = waist definition, high waistlines, layers that bring in both horizontal and vertical lines without introducing curves, high-contrast
Adventurous + moderate vertical = sporty layers, clean, practical cuts, barrel pants,
Energetic + blunt = structural (not curvy or romantic) wraps, pleats and twists, considered (not fitted or oversized) tailoring
I love how clearly you’ve worked this through. the way you mapped each word to lines and outlines is sharp. Where I’d build on it: “Composed” doesn’t just balance vertical/horizontal, it also gives you permission to lean into structure and restraint. So even when you bring in “adventurous” or “energetic,” you’ll naturally filter them through that composed lens e.g. barrel pants, but in a refined fabric; pleats or twists, but clean rather than fussy.
Also, don’t underestimate how much your blunt outline does for all three words. Blunt reads as present and clear because it reinforces “energetic” without slipping into chaos, and “adventurous” without veering into boho. It’s the thing that keeps your combinations feeling modern rather than nostalgic.
So if I were to translate your trio into one design note: structured play. Clear, defined shapes (composed) with injections of motion (adventurous/energetic), always grounded by blunt edges.
This is so thoughtful, thank you!
Finally I get why the “minimize your broad shoulders” never felt right for me!! Thank you so much for this series, it’s so exciting for a fashion nerdy over thinker like me x)
Broad shoulders are amazing I love leaving mine free and fabulous. Thank you.
Hi Asta, wonderful piece. This is something I’ve never given any thought to, but makes complete sense in understanding why something may feel off to me on occasion. Thank you!
Yes! I love your attitude towards this. That’s how I view it too.
What if postpartum I’m just a straight 5”10 foot pencil haha lost all my curves, very flat now. Once again so happy there was a part 4 to this series. Very interesting to study and apply style this way.
That’s the weird thing about a lot of body typing systems, they claim your ‘type’ doesn’t change but we KNOW our bodies change. Babies, weightgain/loss, hormonal changes etc. all change our bodies. That’s why I think it is more helpful to just look at the lines in your body currently vs. prescribing yourself one style and then only ever doing that.
Yes so true and helpful advice. I’m leaning into this current state of my body. Having full acceptance of where I’m at has allowed for so much more freedom and fun when dressing!
Went to my Instagram posts while I was reading this. Outfits I love made a lot more sense and ones that didnt work I might try to fix now Im understanding the whole picture better! I have a structured bright blue skirt I love but never feels right-maybe I can work out what the issue is and get some wear out of it!!
Yay! I'm so glad to hear this is helpful. Thank you so much for letting me know!
These visuals were incredibly helpful! I’ve never thought of dressing in this way, but it makes so much sense after reading/seeing this. Thank you for breaking this down so flawlessly.
Thank you for the feedback!
I've never thought about lines so distinct until after I read your series and now they are all I see - and in a good way! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and steer so clearly for us. You are a gem!! Also baby Asta is uber cute 🥰
Haha, thank you! It's so fun to look back at old pictures and look at our own evolution. Thank you so much for the feedback; I'm so glad this was helpful.