How to adapt any fashion trend to your body shape.

If you're finding outfits on social media that look amazing on Pinterest but are disappointing when you try them on yourself, you're not alone – and there's nothing wrong with you. The problem might just be that those inspirational outfits don't complement your specific body shape.

Fashion expert May from Elegance Feed has developed a clever approach called the FRAME method to help you adapt any outfit to suit your body type.

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What is the FRAME Method?

The FRAME method is a five-step process that helps you transform any outfit to flatter your unique proportions:

F: Figure out your dressing goals

R: Recognise what works

A: Adjust what doesn't

M: Match the inspiration

E: Enhance with accessories

Step 1: Figure Out Your Dressing Goals.

Before making any outfit adjustments, you need to understand your body shape. Remember, body shape has nothing to do with weight or size — it's all about proportions.

The five main body shapes.

Apple/Round: A fuller midsection, with your shoulders and bust broader than your hips. The goal here is to create balance and structure, to draw attention to the top and lower parts of your body.

Pear/Triangle: Wider hips than shoulders. The goal here is to balance your proportions by bringing attention to your upper body.

Hourglass: Balanced shoulder and hip proportions, with a defined waist. The goal here is to emphasise your waist while maintaining balance.

Rectangle: Similar width at shoulders, waist and hips. The goal here is to create curves by emphasising the waist.

Inverted Triangle: Broader shoulders than hips. The goal here is to balance the shoulders by bringing attention to the lower part of the body.

If you want to determine your shape, chuck on some fitted clothes, stand in front of a mirror, and examine your proportions. Or if you want a more accurate assessment, you can measure your shoulders, bust, waist and hips, then compare the measurements.

Step 2: Recognise What Works.

When you find an outfit you love, identify which elements actually complement your body shape. Let's take straight-leg pants and a blazer, for example.

Apple shapes benefit from straight-leg pants (because they create vertical lines) and relaxed blazers (which provide structure without clinging).

Pear shapes work well with high-waisted, straight-leg pants (because they help define the waist without emphasising the hips).

Rectangle shapes can rock turtlenecks (because they add dimension to the bust) and high-waisted styles (because they help create waist definition).

Inverted triangles benefit from structured pants (because they add volume to the hips).

Step 3: Adjust What Doesn't Work.

This is where the magic happens. It's all about modifying elements that aren't as flattering for your shape:

For Apple Shapes:

• Avoid belted high-waists, which emphasise the midsection

• Swap turtlenecks for V-necks, as they will elongate the figure

• Keep tops untucked to avoid waist emphasis

• Try cropped blazers to create definition

For Pear Shapes:

• Trade turtlenecks (which broaden shoulders) for boat or square necks

• Choose structured blazers with shoulder pads to balance proportions

• Avoid blazers that end at the widest part of your hips

For Rectangle Shapes:

• Replace straight-cut pants with boot cut or flared styles to create curves

• Choose blazers that nip in at the waist to create definition

• Consider belting blazers to emphasise the waist

For Inverted Triangles:

• Opt for tapered or flared pants to emphasise the hips

• Choose V-necks over turtlenecks to de-emphasise broad shoulders

• Consider blazers that end at hip level to create the illusion of wider hips

Step 4: Match the Inspiration.

If you can't find exact replacement pieces, you can focus on matching the overall aesthetic. This can be achieved via:

Similar Colour Schemes.

Focus on the overall palette, rather than exact matches. Choose colours that create the same visual impact while complementing your complexion, using analogous or monochromatic schemes when in doubt.

Comparable Textures.

Recreate the dimensional feel of your inspiration by choosing textures with similar properties that work better for your body. Consider how fabrics move and drape, substituting clingy materials for more flattering alternatives when needed.

Matching the General Style.

Capture the essence, rather than aiming for an exact duplication. Focus on key elements that define the aesthetic (clean lines for minimalist, flowing fabrics for romantic) while adapting proportions to suit your shape.

Step 5: Enhance with Accessories.

The final step is using accessories to draw attention to your best features, which is always fun!

For Apple Shapes:

• Statement earrings, to draw attention to your face

• Eye-catching footwear to highlight your legs

• Interesting hairstyles or headbands to draw attention up

For Pear Shapes:

• Scarves and statement necklaces to emphasise the upper body

• Hats and hair accessories to draw the eyes upward

For Rectangle and Hourglass Shapes:

• Belts, to define and emphasise the waist

• Structured pieces, to highlight curves

For Inverted Triangles:

• Statement footwear, to draw attention downward

• Patterned tights or textured stockings, to add interest to lower body

Remember, the goal isn't to "fix" your body — it's about highlighting your natural strengths and creating balance. And don't forget — your face is always your best feature, so jewellery that frames it (like a statement earring) is universally flattering.

What do you think of the FRAME method? Share in the comments below!

Feature image: Pinterest: @globalimagegroup / @daniellaj5mulloy / @analyticsseo1010