The New “F” Word: Are We Sacrificing Our Style in Favor of Choosing Something “Flattering”?

      “Flattering” is a term that might initially appear complimentary, but let's be candid—more often than not, when someone describes something as “flattering,” they're actually referring to “this makes you look thinner.” Growing up with shows like 10 Years Younger and What Not To Wear, many now see an outfit labeled as “flattering your shape” or “hiding lumps and bumps” as just as significant, if not more, than its color, silhouette, or the current trends it represents. However, as the renowned club kid James St James famously (and accurately) stated, “if you can’t hide it, decorate it!” As a woman juggling multiple roles, I also work as a personal stylist. A common concern among my clients is the desire to experiment with new silhouettes while feeling like they resemble ‘wearing a sack’ or ‘drowning in their clothes.’ My advice is always consistent: Embrace the clothes. Wear the sack. Breaking free from the constraints of the ‘snatched waist’ and allowing a portion of my wardrobe to be dedicated to oversized garments has been the most liberating fashion choice I've made. I often share an image of Rihanna in oversized grey tailoring, which I believe is one of her all-time best looks. She appears effortlessly cool, certainly not in an outfit that minimizes her silhouette, and I've always admired her for being human enough to—gasp!—allow her weight to change through the years. No matter how she evolves, she remains a fashion icon, and why shouldn't she? In fact, why should any of us?

      (Image credit: Getty) Stylist extraordinaire Gabriella Karefa-Johnson reflects on her disdain for the term "flattering." "My dislike for the word 'flattering' stems from my teenage years. It was often older people imposing their outdated standards of beauty on my attire—no horizontal stripes because I’m already wide, no mini skirts because I have cellulite. Recently, a fashion editorial icon of mine saw me in a midi skirt and, at 80 years old, she had the presence of mind to tell me she loved my skirt and found it much more flattering than the silly little ones I typically wear… My immediate reaction was, whatever happened to The Rapture? We needed that." If you've seen Gabriella style a mini skirt, you'll know that these outdated beliefs have no place in the wardrobe of a true fashionista. As a woman balancing many responsibilities, I also work as a personal stylist. My clients frequently express a desire to explore new silhouettes yet worry about looking as if they’re ‘wearing a sack’ or ‘drowning in their clothes.’ My consistent advice is to embrace the clothes. Wear the sack. Challenging beauty standards isn't a new concept; it's more like a tug-of-war that has shifted back and forth. In 1997, Rei Kawakubo at Comme des Garçons presented the groundbreaking ‘Lumps and Bumps’ collection, initially titled Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body. This collection sent shockwaves through the industry, provoking discomfort and curiosity among its viewers. Kawakubo examined the boundary between body and clothing while questioning why certain body parts are considered attractive and others undesirable.

      Nearly 30 years later, have we made any progress? Rachael Broussard, founder of Posh Showroom, who has been assisting brands in entering stores since 2004, remains optimistic. “I believe that designers who genuinely understand the evolving direction of fashion have been moving away from the traditional focus on the snatched waist for several years now. There's a discernible shift towards making silhouettes a statement in their own right, creating designs that are more directional, expressive, and visually impactful.” Evidence of this was certainly apparent on the spring/summer and autumn/winter 2026 runways, where cocoon-like dresses and drop-waist shapes appeared frequently. One of Chloe’s standout pieces for spring was a funnel-neck trench coat featuring an ultra-low waist, while Ferragamo showcased a dress that was only cinched with elasticity at the cuffs and feet, resulting in an oversized, sack-like look. Fabulous? Yes. Flattering in a “traditional” sense? No. I overheard someone describe the drop-waist trend as the “antithesis to a flattering silhouette.” Great! Just imagine rejecting these looks for not conforming to the ideal hourglass shape or the newly revered (read: once again) optimal figure: impossibly thin.

      (Image credit: Launchmetrics: Issey Miyake, Dries van Noten, Louis Vuitton, Chanel) Beyond Paris and Milan, Copenhagen Fashion Week is also garnering attention. Attendees have characterized the city's style with their layered and voluminous street fashion—indicating that the new generation of fashion enthusiasts is broadening beyond geographical and proportional boundaries. Rachael Broussard shares her observations: “I’ve noticed a clear trend towards more unconventional silhouettes. Designers are pushing the limits further than ever, and notably,