So many of us were taught that once we figure out our “body shape,” getting dressed will finally be easy. In this video, I explain why that advice usually falls flat—especially for women 40+ who want to look polished and feel confident in what they’re wearing. Knowing your traditional shape (like pear, apple, hourglass, rectangle, or inverted triangle) is helpful, but it’s only step one. That’s why you can follow all the “rules” and still feel like something is off. I walk you through the 3-step method I use as a style coach: Step 1 is your horizontal body shape (shoulders, waist, hips). Step 2 is your vertical body shape—your proportions, like whether you have a long torso, shorter legs, or a higher/lower rise. And Step 3 is the one most body-shape advice ignores completely: your lateral body shape, meaning your side profile. When you combine all three, you stop guessing, you shop smarter, and outfits start looking intentional instead of “almost right.” This video is the foundation for my new series where I’ll break down each shape in more detail, including what to wear, what to avoid, and how to make modern outfit formulas work for your real body.