Style anatomy: Misha Japanwala

The young fashion student at Parsons talks about the style rules she always abides by and her wardrobe evolution after moving to New York City

Understanding your body is the key to looking good and a trait found amongst all impeccably dressed fashionistas. While people shy away from talking about their bodies, these brave souls explain how they work their anatomies to their advantage

How would you describe your body type?

I’d say it’s like a ruler — I’m straight with almost no curves.

Has your body type changed over the last five years?

My body has pretty much stayed the same, although I’ve put on a bit of weight in these last couple of years.



How has your style changed over the years?

I’ve become a lot more experimental and braver with my style choices since I’ve moved to New York. Constantly observing people and their street-style has been a definite source of inspiration for me.

In your opinion what is your most troublesome area?

My stomach. When I put on weight, it all goes straight there!

How do you dress your body according to your body type?

I wear A-line tops with loose-fitted pants or fuller skirts to give the illusion of a curvier frame. I also like to dress according to the rule of thirds, which is to combine separates that are uneven in proportion to each other. This fashion trick enables me to elongate my frame and makes me look taller.

In your opinion what is the biggest mistake a person can make while dressing here?

One of the biggest mistakes a person can make is to blindly follow or imitate another person’s style or way of dressing. It is important to inject your own individuality into what you’re wearing. What I love most about fashion is its ability to tell a story about something or someone.



Which silhouettes suit your body the most?

Silhouettes that are fitted on top and flared towards the bottom suit my body the best.

What is the one piece of clothing you shy away from wearing and why?

Bold colours and busy prints are hard to find in my wardrobe. I usually play it safe and go with monochromatic colour schemes or neutrals. However, I’ve started pushing myself to buy brighter colours, more prints and take bigger fashion risks!