“Normcore” is not just about wearing plain clothes; it’s a deliberate and considered approach to dressing that prioritizes comfort, practicality, and an intentional kind of “un-style.” The goal is not to be unfashionable, but to achieve a confident, effortless anonymity. This is often achieved through a carefully curated wardrobe of high-quality basics, typically in a neutral color palette. The aesthetic draws heavily from 90s fashion, embracing items like a simple t-shirt, relaxed-fit jeans, a classic sweatshirt, and a pair of white sneakers.
The true challenge of normcore, however, lies in making these seemingly generic pieces work for your unique body type. A classic, straight-cut t-shirt can look drastically different on someone with a rectangle shape versus an hourglass figure. The secret to a successful normcore look isn’t just about the garments themselves, but about choosing the right silhouettes, fabrics, and proportions to flatter your specific frame. This guide will provide a comprehensive, practical, and actionable blueprint for every major body type, ensuring your normcore style is not only authentic but also incredibly flattering.
The Foundations of Flattering Normcore
Before we dive into specific body types, it’s essential to understand the core principles that make normcore work for everyone. These aren’t rules to be broken, but guidelines to be mastered.
1. The Power of Fit: In normcore, where embellishment and elaborate cuts are absent, fit is everything. An ill-fitting garment will look sloppy, not effortlessly cool. Your clothes should skim your body, not cling to it. They should be relaxed but never baggy to the point of obscuring your shape. This means paying attention to shoulder seams, hem lengths, and the drape of the fabric.
2. Strategic Fabric Choice: Fabric plays a crucial role in how a garment falls on your body. Stiff, heavy fabrics like thick canvas or rigid denim can add unwanted bulk, while soft, fluid materials like a high-quality cotton jersey or a fine knit can drape beautifully, creating a more flattering silhouette. For normcore, look for fabrics that feel as good as they look.
3. Proportional Play: The art of normcore for any body type is a masterclass in proportion. The goal is to create a sense of visual balance. This could mean pairing a looser top with a more structured bottom, or vice versa. For example, a relaxed-fit sweater can be balanced by a straight-leg jean, while a form-fitting top looks great with a wider-leg trouser. The key is to avoid wearing two oversized or two tight pieces simultaneously.
Apple Body Type: Flattering the Upper Half
The apple body type is characterized by a wider upper body, a fuller midsection, and slender legs and arms. The goal of normcore for this shape is to draw attention to your defined legs while creating a long, vertical line to elongate the torso.
The Normcore Blueprint for Apple Shapes:
- Tops: Opt for tops that skim over your midsection without clinging. V-necks and scoop necks are your best friends as they create a vertical line, visually lengthening your torso and drawing the eye upward to your décolletage. Look for tops in a soft, drapey material like cotton jersey or a thin knit.
- Concrete Example: A simple, solid-colored V-neck t-shirt in a fluid cotton fabric paired with a relaxed-fit cardigan worn open. This creates a vertical line and avoids adding bulk to the midsection.
- Bottoms: This is where you shine. Your legs are a major asset, so feel free to accentuate them. High-waisted pants and jeans are a great choice as they define your natural waist, providing structure and support. A straight-leg or boot-cut silhouette will balance your shoulders and create a beautiful line from your hips down.
- Concrete Example: A pair of high-waisted, dark-wash straight-leg jeans with a simple, untucked knit top that hits just at the hip. This highlights your slender legs and creates a balanced look.
- Layering: Layering is key for the apple body type. An open, unstructured cardigan or a single-breasted blazer can create a streamlined vertical line, making your torso appear longer and leaner.
- Concrete Example: A grey crewneck sweatshirt over a white long-sleeve tee, paired with high-waisted straight-leg jeans. The layers add visual interest without adding bulk, and the straight jeans highlight your legs.
- What to Avoid: Steer clear of high-neck tops like turtlenecks, which can make your upper body seem wider. Avoid thick, chunky knits or boxy jackets that add volume to your midsection. Also, avoid low-rise pants, as they can cause a muffin top effect and truncate your torso.
Pear Body Type: Balancing the Lower Half
The pear body type is defined by a narrow upper body, a smaller bust, and wider hips and thighs. The goal is to highlight your slim waist and upper body while visually minimizing the lower half to create a more balanced, hourglass-like silhouette.
The Normcore Blueprint for Pear Shapes:
- Tops: Focus on tops that add volume and interest to your upper body. Light-colored tops, horizontal stripes, or subtle patterns on your upper half will draw the eye upward. Boat necks, scoop necks, and off-the-shoulder styles are all excellent choices as they broaden your shoulder line. Layering is a great way to add visual weight.
- Concrete Example: A light-colored, classic cotton crewneck t-shirt with a subtle horizontal stripe. Pair this with a darker-colored bottom to create a balanced look.
- Bottoms: The key here is to choose bottoms that skim over your hips and thighs without clinging. A-line skirts, wide-leg trousers, and boot-cut jeans are your best bets. Look for dark, solid colors in a structured fabric. A mid-to-high rise is ideal as it will accentuate your small waist.
- Concrete Example: A pair of mid-rise, wide-leg chinos in a deep navy or black. The wide leg falls straight from the hip, creating a clean, uninterrupted line. Pair with a tucked-in t-shirt to emphasize your waist.
- Layering: Cropped jackets and sweaters that end at or just above your hip bone are perfect for the pear shape. They draw the eye up to your waist, which is your narrowest point. A classic denim jacket that hits at the waist is a perfect normcore staple for this body type.
- Concrete Example: A simple, dark-wash denim jacket that ends at the waist, worn over a plain white t-shirt and paired with wide-leg trousers. This creates a powerful waist definition and balances your silhouette.
- What to Avoid: Avoid skinny jeans and tight-fitting trousers, which can emphasize the hips and thighs. Stay away from bottoms with large side pockets, heavy embellishments, or bright patterns that draw attention to your lower half. Also, avoid long tops that end right at the widest part of your hips, as this can visually widen your frame.
Hourglass Body Type: Embracing Your Curves
The hourglass body type is characterized by a well-defined waist and balanced proportions between the bust and hips. The goal is to celebrate your natural curves by choosing silhouettes that follow your body’s lines without hiding them.
The Normcore Blueprint for Hourglass Shapes:
- Tops: Choose tops that accentuate your waist. Fitted t-shirts, thin knit sweaters, and tops made from soft, stretchy materials are perfect. V-necks, scoop necks, and sweetheart necklines are all flattering as they highlight your décolletage without adding unnecessary volume.
- Concrete Example: A high-quality, form-fitting crewneck tee in a ribbed knit fabric. The texture adds interest while the silhouette highlights your balanced frame.
- Bottoms: High-waisted bottoms are a non-negotiable for the hourglass figure. They cinch in at your narrowest point and emphasize your waist-to-hip ratio. Straight-leg, boot-cut, or even a relaxed-fit “mom” jean all work beautifully. The key is that the pants fit well at the waist and hips.
- Concrete Example: A pair of high-waisted, dark-wash “mom” jeans that are snug at the waist and a bit looser through the thigh. Pair with a tucked-in tee to show off your waist.
- Layering: Lightweight, fitted jackets and cardigans that are either belted or cinched at the waist will be your best friend. Avoid boxy, shapeless outerwear. A simple, classic trench coat or a single-breasted blazer that nips in at the waist is the perfect normcore choice.
- Concrete Example: A classic, longline cardigan worn over a fitted tee, belted with a simple leather strap to define the waist. This maintains the clean lines of normcore while highlighting your natural curves.
- What to Avoid: Steer clear of oversized, boxy tops, tunics, and shapeless dresses that hide your waist. Baggy, low-slung pants will also obscure your best features. Avoid stiff, heavy fabrics that don’t drape well and can create a bulky, unflattering silhouette.
Rectangle Body Type: Creating the Illusion of Curves
The rectangle body type is characterized by a straight, athletic frame with shoulders, waist, and hips that are roughly the same width. The goal of normcore for this shape is to create the illusion of a more defined waist and to add subtle volume to the bust and hips.
The Normcore Blueprint for Rectangle Shapes:
- Tops: Look for tops that add softness and volume to your upper body. Scoop necks, boat necks, and tops with subtle ruffles or pocket details can help create a curvier appearance. Soft, drapey fabrics or chunky knits work well. A great trick is to tuck your top in to define a waistline.
- Concrete Example: A fine-gauge knit sweater with a slightly relaxed fit, paired with a classic white t-shirt underneath. This adds texture and a layered effect, creating visual interest without being bulky.
- Bottoms: The right bottoms are crucial for adding definition to your hips. Choose styles that add volume and create a feminine curve. A-line skirts, wide-leg trousers, and jeans with details like side pockets or pleats are excellent. High-waisted styles are also perfect, as they draw attention to your midsection and can be belted to create a more defined waist.
- Concrete Example: A pair of high-waisted, wide-leg chinos in a neutral color. The wide-leg silhouette creates a powerful line from the waist down, balancing your straight frame.
- Layering: Layering is a powerful tool for the rectangle body type. Structured jackets and open cardigans can add dimension and break up your straight lines. A simple, well-fitting blazer or a cropped denim jacket will add shape and definition to your torso.
- Concrete Example: A classic, slightly cropped denim jacket worn over a simple t-shirt and paired with wide-leg pants. The cropped jacket visually shortens the torso and emphasizes the waist, while the wide-leg pants add volume to the lower half.
- What to Avoid: Avoid head-to-toe monochromatic looks in tight-fitting clothes, which can emphasize your straight lines. Stay away from overly stiff, structured tops that make you look boxy. Avoid low-rise pants and bottoms with no details, as they can flatten your silhouette.
Inverted Triangle Body Type: Softening the Shoulders
The inverted triangle body type is characterized by broader shoulders and a larger bust, with a narrower waist and hips. The goal is to balance your silhouette by visually minimizing the upper body and adding volume to the lower half.
The Normcore Blueprint for Inverted Triangle Shapes:
- Tops: Choose tops that soften your shoulders and draw the eye down. V-necks and asymmetrical necklines are your best choices. Avoid tops with shoulder pads, puff sleeves, or boat necks, which can broaden your upper frame. Look for tops in dark, solid colors to create a slimming effect on your torso.
- Concrete Example: A deep V-neck, ribbed knit top in a dark shade like charcoal grey or navy. The V-neckline breaks up your broad shoulders and draws the eye to your chest.
- Bottoms: This is your time to shine. The key is to add volume and visual interest to your lower body. Wide-leg trousers, cargo pants, pleated skirts, and bottoms with bold patterns or light colors are perfect for creating balance. Mid-rise to high-rise bottoms that hit at the natural waist will also help define your figure.
- Concrete Example: A pair of light-colored, wide-leg canvas trousers with patch pockets. The lighter color and pocket details add visual weight to your hips, balancing your broader shoulders.
- Layering: An open, unstructured cardigan or a jacket that hits at the hip can work well, as long as it’s not bulky around the shoulders. Single-breasted styles are preferable to double-breasted ones. A long, fluid cardigan that drapes beautifully can also help soften your silhouette.
- Concrete Example: A simple, single-breasted blazer in a dark color, worn open over a V-neck top. The open jacket creates two vertical lines, slimming your upper body, while the lower half is balanced by a wider-leg trouser.
- What to Avoid: Avoid spaghetti straps and halter tops that emphasize your broad shoulders. Stay away from jackets with shoulder pads, epaulets, or other details that draw attention to your upper body. Don’t wear bottoms that are too tight or dark, as this will only emphasize the disparity between your upper and lower body.
The Final Word on Normcore and Body Type
Normcore is not a one-size-fits-all trend. It’s an attitude of intentional simplicity, a style that becomes truly powerful when it’s tailored to you. By understanding your body’s unique silhouette and applying these practical, actionable tips, you can transform a wardrobe of basic garments into a collection of flattering, confident, and effortless outfits. The goal is to move beyond the superficial idea of “normal” and discover a style that is genuinely, authentically, and flawlessly you. With the right fit and a strategic eye for proportion, normcore becomes less of a trend and more of a timeless, personal statement.