How to Dress for Your Changing Body Shape
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Embracing Your Body Physique Through Every Life Stage
Understanding Female Body Types and How They Change
Practical Tips for the Pregnancy Body Shape
Redefining Style During Menopause
Simplifying Clothing for Older Women
The Real Story: Fashion for Real Bodies
The Reality in Numbers: Body Image & Weight in New Zealand
Final Thoughts: Stop Waiting, Start Dressing
Understanding how to dress for your body isn't about chasing trends or fitting into unrealistic ideals. It's about confidence, comfort, and learning to adapt with grace. In this podcast-inspired article, Stephanie Rumble, professional fashion stylist and accountability coach based in Christchurch, New Zealand, explores how women can navigate three significant life stages—pregnancy, menopause, and ageing—with style and self-love. Her candid reflections and practical tips provide a roadmap for dressing with confidence, no matter your shape, age, or life stage.
Embracing Your Body Physique Through Every Life Stage
Bodies change. That’s a fact. Stephanie reminds us that the key to dressing for your body shape lies in acknowledging the transitions your body undergoes—and responding with love, not judgment. Whether you're dealing with pregnancy body shape changes or navigating aging and body image, it all begins with acceptance.
“Let’s just love ourselves for who we are right here and now.” ~ Stephanie Rumble
Common Life Stages Where Style Needs Shift:
There are a few pivotal life stages that tend to bring about the most noticeable changes to our body physique:
Post-pregnancy and new motherhood
Perimenopause and menopause
Senior years and increased sensitivity to fit, warmth, and ease
Each of these stages presents new challenges and opportunities when it comes to how we dress. Understanding your needs during each phase helps you make practical and empowering wardrobe choices that reflect your lifestyle and identity.
For women looking to better understand what works for their current life stage and how to dress with confidence, Stephanie offers personalised support through her body shape consultation service. This is an ideal starting point to decode your style and build a wardrobe that celebrates your shape.
Understanding Female Body Types and How They Change
Many women start with one shape and transition through others. Pregnancy may bring shifts to waistlines and bustlines. Menopause often results in redistribution of weight around the midsection.
Stephanie outlines the need for practical styling techniques as our body physique evolves over time. For example, a woman with a rectangle body shape may develop more of a pear-shaped figure after childbirth. A formerly hourglass shaped body might gain weight predominantly in the stomach area post-menopause. These transitions are not flaws—they are natural evolutions.
Understanding your current shape helps you choose clothing that flatters your features now, rather than basing decisions on a former version of yourself. Knowing what works for pear shaped body outfits or how to adjust when your curves shift can empower you to build a wardrobe that truly works for your lifestyle.
Practical Tips for the Pregnancy Body Shape
Pregnancy doesn't mean sacrificing style. Stephanie offers tips that are both practical and uplifting, while acknowledging that this life stage is as emotionally demanding as it is physical.
Choose stretchy, forgiving fabrics that adapt as you grow
Invest in fashionable pregnancy clothes like maternity tights or wrap dresses
Use long-line singlets under tops for modest breastfeeding
Embrace comfort and washable fabrics (there will be spills!)
In addition to these tips, it’s important to consider how your pregnancy body shape changes affect more than just your waistline. Breasts often grow significantly, and your energy levels may fluctuate. Stephanie recommends avoiding “tent-like” clothing that can feel shapeless and unflattering. Instead, opt for garments that offer both flexibility and gentle structure.
“Your body has done some miracle work—maybe it’s time to embrace the new you.” ~ Stephanie Rumble
After birth, give yourself at least three months before worrying about your "old clothes." Your body needs time to recover. Maternity and post-partum wardrobes should support your reality today—whether that means functionality for nursing or just something that makes you feel comfortable and stylish.
If you're going through a broader lifestyle transition—whether returning to work or adapting to parenting—Stephanie’s accountability coaching offers valuable support. It focuses on mindset, confidence, and sustainable lifestyle habits tailored to you.
Redefining Style During Menopause
Stephanie delves into what happens to our bodies during menopause, both physically and emotionally. Hormonal shifts can lead to weight gain, especially around the abdomen, and changes in body image. Many women feel out of touch with their bodies and wonder why their usual routines no longer deliver results.
Key changes:
A decline in oestrogen impacts metabolism and muscle mass
Poor sleep and stress can contribute to weight gain
A drop in confidence can affect self-image
These shifts can make once-trusted wardrobe choices feel unflattering. That’s when it's time to explore new materials, smarter layering, and silhouettes that feel good and look elegant.
Tips for Fashion for Women Over 50:
Choose elastic waistbands for days when bloating strikes
Stick with natural fibres like linen, silk, and cotton to regulate temperature
Update your bra to reflect changes in breast tissue
Reassess your colour palette as your skin tone may evolve
Dressing during menopause isn’t just a physical adjustment—it’s a chance to reconnect with your sense of identity. Consider styles like the Empire Line dress, which gracefully skims the waist and flatters a shifting midsection.
Simplifying Clothing for Older Women
As we age, Stephanie reminds us that style should continue to bring joy. Wardrobes should evolve not only to accommodate physical changes but also to reflect shifts in lifestyle, movement, and comfort. Ageing gracefully doesn’t mean playing it safe—it means dressing with purpose.
Smart wardrobe tips:
Avoid fiddly zippers and awkward fastenings
Choose slip-on shoes and pull-over tops for ease
Dresses for rectangle body shape offer graceful, fuss-free style
Embrace lightweight layers that add warmth without bulk
“It’s not about the perfect body—it’s about feeling good in your skin.” ~ Stephanie Rumble
As our metabolism slows and mobility may decrease, your wardrobe should support your comfort and independence. Stephanie suggests layering with base pieces like Merino singlets and embracing stretch fabrics and looser cuts for flexibility and ease.
The goal is to feel empowered every day—even during a trip to the local shops. Confidence doesn’t come from the label; it comes from wearing what feels right for your stage of life.
The Real Story: Fashion for Real Bodies
Stephanie advocates unapologetically for self-love across all stages of life. She confronts the toxic "wait until" mindset head-on:
“Don’t wait until you’ve lost weight. Dress for the body you have now.” ~ Stephanie Rumble
Every woman, regardless of size or age, deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and stylish. It's time to move away from the so-called ideal body shape and the societal pressure surrounding the ideal body image for females. Your current shape is not just acceptable—it’s worthy of honouring through style.
These ideals have long fuelled body image arguments, especially for women. Stephanie’s approach is different: she styles women based on where they are now, considering both their lifestyle and mindset. The goal isn’t to conceal your body—it’s to express yourself through it.
The Reality in Numbers: Body Image & Weight in New Zealand
Understanding the broader cultural context around body image makes it clear why this topic is so relevant. These statistics reflect what New Zealanders—particularly women—are navigating every day.
Among New Zealand women aged 40–50, 39% were actively trying to lose weight, while another 69% were focused on preventing weight gain. Common methods included reducing portion sizes (42%) and cutting fats/sugars (45%) (source).
A 2016 study from Otago found that 54% of teenage girls thought they were ‘too fat’, compared with only 22% of boys (source).
By 2038, an estimated two million New Zealanders will be clinically obese, rising from 1.1 million in 2015 (source).
These figures mirror the patterns Stephanie witnesses every day. Concerns about weight and self-worth run deep. But with empathy, education, and practical tools, there’s a path forward that starts with self-respect—not restriction.
Final Thoughts: Stop Waiting, Start Dressing
Why body image is an issue is complex. It’s shaped by beauty standards, hormonal shifts, and the stories we tell ourselves. But style doesn’t come with an age limit, and confidence doesn’t require a certain size.
Whether you're dressing a pear shaped body, an ageing frame, or navigating post-pregnancy changes, the message is the same: start where you are, not where you think you should be. Dressing well is not about perfection—it’s about feeling present and empowered in your own skin.
To support this mission beyond personal styling, Stephanie also offers workshops on workplace wellbeing, stress management, and conflict resolution, as well as education and conflict de-escalation training. These services are ideal for individuals and organisations seeking to build confidence, communication skills, and resilience in professional environments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key life stages that affect women’s body shape?
The podcast identifies three main life stages that significantly affect women’s body shape: pregnancy, menopause, and ageing. Each stage brings its own set of physical changes, requiring a fresh approach to clothing and body confidence.
By recognising the needs of each phase, women can make more intentional wardrobe choices that reflect their current lifestyle and support comfort, practicality, and self-expression.
How should I dress during pregnancy when my body is constantly changing?
Look for flexible, comfortable fabrics that adapt as your body grows. Wrap dresses, maternity tights, and breathable layers work well. It's also a good idea to use long singlets for modesty during breastfeeding and to focus on items that make you feel good today—not just later.
Stephanie encourages women not to wait until after pregnancy to enjoy their wardrobe. Dressing for the current version of you is an empowering choice.
What types of clothes work best during menopause?
Menopause can bring bloating, hot flushes, and weight redistribution—particularly around the midsection. Styles that offer breathability, ease, and comfort like elastic waistbands, sleeveless tops, and natural fibres (like linen and cotton) are ideal.
Wardrobe choices should focus on regulating temperature and creating comfort while still reflecting your style personality.
What’s the best way to dress an ageing body without sacrificing style?
Choose pieces that are easy to move in and put on—think pull-on trousers, slip-on shoes, and dresses that don’t require fiddly zips or buttons. As mobility and body temperature regulation change, layering becomes more important.
Older women can still look vibrant and stylish by choosing clothes that reflect who they are now. Confidence can grow with the right fabrics, cuts, and colour choices.
How can I dress for my current body instead of waiting to lose weight?
One of the key takeaways from the podcast is to dress for the body you have now. Waiting to lose weight before updating your wardrobe can delay confidence and self-worth.
Stephanie’s approach is centred around self-acceptance. Her body shape consultation service can help you understand your proportions and build a wardrobe that suits your shape today.
What types of clothes are best for a pear shaped body?
For a pear shaped body, aim to balance proportions by drawing attention upwards with structured tops, statement sleeves, or accessories. A-line skirts, high-waisted trousers, and jackets that hit above the hips tend to flatter this shape.
Understanding your unique body proportions can make shopping and styling far easier. Stephanie offers personal styling guidance to help with shape-specific dressing.
How do I know if I have a rectangle body shape?
A rectangle body shape typically means your waist, hips, and shoulders are fairly aligned, with little waist definition. You may benefit from clothes that create curves, like belted dresses or layered outfits with contrast at the waist.
Knowing your shape helps you choose garments that enhance your figure naturally. A styling consultation can help confirm your shape and guide you toward the most flattering styles.
Why do women gain weight during menopause?
Hormonal changes—particularly the drop in oestrogen—can slow metabolism, reduce muscle mass, and cause fat to accumulate around the midsection. Sleep disturbances and lifestyle factors can also contribute.
Although this stage can be frustrating, it’s manageable with realistic expectations, gentle mindset shifts, and dressing strategies that adapt to your changing body.
What are some signs my wardrobe isn’t working for my life stage?
If your clothes no longer fit comfortably, feel dated, or don’t suit your current routine or mobility needs, your wardrobe may not be serving you. Frustration with daily outfit choices is also a sign it’s time for a refresh.
A wardrobe audit or styling session can help reset your choices around your actual lifestyle and current body shape.
What services does Stephanie Rumble offer to help with body image and wardrobe styling?
Stephanie offers personalised services including colour and body shape consultations, wardrobe audits, and personal shopping. These services are designed to help women feel confident, capable, and stylish at any life stage.
She also provides accountability coaching and workplace education in confidence, wellbeing, and communication—helping individuals feel their best both inside and out.
