Dressing For Your Body Shape: The Ultimate Guide
Dressing for your body shape is a concept I wish I knew a long time ago.
Before I understood my body shape, getting dressed in the morning consisted of lots of flying clothes and curse words while trying on multiple outfits trying desperately to find something that would make me look & feel my best.
It was an endless cycle of feeling like I had ”nothing to wear” and regardless of how many new things I bought, I still ended up being frustrated every morning.
What was I missing?
I was buying clothes that were trendy or that looked good on the models in the fashion mags. I spent the first two decades of my life thinking those clothes would look good on me if only I could lose weight and be as small & perfect as the models.
Um, no.
I was looking at things all wrong. Even if I lost enough weight to be that ”skinny” I would still be my same body shape. Just a much smaller version.
I finally realized it is more important to know my body shape and know how to dress that shape than to tell myself I had to lose weight to look good in anything.
Your body is perfect just the way it is! And once you understand how your body is shaped, you’ll know what kind of clothes will look best on your shape.
This will eliminate the closet full of clothes but nothing to wear phenomenon.
By understanding your body shape, you’ll be able to buy the right clothes – regardless of size – that will make you look and feel your best.
And who doesn’t want to feel their best?
Also, just as a side note, don’t get caught up in the different names of the body shapes. Someone along the way starting using shapes and fruit to describe them and some people feel offended by that.
But really, who cares right? I just need to know how I’m shaped, I don’t care what its called.
Ready to dive in and learn more about that awesome body of yours? Let’s do it.
One more thing…
Ok, one more thing before we get started. The BEST way to truly know your body type is to get out that measuring tape and measure yourself. Sometimes when we look in the mirror we can’t see ourselves clearly.
Write down these measurements:
Shoulders – measure around the very top of your shoulders, just above the shoulder blades
Bust – measure round the fullest part of the bust without holding the tape too tightly
Waist – measure the smallest part of the waist
Hips – measure the fullest or widest part of your hips
**The body shapes are general guidelines so you might be more of a mixture between the two and that’s ok too. This is just a place to start – because knowledge is power!
Determining Your Body Shape
The Pear Body Shape
We’ll start with the pear body type because it is one I know well…..because that’s my body shape!
Typical characteristics of the pear body type are:
- Hips are larger than the shoulders and bust
- Bust is typically (but not always) on the smaller side
Celebrity examples: Beyonce, Rhianna, Christina Aguilera, JLo, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria
The Apple Body Shape
Women with this body type tend to be curvy with a less defined waist and a medium to large bust.
Typical characteristics include:
- Most of their weight is in the upper portion of their body
- A full bust and fuller midsection
- Narrow hips and flatish bottom
Celebrity examples: Liz Hurley, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Simpson, Catherine Zeta Jones, Adele
The Hourglass Body Shape
This is the shape made famous by Marilyn Monroe.
Women with an hourglass shape usually have:
- Shoulders & hips that are roughly the same measurement.
- A well-defined waist
- A full bust
Celebrity examples: Christina Hendricks, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, & of course Marilyn Monroe
The Rectangle Body Shape
Women with this body shape tend to be less curvy. Models often have this body shape because almost any type of clothing looks good.
Typical characteristics include:
- Shoulders & Hips are roughly the same measurement
- The waist is not very defined creating a ”column” effect
- Slim hips & thighs
Celebrity examples: Cameron Diaz, Natalie Portman, Meghan Markle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sheryl Crow
The Inverted Triangle Body Shape
The inverted triangle body shape is basically the pear shape turned upside down.
For this body shape women usually have:
- Shoulders that are wider than hips
- A large chest with a small waist
- Slim legs & a small bottom
Celebrity examples: Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, Cindy Crawford, Kim Catrall, Renee Zellweger.
Dressing For Your Body Shape: Tips
Ok, now you should have an idea of which beautiful shape you are so let’s go over some tips to dress that shape so you can look your best!
Tips For The Pear Shape
For the pear gals like me, skirts & dresses are your best friends. A little black dress in a fit & flare style is like a secret weapon for the pear shape beauty!
- Focus attention upwards – Choose slim fitting tops, button down shirts, and cardigans
- Keep the prints, colors, & embellishments on the upper portion of your body and darker colors on the lower half.
- Go for A line dresses and skirts – these will skim over your hips emphasizing your top half.
- Wide leg pants with pointy toe shoes are a great go to as they visually slim out your legs & hips.
- Statement necklaces & jewelry are a great way to bring attention upward.
Tips For The Apple Shape
For the apple body shape the focus is to play up the lower half of the body and de-emphasize the fuller mid-section. The beauties with this shape tend to have a large bust – so if you got it, flaunt it!
- Keep details above the bust or below the hips
- Choose clothes that add curves or fullness to the lower body
- Structured garments help to hold in and camouflage the mid-section
- Bold & brightly colored shoes, pants, & skirts bring the attention to the lower body.
- Belts are a great way to define the waist and pull it in visually – keep them dark.
Tips For The Hourglass Shape
The hourglass gals have those enviable curves but so many try to cover them up. Don’t cover those curves, embrace them and channel your inner Kardashian!
- Stick to simple styles & avoid too many ruffles or volume.
- Wrap dresses, pencil skirts, & bodycon dresses will highlight and show off those curves.
- Fit & flare is your best friend – dresses, tops, coats – anything that comes in at the waist.
- Belts are a great way to highlight your small waist.
- Avoid anything oversized or shapeless that doesn’t show your waist
Tips For The Rectangle Shape
It’s all about creating curves for the rectangle shape. The beauties with this body shape can wear pretty much whatever they want!
- Choose items that draw attention to your arms & shoulders – strapless tops, scoop or round necklines, racerback, etc.
- Bodycon dresses and shift dresses look great on you – try them with a belt to define your waist.
- You have great legs so try cute miniskirts and high heels to show them off.
- Anything that creates interest like patterns, colors, full skirts, & ruffles are a plus.
Tips For The Inverted Triangle Shape
Many of the tips for the pear shaped beauties works for the inverted triangle beauties just reversed. So just switch out the top for the bottom and you’re good to go!
- Flaunt those shoulders – you have great shoulders so instead of hiding them, flaunt them!
- Use ruffles & different details on hipline to add curves & balance the figure.
- Asymmetrical styles add interest to the bottom half.
- Balance shoulders with a dropped neckline such as a soft cowl or ruffles
Conclusion: Dressing For Your Body Shape
By now you should have a better idea of your body shape & have a little more knowledge as to what types of clothes you should be wearing. Here’s a quick recap:
Pear Body Shape:
Hips are wider than shoulders – choose styles that focus attention upwards to balance out the hips
Apple Body Shape:
Most of weight is in the upper half with a full bust & mid-section – try choosing styles that highlight above the bust, below the hips, & de-emphasize the mid-section.
Hourglass Body Shape:
Hips & shoulders are close to same measurement with a smaller defined waist – Try choosing styles that are fitted but not tight such as wrap dresses, high waist skinny jeans, and fit & flare silhouettes.
Rectangle Body Shape:
Shoulders, waist, and hips are similar measurements – You can wear almost anything so just choose items that accentuate what you want people to notice
Inverted Triangle Body Shape:
For this shape the shoulders are wider than hips with slim leg and small bottom – choose items with details on the hipline to add curves.
And the #1 style tip that works for all body types: wear a belt!
Stay tuned for more specific posts about wearing different types of clothes for your shape such as, skirts, dresses, tops, pants, etc.
Let me know what your body shape is in the comments!
Until next time friend ✨
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