Dressing for your body type can be a tricky task, but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding your unique shape and proportions, you can create a wardrobe that flatters and accentuates your best features. Whether you’re an hourglass, apple, pear, or rectangle, there are certain styles and cuts that will work best for you. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the different body types and offer styling tips and tricks to help you look and feel your best. We’ll explore which necklines, fabrics, and prints will help to create balance and proportion, and which styles will help to elongate or shorten certain areas. We’ll also discuss the importance of fit and how to choose the right clothes for your body type. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a better understanding of how to dress for your body type and feel confident in your own skin.
Dressing for an Hourglass Body Type
An hourglass figure is characterized by a defined waist and equal proportions at the bust and hips. To determine if you have an hourglass body shape, measure the distance from your armpit to just below your hip on the side of your body. If the measurement at the bust and hip are similar and the waist is noticeably indented, you have an hourglass shape. Hourglass figures are considered to be the most desirable and feminine.
To accentuate your waist and show off your curves, try high-waisted pants and skirts, and tops with contrasting colors. If you have a lot of space between your bust and tummy, use medium or wide belts to create definition. A curved cut sheath dress will also flatter your shape. Pencil skirts, skinny trousers, and indented short jackets or cropped tops that taper at the waist are also great options. Embrace your hourglass shape and have fun with your wardrobe!
Dressing for an Inverted Triangle Body Type
An inverted triangle body shape is characterized by wider shoulders and a narrower hip. To determine if you have this body shape, measure the distance from your armpit to below your hip on the side of your body. If your shoulders are wider than your hips and there is a space between your hip and a straight tape, you have an inverted triangle shape.
To balance out your proportions, focus on accentuating your lower half. Try wearing boat-shaped or off-the-shoulder tops to highlight your shoulders and V-neck tops and scarves to deemphasize them. Bright colors and patterns on your lower half can also help to create balance. A fitted sweater or V-neck top paired with an A-line skirt can also bring balance to your figure. Show off your slim legs with leggings or jeans and simple, longer fitted tops. Flared, gored or full skirted dresses, wide-legged jeans, boot cut and straight leg trousers, and wide Palazzo pants in a draped fabric also look great on an inverted triangle body shape.
Dressing for a Triangle Body Type
A triangle body shape is characterized by narrower shoulders and wider hips and thighs. To determine if you have a triangle body shape, measure the distance from your armpit to below your hip and thigh on the side of your body. If your shoulders are narrower than your hips and your hips and thighs extend beyond a plumb line, you have a triangle shape.
When dressing for a triangle body shape, it’s important to celebrate your hips while also creating the illusion of a more balanced shape. To do this, you can try to build up the top half visually. You often have a small waist and slim upper body, so by choosing clothing with clever lines and designs, you can give the impression that you are slender all over.
Wear tops with patterns or bright colors to draw attention to your upper body. Empire waist, wrap or v-neck tops and dresses will make your waist look smaller while showing off your hips. A-line skirts, wide-legged pants or straight leg pants are perfect for balancing out your proportions. Also, try to avoid baggy tops as they will only make your upper body look smaller.
Dressing for an Oval Body Type
An oval body shape is characterized by a round, curvy shape all over. To determine if you have an oval body shape, you may notice that you have curves in multiple areas and that your bust and bottom may be smaller than your middle area. You may also have slender legs.
When dressing for an oval body type, it’s important to celebrate your curves while also accentuating your smaller areas such as the top of your chest, neckline, lower arms, and bottom of the legs. To do this, you can try getting well-tailored clothes with rounded, curved seams to enhance your shape. Garments with simple, uncluttered lines, such as dresses that are gently curved into the waist, and “column of color” with the top and bottom in the same or similar shade are also good options.
