How To: Dress Up For Your Body Shape

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There’s no cookie-cutter approach to life and the same applies to style. There’s no one style fit all and that’s honestly what I love about fashion/styling the most. We are all created in all different shapes and sizes and fashion is all about being able to style different shapes to look their best. On today’s post, I’m sharing a few tips on how to style the four most common body shapes.

What’s My Body Type?

We are all made and shape differently, there are many ways to describe different body shapes; such as triangle, apple, pear, reverse triangle…etc. On this post, I’m focusing on the common four; which are apple, rectangle, pear and hourglass.

Disclaimer:

First I am not an expert, just speaking from experience and secondary knowledge. Second, these body “shapes” descriptions are general. Just because you have large breast doesn’t mean you are automatically shaped like an apple, but you can take the tips for someone with larger breast and apply it as you see fit. Lastly, I am not saying this is how you SHOULD dress, just sharing valuable tips that some might find beneficial.

Apple

Having an apple shape means that you are likely to have bigger breast, carry more weight around the midsection with little waist definition and slimmer limbs.

1. Take the attention away from your midsection– you want to stay away from clothing that is tight around your midsection, thick belts that might draw attention and patterns on clothing that starts at the midsection.
2. Flaunt what you have– wear things that emphasize your breast, like a nice v-neck top that show just enough cleavage ( NOT TOO MUCH), while keeping the attention off your mid-section. Quick tip, for professional settings, add a blazer or cardigan over any clothes with plunging necklines to reduce cleavage, while drawing attention away from the midsection.
3. Find the right bottoms– I know you want to rock your skinnies, but I suggest switching to denim and trousers that are flared, wide leg or boot cut. Check out how I slayed these wide leg jeans and you can rock them just as well. As strange as it might sound, avoid pants with too many front pockets. Lastly, gravitate towards high-waisted bottoms. They hide the midsection and hug all the right curves.

Rectangle

Rectangle shape is self-defined, you are likely to have straight shoulder line and ribcage, with little waist definition and an average midsection. Everything is pretty much in one straight line. The rules for rectangle shape are similar to an apple shape person, no matter what you wear, keep the attention away from the midsection.

1. Say NO to straight lines- avoid clothing that is straight; such as pencil skirts, pin stripes, straight top worn with a straight bottom. Instead, wear a straight top with a flowy skater skirt to give the appearance of curves.
2. Wear Fitted clothing– clothing that is too tight can draw attention in unwanted areas, while oversized clothing might look boxy.
3. Emphasize– Emphasize on the areas you want to draw attention. Like the apple shape, wear v-necks or round neckline tops. Wear accessories that are bold, like a statement necklace. Lastly, avoid rectangular shaped bags or clutches.

Pear 

A pear shaped is best describe as a triangle, slimmer top, and larger bottom. The waists nicely defined with slimmer arms and shoulders. Most weight gain starts at the bottom and proceed upwards. The main rule applies to all the body shapes…

1. Show off your best assets– as a pear, your waist is your asset. Unlike the first two, you want to wear things that define the waist like tops with fitted waist, bright colors, and bold patterns.
2. Minimize your bottom–  you want bottoms that highlight your curves, without making your bottom half look bigger.
3. Balance– balance your top half with your fuller bottom half.

Hourglass

Most women admire hourglass shape because they have a perfect balance. The bust and hips are well balanced with a defined waist. Every part is in sync with the others and everything flows right. As well as a pear shape, you want to keep the focus on the…

1. It’s all about the waist– The key is to balance out both the top and bottom while accentuating your waist.
2. Keep it tight ( no pun intended)- Well, not too tight. You want to wear clothes that are fitted, like body-con dresses, fitted tops, and pencil skirts.
3. Anyway you like– lucky for you hourglass gals ( sadly, that’s not me), you can wear most any bottoms, as long as you pair it with the right top.

 

Ps. This post is written with good intentions and in no way shape or form is it meant to put anyone down. Nonetheless, all my readers are fabulous and amazing and I hope these tips help you slay all day every day no matter what your shape is.

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