Let’s dive into the world of body shapes together. Understanding your body shape can truly revolutionize the way you shop for clothes and style your outfits. Before telling you how to dress for your body type, let me tell you first how to figure out which one you are.
Already know your body shape? Jump right on how to dress through “In this article” box above.
1. The Pear Shape (Triangle Shape)
Characteristics:
- Larger hips compared to the bust and shoulders.
- Narrower shoulders and smaller bust.
- When gaining weight, it often accumulates around the hips, thighs, and bottom.
Celebrities:
- Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Katie Holmes
How to Identify:
- Your hips are the widest part of your body.
- Your top sizes are generally smaller than your bottom sizes.
- You might gain weight in your lower body more than your upper body.
2. The Inverted Triangle Shape (Carrot Shape)
Characteristics:
- Broad shoulders and/or bust.
- Narrower hips.
- Tends to have a more athletic build.
Celebrities:
- Angelina Jolie, Naomi Campbell, Charlize Theron
How to Identify:
- Your shoulders or bust are wider than your hips.
- Your top sizes are generally larger than your bottom sizes.
- You might gain weight in your upper body rather than your lower body.
3. The Rectangle Shape (Straight Shape)
Characteristics:
- Shoulders, waist, and hips are roughly the same width.
- Minimal curves.
- Gains weight evenly across the body.
Celebrities:
- Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Nicole Kidman
How to Identify:
- Your shoulders, waist, and hips are about the same size.
- You wear the same size for tops and bottoms.
- You might wish for more curves.
4. The Apple Shape (O Shape)
Characteristics:
- Larger bust and midsection.
- Narrower hips.
- Tends to gain weight in the belly area.
Celebrities:
- Reese Witherspoon, Drew Barrymore, Kate Winslet
How to Identify:
- Your bust and midsection are the widest parts of your body.
- Your top sizes are larger than your bottom sizes.
- You might gain weight around your middle rather than your limbs.
5. The Hourglass Shape
Characteristics:
- Well-defined waist.
- Bust and hips are roughly the same width.
- Curvy figure.
Celebrities:
- Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara
How to Identify:
- Your bust and hips are about the same size with a noticeably smaller waist.
- You wear the same size for tops and bottoms.
- You have a naturally curvy figure.
Why Knowing Your Body Shape is Helpful
Once you know your body shape, you can make better decisions about what clothes to buy and how to style them. It can also explain why some outfits don’t look the way you imagined. Remember, it’s all about proportions, not size!
How to Determine Your Body Shape
- Measure Yourself: Take measurements of your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips.
- Compare Proportions: See which parts are wider or narrower.
- Try Different Sizes: Notice if you consistently need different sizes for tops and bottoms.
- Observe Weight Gain: Pay attention to where you gain weight more easily.
Embrace Your Shape
Your body shape can change over time due to different life phases, like having children or aging. Embrace your current shape and learn how to dress it in a way that makes you feel confident and fabulous.
Tailoring is Key
For any body shape, tailoring can be a game-changer. Buy clothes that fit your widest part and have the rest adjusted for a perfect fit.
Understanding your body shape can empower you to feel great in your clothes every day. If you find yourself resonating with a particular body shape, take inspiration from celebrities with similar shapes and explore how they style themselves. Enjoy experimenting with different styles and celebrate your unique shape!
If you found this helpful and want more tips on personal styling, make sure to stay tuned for our upcoming posts! Let’s continue this journey to confidence and style together.
How to dress for your body type
How To Dress For The Pear Shaped Body
- Highlight Your Waist: One of the biggest assets of a pear-shaped body is a naturally defined waist. Choose high-rise pants and skirts that sit at the smallest part of your waist to accentuate it. Belts can also be a great accessory to emphasize your waist and create an hourglass silhouette.
- Balance Your Proportions: To create a balanced look, draw attention to your upper body. Opt for tops with details like ruffles, puffed sleeves, or embellishments that add volume to your shoulders and bust. Off-the-shoulder and boat neck tops can broaden your shoulders and create a more balanced appearance.
- Opt for Wide-Leg and Straight-Leg Pants: Wide-leg and straight-leg pants are great options for pear-shaped bodies. These styles skim over your hips and thighs without clinging, providing a balanced and comfortable fit. They also help elongate your legs, especially when paired with heels.
- Avoid Excessive Volume on the Bottom: While you want to balance your proportions, avoid adding too much volume to your lower body. Steer clear of overly baggy pants or skirts with too much fabric, as they can overwhelm your frame.
- Choose the Right Accessories: Accessories can help balance your look. Statement necklaces, earrings, and scarves can draw attention to your face and shoulders. Avoid bulky belts around your hips, and instead, use belts to emphasize your waist.
What to Wear: High-Rise Pants and Skirts, Off-the-Shoulder Tops, A-Line Dresses and Skirts, Wide-Leg Pants, Straight-Leg Pants, Structured Jackets and Blazers, Statement Accessories.
What to Avoid: Tapered Pants, Low-Rise Jeans and Pants, Mini Skirts and Dresses, Bodycon Dresses, Baggy Pants and Skirts, Bright and Thick Ankle Straps
These will look awesome on your pear body shape (click to shop)
How To Dress For The Inverted Triangle Shaped Body
- Avoid High Necklines
High necklines, like mock necks, can make your shoulders look broader. Instead, go for asymmetrical or V-necklines. These styles break up the shoulder line and elongate your silhouette. For example, Victoria Beckham looks more balanced in an asymmetrical dress compared to a high-neck top.
2. Choose Flared or Straight-Leg Bottoms
Tapered bottoms can emphasize the imbalance between your shoulders and hips. Opt for flared or straight-leg pants to add volume to your lower half. Naomi Campbell, for instance, looks amazing in wide-leg pants compared to tapered jeans.
3. Avoid Bold Shoulder Pads
Bold shoulder pads can make your shoulders appear even broader. Instead, try blazers with light shoulder padding and hip detailing. This adds volume where you need it and balances your silhouette. Kate Middleton looks more proportional in a lightly padded blazer with wide-leg pants.
4. Skip Puffy Sleeves
Puffy sleeves can accentuate broad shoulders. Go for fitted or bell sleeves to draw attention to your lower half. Renee Zellweger looks much more balanced in a dress with bell sleeves compared to one with puffy sleeves.
5. Steer Clear of Wide Necklines
Wide necklines can visually extend your shoulder line. Opt for narrower necklines like scoop necks and V-necks. Victoria Beckham looks much better in a V-neck dress than in a wide neckline, boxy dress.
6. Minimize Embellishments on Tops
Tops with heavy embellishments around the neck and shoulders can throw off your proportions. Instead, choose tops with waist or hip embellishments to draw attention downwards. Naomi Campbell looks more balanced in a blazer with lower embellishments.
7. Avoid Skinny or Spaghetti Straps
Skinny straps can make your shoulders look broader. Choose thicker or medium straps to cover more of your shoulder area and balance your proportions. Naomi Campbell looks better in a sequin dress with thicker straps compared to one with skinny straps.
8. Play with textures and prints to create your favorite looks
If you love any of these styles but they aren’t the most flattering, you can still make them work by adding volume and interest to your bottom half through textures, prints, or layers. This helps balance your silhouette and creates a more harmonious look.
What to Wear: Looser Fit Pants, Wider or Flared Pant Legs, Pants with Pleats or Details, Wide-Leg Pants, Elasticated Waistband Shorts, Low-Rise Pants (especially for those with a short torso), A-Line Skirts, Flared Skirts, Pleated Skirts, Skater Skirts, Tight-Fitting Dresses with Waist Accentuation, A-Line Dresses, Wrap Dresses, Longer Coats, Dusters, Blazers that Flare Out Slightly at the Waist
What to Avoid: Tapered Pants, Skinny Jeans, Form-Fitting Skirts, Straight Skirts, Dresses with No Waist Accentuation, Cropped Jackets
These will look awesome on your Inverted Triangle body shape (click to shop)
How To Dress For The Rectangle Shaped Body
- Avoid Oversized Pieces: Stay away from oversized suits and dresses. They can swallow up your frame and make you look straighter. Instead, go for tailored and fitted pieces that define your shape.
- Emphasize Your Waist: Dresses and tops that draw in at the waist are your best friends. They help create curves and give you a more defined silhouette. Wrap dresses and belted styles are perfect choices.
- Add Volume to Your Bottom Half: Look for skirts and pants with pleats, flares, or extra fabric. These styles add width to your hips, balancing out your broader shoulders. A-line skirts and wide-leg pants are fantastic options.
- Structured Shoulders: Don’t be afraid of structured shoulders. They can add width to your upper body, but make sure to balance it with wider bottoms and a defined waist. This creates a proportional look that’s very flattering.
- Play with Prints and Textures: Printed and textured fabrics can add dimension to your outfits. Opt for fitted styles that highlight your waist while adding interest to your overall look.
- Opt for Crop Tops: Crop tops are great for showing off your waist. Pair them with high-waisted pants or skirts to create the illusion of a curvier figure.
- Fitted Blazers: Choose blazers that are tailored to your body and flare slightly at the waist. They help define your shape and add a touch of sophistication to your look.
- Avoid Shapeless Dresses: Shapeless, drapey dresses can make you look boxy. Instead, go for styles with defined waists and fuller skirts. This will add curves and make you look more balanced.
- Experiment with Halter Tops: Halter tops are perfect for smaller busts and can make your shoulders look wider. Pair them with fuller skirts or pants to create a balanced silhouette.
- Use Fabrics to Your Advantage: Fabrics like silk and other flowy materials can add softness and femininity to your look. Look for pieces that drape nicely and add movement to your outfit.
What to Wear: Scoop neck, sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder, Turtlenecks, mandarin collars, crewnecks, halter tops, Wrap style tops, cropped tops, belted tops, shirts, Nipped or belted jackets, double-breasted styles, wide lapels, Bootcut, wide-leg, flared pants, palazzo pants, Demi boot-cut jeans, skinny jeans, Fit-and-flare, wrap dresses, empire waist dresses, Dresses with wide flares, heavy pleating, belted looser, flowy dresses, Bold colors, bright patterns, statement earrings, Belts to define the waist.
What to Avoid: Jackets, Puffy jackets, Straight leg jeans, Shapeless dresses without waist definition.
These will look awesome on your Rectangle body shape (click to shop)
How To Dress For The Apple Shaped Body
- Highlight Your Assets: Opt for clothes that fit well and avoid anything too loose or baggy. Fitted clothes that show off your figure will make you look and feel fabulous.
- Play with Colors and Patterns: Don’t shy away from bright colors and fun patterns. Just remember to place them strategically to keep the focus up and down, away from your midsection.
- Find the Right Tops: Look for tops with V-necks or scoop necks. These styles help elongate your torso and draw the eye upward.
- Choose the Right Bottoms: Go for pants and skirts that create a streamlined look. A-line skirts, bootcut, or straight-leg pants are all great options.
- Define Your Waist: Use belts to create a waistline and add some shape. This simple trick can make a big difference!
- Layer Strategically: Cardigans, blazers, and jackets that hit at the hip or below can help create a more balanced silhouette. Make sure they fit well and avoid anything too boxy.
- Opt for Structured Pieces: Structured dresses and tops that have a bit of tailoring can help create a more defined shape.
- Use Statement Accessories: Hats, scarves, and bold handbags can all help divert attention away from your midsection and add a stylish flair to your outfit.
What to wear: Fitted Tops, V-Necks and Scoop Necks, Structured Jackets, High-Waisted Bottoms, A-Line Skirts, Dark Wash Jeans, Empire Waist Dresses, Statement Accessories, Tailored Pieces, Monochrome Outfits
What to avoid: Baggy or Oversized Clothes, High-Neck Tops, Bulky Sweaters, Belted Tops at the Waist, Crop Tops, Horizontal Stripes, Boxy Jackets, Low-Rise Bottoms, Large Prints or Patterns, Shapeless Dresses
These will look awesome on your Apple body shape (click to shop)
How To Dress For The Hourglass Shaped Body
- Embrace Fitted Silhouettes: Opt for clothes that highlight your curves without being too tight. Think fitted tops and dresses that accentuate your waist.
- Define Your Waist: Always highlight your narrow waistline. Use belts, cinched styles, or dresses with built-in waist definition to draw attention to this flattering feature.
- Show Off Your Curves: Don’t shy away from showing some skin or wearing form-fitting outfits that flatter your bust and hips.
- Choose Soft Fabrics: Look for fabrics like silk, knits, and cotton that drape nicely over your curves rather than stiff fabrics that may add bulk.
- Avoid Oversized Tops: Steer clear of boxy or oversized tops that hide your waistline. Opt for tops that follow your natural body shape for a more flattering look.
- Balance Proportions: If you’re wearing a fitted top, pair it with bottoms that complement your curves without adding extra volume.
- V-Necklines and Scoop Necks: These necklines help elongate your torso and create a balanced look. They also flatter your bust area without overwhelming it.
- Avoid Too Much Detail on the Chest: Pockets, ruffles, or embellishments near the bust area can add unnecessary volume. Opt for cleaner, simpler designs.
- Tailored Pants and Skirts: Choose bottoms that follow the natural curve of your hips and thighs. A well-fitted pencil skirt or tailored trousers can be very flattering.
- Keep it Streamlined: Stick to simple, streamlined silhouettes that enhance your natural curves. Avoid overly complicated designs that can distract from your shape.
What to wear: Youre lucky if you are blessed with an hourglass figure, cause almost everything looks good on you. Still, here’s a list of what to wear.
V-neck tops, Square necklines, Scoop necklines, Sweetheart necklines, Belted or waist-detail jumpsuits, Blouson dresses, Wrap dresses, Mermaid gowns, Belted dresses, A-line coats, Belted coats, Wrap coats, Belted blazers, Fitted blazers, Fitted leather jackets, High-rise pants, Bootcut pants, Wide leg pants, Straight pants, Skinny pants, Pencil skirts, A-line skirts, High-waisted skirts, Tulip skirts
What to avoid: Straight-cut dresses, Boxy cuts in coats and blazers, Low-rise pants, Mom jeans, Straight-cut skirts
