Throughout my time at college, when I tell people that I’m in the process of losing weight, they look at me in shock and tell me I look perfectly in shape. I spend the next few moments explaining to them that I’m not in shape at the level that I would like to be, and revealing that I know how to hide my flaws by the way I dress.
So, let’s talk about dressing right for your body!
Types of Body Shapes:
Typically, you have five main female body shapes, hourglass, apple, pear, rectangle, and inverted triangle.
Hourglass: The classic Marilyn Monroe body shape, this body shape is typically characterized by your chest and hip measurements being the same, but having a very defined smaller waist. This shape is often referred to as the “curvy” shape.
Pear: Now this is my body shape. Pear shaped women typically have smaller shoulders but very wide hips. The waist is larger than the chest, and this body shape is more oriented with “big butt” body shapes.
Apple: This body shape is the one where most of your weight in your upper body (hips and up). Your body is generally well proportioned; however, this shape is not quite as curvaceous as the hourglass and pear figure.
Inverted Triangle: This figure is exactly what you picture, a woman with shoulders that are wider than her hips, and perhaps the waist goes in slightly. The main focus on this body type is the contrast between the width of the shoulders and the smallness of the hips.
Rectangle: This figure is often referred to as the “box” figure. A rectangle body typically has chest and hip measurements that are the same, body weight is evenly proportioned, and is not considered curvy.
How to Dress Each Type:
Hopefully, you’re able to identify yourself in one of those five categories; however, if you didn’t find the exact fit, there are many other body types to research into, but feel free to combine the advice from multiple figures to yours! Remember each body is unique, so don’t compare yourself to others.
Hourglass: Accentuate your waist! One of biggest things for this body type is to show off the tiny waist. Wear clothing that brings attention to your curves. Pencil skirts and jeans that flare at bottom add to the curves of your body. Now this does not mean to wear skin tight clothing, always make sure that the things you wear accentuate the good things not the bad things.
Pear: The A-line style is where it is at for you ladies. Bring attention to your smaller upper body and show off your tiny upper frame. Make sure to get shirts that end at your hips to show the curve of your hips. Avoid low waisted bottoms, as this style tend to show the wideness of your hips and can show excess fat (muffin top). Go for higher waisted bottoms to slim your hips and make your waist smaller.
Apple: Avoid accentuating the waist, with this shape, it tends to show curves that aren’t necessarily the good ones. Focus more on your chest and bringing proportionality to your body as a whole. V-necks combined with flared jeans are a good combination as it helps bring the appearance of an evened-out body. Flowy materials work best with this shape as it typically shows the curves of apple shaped women the best. So, pull out those maxi-dresses!
Inverted Triangle: This body type works with most style of clothing, which is awesome; however, make sure to avoid tops that make your upper body larger, i.e. horizontal stripes, off-the-shoulder tops, and baggy tops. Focus more adding thickness to your lower body. A-line fashion works amazing as it makes your body look fuller on the bottom without make the upper body big.
Rectangle: Avoid clothes that are straight (pencil skirts, etc.). This style tends to show that your body is not curvaceous. Go for longer blouses that extend past the hips and A-line dresses/skirts. Knee-length skirts and dresses tend to add more curves to your body and make you look thinner. Low waisted bottoms work best, as they give an illusion of curvier hips.
These are just pointers for dressing right! Remember to show off the good parts, and don’t sacrifice your figure for current fashions. The point of fashion is to accentuate your figure, not to fit you into it. Make sure everything fits you in a way that you feel good and shows the good things.