Knowing how to dress according to your body shape is one of the most important elements in constructing a good-fitting wardrobe that builds confidence and power. Every individual’s body shape is different. Hence, you can wear clothes that emphasize your natural curves and lines and play down the areas that do not really excite you. Whether you are curvy, athletic, or in between, these body type style tips will provide you with ensembles that will make you feel and look great.

Clothing should, ideally, be catered towards a particular body structure, hence the need for a body shape analysis first. Every body is different on their own, but when it comes to fashion, body types are estimated and classified into different body shapes. These include;

  • Hourglass: is characterized by a well-defined waist where the bust and hips are almost the same width.

  • Apple: your waist remains the widest section of your body and tends to have a protruding belly.

  • Pear: is the opposite of a broad bust as the hips are wider than the bust with a small waist.

  • Rectangle: Structures where there is more or less the same width from shoulders, through the waist to the hips; and the waist measurement is less defined.

  • Inverted Triangle: This is where a person has broad shoulders with a narrow waist and hips.

Hourglass:

an hourglass figure is considered the ideal image of a woman possessing a well-defined waist, and even proportioned bust and hip sizes. For an hourglass body shape, the main objective while dressing is to enhance your shape without tampering with the aesthetics of balance and proportions. 

Body Type Style Tips for Hourglass Shapes: 

  • Wear Fitted Outfits: Fitting dresses with waist levels and forms like wrap dresses or belted coats and tailored blazers tend to enhance the contours of the figure.

  • V-necks: Wearing a V-necked top or dress will help draw out the neck, and the facial features, while the bust area is nicely rounded off without unnecessary extensions.

  • High-waisted trousers and skirts: These trousers and skirt styles tend to have the advantage of creating the illusion of longer legs and a more defined waist.

  • Peplum tops and dresses: These peplum dress designs feature waistband emphasis and hip structure without extending the waist.

Apple:

Apple-shaped bodies are characterized by a wider upper body with rounded shoulders and rather smaller lower bodies with narrower hips. The most crucial aspect in dressing up this body shape is to de-emphasize the waist and instead enhance the legs, the bust and the shoulders. 

Apple Figure Body Type, Style Tips:

  • Empire waist dresses: These dresses are ‘tailored’ just beneath the bust however the dress doesn’t cling to the body but fans out hiding the waist and focusing the attention on the upper body.

  • A-line skirts and dresses: A-line cuts help balance out the proportions of an apple body by providing volume to the lower half,  the A-line cuts balance out the lower extremities and the focus remains on the upper body.

  • V-necklines or scoop necklines: Such necklines create an illusion of a long neck hence eliminating the short vertical line effect of the head cut off by shoulders.

  • Tailored jackets and blazers: Choose the ones that are slightly shaped at the waist to avoid the boxy styles that make you look broad.

Pear:

A pear-shaped figure is generally characterized by a smaller bust and well-defined waist, which are also larger than the waist. The purpose of the style is to draw attention to the upper body and deemphasize the lower body in order to create a more balanced profile.

Style Tips for Pear Body Shapes: 

  • Dark colours bottoms: Bottoms in darker shades such as black, navy and charcoal help contour the hip and thigh regions.

  • A-line skirts and dresses: Dresses in A-line cuts tend to help reduce the severity of wider hips and create a more balanced overall figure.

  • Wear eye-catching tops: Use bright, expansively patterned oms or necklines with interesting designs to grab the attention of onlookers towards your upper half.

  • Wide-neck or boat-neck tops: Such designs help create the appearance of a broader torso helping the body to appear proportionate.

Rectangle:

The rectangular shape of the body comes with a straight, athletic build with relatively less curvature of the waist. The intention behind this choice of attire is to give the body a shape and create the illusion of having curves, especially on the torso.

Style Tips for Rectangle Figures:

  • Peplum tops and skirts: Peplum detailing creates volume at the hips, creating the effect of possessing curves.

  • Belted outfits: A belt incorporated in a dress or coat is aimed at narrowing the waist to create an hourglass shape.

  • Tailored pieces: These will include structured blazers, tailored pants as well as high-waist skirts which will probably enhance the curves and also shape your body nicely.

  • Layering: Adding a waist-length jacket or a cardigan also helps in adding shape to the upper part of the body.

Inverted Triangle:

The inverted triangle figure is typified with wide shoulders, a small waistband and narrow hips. The most important aspect of choosing clothes for this type is managing the proportions by concentrating on the lower body and making it more prominent.

Style Advice for Inverted Triangle Body:

  • A-line skirt or a flared pant: Such designs are effective in adding volume and balancing out the broader upper part of the body.

  • V-necks or scoop necks: This design feature distracts attention from the overgrown upper body and balances view by drawing the eye down-counteracting the scoop.

  • Bright Color on the Bottom: It is recommended to wear so for tops, pants, skirts and even dresses which will be eye-catching due to their bright colour, or colourful prints.

  • V-necks or scoop necks: This design feature distracts attention from the overgrown upper body and balances view by drawing the eye down-counteracting the scoop.

Dress for Your Body, Embrace Your Style:

Understanding how to dress for your body type is not about trying to change who you are but enhancing your original form in a comforting and confident manner. Wearing outfits flawlessly and following the body shape fashion guide tips do help in creating one’s different and motivating looks. Love your bulges or trim the excess, and most importantly, make sure that the way you dress represents who you are.