You've got to learn that everyone has a different body shape and that's okay. You shouldn't force your body to be something that it's not because that would be wrong and cruel on so many levels. Never feel that you need to torture your body just to look a certain way.
Your body will look good on some things, and on others it will not. What may look good on your body might not look good on someone else's and vice versa. That's just the way that it was meant to be.
And that is why you've got to dress for your own personal shape and not for anyone else's.
Before I get into the depths of dressing for the different body shapes, I would like to first mention that you should accept your body for all that it has gone through and for supporting you with every life choice that you've made. You were given the gift of the body that you are in, so love it for what it is.
Okay, now let's get onto the good stuff....
Like I've mentioned throughout this book: there are five main body shapes and you might not just fit into one category and one category alone, but you can categories into two body shapes, and that's okay.
Let me give you a simple explanation on the five body shapes and what their tendencies are:
Hourglass
- Your body would be described as "curvy"
- Your waist is well-defined
- Your hips, bust and shoulder measurements are roughly even
- You may have fuller busts, hips and thighs.
Straight
- You're not really described as curvy
- Your shoulders and hip measurements are practically equal
- Your waist is more straight up-and-down rather than defined or small
- Your weight is fairly evenly distributed throughout your entire body.
Pear
- Your waist is wider than your bust
- You're known to have fuller hips
- Your shoulders are narrower than your hips
- Your bum is usually fuller.
Apple
- Your body distributes body fat fairly evenly
- Your shoulders are fuller and wider than your hips
- Your hips aren't considered to be curvy
- You don't have a well-defined waist, (but if you do, you're an hourglass!)
Inverted triangle
- Your shoulders are wider than your hips
- Your bust is usually on the larger side
- Your hips are small in comparison with your upper body
- Your legs are a good shape.
Okay so now that we've got the characteristics for each of the five main body types out of the way, it's now time to get onto how to dress each of them....
Hourglass
There are two very specific guidelines for dressing the hourglass shape; 1) define your small waist, and 2) show off your very lady-like figure.
With the hourglass body shape, you need to wear things that show off your defined waistline whilst showing off your neckline: which means you need tops that are fitted! Thankfully, your curves are already pretty well-balanced which means that you don't need to be picky when choosing what and when to wear tops. Just make sure that it shows off your small waist.
Much like tops, make sure your coats and jackets show off your narrow waist. Stay away from any boxy styles, and instead go for options that draw the eye to the narrowest part of your torso, (hint: your waist!)
The hourglass shape was made for dresses, so you're in luck when choosing your next dress style! Make sure to pick dresses that show off your naturally slim waist such as wraps and fit and flare.
And if you are wearing a dress that doesn't do your waistline justice, just add a waist belt!
If you have a great stomach, good for you: you can wear more low-rise jeans. But if you are anything like me, who is afraid of their tum: opt for more high-rise jeans as this style hides all the extra fat around the lower mid-section area.
The most important thing to remember when dressing the hourglass figure is to ALWAYS focus on defining the waistline.
Straight
There are specific guidelines for dressing the straight/athletic shape; try to balance your broader upper half by showing off your legs and other curves. And remember one thing about this shape: keep the volume either on top or on bottom.
An athletic shape looks their best when showing off their muscular arms, defined shoulders and showing off their waist.
If you are more on the curvy side, pick what to show off most in your look: your shoulders, your collarbone, and/or your arms.
If you're slim, you'll look great in a fitted and structured style of jacket. You can play up to whatever sort of look you want when it comes to coats, because your body shape is the easiest out of all the shapes to dress....lucky you!
Most dress styles look great on you, so you have lots of options to choose from. Depending on where you want to draw the attention to, choose a style that will best give you that freedom. But make sure to only show off one body part when wearing a dress: as you want to come across as classy, never trashy.
You also have a lot to work with in terms of trouser styles. But the best rule is to work with what goes with your top. Try a little bit of trial and error before you find what best works for you.
Pear
There are specific guidelines for dressing the pear shape; try elongating the shape of your body whilst trying to highlight the waist or the neckline.
The tops that pear shapes should wear are off limits. Practically anything goes! You can experiment with bright colours and bold patterns if you wish.
Try and find pieces that are more fitted or structured to show off your curvy shape whilst making your waistline that bit narrower.
Your best jackets are ones that are mid-thigh length. Boxy coats can actually work really well on you, so long as you can still keep definition in the waistline.
Almost any style of dress goes! So you can take your pick at the options available.
Since you are going a bit bolder on your top half, make sure to tone-down the bottom half: things like dark wash jeans are your best bet.
Apple and Inverted Triangle
There are specific guidelines for dressing the apple and the inverted triangle shape; you look best when experimenting with your full bust, showing off your legs and/or your arms.
The best tops for the apple and inverted triangle body shape are the following: breezy A-line silhouettes, flowy tunics, relaxed boyfriend button-ups and V-neck anything!
Your best jackets are styles that hit at the hip or upper thigh. So you can work with just about any style that reaches that level.
Strapless dress styles look great on you so you can have as much fun with them as you like. Wrap dresses can be your key advantage as they can cover up the parts of your body that you are the most insecure about.
If you are a big fan of your legs: go for mini dresses.
And if you are on the curvy side and wish to lose weight while wearing your dress: wear diagonal stripes and darker colours as they will always be techniques that are used for the slimming effect.
Your jean and trouser options are on a wide spectrum, so take your pick! If you are wanting to look slimmer in your appearance: try skinny or slim jeans in dark washes as they will be the most effective.
