Finding out your body type can be a fashion game changer!
Have you ever been frustrated with your wardrobe? You buy a shirt you absolutely LOVE...only to realize several months later that you’ve rarely worn it because you actually hate the way it looks on you? I did this ALL THE TIME and I didn’t even realize it until I was cleaning out my closet and I asked myself “what items do I REALLY TRULY want to keep and wear?” I was throwing so many “loveable” pieces to the side. WHY??? So I started thinking about what I liked and disliked about the items I was keeping and tossing. That’s when I realized I wasn’t buying clothes that looked good on me, I was just buying clothes that were on sale or a cute color.
If you’re like me and you’ve ever had that problem then you may find it really helpful to figure out how to dress for your body type. It can really change the way you look and feel about the styles you wear! As an Apple, I’ve kind of had a mom pooch my whole life, but I never stopped to think about why peplum tops looked super weird on me, or why high waisted jeans made me look even poochier. These tips may not be the absolute truth that works 100% for you, but it will definitely be a style game changer!
Basic tips for all body types:
Use colors and patterns to draw attention away from problem areas and towards your better features.
Be conscious about necklines, hemlines, and sleeves. These are often overlooked style distractions that can interrupt an otherwise well balanced look for your body type.
Pay attention to fabrics! You may have the perfect style for your body type, but if the fabric material causes it to cling, hang or flow more than you intended it to then the overall look of the style on you will likely NOT be the desired outcome.
The key for every shape is BALANCE. So if you ever get overwhelmed by all the DOs & DON’Ts for your particular body type, then just remember, it's simply about balancing your top and your bottom. Ultimately every woman wants a balanced upper and lower body with a small waist in the middle, so all you’re trying to do is accomplish that. So don’t sweat it! You got this!
Some things to keep in mind before we start:
A lot of websites lump Apple into one group, but being an Apple myself I kept coming across a lot of conflicting advice so I felt it best to keep the Ovals and Diamonds separate. Since they are both considered “Apples” I wanted to reference them as “(Apple) Oval & (Apple) Diamond” so that you would know that you may be lumped into the basic rules of the Apple on other websites...which can get confusing. Although, due to being very similar in shape, if you are an Apple try out the different styles for both the Diamond and the Oval to see what works or doesn’t work for you.
When I say “avoid high waist jeans” that means avoid showing off the waistline of the jeans (ex: tucking a shirt in or wearing a crop top). Obviously I am all about those high rise tummy tuck mom jeans now, but high waisted jeans look terrible on my shape if I showcase them.
Remember to retain your personality. Following these "rules" might make you look more balanced in an outfit, but if you've ended up hating your wardrobe because you've had to fill it with items you don't even like, then go ahead and break the rules! The whole point of figuring out your body type is to help you look and feel better in your clothes, not to make you miserable. So as the kids say "you do you!"
Body Types
Rectangle
Rectangle
Description: Your upper body tends to be the same width as your lower body. Often referred to as “boxy.”
Style Goal:
Enhance your figure by creating curves and defining your waistline.
Tips + Tricks:
Look for ways to add definition to your chest and waist.
Accentuate certain areas by using bright colors. Try pairing brightly colored tops with dark jeans to draw attention to your top half, or visa versa to accentuate your lower half.
High waisted belts give the illusion of a smaller waist and add curve to your torso.
Statement jewelry such as necklaces and earrings will also draw the eyes up.
Tops + Sleeves:
Create upper body curves with shapely tops such as scoop necks, v-necks, sweetheart, and halter necklines.
Add shape to your lower body by bringing attention to your hips with peplum (flared bottom) tops or dresses.
Interesting sleeves, such as puff, ruched, or fluttery sleeves on dresses or tops will draw the eyes up to create contrast and dimension to your rectangular frame.
Bottoms:
Look for straight or slim fit jeans rather than skinny jeans, as they can exaggerate a boxy appearance.
Fitted waistlines and belts will be your best friend! They create more of an hourglass silhouette.
Best Dress Shape:
A-Line
Empire
Ball Gown
Avoid:
Avoid! Clingy styles as well as baggy styles, both will work against your style goal.
Avoid! Skinny jeans, as they tend to exaggerate a boxy frame.
Avoid! Square necklines.
Avoid! Crop tops.
Avoid! Straight dresses and skirts.
Pear or Triangle
Pear or Triangle
Description: Your smaller upper body (shoulders, chest, and stomach) and wider lower body (hips, thighs, and bottom) are divided by a defined waistline.
Style Goal:
To add definition to your upper body (waist and chest) and to balance out your lower body.
Tips + Tricks:
Eye catching upper body details will help to diminish your wider lower body.
Wear your belts at the waist, NOT the HIPS.
Tops + Sleeves:
Keep your tops lighter in color than your bottoms to bring attention to your thin upper frame.
Blazers and jackets that stop at the hip line look best on you.
Brightly colored tops will draw attention away from your hips.
Peplum tops help to create balance.
Look for eye catching sleeves such as puff, cap, kimono, and Dolman sleeves to help add volume to your upper body for a more balanced look.
A square neckline will help to broaden your shoulders and draw the eye up.
The draped fabric created by a cowl neck can also help to draw the eye up and away from your hips.
Bottoms:
To balance out your hips, go with jeans that are boot cut or flare.
Choose straight or slim-straight jeans as an alternative to skinny jeans.
Best Dress Shape:
A-Line cut skirts will balance out your hips
Ball Gown
Wrap Dress
Avoid:
Avoid! Pencil skirts, as they will only accentuate your lower body.
Avoid! Thin straps.
Avoid! Any fabric that is pleated or gathers around the hips.
Avoid! Skinny jeans, as they will exaggerate your lower half.
Inverted Triangle or Strawberry
Inverted Triangle or Strawberry
Description: Your upper body (shoulders, chest, and stomach) measure wider than your smaller lower body.
Style Goal:
Ways to add definition to your upper body and chest, while accentuating your lower body to create balance.
Tips + Tricks:
Belts worn on your hips look best on you, as they offset a top heavy look.
Darker toned tops and lighter bottoms will create more balance.
Tops + Sleeves:
Simple uncluttered tops with soft necklines such as cowl necks, deep v-necks, or scoop necks are best.
Raglan sleeves will help to pull the eye in minimizing your shoulder width.
Peplum tops will add more shape to your hips.
Look for Dolman sleeves to add more shape to your lower half.
Bottoms:
Choose high waisted bottoms that bring attention to your hips.
Wear wide legged pants to balance a wider upper body.
Straight leg and boyfriend jeans will balance out your shape better than skinny jeans.
Midi skirts work well with your shape.
Best Dress Shape:
Empire
Sheath
A-line
Avoid:
Avoid! Thin straps that draw attention to your wider upper body.
Avoid! Waist details that draw attention to your broader waist.
Avoid! Tops that draw attention to your shoulders (ex: tops with puff sleeves).
Avoid! Heavy scarves and necklaces.
(Apple) Oval
(Apple) Oval
Description: Your middle section holds most of your weight (chest, upper arms, stomach, hips, and bottom). The Apple Shape is broken into two shapes Oval and Diamond. Diamonds have a high stomach, while Ovals have a lower stomach.
Ovals tend to have fuller bottoms and thighs.
Style Goal:
Lengthen your torso and add definition to your waist and hips. Create a more defined waistline.
Tips + Tricks:
An uplifting bra will create separation between your waistline and bra line.
Heavier fabrics are best to hide problem areas.
Tops + Sleeves:
Look for shirts and jackets that end at the hips.
Wide necklines such as boat neck, scoop neck, and V necks draw the eyes up off your midriff.
Loose fitted tops that drape or flow.
A darker toned cardigan can help elongate your torso.
A blazer or jacket will give more structure to your upper body.
Tops with Dolman, ¾, and airy sleeves will draw attention away from your upper arms.
A long vest, duster, or kimono will create lines and add length to your torso.
Wrap dresses or tops, cinched tops, and tunics look great on you.
Bottoms:
Relaxed, straight fit, or boot cut bottoms will help lean out your body.
Best Dress Shape:
A-Line
Empire
Wrap Dress
Avoid:
Avoid! Styles that emphasize the waist or hips.
Avoid! Clingy fabrics like Lycra or spandex.
Avoid! Shapeless tops or dresses.
Avoid! Tucked in tops.
Avoid! High necklines.
Avoid! Wearing belts on your hips. (Wear them higher on your waist instead.)
(Apple) Diamond
(Apple) Diamond
Description: Your middle section holds most of your weight (chest, upper arms, stomach, hips, and bottom). The Apple Shape is broken into two shapes Diamond and Oval. Diamonds have a high stomach, while Ovals have a lower stomach.
Your waist tends to be the widest part of your frame.
Style Goal:
Look for ways to downplay your midriff by adding definition to your upper body and chest to draw attention up to your shoulders and face.
Tips + Tricks:
Wear your belts high on your waist to create a more defined waistline.
An uplifting bra will create separation between your waistline and bra line.
Heavier fabrics are best to hide problem areas.
Tops + Sleeves:
Eye catching necklines, such as boat neck, scoop neck, and V necks draw the eyes up off your midriff.
Full sleeves (such as capped or puffed) and open shoulder tops will add more volume to your shoulders to help balance your torso.
Tops with Dolman, ¾, and airy sleeves will draw attention away from your upper arms.
A darker toned cardigan can help elongate your torso.
A blazer or jacket will give more structure to your upper body.
Bottoms:
Relaxed, straight fit, or boot cut bottoms will help lean out your body
Best Dress Shape:
A-Line
Ball Gown
Avoid:
Avoid! Styles that emphasize the waist or hips.
Avoid! Clingy fabrics like Lycra or spandex.
Avoid! Halter tops.
Avoid! Heavily decorated tops.
Avoid! Empire waist tops.
Avoid! Puffy or bulky material.
Avoid! High waisted pants.
Hourglass
Hourglass
Description: Your upper body and lower body are similar in width and you have a well defined waistline. Often referred to as “curvy.”
Style Goal:
Styles that tastefully accentuate your slender waistline and curves.
Tips + Tricks:
Look for fitted looks that aren’t too tight or attention drawing.
Waistline belts accentuate your waist and show off your figure.
You are one of the few body shapes to successfully pull off a jumpsuit or romper.
Try to accentuate your slender waist and avoid heavy detailing around your bust and hips.
Tops + Sleeves:
Fitted jackets can hide a larger bust area without drawing attention.
V Necks work well with your shape.
Wrap dresses and blouses are perfect for your figure.
Bottoms:
Skinny jeans and bootcut jeans look best on you.
High waisted pants look great on your figure!
Belted bottoms work perfectly with your shape.
Best Dress Shape:
A-Line
Empire
Ball Gown
Sheath
Mermaid
Avoid:
Avoid! Heavily beaded dresses.
Avoid! Low and plunging necklines.
Avoid! Bulky, boxy, and baggy tops.
Avoid! Heavy detailing around your bust and hips.
I hope this helps you on your wardrobe journey! Let me know what tips worked the best for you and your shape!
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