Article by Ceri Wheeldon
We can all make costly mistakes if we don’t understand our body shapes and buy clothes that don’t flatter. A while ago I took advantage of a groupon deal to take a module of a personal stylist’s course. I hadn’t intended to become a stylist – I took it purely out of interest and to assist me when putting together style choices for the website – and better understand what clothes best suited me. I thought it would be helpful to share some of the things I learned about identifying which body shape you are, and the best style of clothes to wear for each type.
Hourglass Characteristics:
- A full to medium bust
- Well defined waist – smaller than hips and bust regardless of size
- Shoulders and hips the same width
- Tendency to put on weight all over
Famous hourglass: Marilyn Monroe
Best styles for Hourglass to wear:
- Clothes that define your waist – such as high waisted skirts and jeans
- Single breasted blazers
- V- necks
- Pencil skirts
- Form fitting bodycon dresses
- Wrap tops
- Wear fabrics that create structure
- Elbow length sleeves to draw attention to waist
Pear Shape Characteristics
- Narrow shoulders
- Smaller bust
- Smaller waist
- Full hips
- Bust is narrower than hips – at least one dress size smaller on top than bottom
- Tendency to put on weight on bottom half
Famous Pear Shape: Beyonce
Best Styles for Pears to wear :
- Clothes that create balance and the illusion of wider shoulders
- Clothes that focus attention on the upper body – such as embellished tops
- A-line skirts, dresses and coats that skim the hips
- Pencil skirts that finish below the knee
- Double breasted jackets that are longer and finish below the hip
- Bootcut jeans – flare to the floor over the shoe to elongate legs
- Shoulder Pads
- Bell sleeves
- Statement jewellery
Athletic (sometimes called Rectangle) Characteristics
- Small bust
- Lack of curves
- Slender Arms and Legs
- Little or no waist definition (straight up and down)
Famous Rectangles: Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley
Best styles for athletic figures to wear :
- Dress to create the illusion of curves
- Draw attention to slim arms and legs
- Floaty tops – not too low cut
- Peplum jackets
- Skirts with fitted waists
- Shorter skirts to show off legs
- Embellishments
- High necks
- Vertical stripes
- Harem trousers
- Strappy shoes
- Sleeveless printed dresses
- Duster coats
Famous Rectangles: Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley
Inverted Triangle Characteristics
- Wider Shoulders
- Medium Bust
- Defined waist
- Narrow hips
- Small bottom
- Slim legs
Famous Inverted Triangles: Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore
Best styles for Inverted Triangles
- Clothes that soften the shoulders and draw attention to the waist
- Tops that have detail at the middle of the body to keep away from the shoulders
- Peplums to create illusion of hips
- Soft shoulders – no cap sleeves!
- Remove shoulder pads from jackets and add detail on lapel to draw the eye in
- A-line coats and waterfall jackets
- Pleated and tulip skirts to create volume on bottom half
- Dresses that flare at hem
- Pale trousers
- Trousers flared to floor
- Harem trousers
Apple Characteristics
- Medium to large bust
- No waist definition
- Tendency to put on weight around the middle
- Well proportioned bust and hips
Famous Apples: Mariah Carey, Oprah
Best styles for Apples
- Clothes that draw attention to bust and legs and away from tummy
- Simple v-necked tops
- Don’t tuck blouses in
- Printed blouses with camisole
- Wrap tops
- Single breasted jackets and coats
- Wear jackets open
- A-line skirts to balance figure
- A-line dresses with sweetheart necklines
- Printed trousers
- Skinny or bootcut jeans
So there you have it. The definitive list of what to wear for your bodyshape 