The key to looking your best is dressing for your specific body type. Identifying your body shape and knowing which styles will flatter your natural silhouette is essential to developing a wardrobe that makes you look and feel amazing. You can enhance your natural beauty by understanding how to accentuate your assets and balance your proportions. Let’s explore some tips on how to dress for your body type.
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Dressing for Your Body Type
The first step is identifying your body shape. The main female body types are pear, apple, hourglass, banana or rectangle, and inverted triangle.
- Pear shape
- Apple shape
- Hourglass
- Banana/Rectangle
- Inverted Triangle
1. Pear shape
Pear body types have a larger hip and thigh area than the upper body. The shoulders and bust are narrower in comparison to the hips.
How to Dress a Pear Body Type
If you have a pear body type, the goal is to draw attention upwards and balance out your lower body. Specific strategies include:
- Wearing darker colors on the bottom paired with lighter shades on the top
- Choosing structured tops with shoulder pads or embellishments
- Adding volume to your upper half with sleeves, ruffles, or prints
- Drawing the eye upwards with statement necklaces
- Wearing cropped jackets and 3/4 sleeves to show off your slim upper arms
- Avoiding volume on your bottom half like ruffles, pockets, or prints
2. Apple shape
Apple body types carry more weight around the midsection and have broader shoulders and busts. Their waist is less defined and hips are narrower.
How to Dress an Apple Body Type
To flatter an apple body shape, the aim is to elongate your figure and create the illusion of more defined curves. Tips include:
- Wearing darker colors and vertical patterns to slim your midsection
- Choosing wrap dresses, empire waists, and V-necks to cinch underneath the bust
- Adding shape through layers, like cardigans and unbuttoned blazers
- Accentuating your shoulders using raglan sleeves or shoulder pads
- Drawing attention upwards with scarves, necklaces, and face-framing hairstyles
- Balancing your shape with A-line skirts and flared pants
3. Hourglass
Hourglass figures have a defined waistline with voluptuous curves at the bust and hips. Their upper and lower body are evenly proportioned.
How to Dress an Hourglass Body Type
Hourglass figures should highlight their natural curves while showcasing a nipped-in waist. Flattering strategies involve:
- Body-skimming fabrics like jerseys that conform to your shape
- Fitted wrap dresses, pencil skirts, and scoop neck tops
- Cinching dresses and tops at your narrowest point
- Showing a little leg with knee-length hemlines
- Adding flared details like pleats and peplums at the hips
- Avoiding anything too loose or boxy which hides your figure
4. Banana/Rectangle
Banana body types lack defined curves and have a straight, rectangular frame. Their waist, hips, and shoulders are relatively even in width.
How to Dress a Banana/Rectangle Body Type
To give the illusion of curves on a rectangle body shape:
- Create waist definition with belts, sashes, and tucked-in tops
- Soften your straight lines with flutter sleeves, ruffles, and rounded necklines
- Add shape by layering cropped jackets and cardigans
- Include details like bows, pockets, and Epaulettes on your shoulder line
- Try bootcut and flared pants and skirts to balance out your lower half
- Accentuate your legs while wearing heels and shorter skirts
5. Inverted Triangle
Inverted triangle body types have broader shoulders and busts with narrower hips. Their upper body is wider than their lower half.
How to Dress an Inverted Triangle Body Type
If you have an inverted triangle body shape, the aim is to balance out your proportions by broadening your lower body and softening your upper half. Tips include:
- Drawing attention downwards with details like ruffles on hems or pants
- Choosing wrap styles, halters, and split necklines to flatter your upper half
- Adding volume to your lower half with full, flared skirts and wide-leg pants
- Balancing your shoulders with horizontal details like color blocking and asymmetric tops
- Downplaying your upper half with softer fabrics and lighter colors
- Creating balance with heels when you wear dresses to events
Focus on Your Assets
Whichever body type you may be, the key is highlighting your best features. If you have great legs, show them in fit and flare dresses. If your waist is your best asset, accentuate it. Dressing for your body type helps enhance your natural beauty by creating the most flattering silhouettes for your unique shape.
