Do you ever have trouble dressing yourself? Can’t figure out which tops or bottoms make you look the best? The answer lies in your body type or body shape. There are five different body types and each type is best suited for different types of clothing. Read on to learn how to dress for your unique shape.
Knowing your body type is the first step to finding clothes that flatter you. There are 5 body types. Below I’ve described and offered clothing suggestions for each. The key is to emphasize the positive and down play the negatives.
1. Apple – this body type is “top heavy.” Apple bodies have a wide torso including a full bust, waist and upper back. They also have broad shoulders. They may have slim arms, legs, and hips. Weight gain will normally go towards the waist line. In general, the upper body is noticeably larger compared to the lower body.
Tops: Avoid tops with puffy sleeves or tops that are baggy. This will only add to your already heavy top. Try a tunic style top that skims around the waist. An empire waist shirt (waistline begins under the bust) will also work nicely by drawing the attention away from your stomach. You want your shirts to reach below your waistline. For a more balanced look, go with a shirt that falls at the largest point of your hips. Layer it up by wearing a layered blouse over a tank top. This will camouflage your tummy and other trouble spots. You might also consider wearing a belt over your shirt, letting it ride lower over your hips. This will minimize your larger bottom. With respect to neckline, going lower will move the eye upwards. Boat necklines, turtlenecks and collared shirts will also look nice. Knits and woven fabrics will flatter your body shape as well.
Bottoms: Avoid skinny legged pants in most cases. The exception is if you are wearing a longer tunic over the skinny pants. Apple shaped bodies normally have great legs and hips so they can pull off a hip-hugging jean that will emphasize their curves. To create a more balanced look you need to fill out your lower half. Try wide-legged or flare pants and wide-legged capris to showcase slim ankles. Look for jeans with front and back pockets. This will help to disguise your rounder midsection while flattering your curves. Avoid pleated pants and opt for a flatter front. When choosing a skirt, you want one that is fuller, with a flare and a higher waistline. This will disguise a large stomach. Avoid slim fit miniskirts and tight clothes as this will further exaggerate your broad top and slimmer lower body.
2. Pear – this body type is the exact opposite of an apple shape and it is extremely common. Pear bodies are noticeably smaller on top than they are on bottom. Weight gain will normally go to the hips and thighs, therefore pear bodies will appear larger in this area. This body type may have a slender neck with narrow shoulders. Pears will always have a curvy bottom.
Tops: You want to draw attention to your shoulders. Choose shirts that have wide necklines like a boat neckline or a scoop neck. Square necklines will widen the shoulders to create more balance. Buttons or ties at the neck will also bring the eyes up. Avoid shirts that are too tight and too loose. Semi-fitted, tailored tops look best. Shirts that are defined at the waist will highlight your waist, a feature you want to show off. Belted and cinched tops work well with a pear shape. For a jacket or blazer, make sure that the bottom doesn’t hit the widest part of your hips. You want it to fall slightly above or at waist level. Avoid jackets that have two slits or vents at the back, especially if you have a larger backside that needs a little extra coverage. Go with a single vented jacket or a jacket without any slits at all.
Bottoms: Avoid high-waisted, shapeless jeans and skirts and opt for the younger, slightly lower rise styles. Go with waistlines that rest slightly below your natural waistline. Flatter your defined waist and small backside with wide-legged pants and deep dark colors. Larger pockets on the back of your pants will make your butt look a bit smaller. Your perfect pair of pants or jeans would have oversized pockets that taper at the bottom. This makes your butt look rounder and your thighs look smaller. With a skirt, choose flowing fabrics that minimize your larger bottom half. Straight, A-Line cut skirts are ideal for your body shape. The A-line cut will help to conceal some of your problem areas through the hip and thigh.
3. Rectangle – this body type has very little curve. Rectangle bodies have small frames and are considered athletic or slim. These are those “skinny” bodies that will many times wear petite or tall sizes. They also often times have a small chest size. The rectangle body looks straight up and down. Weight gain would deposit evenly throughout the body.
Tops: The goal is to add some curves. To achieve this try tops with necklines that fall below the collarbone. This will elongate the neck and upper body. Find flowing “blousy” shirts to help soften your shoulders and arms. Tops that cinch at the waist can add some curves to your frame as can certain embellishments. Simple ruffles, lace, or even a neck tie can make your waist look smaller and give you are more feminine look. A longer suit jacket will help to lengthen your upper body. Shirts with pockets on the bust line will also emphasize that area and give the appearance of curves.
Bottoms: Avoid details around the hips and do not cuff your pants or jeans, as this can make your legs appear stumpy. Choose bootcut and wider-legged styles that will flatter your muscular legs. Look for a pair of pants that have a larger opening at the ankle than at the thigh. This will make your thighs appear slimmer. Skinny jeans will only add pounds to your frame so try to avoid this style. Avoid belts and pleats at the waistline also as these can broaden your waistline, working against your illusion of curves. Choose an A-line skirt with a dropped waist to slenderize. Some added feminine accents around the hemline can broaden the lower half of your body and also draw the eye to that area.
4. Hourglass – this body type is the one that most women want. It is considered curvy but proportional. Hourglass bodies have well defined waists with hips and shoulders that are well balanced. Weight gain distributes evenly throughout the body with this body type as well.
Tops: You have plenty of options to choose from and not much to avoid. The key here is to draw attention to your well-defined waist. Your best choice is going to be a wrap top that sits just at your waist. Choose semi-fitted clothes instead of a too tight or oversized styles that will overpower your frame. Too many accessories or prints can also be overwhelming. Bold stripes and plaids may flatten your curves, whereas soft, delicately patterned fabrics will accentuate. V-neck and boat neckline tops look nice with an hourglass figure also.
Bottoms: Once again, you want to accentuate your waist so wear pants that have defined waistlines with belts or contoured waistbands. Straight or wide legs will showcase your curves as will soft pleats and darts. Flat front pants will also look nice. Feel lucky that you don’t have any real “off limit” areas when it comes to the pants and skirts you wear.
Tops: You want to accentuate the positive by wearing low cut or v-neck shirts. This draws the eye to the bust line, one of your best assets, and also helps to elongate and slenderize your neck. Avoid tight-fitting tops that will showcase your larger midsection and avoid overly large sizes that will make you look larger than you actually are. You want your clothes to skim your body. Avoid horizontal and diagonal stripes, and opt instead for vertical strips that can make you appear slimmer. Turtlenecks and large, busy prints will not flatter a round body type.
Bottoms: If you have nice legs, go with some capris or knee-length skirts. Wear a belt to narrow your waistline and make you appear slimmer. Stay with fitted skirts, like a pencil skirt, when you have a round body type. This will accentuate your legs and bring the eye away from your midsection. Skirts and pants with a straight style look best. Avoid tapered, pleated, and cargo pants as these will give you an even fuller figure.
Hopefully your next shopping trip won’t seem quite so daunting now that you have an idea of which styles will be the most flattering on you. Remember, use your own judgement about what looks best.
