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Have you ever been in a dressing room after spending tons of time perusing the store floor and selecting items you have high hopes for only to put on piece after piece that leave you feeling totally defeated? I think we've all been there before. Well, I have a secret to share with you that will hopefully change the entire way you shop and feel each and every time you head into the sometimes dreaded fitting room. Learn your body shape first! You probably have seen things like curvy, petite, tall, a plus on tags or even signs in stores or online, but you likely don't know which category you fit in if any. And you also probably don't know that there are very specific cuts and silhouettes that are designed for your body shape! Let's take that mystery out of the equation shall we? Because once you know your body shape and what is made for it, the joy can return to getting dressed!
DETERMINING YOUR BODY SHAPE
Determining your body shape is paramount to being able to find the RIGHT pieces of clothing to flatter your figure. Once you get these measurements, you'll be able to use the information below to help you find the right cuts and silhouettes for you!
Pear Shape: You are narrow in the shoulders and waist and wider in the hip.
Apple Shape: You carry weight around your middle section without a super defined waist and your legs are more narrow than your hips.
Rectangle Shape: You are basically straight up and down when it comes to your measurements. Your shoulder, waist, and hips are pretty close to the same.
Hourglass Shape: Your shoulders and hips are close in size with your waist being the smallest part of your body.
GUIDELINES FOR DRESSING AN APPLE SHAPE (click for video)
When it comes to styling the apple shape, life is sweet! Apple and inverted triangle shapes look best when playing up their full bust, their amazing legs and/or their arms. In general, silhouettes that don’t rely on a traditionally structured waistline are your hardest working pieces. So, finding ways to take the attention away from the midsection is what we are going after. Here’s a fun way to do that: A peplum waistline top, with a puff sleeve to draw the eye up, a great pair of high waisted cutoffs with ample stretch, and a fun sandal. Done and done!
Top Ideas:
Peplum
Trapeze
Kimono
Bottoms/Dresses
Boyfriend
Flared
Shift Dress
Nipped Waist Dress
CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE AND SHOP EXAMPLES OF PIECES MADE FOR THE APPLE SHAPE!
GUIDELINES FOR DRESSING A PEAR SHAPE (click for video)
The name of the game is playing with proportions that elongate the body. Pear shapes look fabulous in statement tops that draw the eye upward and highlight the waist, back, or neckline. Deep v-necks and tops with strong shoulders area great way to draw the eye up. Pair that with a nice pair of high waisted jeans that don’t pinch but highlight the tiny waist and a wedge shoe with a kimono and you are ready to rock!
Top Ideas:
Dolman Sleeve
Wrap
Peplum
Bottoms/Dresses:
Flared
Boyfriend
Wide
Paneled Waist Dress
CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE AND SHOP EXAMPLES OF PIECES MADE FOR THE APPLE SHAPE!
GUIDELINES FOR DRESSING AN ATHLETIC SHAPE (click for video)
The key to dressing an athletic or rectangular shape is to balance your broad upper half by accentuating your legs and other curves. It’s all about remembering the athletic shape rule of thumb: Keep the volume on top OR the bottom, not both. This is my body type so paying close attention to proportion is key! In this example, you see a straight leg jean and a top with volume to create some “curve” up top but not on the bottom. You just have to pick one!
Top Ideas:
Ruffle Neckline
Puffed Sleeve
Off the Shoulder
Bottoms/Dresses:
Straight
Skinny
Wide
Shift Dress
Empire Waist Dress
GUIDELINES FOR DRESSING AN HOURGLASS SHAPE (click for video)
The key to dressing an hourglass shape is two-fold: 1) define your waist and 2) show off your lovely lady shape. You have amazing curves—it’s time to embrace them in body-hugging silhouettes and pieces that hit you in all the right places. A body suit or tighter tank with some high waisted shorts with a pleat are going to be a great summer option for you!
Top Ideas:
V-Necks
Wrap
Off the shoulder
Bottoms/Dresses:
Flare
Wide Leg
A-Line Dress
Tulip Dress
At the end of the day, it’s just about understanding how to best flatter the figure and we can do it in different ways depending on yours ;) Hope this helped shed some light on how you can find the right pieces for your wardrobe. If you are on the hint for even more flattering ideas for your body type, my capsule is literally chock full of them along with a more beefy body style guide for further support. Grab it HERE!