Dressing For Your Body Type

Dressing for your body type is a way to play up or play down certain features of your body. Are you plus size? Petite? Long-waisted or short-waisted? A diamond or a pyramid? Each of these types can be enhanced by choosing the right clothes.

No matter what the current style or trend dictates, wearing clothing that is flattering to your particular body shape and size is the key to looking great at any size.

Your Pear Shape Body

If you have a classic pear shaped body, also called "A" shape, then you probably have

• full thighs and calves
• a long slender neck
• narrow shoulders
• a small to medium bust

In other words you're smaller on top and larger on the bottom. Dressing for your body type means accentuating the top half of your body and decentuating the bottom half to give you a more balanced look.

Looser tops and shirts are best to minimize the contrast between your upper and lower body. Don't wear skin tight on top. Caution: Looser does not mean baggy. Baggy actually makes you look bigger.

Look for a neckline that shows off your neck. Scoop, wide v-neck, round, square, cowl. These are all for you.

Look for details in a top that accentuate your shoulders. This balances you and minimizes the hips.

Jackets and tops should end at the hips to minimize your lower half.

The color, pattern, and texture of your outfit should be in the top. Keep your skirt or pants simple.

Choose a-line instead of form fitting skirts.

Choose boot cut pants and jeans.

A Word About The Pear Shape Body Booty

Finding jeans that fit properly can be problematic for the pear.

If they fit your waist properly, they are too tight in the hips and thighs and if they fit your hips and thighs they have a huge gap at the waist and pucker in front.

Purchase jeans that fit your "booty" and have them altered. That's the best way of dressing for your body type.and getting the right fit for you.

Wear your jeans as long as possible to elongate your look and choose solid color pants and skirts without a loud pattern.

Tips For The Apple Shaped Body

If you have an apple shaped body, also called an "O" shape then chances are that you have

• a full face and neck
• a less defined waist (you carry your weight in your midsection)
• shoulders and hips that are smaller than your tummy
• great legs

Try a monochromatic scheme for your outfits. It elongates you.

Jackets, tops, and sweaters should be longer, and end at the hip to de-emphasize the lack of a waist.

A jacket that is slightly tapered at the waist and flares slightly at the hips gives the illusion of a waist that isn't there.

Stay away from chunky, bulky clothing. It calls attention to your chunkiness and bulk.

Avoid clothing that clings to your stomach.

Lightweight fabrics are best for you and a v-neck top will elongate your body.

Boot Cut Jeans Are Best For You

Boot cut jeans are the best when dressing for your body type. They give you a balanced look. Longer jeans worn with a shoe with a heel go a long way to give that elongated look.

Stretch jeans that give definition to your buns and hips are a good look for you and they slim the tummy at the same time.

Are You A Dresses Instead Of Jeans person

An a-line or wrap dress in a slightly stretchy fabric is flattering to the apple body.

A word of caution. If you have an ample bosom an empire waist can work for you if it fits well. Without the bosom an empire waist may make an already large part of your body look even larger. Think about the empire before you purchase. Without an ample bust you'll also find the empire riding up on you.

Diamond Shape

If you have a diamond shaped body then chances are that you have

• narrow shoulders
• a smaller bust
• broad curvy hips
• somewhat generous thighs

Like the pear, look for a neckline that shows off your neck. Scoop, wide v-neck, round, square, cowl. These are all for you. Calloutbix Boat neck style tops are especially flattering when you are smaller on top. This style widens the shoulders at the same time that it shows off the neck.

Strive to elongate the bottom half of the body and stay away from jeans or skirts that accentuate your "bottom'. They will make your legs look shorter.

Try pants that are slightly tapered at the hemline.

Be sure your jackets are lose enough at the bottom so that they don't pull too tightly across the hip area.

Inverted Triangle Shape

If you have an inverted triangle shape then chances are that you have

• broad shoulders
• a medium to full bust
• an average waist
• narrow hips
• long shapely legs.

Your slender hips and shapely legs allow you to wear those hip "enhancing" styles. That means go for the pockets or anything else that makes your hips appear wider and gives you a more curvy bottom look.

You've also been blessed so show off that curvy bosom.

High set in sleeves, such as raglan sleeves, visually narrow wide shoulders and patch pockets balance wider shoulders.

Flared skirts and pants flared at the hemline will balance your wide shoulders.

A low slung belt will draw attention to the hips, balancing your figure.

Straight Shape

If you have a straight shape then chances are that you have

• an upper and lower torso that are equal in width
• an average bust
• a large rib cage
• an waist with little or no definition
• a flat bottom
• slender legs

Skip belts. They tend to accentuate your thicker waist as do skirts that are gathered or pleated at the waist.

Dropped waist skirt are a better choice to elongate the look of your upper body.

Sheath dresses or any other dress style that is looser in the mid-section are a good choice.

To elongate the neck choose v-neck styles or any other neckline that falls below your collarbone.

A longer jacket with a shorter skirt will help visually lengthen your upper torso as will a long tunic top paired with semifitted pants or jeans.

Hour-Glass Shape

If you have an hour glass shape then chances are that you have

• an ample bust
• a defined waist
• curved hips
• rounded buttocks
• shapely legs

Show off your curves by drawing attention to your waist with belts or wrap tops that tie at the waist.

Avoid oversized and baggy styles which will disguise your figure.

Semi-fitted is the most tasteful for your figure.

You have a figure that allows you to wear just about any style so enjoy!

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