Have you ever seen an outfit or item of clothing on another person and thought it was SO cute, but when you tried the same thing, it was....not so much? Maybe you went into your favorite store and saw something on the hanger that you HAD to have, only to try it on and not even want to be seen in it? The reason why we encounter these situations is because women come in all different shapes and sizes. Different articles of clothing look better on one type then the other. However, despite what society would have you think, there is no "perfect" shape. The key to dressing well is not follow the trends, necessarily, it's finding the clothes that look good on your shape. I can hear you asking, How do I do that? How do I know what shape I am? Well, keep reading! :)
There are four basic shapes to go off of. Keep in mind, not everyone will fit exactly into one shape. You might even be a combination of two or more. This is just meant to be used as a guide to get an idea of what clothes to gravitate towards. The four shapes are: Pear, Hourglass, Rectangle, and Wedge.
Pear
The pear shaped woman has hips that are wider than her shoulders. She usually has a smaller chest and a bigger bottom with a more narrowed waist. Basically, her top half is smaller than her bottom half.
What To Wear:
- Darker colored bottoms
- Scarves, chunky necklaces or earrings
- Shirts with ruffles or any other accents around your neck/bustline
- Concentrate on wearing accessories on your top half
- Jeans that are boot or flare cut
- "A" line skirts and dresses
- Fabrics need to drape over you, not cling to you
- Best bathing suit style: Tankini
- Get tops that have horizontal lines or patterns
- Scarves, chunky necklaces or earrings
- Shirts with ruffles or any other accents around your neck/bustline
- Concentrate on wearing accessories on your top half
- Jeans that are boot or flare cut
- "A" line skirts and dresses
- Fabrics need to drape over you, not cling to you
- Best bathing suit style: Tankini
- Get tops that have horizontal lines or patterns
What to Avoid:
- Light colors or patterns, especially horizontal lines, over your hip area
- Skinny jeans
- Pencil skirts
- Anything that fits tightly around your hips
- Skinny jeans
- Pencil skirts
- Anything that fits tightly around your hips
The basic idea for this shape is to balance your top half to your bottom half. Also, don't wear anything that fits close around your ankles because that will bring out the width of your hips.
Hourglass
Women who are curvy have, what some people would call, a well-proportioned body. Their top half and bottom half are pretty much equal in size with a narrow waist.
What To Wear:
- Pencil skirts or close fitting dresses
- Fitted shirts
- Use belts to highlight your waist
- Straight to slightly flared pants
- Soft, clingy fabrics
- Use patterns to accentuate your shape
- Best bathing suit style: Bikini
- Fitted shirts
- Use belts to highlight your waist
- Straight to slightly flared pants
- Soft, clingy fabrics
- Use patterns to accentuate your shape
- Best bathing suit style: Bikini
What to Avoid;
- Boxy or baggy clothing
- Horizontal stripes over the widest parts of your body
- High necklines
- Horizontal stripes over the widest parts of your body
- High necklines
The saying, "If you got it, flaunt it" definitely applies to this shape. Find clothes that will accentuate your curves!
Rectangle
This shape is commonly referred to as a "boyish" shape. The shoulders, waist, and hips are all very similar in size and this woman commonly has a smaller chest. There is a no- to very little defined waistline.
What to Wear:
- Belt at natural waistline
- Empire cut dresses and tops
- Flare and skinny jeans
- Use patterns that will help create the illusion of curves (like diagonal stripes)
- Anything that cuts in at the waist and gives volume to the chest and hips
- Capped sleeves
- Empire cut dresses and tops
- Flare and skinny jeans
- Use patterns that will help create the illusion of curves (like diagonal stripes)
- Anything that cuts in at the waist and gives volume to the chest and hips
- Capped sleeves
What to Avoid:
- Boxy clothing
- Straight or boot cut jeans
- Square neckline
- Jackets that are longer than the top of your hip
- Low rise waistlines
- Straight or boot cut jeans
- Square neckline
- Jackets that are longer than the top of your hip
- Low rise waistlines
Make sure you wear volume on top AND bottom. If you wear a voluminous skirt and a fitted shirt, it will make you look bottom heavy. Likewise, if you wear a baggy shirt with a tight skinny jeans, it will make you look top heavy. The important thing is to create curves and a narrow waist with what you wear.
Wedge
The wedge shape is the exact opposite of the pear shape.This woman has a bigger bust, broad shoulders, and narrow hips.
What to Wear:
- V-neck tops
- Longer necklaces
- Light colors on the bottom, dark colors on top
- Halter tops
- Flare cut pants
- "A" line skirts
- Low/Medium cut necklines
- Longer necklaces
- Light colors on the bottom, dark colors on top
- Halter tops
- Flare cut pants
- "A" line skirts
- Low/Medium cut necklines
What to Avoid:
- Shoulder pads, big sleeves, or anything that brings attention to your shoulders
- Horizontal stripes on top
- High necklines
- Stiff fabrics
- Horizontal stripes on top
- High necklines
- Stiff fabrics
The key to this shape, just like the pear shape, is to create a balance. Try creating volume to your lower half while emphasizing a smaller waistline.
You can determine what shape you are by taking this post and looking at yourself in a mirrow to compare. Once you do that, you will know what clothing works best for you. Remember, all of us have flaws, but it is important to embrace your body shape. Combine that with THIS post about what colors flatter you and you are on your way to looking and feeling like a fashionista!
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