Dressing for your body type

Every woman has had, at some point, issues dressing for their body type. Even with the countless hours of shopping it can still be a struggle. Styling is about wearing clothes to balance out your frame and create an enviable silhouette, here are some tips to assist you in achieving this.

Hourglass – Characterised by a curvy bust and hips with a slimmer waist

Hourglass-shaped celebs: Beyonce, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, Vanessa Minnillo

1. Structured jackets - they will give your shoulders more definition, pull you in at the waist and skim your hips.
2. Belt it – cinching a belt will work wonders to help define the waist (also ideal for apple, slender and athletic shapes. Additionally, wear a belt in a contrasting colour to the rest of your outfit, this will highlight your waist and show off your shoulders and legs.
3. Wearing matching coloured tights and shoes will elongate your legs, making you look taller and slimmer.
4. Peplum detail will create a line down from the waistline to the hip, this will exaggerate curvy hips.
5. All skirts are suited to your body shape, however the pencil skirt is the most flattering
6. straight legged jeans or pants that skim your thighs and are cropped at the ankle work well.

Apple – Characterised by rounded tummy, big bust, slim hips, great bum and legs

Apple-shaped celebs: Drew Barrymore, Queen Latifah, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Hudson

1. Clothes that sculpt your midriff will bring in your waist and draw attention to your favourable parts, the cleavage and legs.
2. Body control underwear will help define your middle area, pulling in at the waist.
3. Open necklines, such as V-necks and scoop necks are good for apple shapes as your often have a great bust.
4. Wrap dresses are always a winner as they fit nicely over a fuller bust. A side tie on the dress will draw attention away from the stomach.
5. A-line skirts will make your waist line look smaller as it is a fuller skirt.
6. Don't be afraid to use colour. Vibrant patterns will gloss over problem areas and strong block colours will accentuate your best bits. Think bright jacket pieced with a patterned top underneath.

Pear – Hips, thighs or bum are bigger than the upper half. Ok so sometimes your bum does look big in this, but chances are you have slim shoulders and great boobs

Pear-shaped celebrities: Kim Kardashian, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Katherine Heigl

1. Strapless tops and dresses help show off your slimmer top half.
2. Spaghetti and embellished strappy tops are great as they show off your arms, shoulders and decolletage.
3. Shoulder padded jackets will help broaden your top half and balance out your hips
4. Jackets that cut off above the hip line will have a flattering look.
5. Minimise wide hips with dark solid colours on your bottom half.
6. Thin belts will help showcase your waist
7. A-line skirts, or skirts with front pleats work well as they make the waist look small whilst skimming over the hips.

Slender/petite – Slim with few curves

Rectangle-shaped celebs: Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Hilary Swank

1. Clothes that will create volume, look for details such as frills, fluted edges and ruffles.
2. Chunky statement necklaces falling around the bust area can create the impression of a bugger bust.
3. Stay away from large print as they can drown out your dainty frame.
4. Draping will give soft lines across the body and will create volume in your more petite areas.
5. A cowl line will drape over bust adding extra curve
6. Trapeze-style jackets have lots of fabric to play with. Cinch it in at the waist with a belt, the material underneath will act as a peplum adding volume to the hips.
7. Fitted jackets, such as a slim-fitted boyfriend blazer adds flattering definition to your frame.

Inverted triangle – Characterised by shoulders being broader than the hips

Wedge-shaped celebs: Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore, Renee Zellweger, Teri Hatcher

1. Add width to your hip line with asymmetric garments or waisted jackets to help balance out your broader shoulders.
2. Avoid any detail on shoulders as this can make you look bulkier.
3. Wrap tops are perfect for inverted triangles, especially if you have a fuller bust.
4. Tulip, peplum and loose pants will help create volume on your lower half. Make sure you draw them in at the waistline with a belt.
5. Print can help add bulk and add volume to your lower half, drawing the focus away from a broader upper body.
6. Long necklaces will create a focus in the centre of the body.

Hope these tips have helped and remember confidence is key! 

xo.