How to Dress For Your Body Type: Style Tips for Each Shape

Understanding Your Body Type

Finding the right clothes that fit and flatter your body can sometimes feel like an impossible task. With so many styles and trends to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed. However, knowing your specific body type can make getting dressed so much easier. Once you understand your shape and proportions, you can begin choosing items that highlight your best assets and balance out your figure.

What Are the Different Body Types?

There are a few main somatotypes or body types that most women fall into. These include:

Pear shape - Broader hips and thighs with a narrower waist and shoulders
Apple shape - Fuller waist with slimmer hips and thighs
Hourglass - Proportional bust and hips with defined waist
Rectangle - Straight figure, minimal curves throughout
Inverted triangle - Broader shoulders and bust, narrower hips

You may find you're a blend of two body types. Don't stress about fitting perfectly into one category. The goal is to understand your general shape to guide your fashion choices.

How to Determine Your Body Type

Wondering which silhouette you fit into? Here are some easy ways to discern your body type:

Look at the relationship between your shoulders, waist, and hips. Which area is the widest and narrowest?
Enlist a friend to observe your figure from the front, side, and back. Where do they notice the most curve?
Think about where you tend to gain and carry weight. Is it in your belly, thighs, etc.?
Consider your bone structure and musculature. Do you have a broader frame or more delicate build?
Look at your natural waist. Does it taper in dramatically or is it less defined?

You can also take an online body type quiz. These will ask you a series of questions about your figure before revealing which somatotype is your closest match.

Dressing for an Apple Body Type

If you have an apple body type, your silhouette resembles an apple on a stem. You likely gain weight easily in your midsection while other areas remain straight. Here are some tips for dressing your apple shape:

Draw attention upward with statement necklaces, scarves, and face-framing haircuts.
Choose wrap dresses, empire waists, and A-line skirts to balance your shape.
Select structured tops with princess seams or vertical details to slim your core.
Go for straight leg and bootcut jeans to balance your waist.
Pick jackets and coats that cinch at your narrowest point.
Try tunic-length tops or layered looks to camouflage your midsection.

Stay away from anything too boxy, baggy, or oversized up top. Fitted styles that skim your waistline rather than cling to it will be most flattering.

Flattering the Hourglass Figure

With an hourglass shape, your bust and hips are well-balanced while your waistline is clearly defined. You likely have nice curves! Dresses are a great option since they cinch in at the waist area. Additional tips include:

Highlight your waist. Try belts, wrap styles, and fitted dresses.
Look for v-neck, wrap, sweetheart, or square necklines to accentuate your bust.
Aim for crisscross, peasant, or off-the-shoulder tops to show off your beautiful collarbones.
Go for flared skirts and structured shifts that balance out your figure.
Pick stretchy fabrics that hug your curves in all the right places.

Be sure to choose the right bra to lift your girls. Well-fitting foundation garments make all the difference.

Dressing the Rectangle Frame

Women with a rectangle body shape often lack much curve in their bust, waist, and hip measurements. If you have a straight up and down figure, look for clothes that add volume while showcasing your long, lean physique. Strategies include:

Add shape with peplum tops, off-the-shoulder styles, and wrap dresses.
Go for wide belts and statement jewelry to accentuate your waist.
Look for ruffles, patterns, and asymmetric styles to bring interest to your figure.
Try cropped, tapered, or kick flare pants to balance your straight hips.
Stick to straight leg jeans over skinny jeans which cling to your legs.
Cinch loose cardigans and blazers at the waist for a pulled together look.

Be wary of boxy shapes and oversized styles that overwhelm your petite frame.

How to Dress an Inverted Triangle Body

With an inverted triangle shape, your shoulders and bust are much broader than your slim hips. Clothes that add volume to your lower half while minimizing torso width are most flattering. You'll want to:

Accentuate your legs with shorts, mini skirts, and dresses right above the knee.
Try darker colors on top and lighter shades on bottom for balance.
Look for wrap styles, cowl necks, and v-necks to soften your upper body.
Pick sleeveless or cap sleeve tops to show off toned arms.
Opt for shallow v-necks over plunging necklines that expose your decolletage.
Add layers like cropped jackets and kimonos that finish at the hip or above.

Avoid anything too voluminous up top like oversized sweaters or statement shoulders.

Tips for Dressing a Pear Body Shape

If you have a pear body type, your hips are wider than your shoulders and you tend to gain weight in your lower body. Play up your defined waistline while balancing out your bottom half. Try:

A-line dresses and structured tops that highlight your waist.
Dark-colored bottoms paired with light tops to draw the eye upward.
Pants with tapered legs, boot cut, or flared styles to add curve.
Flowy, peplum, and babydoll tops that camouflage wider hips.
Pencil skirts that hug your hips and flare at the knee.
Heels to elongate your legs and add symmetry.

Steer clear of skinny jeans, drop-waist dresses, and boxy tops that hide your waistline.

Finding Styles That Fit Your Body Type

From minimizing areas you dislike to playing up your best assets, dressing for your body type really works! The key is choosing flattering clothes that enhance your natural silhouette. Once you know how to accentuate your shape, getting dressed can be exciting and fun.

Focus on finding fabrics, patterns, and silhouettes that work for your proportions. Be adventurous and try styles outside your comfort zone too. With the right know-how, you can look and feel amazing in virtually any outfit. So get out there and start dressing your beautiful body with confidence.

FAQs

What are the main female body types?

The main female body types are pear, apple, hourglass, rectangle, and inverted triangle.

How can I figure out my body type?

You can determine your body type by observing where you carry weight, the relationship between your shoulders, waist and hips, your bone structure, and where you have the most curves.

What clothes should an apple body type avoid?

An apple body type should avoid boxy, oversized, and baggy styles on top that add bulk to the midsection. Clingy tops should also be avoided.

What is the best neckline for an hourglass figure?

V-necks, wrap styles, sweetheart necklines, and square necklines are great for showing off the hourglass figure's bust.

How can I minimize my shoulders and arms if I have an inverted triangle shape?

Those with an inverted triangle shape should go for v-neck tops, sleeveless styles, and layers like cropped jackets to draw attention away from broad shoulders.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.