How to dress for your body type

Finding clothes that flatter your body type but still look stylish can sometimes be tricky; especially if you don't actually know what suits your body shape. This is where I can help you. Today I am going to help you figure out what body type you have and tell you what sort of clothing will flatter the body you have. No ones body shape is 'wrong' or ugly even if  we may think it. Certain body shapes are 'on trend' at different times but that doesn't mean yours isn't beautiful. Even if we work hard to change our bodies there are only a certain amount of things that can be changed. It all comes down to genetics and DNA. You will never be able to change the structure or physical shape of your body so learning to appreciate and dress for your body type will help you feel more confident and beautiful in your own body. I hope you enjoy...

Apple Shaped Body:

Women with apple shaped bodies tend to be quite top heavy. They usually have busts that are 3 or more inches larger than the hips which gives them an apple shaped figure. They normally have wide shoulders and hold more weight around the stomach. If you have an apple shaped body your top half will be bigger than your bottom half giving you slimmer legs and hips.

Tips on how to dress for an apple shaped body:

• Choose items that will draw attention away from the mid drift and will accentuate other parts of the body.
• If you want to wear detail then make sure it's on the top or bottom third of the body and not around your middle to help draw the attention away from the larger part of your body.
• Wearing tops or dresses with a V-neck and long-sleeves will help draw attention away from the waist and shoulders helping to flatter and accentuate the bust and neckline instead.
• Choose flared trousers instead of straight-leg or skinny as they will help balance out your body so your not too top heavy.
• Try wearing low-waisted skirts and trousers as high-waisted items will draw too much attention to your larger midriff.
• Try to avoid anything that is tight around the waist as it may accentuate the larger parts of your body more.
• Wearing tops that drape over the larger parts of your body will hide them without being too unflattering and baggy.
• Accessorise with a statement necklace or dangly earrings to draw attention to the top part of your body.

Pear Shaped Body:

Pear Shaped body, also known as a triangle body, is the opposite to apple shaped bodies. It is when a women has much larger bottom half and a smaller top half. Women with a pear shaped body will have wider hips, larger thighs and a bigger booty. Their shoulders will be much narrower and may slop down slightly.

Tips on how to dress for a pear shaped body:

• Wear clothing that will accentuate the shoulder and busts to help minimise the lower body. This will help balance out the top and bottom parts of your body.
• Try avoiding trousers that are tight as it will accentuate the wider part of your body and give your legs a triangle shape.
• Try wearing straight-leg or slight flared trouser instead to balance the shape of your body.
• You could try wearing a more enhancing push up bra to help keep the focus on your top half and will also help to balance out the shape.
• Avoid anything low-waisted as it will make your hips look a lot larger than they are. Instead wear high-waisted skirts and trousers to flatter the figure.
• Don't wear baggy tops as it will make you look a lot larger than you are.

Rectangle Shaped Body:

Women with a rectangle/straight body shape will usually have quite a long thin figure. Their waists, hips and bust are usually about the same size giving then no obvious curves or shape. The waistline will be very flat and straight from the bust to the hips.

Tips on how to dress for a rectangle shaped body:

• Having a curveless body can be hard but adding the illusion of curves will help to flatter your figure.
• Adding a belt around the waist when wearing dresses will help to accentuate the waistline and give the illusion of curves.
• Choosing ruffles and texture will help give your 'boyish' figure a more feminine look.
• Try to avoid masculine clothing such as baggy jeans, tops and tracksuits.
• Try wearing skinny high-waisted jeans to accentuate the waist and elongate the legs.
• Miniskirts will help show off your great legs while adding a bit more shape to the body.
• Try out shape enhancing clothing or underwear to help give you more shape and curves.
• Off the shoulder tops and dresses will help give you a feminine look and will show off your slim décolletage and neck.
• Keep away from crop tops as they will show off your straight body instead of adding curves. 

Hourglass Shaped Body:

Hourglass figures are the one women dream about having but are actually the least common body type. With an hourglass figure the hips and bust are usually equal in size and the waist is a lot narrower which creates a curvy hourglass figure. The waistline is much more defined with this figure and any fat is stored evenly over the body.

Tips on how to dress for an hourglass shaped body:

• Avoid anything that is boxy or straight as it will hide your curves. You are blessed with them so why not show them off!
• Use your waist as the main focus point in any outfit. 
• Wear tight fitted clothing and accessorise around the waist. Try clothing with detail around the waist as it will draw attention there and make your curves stand out more.
• Try tailored clothing as it will flatter your body type due to it being fitted and structured.
• Try to balance out your top and bottom half while accentuating the waistline. Try a tight fitted dress with a belt around the middle.
• Don't reveal to much bust as it can be seen as inappropriate. Instead make sure you wear a supportive bra as you don't want them to look droopy or saggy you want them to be nice and perky.
V-neck, sweet heart and halter necklines will flatter the body the most.

So there are the four main body types women tend to have and some tips and tricks on how to flatter the body you have. Just remember these tips are for people that may be self-conscious about the larger parts of the body or want to flatter the shape they have. The most important thing to remember is wear what you feel most comfortable in and don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't wear. I hope you now have a better understanding of the body type you have and how to dress for your figure. Let me know what body type you have and what your favourite outfit is to wear to help flatter it. If you like these discussion posts then head back every Friday for more. See you again soon...

Emma Victoria