How to Dress for Your Body Type

Have you ever tried on the latest style to find that it just doesn’t suit you? Dressing for your body type can have quite the impact on your appearance. Following these fashion rules can help you put your best face/body forward. BUT don’t get us wrong: if it makes you happy, wear it!

There are 5 different body types:

1. Apple
2. Hourglass
3. Pear
4. Rectangle
5. Strawberry

First, find your body type:

THE APPLE

1. Large midsection where most of the weight is carried and slim legs.
2. Celeb example: Drew Barrymore, Oprah Winfrey, Catherine Zeta Jones

THE HOURGLASS

1. Small waist with wider hips and shoulders. Hips and shoulder width generally mirror each other.
2. Celeb example: Dita von Teese, Kim Kardashian, Salma Hayek

THE PEAR

1. Your shoulders are the narrowest aspect of your body, followed by a wider waist and wider hips. Most of the weight is carried on the hips.
2. Celeb example: Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Shakira, Rihanna, Kate Winslet

THE RECTANGLE

1. The width of your shoulders, chest, waist, and hips mirror each other, and your weight is evenly distributed.
2. Celeb example: Venus Williams, Sienna Miller, Anne Hathaway, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow

THE STRAWBERRY

1. Wide shoulders, smaller midsection, narrow hips.
2. Celeb example: Demi Moore, Teri Hatcher, Dolly Parton, Naomi Campbell

So now that you know your body type, how do you showcase it best?

APPLE

With this body type you will want to showcase your legs and bust line while defining your waist. Depending on your bust size, you’ll want to either define your waist right below the bust line, or the narrowest part of your waist. Avoid clothing that will cut your legs off in the middle such as: mid calf dresses (unless you plan on wearing sky high pumps) or capri pants. Aim for items that end mid knee or just above the knee. Show off those legs girl! Keep your midsection free from any busy patterns, tightness, or embellishments if you’re trying to camouflage that area.

HOURGLASS

This body type is quite well balanced, so you’ll want to stick with that silhouette by keeping the waist well defined. Extra embellishments are not needed in the bust or waist area as this will add to much visual weight, so try to keep it simple.

PEAR

Because of a pear’s accentuated hips, you will want to add width and volume to the bust and/or shoulder area to keep things balance. Avoid adding weight to the midsection with heavy pieces that are not tailored into the waist, as you will want to maintain your waistline. To avoid over accentuating the bottom, keep heavy fabrics and busy prints to the upper half and keep it simple around your hips and bottom.

RECTANGLE

This silhouette is one you’ll often see on the runway, which is great for focus being placed on the garment. This is not-so-good in the real world, because you want to be the one wearing the garments, not the garments wearing you! For this body type, you’ll want to add some shape to the bust and hips. You can do this by wearing pieces that are curvy that come in at the waist to avoid a boxy look.

STRAWBERRY

Because of the strawberry’s broad shoulders, you’ll want to balance shoulders with hips. Keep it simple up top and avoid accentuating the shoulder area and focus on accentuating your waist and hips with heavier curvy pieces for the lower half. If you are petite, avoid pant or dress lengths that will cut you off mid-calf. You’ll want to maintain a long silhouette with tapered waist to offset the shoulders.

QC’s Fashion Styling Course outlines even more about dressing for your body type. Check it out here!