What to wear to compliment your body shape

Each person has their own individual fashion style some people prefer smart and tidy, others prefer casual and comfortable. However, just because you like a certain style, it doesnt mean that it will necessarily suit your body shape and skin tone.
Our body shape, build and skin tone actually dictate how our clothes look on us; once you know your body build, shape and tone you can choose the correct colours and fits to suit you.

This what not to wear series helps you to understand exactly what your body shape, build and skin tone is and how to dress (and how not to dress) to compliment them.

YOUR BODY TYPE

There are three different body type classifications:

Mesomorphic Individuals with mesomorphic body types are known to have athletic builds. They often have an hourglass or ruler shape figure (see body shape definitions below), and gain muscle mass easily. The majority of mesomorphs have broad shoulders and a narrow waist and most have a fast metabolism and can lose weight more easily than endomorphs.

Endomorphic: Endomorphs tend to have bigger bones than the other body types. These men and women usually have round faces with larger thighs and hips; their arms and legs tend to be short and tapering, which gives them a stocky appearance.
Most endomorphs have comparatively small hands and feet and a high waist. Additionally, endomorphs have higher levels of body fat than the other body types, but they can also build muscle and lean mass easily. Weight loss is most difficult for the endomorph body type.

Ectomorphic: Ectomorphic men and women have a thin, linear appearance. Most ectomorphs look like rulers, with narrow waists, hips, and shoulders. Ectomorphs can lose weight easily and tend to have low levels of body fat. However, they also have a harder time gaining lean muscle mass.

It often proves difficult to place people into just one of the above 3 categories as sometimes a persons body type will be a combination of 2 body types. Common combinations include ecto-mesomorph and endo-mesomorph.

YOUR BODY SHAPE

In addition to your body type, you will also find that you have a distinct body shape. Your body shape is based upon the size of your physical features and the overall balance of your body. Men and women tend to have different body shapes. Men are often described as having a rectangular shape or a cone shape. Women are typically described as having hourglass, pear, apple, or ruler body shapes.

The Rectangle-Shaped Figure

You have a rectangle-shaped figure if:

Your figure is straight up and down, without a lot of curves
When you gain weight it gets distributed evenly throughout your frame
You will also have:

A full neck
A broad back
An average chest
Undefined waist
A balanced figure without many curves

The Pear-Shaped Figure

You have a pear-shaped figure if:

Your upper body is noticeably smaller than your lower body
When you gain weight it goes mostly on your hips and thighs
You will also have:

A long or slender neck
Sloping or narrow shoulders
Narrow back
A small to medium chest
A defined waist
Full calves
Very curvy hips, thighs and bottom

The Apple-Shaped figure

You have a full figured apple-shaped figure if:

Your upper body is noticeably larger than your lower body
When you gain weight it mostly goes on to your waistline
You will also have:

A full face and neck
Broad shoulders
Medium to full chest
A full, undefined waist
Narrow hips
A flat bottom
Slim legs
Most of your weight carried in your midsection

The Cone-Shaped figure

You have a cone-shaped figure if:

Your upper body is larger than your lower body
You carry most of your weight in your back, chest, arms and stomach
You will also have:

Broad back
Broad shoulders
No waist
Larger chest
Large arms
Slender/narrow hips
Slim thighs/legs

The Hourglass Figure

You have an hourglass-shaped figure if:

You are curvy with a defined waist
When you gain weight it usually distributes itself evenly on your curves
You will also have:

Symmetrical shoulders and hips
Full, shapely bust
Distinctly defined waist
Medium to broad hips in proportion with your shoulders
Shapely Legs
Lots of feminine curves

WHAT TO WEAR (and what not to wear)

HOW TO DRESS A CONE-SHAPED FIGURE

Emphasise: Legs and hips
Aim: to divert the eye downward to offset your bust and shoulders

Avoid strapless, full-sleeved or sleeveless designs, horizontal patterns around the waist area and snug or curvy tops

Wearing a tunic top can minimize broad shoulders and full busts and lengthen your waist

Avoid belts, your bust and shoulders will appear larger

Go for V neck or a plunging necklines as this will soften the appearance of broad shoulders

Dont wear ruffles, cowled bodices, and avoid breast patch pockets

Darker colours are best for jackets and tops

For skirts and trousers; try brighter coloured or printed bottoms to draw attention to your lower body

Wrap dresses with a full or 3/4 length sleeve is very flattering

HOW TO DRESS A PEAR-SHAPED FIGURE

Emphasise: Face, neck, bust, waist and arms
Aim: to bring the eye up and broaden your shoulder line with wide necks and colour

Focus at or above your waist

Keep jackets slightly fitted, shaped and belted; asymmetrically wrapped styles, trench or robe coats suits this body shape best

Tight trousers or jeans will obviously accentuate the hips, thighs and bottom area; instead, go for a pair of jeans or trousers that are a little more relaxed with a slight flare

If you have a larger bottom, do not choose jeans with back pockets if you can

A-line skirts that are gently flared are very flattering

Avoid baggy full maxi skirts

Always go for draped collars, such as shawl, cowl, round, v-necked, rolled or scooped. This draws attention away from the hip area

When choosing a dress, keep it softly-fitted, a-line with an empire waist and of course make sure that there is emphasis on the neckline. Wrap around or cross-over styles are also very flattering

Length is everything for hour-glass figures so your tops should end at the hip bone. Any detail on your top or t-shirt should appear near the neckline

Stick to dark colours below the waist, but you can wear bright colours and different textures above the waist

Avoid clinging fabrics and patterns around the hips

HOW TO DRESS AN HOURGLASS-SHAPED FIGURE

Emphasise: Shoulders, chest, waist and hips
Aim: to elongate the overall line

Take the focus away from your hips, thighs and bottom by wearing lightly draping fabrics which will soften your curves

Accentuate your waist

Jackets should have a subtly defined waist, slightly fitted and tailored

Skirts - pleated, long

Dresses are best when slightly fitted & flared in shape. Princess lines are very flattering

Keep collars notched, cowl, rolled or straight. Plunging necklines add the emphasis

Trousers or jeans will tend to look better if they are fitted bottoms look best on when they are fitted.

HOW TO DRESS A FULL, APPLE-SHAPED FIGURE

Emphasise: Legs, hips and arms
Aim: to elongate the upper body

Wear skimming straight tops that elongate your upper body and dont cut you in half

Draw attention away from midsection

Draw focus toward your legs

Wearing more tailored styles makes you look slimmer and gives you a great shape.

Jackets should be tailored, long, collarless, cardigan, same as for the curved shape

Tops should have clean lines with open necklines like boat necks, halter, scooped, wide v-necks

The length of your top should end below your widest point, e.g. below your bottom or longer

Straight long tunic tops that taper at waist and flair out slightly suit this body shape beautifully. Couple with leggings

Keep pants long and fluid; avoid pants that are too tight around the waist area

A-line that are gently flared and end just a above the knee look great

If you have larger thighs and hips, emphasize the shoulders

Pin-stripes/vertical stripes create the illusion of length

Avoid fabrics that pull or stick, avoid wearing patterns on your lower half and steer clear from bulky fabrics, such as heavy wool, mohair etc

HOW TO DRESS A RECTANGLE-SHAPED FIGURE

Emphasise: arms, hips and legs
Aim: to create the illusion of a curvier, more feminine frame

Wear V-neck and U-neck lines

Mini skirts or shorts are a great look for this body shape

Accentuate curves by wearing jackets or tops that hug the waist

Accessorise the neckline with necklaces and scarves, this will add roundness to a straight frame

Make sure trousers and jeans are slightly flared/bootlegged as this will add curves

Steer clear of straight mid-length boxy skirts

Belts around the waist also help to create waistlines

Keep shirts well tailored and fitted to emphasise the waist and arms

Bold prints and bright colours are good and can give the illusion of a curvier body

Fabrics that retain their shape (that cling nicely to your shape) are best. This include cottons, linens, wool, denim etc.

TOP 10 DRESS TIPS

1. Thinner fabrics are more slimming
2. Tops and bottoms of one colour will make you look thinner
3. Wear clothes that fit - wearing too large clothes will exaggerate your figure not hide it
4. High collars shortens necks
5. Shoes with straps shorten your legs
6. The torso can be shortened or narrowed with seam lines, belts, bows, and collars
7. Choose your accessories carefully, e.g. a short necklace can shorten your neck
8. A scarf or belt that hangs down toward the legs will make the legs appear longer.
9. Thicker vertical lines lengthen and slim the torso
10. When buying jeans or trousers, be sure they fit properly. Defects are emphasised in a pair of jeans that may go unnoticed in a skirt

Petite
Petite individuals need to keep clothes in line. A slight contrast in colours and fitted lines are very flattering. Also stay with fabrics that are soft and flowing that fits well. Over powering prints should be avoided. Keep belts slim and narrow.

Tall
Taller people can indulge in wide belts, but they should avoid tight clothes and skirts that are too long.