| |
What Body Type Are You:
Find the best styles suited to your shape...
One of the biggest problems women face is that they do not know how to properly dress for their body types. There is always something that we, as women, do not like about our bodies, but if you know how to correctly address your “trouble” areas, then your confidence will increase and your inner beauty and personality will come shining through.There are six different body types: round, inverted triangle, hourglass, pear, diamond, and straight. While many in fashion industry today have replaced the six different categories with two terms, “bottom-” or “top” heavy, as a woman I think it is important to know how to solve all problems, as everything is interchangeable.
So let me first start out by explaining the terms “bottom-” and “top-” heavy. If you are bottom-heavy, it simply means that your hips are wider than your shoulders and that your thighs are round (this is also known as the pear shape). If you are top-heavy then you have larger breasts, with narrower hips, and slimmer legs (this is also known as the round shape). There are many different ways to address these problems, but by knowing which one of the six body types you are, you can employ a few visual tricks to hide what you do not like.
Round A woman with a round-shaped figure has a generous bust, wider rib cage, a fuller back, generous middle, narrow hips, and slender legs. You have the legs that the pear and diamond shaped women would kill for. So show them off with styles that accentuate your narrow hips, and skirts that show off your legs.
So what styles are best suited for your shape? When choosing tops, necklines like the v-neck, help to elongate and slenderize your neck. Avoid tops that are fitted, as they will only accentuate your larger middle, and keep the collars or lapels of your jacket narrow so that they do not draw any extra attention to your fuller bust. When choosing a skirt stay with something that is more fitted, like a pencil skirt, as it will accentuate your legs.
Inverted Triangle Broad shoulders, a medium bust, an average waist, narrow hips, and shapely and long legs characterize the inverted triangle figure. With your great legs and narrow hips, you are one of those lucky women who can wear hip-hugging jeans, so show off your curves.
So what styles are best suited for your shape? In order to balance out your wider shoulders, try a skirt or pant that has a flare to them. Even the wider leg pants that have been big the last couple of seasons would do the trick and they are a little more modern. Keeping with the trends of this season, putting a belt over a shirt and wearing it lower on your hips can help detract from your hips.
Hourglass You can tell a woman has an hourglass figure when she has a bust, small bone structure, defined waist, curved hips, shapely legs, and sometimes a protruding bottom. You definitely have curves, so why not show them off?
So what styles are best suited for your shape? Because you have a defined waist, drawing attention to your waist by wearing pants with a contoured waistband, belts, or wrap tops that sit just at your waist, is a great way to accentuate your assets. Stick with clothing that is semi-fitted as opposed to too fitted or tight. Stay away from oversized or baggy styles since they will overpower your bone structure. Every magazine states that having an hourglass figure is the dream figure to have, so make sure you wear clothes that accentuate your curves.
Pear
Pear shaped body types have a slender neck, narrow shoulders, small bust, as well as a shapely waist, generous lower hips and full thighs. With your waistline being small and feminine, you should embrace styles that accentuate your assets.So what styles are best suited for your shape? When wearing pants make sure you choose flowing fabrics to de-emphasize your hips. If you are more of a skirt person, then straight skirts are your friend. Your upper body is your best asset, so wear semi-fitted and tailored tops; necklines like cowl necks and square necklines will help broaden your shoulders.
Diamond
Women with a diamond shape have narrow shoulders, a small bust, broad hips, and generous thighs. Your narrow build on top allows you the luxury of wearing tops that accentuate your shoulders and your face. While the pear and diamond shape are similar in their characteristics, diamond shaped women tends to be very curvy. As well, they are much narrower on top and fuller on the bottom, whereas the pear shape tends to be more proportional in their curves.So what styles are best suited for your shape? Pants that have a cuff or any detail on the bottom will make you look bigger on the bottom and shorter, so stick with a pant that is slightly tapered below the hemline. When looking for suit jackets, choose a jacket that is loose on the bottom so that it does not pull across your hips or bottom, and choose tops that are fitted but flare out over your hips or thighs.
Straight
The straight body type is distinguished by an upper and lower torso that are equal in width, an average bust, large rib cage, undefined waist, flat bottom, and slender legs.So what styles are best suited for your shape? When looking for a suit jacket, try a longer jacket, as it will help lengthen your upper torso. Necklines that fall below your collarbone will help elongate your neck. Try straight tailored skirts, or skirts with a dropped waist; both will slenderize. Avoid belts, and gathered or pleated fabric at the waist, as they will accentuate your thicker waist. ¤ Erin