Body Shape Battles
Body shape is something that makes most of us scrunch up our faces and squirm – right? Its so confusing and we have such distorted perception of ourselves, how are we possibly supposed to work it out on our own?
We need to stop being so horrifically hard on our bodies. It’s 2020, we have all been through enough this year and we should all know by now that comparison destroys our souls (but yes, we are all still guilty of it- particularly because of the ‘gram) So, how do we work out our own body shapes with our warped perception of ourselves? We need to trust our own instinct. Not so easy though is it?!
Growing up, we were never told that dressing for your figure is transformational, not just for how clothes look and fit but for inner confidence. How amazing and useful would it have been as a teenager to learn about your body shape and how to enhance all of your best features instead of staring a 6ft 2 models in vogue and getting upset that we don’t look like them?
As a personal stylist, I am trained in body shape and teach clients how to dress for their shape, but I would be a dreadful stylist if you feel good in something and I told you not to wear it because it doesn’t tick the box of ‘rules’ for your shape. I would simply teach you new ways to style it so you get the get the best of both worlds.
Nailing dressing for your shape makes your life SO much easier. It helps you when you go shopping, when you get dressed every morning and if you have a special occasion and need to dress up – it helps you understand what outfit you need to look and feel your very best.
We look our best when our body is in proportion. What does that mean? Basically, it means that our shoulders, hips and bottom are at an equal width with a defined waist that gives you the glorious curves. There are many styling illusions where we can play with proportion and create length or curves in the right places to achieve the desired proportions.
Wear what makes you happy and feel good (as long as it fits!) If what you wear doesn’t comply to a ‘rule’ about a body shape (I am about to talk you through them) but you feel fantastic then sod the ‘rule or box’ Just be YOU. Just promise me not to hide a gorgeous waist in a sack if you are on a hot date please. It’s all I as
The Hourglass
The hourglass shape is the most desired shape by both men and women – you are blessed with a sexy silhouette. You could be either very neat or full in shape but essentially you have a defined waistline, often with a proportioned bust and bottom to contrast your waist. Your shape excels with great fit and tailoring with movement.
Hourglasses look amazing in the following styles:
Dresses – Wrap dresses are your best friends along with tailored, waist tie dresses. Fit and flare and strapless dresses flatter your shape. Make sure necklines are Vs, scoop, cowl or squares. Never hide your waist.
Jeans and trousers - Don’t be scared of a wide leg – they will proportion out your beautiful curves. Boot cut and flared jeans will balance out your hips. Go for a stretchy jean for comfort and a better tight fit.
Skirts - Knee length skirts in an A-line, full circle or saucy pencil skirt will work best for you. Make sure you always tuck your tops in to reveal your waist and elongate your bottom half.
Tops - V-necks, scoop, off the shoulder, sweetheart, square and low halter necks are the necklines for you. The open neckline stops the “sausage boob” effect and draws peoples eyes up to your gorgeous face. Close fitting tops are best, especially if your bottom half has curve.
Coats and Jackets - Get a longer coat with a belt to synch in and show off that waist of yours. Jackets should be cropped – finished at your waist to show off your narrowest part.
Lingerie - Opt for smooth seamless underwear that glides over curves. Magic knickers are great for a tummy and balconette bras are perfect for lower neckline tops.
Footwear - Rounded and peep toes are best to compliment your hourglass shape.
Accessories - Belts are also your best friend. Nip that waist in to accentuate it at all costs. Opt for metallic, animal prints and bright options to really show it off.
AVOID: Slouchy, shapeless, baggy, drop waists, double breasted, un-supportive underwear, high necks, bulky top detail, fills/bows, empire and straight dresses.
The Pear
My personal favourite shape to style because you can go WILD with print, necklines and accessories on your top half which is so much fun to experiment with. You will have narrow or slightly sloping shoulders, smaller boobs and an amazing narrow waistline that beats all others out there. You are blessed with curvaceous hips and thighs that ooze femininity. Its likely that when you buy clothes you buy smaller sizes up top an have a nightmare finding jeans that don’t gape at the waist. You need to add volume on your top half to create an even proportion of body shape as previously mentioned.
Pears look sensational in the following;
Dresses – Go for dresses with detail on your top half – shirt dresses and other waisted pieces with waist ties or A line skirts will enhance your waist and shoulders and glide over your hips. Embellishment, print as well as angel sleeves are perfect for adding volume up top to create proportion. At the moment the puff sleeve trend will be amazing on you!
Trousers/Jeans – Simple shapes and dark colours will be perfect for you. Wide leg or straight trousers create clean lines and opt for flat fronts. Skinny will work as long as you balance above your waistline. Your secret weapon is a wide legged trouser – make friends with a tailor if you’re petite!
Skirts – High waist for everything – go for volume that skims and glides down your lovely hips. A line and full circle will work as well as maxi as long as they don’t drown you.
Tops – You can go MAD up top. Any neckline – particularly high necklines are great fun to play with. Wear as much colour and print as you like up top and keep your bottom half plain and darker. Incredible collars, sleeves and ruffles are amazing for creating proportion too and plus it draws attention away from your hips and to your narrowest part f your body. Also, push your sleeves up to your elbows to draw attention up to your waist because of your bare skin showing near your waistline.
Coats/Jackets – Structured shoulders are essential to add proportion. Wide lapels, double breasted, faux fur collars and voluminous sleeves will help with this. Don’t forget to make sure you have a waist belt (you can never have enough)
Lingerie – If you have a smaller bust a push up bra or bit of padding works well. If you fancy a pair of thigh shaper control pants go for it!
Shoes – Medium high heel to lengthen your legs. I always suggest black boots and jeans or ankle boots and black tights to create legs for days! Pointy shoes also do the trick.
Accessories – bold necklaces and earrings and printed pattered scarves/neck ties.
AVOID – Long slung belts, mid rise trousers, ankle straps on shoes, non wired bras, slouchy swing coats with no waist, skinny lapels, dainty collars, baggy tops will hide your waist, tighter pencil skirts, fishtails, bias cut skirts will add extra width, light and bright and patterned bottom half – stick to darker, pockets on hips jodhpur style trousers, ruffles and tired dresses and tight dresses.
The Apple
You have the most DIVINE legs and curvy bust – what a killer combo. You are in proportion (yay) but tend to carry weight around your mid section and don’t have a particularly defined waistline. It’s all about highlighting your bust, hip-line and legs.
Apples look divine in these styles;
Dresses – Empire lines and beautiful bias cut dresses disguise your middle. Shift dresses will be beautiful on you. Maxi and wrap dresses will work wonders and keep your dresses to having lower necklines
Trousers/Jeans – Go for trousers with a flat front or a semi low rise. Boot cut trousers will create proportion with your shape too. Choose jeans like NYDJ that have a little stretch so that they still fit your slender legs.
Skirts – Opt for knee or calf length. Amazing hemlines such as an asymmetric, drop hem or bias cut will hang beautifully on you.
Tops – Choose low necklines especially V, scoop and cowl or even embellished necklines. Hip length tops and shorter tunics are perfect for finishing at your narrowest part. Awesome sleeves, waterfall detail and vertical stripes are perfect for you.
Coats/Jackets – A fitted jacket that buttons below the bust, or an empire line coat is best for you. Stick to single breasted to avoid bulk in the wrong places and try V necklines still
Lingerie – Streamline shaping and supportive wired bras are a must. A body shaper will help define a waist if you desire one!
Shoes – GO MAD show off those beautiful legs of yours. Send all attention to your legs with statement shoes.
Accessories- Drop earrings, chunky necklaces that finish about the bust and long textured scarves are just what you need.
AVOID – Short boxy jackets and styles fitted to the waist. Clingy tops and pleated/ tired skirts. Ignore any waist details, double breasted and high waisted styles that add bulk to your middle. Bulky knits, round necklines, too baggy tops, horizontal stripes, long tunic tops that will shorten your body. Puffa style jackets and gilets create too much volume in the wrong places. Get yourself a perfect fitted bra. Avoid bulky bags that sit under your arms and long line necklaces that finish below your bust as they ruin your streamline silhouette.
The Strawberry
The rarest shape! You have a fuller bust and shoulders with only a little definition between waist and hips. You are narrower around the waistline, hips, bottom and thighs. Creating definition and lifting your bust line whist adding volume to your lower half will help you to feel sensational.
Strawberry’s look incredible in;
Dresses – Shirt styles with open necklines, wrap dresses, bias cut, minimal detail and open necklines to flatter bust.
Trousers/Jeans – Lower rise can work for you as well as high waisted as long as your waist isn’t directly under your bust (this means you have a high waist) Wide leg, flat front trousers, skinny with minimal detail up top, Pocket details add volume and boyfriend jeans too.
Skirts – If you have a long waist choose a high waist and if not low rise is perfect. Go for volume (it can be floaty or structured) A-line, full circle, pencil and tube will work too. As well as bias and fish tail. Skirts are your go to.
Tops – Keep to streamlined and darker tops, lower necklines will be most flattering.
Coats/Jackets – Choose narrow lapels and collars. You need neat and structured shoulders and single-breasted styles. Minimum detail up top but amazing hemlines work for you too.
Lingerie – Underwire, with wider straps for added shaping and support. Also a minimizer bra if desired.
Shoes – Same as the apple go WILD as you have amazing legs. Heels can help lengthen your lower half, which is always a winner.
Accessories – Buy shorter necklaces and earrings. Hip belts instead of high waisted.
AVOID – High necklines, tops with volume, shoulder pads, gathers at shoulders. Over sixed maxi dresses, Shift dresses, fussy necklines, dropped waists. Darker bottom half, flares if you are petite. Fuller skirts. Fluid shapes with no fit at the waist. Wide lapels, slouchy shoulder styles and double breasted. Bralets, lots of scarves and belts worn on a short waistline.
The Slender shape
You are perfectly in proportion! You can have gentle curves and a bust or have the lucky straight look all over. You may crave curves sometimes so I can teach you how to achieve this. But in all honestly – you can wear whatever you fancy.
Dresses – Try beautiful bias cut fabrics and even a dropped waist. Shift, straight, tulip (they create curve) you name it will look sensational on you. You can even wear a pleated number with asymmetric necklines and even halter necks.
Trousers/Jeans – Skinny and slim legged trousers were MADE for you. Look for cool embellishment and special details near the hips and bottom to add curve. Amazing wide or floaty trousers will ooze elegance on you.
Skirts – Go short if you like – get your pins out! If you want to create curve try an A-line, tulip or figure hugging pencil.
Tops – Go wild with layering, frills, bows, high and roll necks and anything in-between. Experiment with exciting and unusual necklines and textures. Watch out for sweetheart necklines if you are small chested – they may fall down and we don’t want that!
Coats/Jackets – Go for some sharp tailoring or even a flared coat. Jackets can finish at the hip for you as well as your waist. Avoid tubular coats with no shape.
Lingerie – If you would like to help your bust appear fuller, get yourself a push up or very supportive bra. Bralets are great for the less busty
Shoes – Simply go for it (no rules) and get shoes which show off your amazing legs.
Accessories – Subtle, elegant, angular and modern flatter your slender silhouette but don’t forget you can also cozy up in big scarves and bags.
AVOID – Too much fabric will swamp you and give you a ‘drowning effect’ Sheath dresses may make you appear leaner so if you want to avoid that opt for styles with more shape to them.
So, any idea which beautiful body shape you have?!
It really is a minefield out there. Everyone has an opinion on shape but you know your body more than anyone so trust your gut instinct – that is what its there for! Body shape is confusing so don’t give yourself a hard time if you are struggling with yours still – please get in touch for a complimentary style session.
I really hope this helps and gives you tonnes of inspiration and joy.
Stylish wishes,
Sian