If you are unsure how to dress for your body type, check out this in-depth guide that outlines the different body shapes and how to dress accordingly. We know it can be frustrating when your perfect outfit turns out not to suit you, so we hope this article will help you avoid any future upsets while shopping.
Modern fashion is no longer limited to certain body types. The fashion world has come a long way since the 1940s when clothing was measured by the bust size, waist size, and hip size of a woman. Today, designers’ patterns are taken from diverse sources—such as actual people and 3-dimensional forms—to create clothing that can fit anyone.
That’s why women with one body type can look great in clothes designed for another. If you’re not sure which body type you are, you’re in luck! This article will help you figure out which type suits your needs and highlights your assets best.
How To Know Your Body Shape With Perfect Measurements
There are many different body types, but it is important to know if your body type is healthy or not before you can use this information to your advantage.
Use a cloth tape measure. It’s better than a metal one. It should be neither too tight nor too loose. It should be snug, but not to the point where you think it will slip off your finger. Hold on to it and you’ll get the most accurate number possible.
Shoulder
If you’re measuring yourself, ask someone to help hold the tape in place, or attach it to a piece of furniture for extra support. Start at the tip of the shoulder (any side) and then take it around to the other side, till the end meets the tip of the same shoulder. Remember that the tape should be very close to your shoulder. This way, you get the measurement of your widest point on one side of your body.
Bust
What you need to do is take a measuring tape and wrap it around your chest, right under where your breasts start. You want to make sure that it’s as snug as possible because you don’t want the tape to squish any of your breasts—they should get in the way of the measurement too. Once you’ve done that, write down the number. That’s your bra size.
Waist
To find your waist size, locate the slimmest part of your waistline: just above your belly button, below the rib cage. Wrap a measuring tape around you there, and then add 4 inches to that number. If you tend to wear pants at your hips rather than at your waist, add an inch for each inch below your natural waistline that you want to take in when choosing clothing sizes.
Hips
Use a measuring tape to find the circumference of your hips. Measure from the widest part of one hip to the widest part of the other. Scale the measurement to the mirror so you can double-check that you’re holding the tape correctly.
How To Determine Your Body Type And Dress Accordingly The Body Shape Guide
Simply put, your body type is the outline of your structure. Thus, understanding your body type helps you visualize which clothes might look best on your figure. Dresses that align with the shape of your waist, hips, bust, and shoulders will be most flattering for your body type.
The idea is to make sure the dresses we choose to sit beautifully and proportionately (or according to your body proportions) and enhance your looks for an even better-looking silhouette. Body types are not determined by height or weight: they’re determined by specific parts of a person’s structure.
While all women have one main body type, they can also fall under a few different categories by measuring the relative width of five different parts of their bodies: waist, chest, hips, upper arms, and lower arms.
P.S. If you’re trying to determine chest size and want a backup measurement in case your eyeballing is off, calculate the vitals and compare that measurement too.
5 Different Types To Dress For Your Body Types
1. What Is An Apple Body Shape?
How To Dress For Apple Body Shape?
The middle portion of your body is where you tend to hold the majority of your weight, so that means you probably have a thick waist. If you want to show those curves off, though, go for dresses with V-necks or deep V-necks. Since your torso seems thinner, people will pay more attention to your legs.
Best Clothes For Apple Shaped Body?
A-line or empire cuts work well for you. It’s best to pair these silhouettes with printed dresses and patterned jackets in order to draw attention away from your hips. You could also wear full or three-quarter-length sleeves, as well as loose tops—the drapier the better! Bring attention away from your shoulders by wearing palazzos, flares, or billowing pants. The right bra is also an integral part of your look, especially if you’re top-heavy.
What Not To Wear When You Have An Apple Shaped Body?
Be careful not to wear tight or figure-hugging garments that will only emphasize the bulge you want to hide. Wear a belt just above the waist, rather than at the narrowest part of your waist, which actually makes your stomach look bigger.
2. What Is An Hourglass Body Shape?
Hourglass shapes are also known as “hourglass figures” and are considered to be the most balanced body shape. The top and bottom parts of your body are in proportion, and your waistline is well defined. In the clothing industry, this shape is referred to as an “hourglass.”
How To Dress For An Hourglass Body Shape?
Since you have a petite, balanced figure, try wearing a dress that fits well at the bust, waist, and hips. If your clothes don’t fit well, you may look out of proportion.
How To Dress For An Hourglass Body Shape?
Since you have a well-proportioned figure, you should wear outfits that do the same as well. Choose flattering dresses that accentuate your best features and draw attention to them. It’s something not everybody can pull off!
Best Clothes For Hourglass Shaped Body?
Dresses that cinch at the waist help emphasize your curves. V or plunge V and sweetheart necklines are flattering. To draw attention to your waist, wear a belt at your natural waistline or below the belly button—either way it only looks great. A-line dresses or similar cuts work well to flatter the lower part of your body and body-hugging dresses are your thing because, well, why not?
What Not To Wear When You Have An Hourglass Shaped Body?
When it comes to fashion, almost anything can look great on a pear-shaped body. But pairing up loose tops or bottoms with such a body type will not only make you look bigger but also kind of weird. What’s the sense otherwise?
3. What Is A Pear Body Shape?
With a pear-shaped body, you naturally have more fleshy parts on your lower half. To make the most of what you’ve got, widen the space between your waist and thighs by styling your pants from there. Thanks to Kim Kardashian’s toned bottom and her fashion-forward style, these is the best pants for pear-shaped Petites.
How To Dress For Pear Body Shape?
This shape can create the impression of an hourglass figure if you choose the right clothes. Your shoulders are narrow and your hips are wider, but you can balance this out by wearing styles that enhance your lower half.
Best Clothes For Pear Shaped Body?
Wide-legged trousers or a dress with an A-line skirt, a slightly patterned or ruffled top, or a top that defines the upper body create a great look. Skinny jeans with loose tops help create an hourglass shape. Crop tops, sweetheart, V or deep-V, scoop, or boat necklines will balance your bottom half.
What Not To Wear When You Have A Pear-Shaped Body?
If you prefer the look of skin-fitting tops and loose bottoms, then by all means wear them.
4. What Is A Rectangle Body Shape?.
How To Dress For A Rectangle Body Shape?
Your arms and legs are the assets. Emphasize those areas and you’ll be amazed at how much more attractive you become. It’s like an hourglass figure without a defined waistline.
Best Clothes For Rectangle-Shaped Body?
If you want to flaunt a flatter belly and a well-shaped bust, then play with the shape of your clothes. Go for A-line skirts and dresses, ruffled and layered tops, sleeveless, and sweetheart necklines. Choices that add definition to your bottom are also in order. Blazers and long jackets will add drama to your outfit so you don’t look like a pole.
What Not To Wear When You Have A Rectangle Shaped Body?
Choose short skirts and dresses instead of long ones. They will help you look elegant and charming.
5. What Is An Inverted Triangle Body Shape?
How To Dress For An Inverted Triangle Body Shape?
Best Clothes For Inverted Triangle Body Type?
If your hips are much narrower than your shoulders, you can wear pencil skirts, skinny jeans, etc. with any tops, but do make sure that there is not much layering or definition to your upper body because it needs none. V-necklines work well and create an illusion of narrow shoulders, so this should be your go-to neckline.
What Not To Wear When You Have An Inverted Triangle Body Shape?
It usually helps to think of a character’s clothing as part of the body and their exposed skin as the costume. The costume and the body must work together to convey the character’s personality.
Having finally become aware of certain truths about the clothing you wear, you no longer feel disappointed or insecure because you now know that your personal style is a vital part of your outer appearance and no one else’s.
I hope this tutorial has shown you that people who dress according to their body type often feel confident and comfortable in their clothes. Wear your confidence, so no one can steal your shine! And remember: you are beautiful just the way you are.
