Part II: how to dress according to your body shape
Embrace your Shape!
In my initial post for this series, I was talking about the different women’s body shapes. Once you have determined which one is your body type is now time to guide you on what to wear and what not to wear to look your best. The goal is to look confident and beautiful now that you are in your 50’s. Before I start suggesting how to dress according to your body type, let me remind you that you are beautiful no matter how your body looks. Now I want you to think about your body’s favorite part or parts (regardless of your body shape). It could be your collarbone, your ankles, your back, anything. Whatever it is your favorite body part, you should flaunt it. An excellent way to accentuate that part or sections is by dressing it the right way. For me, it’s my legs and my hands. That is why I have plenty of mini skirts and short dresses, and that is why I love rings.
Women come in all shapes and sizes. The key is to know your proportions and to seek balance. You can use fashion to accentuate your best features and hide the not so good ones.
DRESS ACCORDING TO YOUR BODY SHAPE
- Straight or Rectangle
The waist is about the same as the hips and bust. Your figure is not as curvy as the pear or apple body shapes. Your waist is not very defined.
What to wear
The key is to proportionally dress the top and the bottom of your body while enhancing your waist. Look for any waist-defining pieces.
Add volume to your upper and lower body. Try ruffled or puffed sleeve tops. Crop tops, off-the-shoulder shirts, and wide necklines. A-line or flared skirts, short dresses. Sleeveless, strapless, and sweetheart lines. You can accentuate your waist by using a belt to exaggerate curves. Go for cargo and safari or flared jeans.
Your arms and legs are your assets, so focus on accentuating those body parts. Stock up on mini skirts and short dresses to make the most of your legs.
Find your dream accessory to compliment any outfit here
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Click the link for great style suggestions
What NOT to wear
Menswear clothing like baggy or boyfriend jeans with loose Tees. Avoid dresses that are overarching or dresses without a waistline. Steer clear of rigid and shapeless clothes.
Think Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway.
- Pear
If you are pear-shaped, you have hips that are wider than your upper body. This body type is also referred to as bottom-heavy or triangle.
What to wear
If you stick to one color palette, you can create a leaner, overall shape. The advantage of this body shape is that you can emulate the hourglass figure by dressing correctly. All you have to do is to strike a balance between your narrow shoulders and your wide hips. You can either enhance the slender top part of your body or accentuate your curvier lower body.
Wear a statement top, large V-necks, big lapels, padding or embellishments on shoulders, cropped tops.
Focus on bottoms that minimize your lower half by either slimming or elongating. Darker colors and clean, straight lines are optimal. Wide-leg or straight pants or jeans. A-line skirts or dresses that are fitted at the hips.
A push-up bra or padded bra to create balance with your lower body.
For great underwear ideas click the link
What NOT to wear
Shapeless tops, tight pencil skirts, cigarette or skinny jeans, Capri-style pants, balloon dresses.
Think Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez.
- Apple
You have an average to big bust, broad shoulders, fullness around the middle, less defined waist, and narrow hips. You are blessed with good legs. This body type is also referred to as top-heavy.
What to wear
Your styling goals should be to elongate the torso, draw attention to your legs, and create the illusion of a waist.
Opt for structure pieces to add definition and hide the extra weight (if you have it). V and wide necklines, asymmetric tops and wrap A-line dresses, flowy dresses, down your bust line.
Boot cut (they are back in fashion), straight leg jeans and pants, and relaxed boyfriend bottoms.
What NOT to wear
Avoid tight-fitting clothes, high waisted pants, and skirts, detailing or embellishment around the waist, bodycon, shapeless or boxy clothes, tiered or ruffle skirts, shoulder bags.
Think Catherine Zeta-Jones or Drew Barrymore.
- Hourglass
Your body is in proportion throughout. You have a full bust, well defined narrow waist, rounded bottom, and an overall curvy body.
What to wear
Your dressing goals should be to highlight your natural curves and proportionally balance both your upper and lower body at the same time. You should flaunt your well-defined waist. Accentuate your waist and wear clothes that show off your perfect silhouette.
Invest in scoop, sweetheart, halter, V necklines, wrap tops and dresses, waist-defined tops and jackets, A-line and pencil skirts, and knee-length. Peplum tops, bodycon dresses, boot-cut, straight jeans and pants, and belts accentuate the waist.
What NOT to wear
Shapeless and loose tops and dresses, gaudy embellishments, empire cut tops and dresses.
For inspiration, think Selma Hayek or Sofia Vergara. And the ultimate hourglass figure, Marilyn Monroe.
- Inverted Triangle
Your bottom half is smaller than your top, little definition in your waist, straight and square shoulder line, and great legs. Also called athletic or wedge body type.
What to wear
Your styling focus should be defining your waist and softening your shoulder line. The goal is to balance out your broad upper half. And keep any volume or major details to your bottom half.
Stick to simple, clean-lined tops, preferably waist-defining tops (peplums), belted jackets and cardigans, full skirts, circle, A-line, or tulip. Show off your well-defined decolletage and upper half with halter necks, off the shoulder, or strapless. Dresses that add volume to your hips Show off your nicely shaped legs with mini skirts or dresses.
What NOT to wear
Wide scoop, square, or boatnecks necklines that make you broader on top.Items that extend or accentuate the shoulders, busy patterns on top. Keep away from baggy and shapeless dresses and tops, tapered jeans and pants, spaghetti straps, horizontal stripes across your shoulders, and padded shoulders.
Think Renee Zellweger or Naomi Campbell.
The right accessory can make a world of difference
To conclude, we all are beautiful as we are, regardless of the shape. However, we can highlight our best assets and hide our flaws by dressing and styling appropriately. In future posts, I will focus on the “problem areas” of each body shape and conceal them by dressing the right way. Not everyone looks like supermodels or celebrities. And that’s OK because we all are perfectly imperfect.
In my next blog post for this series, I will be giving general styling tips that apply to all body types to help you dress younger. Stay tuned and let’s keep getting inspired!