It’s no secret that there has been love and beauty present every era that humans existed.
Fashion changed, but men still found women desirable no matter what they wore. What mattered was how they wore what they wore.
Many fashion designers confirm this, saying:
“The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress”. – Hubert de Givenchy
“I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman”. —Vera Wang
“Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who’s wearing”. —Yves Saint Laurent
“What I really do believe is that anybody—and it really doesn’t matter what shape your body is—can be seductive and sexy and gorgeous and beautiful”.—Phoebe Philo
“I think our bodies are beautiful, and I think celebrating them and being comfortable in them—no matter what age you are—is important. There shouldn’t be any kind of shame or discomfort around it”. —Jennifer Aniston
So the trick to look however you want to look is by knowing what suits you best – by knowing your body. How do you get there? Here are some tips on how to define your body type, and what complements it best.
To accurately identify which shape you align with, precise measurements of your bust, waist, and hips are crucial. Please make the following steps:
Prepare your instruments:
A flexible measuring tape.
A notepad and pen: To record your measurements as you go.
Proper attire: Wear form-fitting clothing or only underwear to get the most accurate measurements.
Take Your Measurements:
Bust Measurement: Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape level
and snug but not tight.
Waist Measurement: Find your natural waistline (the narrowest part of your torso) anmeasure around it.
Hip Measurement:
Measure the fullest part of your hips, ensuring the tape is over the largest part of your buttocks.
Are your hips wider than your shoulders?
If yes, then you have a pear-shaped body.
Are your shoulders wider than your hips?
If yes, then you have an inverted triangle body shape.
How wide is your waist compared to your hips?
If broader, then you have an apple body shape.
If almost the same, then you have a rectangle body shape.
If slimmer, then you have an hourglass body shape.
Yay! Hardest part is done! Now off to the fun part – determining what suits you best!
The pear body shape is characterized by an asymmetry between hips and shoulders. Both areas require proper care and beautifying. When we work with asymmetry, we have to find right accent proportions to give your look a visual balance.
Bright colors, shiny and flowing fabrics, decorative elements, extra fabric and ruffles create visual or actual volume, so wear tops have those elements in them. Some extra shoulder accent is a good idea, too.
Dark and muted colors, draping fabrics hide volume, so wear that kind of trousers and skirts if you want to get less attention on your hips.
Avoid anything tight without additional draping over – tight shirt or trousers draw attention to the existing symmetry without complementing it. But if you want to wear something close-fitting – let it be a dress, a skirt, or trousers close-fitting around the waist but loose fitting below the midriff.
Similarly to the pear body, the inverted triangle body shape also features some symmetry – it’s known for its broad shoulders, which can make you look quite athletic. To get a more balanced look, you can follow some of these tips:
Subtle tops in more muted colors draw attention away from your broad shoulders.
Trousers and skirts can be bright, colorful or patterned to visually balance out your body shape. Another great way to draw attention from your shoulders is to wear voluminous skirts or slim jeans or trousers with a normal or low waist fit (as long as the trousers/jeans are not cropped and do not make your legs look short).
Bright colors, shiny and flowing fabrics, decorative elements, extra fabric and ruffles create visual or actual volume, so wear tops have those elements in them. Some extra shoulder accent is a good idea, too.
Dark and muted colors, draping fabrics hide volume, so wear that kind of trousers and skirts if you want to get less attention on your hips.
Avoid anything tight without additional draping over – tight shirt or trousers draw attention to the existing symmetry without complementing it. But if you want to wear something close-fitting – let it be a dress, a skirt, or trousers close-fitting around the waist but loose fitting below the midriff.
Similarly to the pear body, the inverted triangle body shape also features some symmetry – it’s known for its broad shoulders, which can make you look quite athletic. To get a more balanced look, you can follow some of these tips:
Subtle tops in more muted colors draw attention away from your broad shoulders.
Trousers and skirts can be bright, colorful or patterned to visually balance out your body shape. Another great way to draw attention from your shoulders is to wear voluminous skirts or slim jeans or trousers with a normal or low waist fit (as long as the trousers/jeans are not cropped and do not make your legs look short).
Slightly cut out tops stretch the upper body as they will make your neckline appear longer.
Lightweight fabrics such as jersey, silk, light cotton or linen are close-fitting around the upper body and they will give you a light and casual look.
And now it’s turn for apple body shape wardrobe. Many women with such shape think theirs is the most difficult to dress attractively, but that is not true. See this easy-to-follow list of
Do’s and Don’ts style tips, and pick what works for you:
Plain tops in muted colors will draw less attention to your stomach. Striking motifs, bright colors or accessories around your stomach will make it appear bigger.
Slim fit trousers and skirts will accentuate your slender legs. Wide-leg trousers or boyfriend jeans, on the other hand, usually add more volume to the areas that already has enough of it.
Wrap and A-line dresses have a great fit and they will make your stomach appear slimmer. Draping (but not oversized!) jackets or shirts conceal some of unwanted
volume. Tight tops and dresses will make your stomach appear bigger. Tops, jackets or blazers that are too short will make you look quite round.
Off-the-shoulder necklines and V-necks will emphasize your shoulders and bust.
Women with a rectangle body shape often worry about not enough curves in their figure. Make sure you wear any accessories at waist level. The closer they are to your hips, the curvier your midriff will look. If you're looking for the perfect dress, you can go for fit and flare dresses or A- line dresses. Tops with feminine designs like ruffles or peplum are a great choice. Flared or curve skirts and dresses will give you a very feminine look. But make sure to avoid very wide, long or loose-fitting tops and dresses as they can look shapeless on you. Also, Polo necks can make your upper body appear quite round, and low-waisted trousers will often make your waist look wider. Women who have a straight body shape should focus on fitted tops and dresses, high-waisted trousers or skirts or items of clothing with embellishments or accessories around the waist. This will give your body more shape and highlight your best assets.
Every spring, without fail, the same colours appear. Navy blue and white in every window. Linen in cream, natural, and pale sand on every rail. The Breton stripe on a hundred different garments in a hundred different shops. And every year, without fail, the same thought arrives: haven’t we seen this before?..
There’s a moment in the fabric shop when you fall for two pieces of fabric simultaneously — a deep teal and a warm terracotta, a crisp white and a bold coral, a soft sage and a rich navy — and you think: these would be wonderful together…
