Styling For Your Shape: How To Dress For Your Body Type

Finding your own sense of confidence can be a challenge. In this day and age, we find ourselves constantly comparing ourselves to everyone around us whether that’s celebs or our friends on their social media platforms. 

I know what it’s like to look at yourself and think that your proportions are all wrong. That you’re too big, too many lumps and bumps or that you’re just not the shape you want to be.  But you’re wrong – we are all beautiful in our own ways. And this year especially there is so much more body positivist awareness – no bodies should be shamed, not even – and especially not – your own. Cellulite is normal. Stretch marks are normal. We have all just been brainwashed to think that they aren’t. 

This kind of thinking is so damaging and now, more than ever, it is essential that you at least try to find positivity in your own body. You are unique and beautiful and you should celebrate the way that you look and focus on the things that you do like about yourself. 

By understanding your body type, you’ll be able to find the right clothing styles for your features. In this article, we’ll look at the different body types and help you to find the right styles that will suit you best. 

The Apple Body Shape

Women that have an apple body shape are generally fuller in the middle and around the waist. This can often lead to you feeling self-conscious. But, your hips and legs are parts of you that can be focused on in order to make you feel more confident. 

Use a push-up bra to give yourself a lift. Wear body shaping pants if you want to define your waistline. You can do this by wearing wrap-around dresses. You may also want to look at A-line or empire dresses to improve your waistline while patterned dresses can be useful for distracting the eye away from your waistline.  Think about using heels and wedges and pleated skirts to make the best of your legs. 

The Inverted Triangle Body

If you have an inverted triangle body then you will have broad shoulders, fuller busts and slim legs, bum, thigh and hips. You can wear an A-line skirt to bring out your hips and any flared skirts will be able to balance out your lower half. A circle skirt will work particularly well. 

When it comes to jackets for women with this body type, avoid shoulder pads. 

The Hourglass Figure

Hourglass figures have a slim waist with fuller bum, thigh, hips and bust. There are a lot of curves to make the best of if you have this figure. 

A high-waisted skirt will be flattering if you have this body shape, as will a wrap dress. Boot cut trousers will also look good on you. You should avoid loose tops and loose bottoms as this won’t be flattering. 

The Pear Shaped Body

If you have a pear-shaped body then you’ll have fuller thighs and hips. Your shoulders will be narrow and your upper body is smaller than the lower half. 

Think about wearing push-up bras. Wrap-around dresses work well for this body type and heels will help to elongate your legs. If you wear patterns on the top half of your body, then this will balance out your body well.