My Google Analytics report tells me that my posts on how to dress your body type always get a lot of attention. So to help you with your New Years goals and possibly your style goals, I thought I’d share my very best tips on how to dress your body to look your slimmest and sleekest.
I once read a list of tips for how to dress my inverted triangle self…there must have been over 30 recommendations! Now then, I’m not dissing the article. It was super useful. (See even image consultants need a little inspiration for themselves at times.) But quite honestly, I was pretty overwhelmed.
So today, I’m giving you the top 3 tips for dressing your body type– that you can actually remember and live by. These are the tips I use over and over with my clients, so they’re tried and true.
And I’ve included each figure type: Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Hourglass, Oval, and Rectangle. Below is a diagram of each body described as fruit. I’m not crazy about the fruit monikers, but it’s a great visual. If you’re not sure what your body type is, check out more info here.
Keep in mind that these are the most common figure types. There’s always the chance you’re a combination of two, so choose the one you identify with most.
And lastly, dressing for your body type is not about hiding. It’s truly about highlighting your beauty and downplaying the parts you don’t like as much.
How to Dress a Triangle-Pear Body Type
- Keep your emphasis on your upper body with bright/light colors and prints.
- Visually widen your upper body with puffed/pleated shoulders, epaulets, ruffles, bows, pockets and other details.
- Wear darker, simpler styles on your lower half. Fit is crucial!
How to Dress an Inverted Triangle-Strawberry Body Type
- Keep your emphasis on your lower body with bright/light colors and prints. Have fun with textures, such as a tweed skirt.
- Visually widen your lower body with pockets, wide legged pants, and flared skirts.
- Wear darker, simpler styles on your upper half.
How to Dress an Hourglass Body Type
- Play up and celebrate your curves!
- Never hide your waist! Belts are your best accessory.
- Look for clothes that are the same shape as you. For example, wrap dress is an hourglass. A sheath dress is not.
How to Dress an Oval-Apple Body Type
- Show off your arms, legs, bustline or shoulders, in other words, your best feature. Never cover up from head to toe. (Of course a little harder in winter…a v-neck will do wonders.
- Look for styles that float over your middle instead of clinging.
- Shift dresses, empire waists, flowy tunic tops over leggings/skinnies are perfect for you.
How to Dress a Rectangle Body Type
- Look for details in your garments above your waist (bust/shoulders) and below your waist (hips). Your waist will look smaller!
- Belted styles that allow you to blouse the garment above and below.
- Fitted jackets and blouses that flare out at the bottom will give you the illusion of a very slim waist.
Like I said, there are many more explanations and lots more tips, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you today. If you want more information, check out this article and this one. You can even learn how all figure types can wear stripes!
Feel free to explore around my site if you want more tips for dressing your body type and your style. You can see every blog title on the blog archives page.
Before You Go…
At Last, a complete resource with all the stores with sizes and proportions to fit your unique shape!
No matter what your body type, in this guide, you'll find more shops and sites than you ever knew existed... that cater to just your size, height and shape!
