Flatter Your Figure: A Guide to Dressing According to Your Body Type

Dressing in harmony with your natural physique seems simple enough – yet so many of us tug at ill-fitting outfits or choose trends unsuited to our shape. Learning your body type and its style needs transforms how clothing complements you.

The right styles create a uniforms silhouette, minimize “problem areas,” and allow you to play up assets. Master tips for your shape, and getting dressed every day feels effortlessly put together.

Below we cover the five most common body types and specific strategies to dress them beautifully. Read on to determine your frame and dress with confidence!

What Are the 5 Main Female Body Types?

Women typically fall under five main somatotype categories:

1. Apple Body Type

The apple body type features fuller midsections with relatively slender legs. Weight accumulates around the abdominal region as opposed to hips and thighs. Shoulders also run broader, with a more defined waistline.

2. Pear Body Type

As the name suggests, pear bodies carry weight predominantly around the hips, bum, and thighs. They have fuller bottoms balancing more delicate shoulders and a proportionally smaller bust and waist.

3. Hourglass

Hourglass figures feature an intentionally well-defined, balanced waist contrasting with fuller bust and hips of relatively equal size. A true hourglass has strong curvature with a slim waistline.

4. Rectangle

The rectangular body shape shows straighter lines with minimal waist definition, wider shoulders, and broader hips relative to bust. Overall a more straight-down silhouette.

5. Inverted Triangle

Inverted triangle frames exhibit width and muscularity in the shoulder and upper back regions contrasting with slimmer hips and legs. The upper body visually dominates the lower half.

Now that we have defined parameters for each somatotype, we can explore style and dressing strategies tailored to uplift every shape. Let’s start with the apple!

Apple Body Type Style Tips

As an apple shape, your waist makes a beautiful natural focal point. Play that up with wrap dresses, belted coats, high-waisted trousers, and peplum details. V-necks and boatnecks flatter the décolletage without elongating the torso excessively.

For jackets and tops, seek options that skim without clinging tight, like blazers and billowy peasant blouses. Fabric-wise emphasize lightweight materials that don’t add bulk. Chiffons, satins and jerseys tend to complement apple figures.

In terms of color and dressing, incorporate visual breaks whenever possible. Monochromatic color schemes can appear boxy, so integrate contrast with belts, footwear or color-blocking fabrics. Clean lines also streamline, so minimal ornate detailing keeps things polished.

Pear Body Type Style Strategies

As a pear shape, your gorgeous legs and derriere serve as natural points of emphasis. Play up lengths with flowing maxi dresses, wide-leg trousers, full a-line skirts, and embellished heels.

For your upper half, incorporate intricate necklines, off-the-shoulder tops, strapless dresses, and shoulder pads on jackets. These provide balance and proportionality for pears. Structured fabrics like tweed and brocade add shape as well around hips and thighs.

Given your strong lower half, lighter tops create equilibrium. Sheer peasant blouses, fitted sweaters, tanks, and cropped jackets keep torsos streamlined. Strike visual balance and your look sings!

Hourglass Body Type Dressing

Lucky hourglass ladies benefit most from body-conscious styles highlighting their sensational silhouette. Fitted wrap dresses, tailored cigarette pants, pencil skirts all smash.

Plunging v-necks and wrap tops draw the eye down your feminine frame. Structured collars or boatnecks accentuate fantastic neck and shoulders prettily as well.

For outerwear, nip your waist with trenches, bolero jackets, and peacoats tied snugly. Pair with leg-lengthening stilettos for head-to-toe bombshell.

Balance is key for hourglasses, so avoid excess fabric overwhelm or cuts too loose. Cleaner lines keep things streamlined around your substantial curves.

Rectangle Body Type Dressing

Rectangular bodies benefit from an intentional focal point to play up shape. Luckily numerous options exist! Sweetheart tops or deep v-necks accentuate your décolletage gorgeously. Peplum hems, wraps dresses and rouched details cinch waists.

Flared skirts, wide leg pants, bootcut jeans balance hips for symmetry. Unconstructed jackets like boyfriend blazers amplify shoulders while billowing lightly over the midsection.

Don’t shy from bolder patterns and embellishments too. Geometric prints, lace details, and plaids all work magic on rectangles. Just avoid boxy silhouettes or excess volume overwhelming your frame.

Finally, integrate lighter, drapier fabrics into your rectangle wardrobe. Chiffons, crepes, and jersey knits all flatter while introducing softness.

Inverted Triangle Style Strategies

As an inverted triangle, your stunning shoulders and arms deserve accentuation. Off-the-shoulder necklines beautifully highlight this asset – try strapless, sweetheart and square looks. Cowl neck tops offer similar framing.

For jackets, raglan and kimono sleeves balance widened shoulders for a more proportional silhouette. Cropped lengths prevent diminishing your lower half as well.

Embrace decorative details – ruffles, knots, contrasting patterns – to broaden hips and thighs visually. A-line skirts, flowing pants, full midi skirts balance the top as well.

Just avoid thick straps, boatnecks, or tops overloading upper half bulk. Soften that area whenever possible for equilibrium.

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