A Guide To Dressing For Your Body Shape
I’m sure we’ve all had that horrible experience when trying on a top that gives your body no justice at all, so let’s avoid that. Here’s a quick guide on dressing in a way that makes everything click. When something works on you, its balance, proportion, and knowing where to highlight, soften, or define.
This is your guide to dressing for your shape in a way that feels effortless, elevated, and very that girl.
Step 1: Finding Your Shape
Stand in front of a mirror and look at your proportions, not your size.
- Are your shoulders wider than your hips?
- Are your hips wider than your shoulders?
- Is your waist very defined or more straight?
That’s all you need.
- Rectangle: shoulders, waist, and hips are similar, with little waist definition
- Pear: hips are wider than shoulders
- Inverted Triangle: shoulders are wider than hips
- Hourglass: shoulders and hips balanced, with a defined waist
- Apple: fuller through the middle, less waist definition
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Rectangle (Straight Up & Down)
Your vibe: clean lines, model off duty, effortless.
Goal: create curves and definition.
Wear:
- wrap tops or tie front styles
- peplum tops (add shape at the waist)
- cropped jackets
- off shoulder or sweetheart necklines
- high waisted jeans or trousers
- flared or wide leg pants
- skirts with volume (A line, pleated)
- bodycon or fitted dresses
Avoid:
- straight, boxy cuts with no waist definition
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Pear Shape (Wider Hips, Smaller Top)
Your vibe: soft, feminine, naturally sculpted.
Goal: balance your lower half by adding focus up top.
Wear:
- puff sleeves or structured shoulder
- slight colours
- prints
- textures
- off shoulder, square, and boat necklines
- statement tops (lace, ruffles, details)
- dark wash jeans
- straight leg or slightly flared pants
- simple, clean skirts
Avoid:
- super clingy or overly detailed bottoms
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Inverted Triangle (Wider Shoulders, Narrower Hips)
Your vibe: strong, striking, high fashion.
Goal: soften the upper body and add volume below.
Wear:
- simple, minimal tops
- V neck, scoop neck, or halter styles
- darker colours on top
- wide leg trousers
- flared jeans
- cargo pants or anything with volume
- skirts with pleats or movement
- flowy dresses
- drop waist styles
- dresses with fuller skirts
Avoid:
- heavy shoulder details or puff sleeves
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Hourglass (Defined Waist, Balanced Top & Bottom)
Your vibe: classic, sculpted, effortlessly glam.
Goal: highlight your natural shape.
Wear:
- fitted tops
- wrap tops
- corset style pieces
- scoop or sweetheart necklines
- high waisted jeans or trousers
- pencil skirts
- tailored pieces that follow your shape
- bodycon dresses
- wrap dresses
- anything that cinches at the waist
Avoid:
- shapeless or oversized pieces that hide your waist
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Apple Shape (Fuller Midsection, Slimmer Legs)
Your vibe: soft, glowing, understated chic.
Goal: elongate and draw attention away from the midsection.
Wear:
- flowy blouses that skim the body
- V neck or deep necklines
- empire waist tops
- straight leg or slim fit trousers
- leggings or fitted bottoms to balance volume on top
- empire waist dresses
- shift dresses
- wrap dresses (lightly structured)
Avoid:
- tight fabrics around the stomach
Final Styling Rules (That Apply to Everyone)
1. Balance is everything
If one area is fitted, let another be relaxed.
2. Fabric matters more than you think
Structured = shaping
Flowy = softening
3. Highlight what you love
This is the most important rule. You will naturally look best in what you feel most comfortable and happy to wear! So just use this as a general guide if you need it.
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5 Responses
I think you just helped me figure out my body shape in literally 10 minutes of reading
glad i could help angel xoxo
why is hour glass the only one that says highlight natural body shape? 😊
good question! this is because nothing has to be balanced further if your bodys proportions are already balanced naturally, so it’s best not to layer too much on either your top or bottom half! xx
love this!! Can you please do one on figure 8 body shape? It can be confused with hourglass a lot and so hopefully girls can make the right decision xx