Do you feel like it’s sometimes hard for you to dress for your body type? Like you walk into your closet, try on a bunch of outfits, and you still aren’t happy with how it looks? Although sometimes you might just be tired of your clothes, there’s another reason why people find it hard to dress for their bodies. It’s because many people don’t understand their body shape and what kind of clothes look best for them.
So why not learn about it? Let’s dive in and show you how to dress for your body type. We’ll describe what the body shapes are, and what type of clothing looks best for each of them!
What is Your Body Type and Why it Matters
Everyone’s body comes in various heights and weights, and you can also describe your body with a particular shape. There are a bunch of different body shapes and a lot of them have fruit metaphors to give you a visual picture in your head. You could have a combination of a couple of shapes, or maybe none at all, as our bodies are all unique.
To find out what your body shape is, you will measure each section of your body. First, you will measure around your shoulders. Second, you will measure around your bust. Third, you will measure around your stomach section just above your belly button. Fourth, you measure around your mid-hip section to include the biggest part of your buttocks. Depending on these measurements, you can decide which shape is most like your body. Knowing your shape will help you choose the best-looking clothes to wear for your body.
There are tips and tricks for all body types, so don’t you worry. We’ve got options to share with you no matter what!
Rectangle Shape
For a rectangular-shaped body, the three sections you measure or estimate are going to be very similar and might only be off by a small amount.
As you know, a rectangle has two short sides that are the same length, and two long sides that are the same length. Think of your shoulders measured across as one of the short sides, and your hips measured across and the other short side. Then obviously down your sides will be the two long sides that are mostly straight and might only have a little curve.
If you have a rectangle-shaped body, here are the clothing types you should stick to.
Clothing Recommendations
- Neckline: DO: round neckline. DON’T: straight, square neck.
- Sleeves: DO: loose, wide sleeves. DON’T: fitted sleeves.
- Shirts: DO: belted waist. DON’T: boxy style.
- Jackets: DO: long, tailored, and fit. DON’T: above the waist, boxy style.
- Jeans: DO: bootcut flare. DON’T: extreme flare.
- Skirts: DO: flaring style, waist-defining. DON’T: angular style.
- Dresses: DO: fitted, flare defined waist. DON’T: boxy, straight style.
- Shorts: DO: loose fit mid-rise. DON’T: straight, low-rise hip.
Pear Shape
For this body type, just think of a pear shape. This shape will have the smallest measurement around the shoulders and your bust will be a little larger. Your waist measurement will be larger than your shoulders, and the largest measurement will be across your hips. Your waist likely will slope out to your hips.
For those with pear-shaped bodies, use these recommendations for how to dress for your body type.
Clothing Recommendations
- Necklines: DO: wide collar. DON’T: narrow collar.
- Sleeves: DO: structured sleeves for short sleeves, or tapered sleeves and structured shoulders for long sleeves. DON’T: unstructured sleeves for short sleeves and structured sleeves for long sleeves.
- Shirts: DO: hip length bust/shoulder details. DON’T: long fit hip details.
- Jackets: DO: mid-thigh length, structured shoulders. DON’T: hip-length, unstructured shoulders.
- Jeans: DO: high-rise, flare leg. DON’T: skinny fit.
- Skirts: DO: fitted, flaring. DON’T: tight fit hip.
- Dresses: DO: hip flare. DON’T: straight cut, dropped waist.
- Shorts: DO: high-rise, high-rise flare leg. DON’T: low-rise.
Inverted Triangle Shape
An inverted triangle body shape would mean that you have shoulders and bust measurements that are larger than your hips. Just think of an upside-down triangle.
If you think you have an inverted triangle body type, these tips are for you!
Clothing Recommendations
- Necklines: DO: deep and narrow or asymmetric. DON’T: off-shoulder and wide or straight and square.
- Sleeves: DO: fitted if short sleeves, loose and wide if long sleeves. DON’T: puffed if short sleeves, fitted if long sleeves.
- Shirts: DO: fitted, past hip. DON’T: crop.
- Jackets: DO: long, fitted hip details. DON’T: crop style upper body details.
- Jeans: DO: bootcut flare. DON’T: skinny flare.
- Skirts/Dresses: DO: flaring. DON’T: tight-fitted.
- Shorts: DO: wide-leg details. DON’T: tight-fit.
Hourglass Shape
If your shoulders and hips are very close in measurements, with your bust and waist are smaller, you have an hourglass body type.
Here are some tricks for those of you that have an hourglass body shape.
Clothing Recommendations
- Necklines: DO: oval neckline. DON’T: high, narrow, and wide neckline.
- Sleeves: DO: fitted sleeves. DON’T: wide sleeves.
- Shirts: DO: fitted simple sleeves. DON’T: ruffles or boxy fit.
- Jackets: DO: fitted style. DON’T: straight, boxy style, shoulder details.
- Jeans: DO: high-rise. DON’T: low-rise.
- Skirts/Dresses: DO: fitted and tapered waist detail. DON’T: straight-cut, big skirt with a small top, bottom detail.
- Shorts: DO: flare leg, simple styles. DON’T: straight fit.
Apple Shape
If your bust is large, your hips are narrow, and your stomach section is fuller than your hips, you have an “apple” or round-shaped body.
Here are some tips when choosing your clothing if you have this body shape.
Clothing Recommendations
- Necklines: DO: low and wide neckline. DON’T: high and narrow collar.
- Sleeves: DO: flaring sleeves. DON’T: fitted sleeves.
- Shirts: DO: flowy fit. DON’T: crop top, tight fit.
- Jackets: DO: simple style. DON’T: double-breasted belt.
- Jeans: DO: mid-rise bootcut. DON’T: high-rise skinny.
- Skirts: DO: flaring style high-waist. DON’T: tiered style mid-waist.
- Dresses: DO: straight cut, flowy style. DON’T: tight-fitted tapered hemline.
- Shorts: DO: high-waisted wide, flaring leg. DON’T: low-waisted narrow, tapered leg.
Other Types of Body Shapes
Top Hourglass Shape
The top hourglass shape is like the hourglass shape, except your bust section will be a little larger than your hips. With this body shape, boot cut or slightly flared pants will fit you well, and also full or A-line skirts and tailored jackets.
Bottom Hourglass Shape
The bottom hourglass shape is just like the top hourglass shape, except it is inverted. Your hip measurements will be slightly larger than your bust for this shape. Form-fitting knits and dresses are a few appealing options for this shape.
Spoon Shape
If you have a spoon-shaped body, your shoulders and bust area will be pretty similar in measurements. Your stomach section will be a little bigger, then your hip and bottom section will be the largest. With this body shape, you likely have extra weight in your upper arms and upper thighs. We suggest dresses with the classic “baby doll” cuts or other items with an empire waist.
Diamond Shape
If your hips are broader than your shoulders, you have a full stomach, and your bust is narrow, you likely have a diamond-shaped body. Try tops that are flowy and off-the-shoulder or boat-neck for this shape.
Athletic Shape
If your body isn’t very curvy and you have more of a muscular build, you likely have an athletic body type. Your shoulders and hips will be very similar in measurement. Your waist will be smaller, but will be pretty straight up and down and won’t be too curvy. For an athletic shape, try halter, strapless, and racerback styles.
Conclusion
We all have our own body shape and size, and that’s what makes us all unique. Whether you are looking for the right jeans, maybe the perfect dress for your body, or if you just need some extra tips in this area, we hope you found this information helpful! Love and own the body you have regardless of its shape! You are beautiful just the way you are!