Make the most of what your Mama (or Papa…) gave ya

WOMEN

There are lots of different body shapes which you don’t need me to tell you, but I am going to group us into four categories

Apple- With big boobs and rounded tummy leading into slim hips and good legs

As with any shape, if you draw attention to the favourite parts of your body you will feel a hundred times more confident. In your case this is likely to be your boobs or your slim legs.

Don’t cover up your legs, accentuate them in slim fitted trousers. Or opt for full skirts which create waist definition and create smoother lines minimising rounded tummies, paired with an open necked top to show of your boobs. If you decide on a jacket, choose a patterned top underneath a block coloured jacket to create smooth lines that draw attention to your best assets.

Pear-You have a bum like J-Lo and a smaller chest in comparison

A-line dresses are especially flattering. They emphasise your small waist and then skim over the wider parts of your bum and thighs. Always emphasise your slim shoulders and arms with strapless tops and dresses. A strapless maxi dress, especially with a clinched-in waist is a very good shout.

Invest in a slim waist belt as with almost whatever you are wearing if you add this to the smallest part of your waist you are drawing attention to your beautiful curves. Padded shoulders and structured jackets make your waist look even slimmer in proportion as they slightly widen the appearance of your shoulders balancing out your slightly wider hips.

Hourglass– If you have a well defined waist with plenty of boobs and bum to match

Structured, quality fabrics and clothes emphasise your shape. Think shoulder pads, interesting collars and necklines and fitted jackets drawing in at the waist.

The mirrored look perfect for you would be a fitted, high waisted pencil skirt skimming your thighs creating smooth lines to your waist. Tuck into this a fitted, open necked shirt with a fitted, short jacket over the top. Or if you are going for a more casual look clinch in a pair of loose trousers at the waist and then tuck in a loose top that shows, at least, your collar bone.

Always avoid anything that is too baggy, or shapeless, especially around the waist, such as a loose top or shift dress as this will make you look bigger than you are.

Rectangle– Rectangles have an athletic figure with pretty even proportions from your shoulders down through the waist and hips.

You are very lucky as high-end fashion designs will often fit you very well with such even proportions. Difficult to wear, high necklines will emphasise your elegance.

Straight cut shift dresses will make you look slim and sophisticated. Boyish styles look perfect on you, with boyfriend cut shirts and jackets over tighter lower layers.

You do, however, have curves which you can maximise if that is the look you want. You fit most types of jeans and the tighter they are the more your body’s natural curves will be apparent. Or use a loose top clinched into a waist belt that flows out to a billowing a-line skirt to create those curves.

 

 

 

MEN

Triangle- You have wider hips than shoulders

You tend to look shorter than you are as your bulk is half way down your body, so when you’re dressing draw attention to the upper half of your body. Do this with structured blazers, shoulder pads, detailed shoulders and good collars and pockets on your shirts.

Heavier, good quality fabrics are good as they make clean, elongated lines, just avoid jackets and jumpers that are too long as this is likely to drown you. The ‘I’ve almost grown into my Dads old suit’ isn’t really a look that too many people want to emulate…

If your legs tend to look shorter don’t extenuate the width with excessively baggy cut trousers. Dark plain cut jeans add to a sophisticated flattering look with subtle and clean patterns.

Rectangular Shape– You’re a rectangle if your shoulders, waist and hips are all roughly the same size.

Again avoid baggy clothes as you will start to look a bit like a clothes horse. Make the most of your shape with slender fitted clothes and clean straight lines. Darker slim cut jeans are perfect for you, too light coloured and you could start to look a bit lanky. Go crazy with your belts; they were made for your body shape dividing up your torso into the perfect proportions, extenuating your streamline shape.

Don’t be scared to layer up different neck-lined tops. This will add shape to your torso by creating the impression of broader shoulders

Upside-down triangle– The upper half of your body is significantly bigger than the lower half.

Avoid too much layering on top as this will make you appear top heavy. Keep things look sleek and sophisticated by minimising the size of your upper body with dark and block colours, or subtle patterns. Lighter coloured jeans with a bootcut (avoid anything too tight) will balance out your proportions perfectly. You can also get away with softer, lighter-weight fabrics giving you effortless style, hinting to the body underneath.

Whilst I might silently judge you for it and hate myself for saying this… there is no denying that very fitted t-shirts or even tank tops do emphasise your broad upper body without making you look top-heavy. An open jacket works well giving length and drawing attention to your height rather than width.