Know Your Body Shape: Easy Fashion Style Guide for Body Types

How to know if you have a rectangular body shape: A rectangular body shape features hips and shoulders that are equally wide, as well as no defined waist, slim hips and thighs, and a flat butt and bust. This shape also has fewer curves since weight is evenly distributed throughout the body.

Styling tips for this body shape: Since rectangle body shapes have little to no curves, it helps to put on clothes that will create an illusion of an hourglass figure. To do this, the first fashion style guide for this body type is to put on tops with ruffles and frills that will add flair and dimension to your straight silhouette. Wearing tops with collars also flatter the chest area. Meanwhile, shop for clothes with a scoop-neck and sweetheart neckline will also create an illusion of curves.

Next on our styling tips is for pants; you can wear most styles, but consider your height. If you’re petite, flow, and wide-leg pants, gartered bottoms and cargo pants are good options. Bootcut styles can also elongate your legs if you pair them with heels. If you're tall, medium-rise jeans will look best on you. Belts are optional and are not recommended if you have minimal waist curves.

Clothes that you should avoid: Unfortunately, there are clothing pieces that wouldn’t flatter your shape. Some examples of our styling tips are high-waisted bottoms, belted jackets, coats, and pieces with noticeable waistbands. Avoid combining skinny bottoms with tight tops. Don’t shop for Clothes with a straight and boxy silhouette that would also emphasize your lack of curves.

How to know if you have an apple-shaped body type: Those with this body type have a wide torso, broad shoulders, average to full bust, and a small rear. Like rectangle body shapes, those with apple-shaped figures also have an undefined waistline. Women with this body type also possess heavier weight in the belly area.

Styling tips for this body shape: A good news fashion style guide for this body type for an apple body frame: most tops would look amazing on you! Shop for clothes that are most flattering cuts like flow tunics and relaxed button-ups. Anything with breezy A-line silhouettes and V-neck necklines should also be your go-to piece. Shop for clothes Wrap style dresses and tops that would look best on you because these create an illusion of curves and waistline.

One of the fashion style guides for this body type is to elongate your silhouette; you can opt for flared pants or boot-leg jeans with heels. Wear your bottoms below the hip bone to divert the attention away from your midriff.

Clothes that you should avoid: The general rule for choosing clothes or shopping for clothes for an apple-shaped body is to avoid pieces that will make you look wider. For example, don’t shop for clothes like short jackets and double-breasted coats, which can make your middle look wider. In the same vein, a fashion style guide for this body type is to avoid tucking in your shirts and tops since doing so would make you look shorter. One of the styling tips for bottoms, avoid skinny jeans and leggings; don’t pair them with oversized tops because the pairing won’t create a defined top half.

How to know if you have a pear body shape: If you have a pear body shape, you have a fuller rear and hips. The lower part of your body (hips and thighs) is wider than your upper body parts (shoulders and bust). Your shoulder is narrower than your hips; your waistline is wider than your bust.

Styling tips for this body shape: One of the fashion style guides for this body type, women should be wearing clothes that will highlight their torso—specifically the waist and shoulders—instead of their hips and thighs. Fitted and structured tops would help in defining your shoulder and waist. Recommended styling tips _for necklines are plunging V-necks, cowl necks, boat necks, and scoop necks. These visually widen the appearance of your shoulders. If you want to highlight your chest, opt for a piece with a sweetheart neckline. Wide sleeves, which add volume to your arms, would create an illusion of balanced and proportioned-looking hips.

Choosing the proper fit can also be tricky, but the main takeaway is to look for tops that are tight around the waist area to create an hourglass figure. A fashion style guide for this body type, if you’re wearing a loose top, it should be long enough to cover the hips. Flattering clothing also includes A-lines and princess cuts and pieces that are cut around mid-thigh. For bottoms, any piece with a hemline below the knee can slenderize your hips and thighs. Just like the last two body types, flared pants can also elongate your legs if you have a pear silhouette.

Clothes to avoid: Avoid shopping for clothes likes tops with hemlines that reach thighs since these can make your legs look wider. Crop tops are also unflattering for this body type since they draw attention to the midsection. Also, a fashion style guide for this body type in bottoms it’s not recommended to wear cigarette pants since their straight silhouette can highlight your thighs and hips in an unflattering way. Don’t shop for clothes that are tight-fitting skirts would also make your hips look bulky. Lastly, avoid clothes with buttons, gemstones, sequins, or embroidery around the hips and rear.

How to know if you have an hourglass body shape: Women who have an hourglass body shape tend to have a noticeable, well-defined waist. One word to describe this body type is curvy. This body type features even bust and hip measurements.

Styling tips for this body type: A fashion style guide for this body type, wear a piece that accentuates your curvy shape. Styling tips for this body type are tops with V-neck, round neck, or boat neck necklines are wardrobe staples for curvy girls since they can make your chest appear smaller. Shop for fitted clothes; tops would look best on you since they accentuate the chest and neckline.

Fashion style guide for this body type, Belts can also do wonders in drawing attention to your waist, as do peplum tops. With an hourglass body type, a styling tip for this body shape, you can rock high-waisted bottoms since these flatter the hips and rear. Tight-fitting dresses and jumpsuits were also made for this body type.

Clothes to avoid: Don’t shop for clothes, and wearing boxy and baggy clothes is a big no-no since they hide your curves. High neck blouses and detailed necklines are also a fashion style guide for this body type that is not recommended since they can make your bust look bulky.

How to know if you have an oval body shape: Women who have an oval body shape commonly have narrow hips, an undefined waist, and an entire midsection. The bust area also tends to be larger than the rest of the body; the stomach or middle area is also very noticeable. Oval body types usually have a flat rear and slender legs.

Styling tips for an oval body shape: Most types of clothes would look great on women with oval-shaped bodies. Some pieces that will suit women with this body shape include V-necks, wrap-around tops, tunics, and scoop neck button-downs. Cinch your waist with a belt when wearing flow pieces. Shop for clothes like dresses with an accentuated waist area would provide an illusion of a balanced upper and lower body. These kinds of dresses should have a flowing bottom half.

A fashion style guide for this body type, shop for clothes like wide-leg pants or palazzo pants would look the most flattering since they help balance the appearance of your midsection and bottom half; plus, they also curve your hips. Bottoms that cover or diminish the appearance of your tummy area can make you look slimmer.

Clothes to avoid: These style guides for this body type that you should avoid are pencil skirts and tight midi skirts since they can make your proportions look too unbalanced. Don’t shop for clothes like skin-hugging dresses or bodycon should also be avoided since these may draw attention to your tummy area. Loose-fitting, baggy tops are also not recommended since they can make you look heavier. Avoid clothes with broad stripes, too.

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