The key to dressing well is to dress according to your body shape and not what fashion dictates. Once you have identified yourself as a particular body shape it will be easier to choose the styles that flatter your assets and disguise your flaws.
Hourglass This is the desirable Hollywood shape body that we all aspire to, because it is beautifully proportioned and sexy. Your bust and hips are the same width and you have a defined waist. Focus on wearing styles that accentuate your waist and your shapely body. Waist belts, wrap tops and dresses, full skirts and flared or bootleg jeans are the best styles for this curvaceous body type. Steer away from skinny jeans that can make you look bottom heavy and from “sack like” styles that hide your shape. Celebrity “Hourglasses” are Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Scarlet Johannson and Jessica Beil.
Apple You have the appearance of being slightly round and have an undefined waist. You either have broad hips and bum or narrow hips and bum but tend to gain weight around your tummy. Your main goal as an apple is to slim down your upper body and create balance by adding volume to your lower body. Be aware of trying to hide in oversized tops that can look boxy and only emphasize your shape. Loose tops that tie in under the bust are best suited for this body shape. Dresses, shifts and tops that cinch in under your bust will give you shape. Straight, flared and wide leg pants will balance your body. Celebrity Apples are: Katherine Zeta Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Rosie O Donell.
Cone You have wide shoulders and narrow hips and are quite athletic looking. Cones usually have slim legs and should focus on creating shape and curves and showing off their slim legs. Add volume around the hips to proportion your boyish shape. Flared and wide legged pants are your best styles. Long tops, shirts and Jerseys that cinch in at the waist or flare out from your waist are most flattering. Belts create a waist and low cut V or U necked tops slim down your chest. Celebrity cones are: Rene Zellweger, Naomi Campbell and Demi Moore
Pear Your hips and thighs are your body’s centerpiece. Your hips are wider than your torso. Your shoulders are narrow and you have a beautifully defined waist. Your goal when putting outfits together is to draw attention to your upper body and stick to simple lines on your lower body. Fitted tops or tops with ruffles or extra beading suit you well. Look for cropped cardigans and Jackets and Belts that accentuate your waist. Bootleg, or wide leg pants are great for balancing your body Shape. A line or flared skirts skim your hips and show off your womanly shape. Celebrity Pears are: Beyonce, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
Rectangle Your hips and Shoulders are proportioned but you don’t have a clearly defined waist. The advantage of this shape is that weight gain will be evenly distributed and all you need to focus on is creating shape and curves. Your best styles are low-necked tops and dresses that’ll show off your bust and give you curves. Wide belts will give you a waist and balance your upper body. Most style pants will look good on you but you may need a heel if you are a shorter version of this body shape. Celebrity Rectangles are: Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman and Rachel Hunter.
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