Ladies, determine and define your shape.

There are 5 basic types of body shape in women, now the truth is that every lady is unique in her way but these 5 basic shape would only serve as a guideline for you to determine which category or type you most likely (in some cases perfectly) fit into. In addition to being unique in shape, your total look is also complimented by your facial features, skin tone, accessories, hair style and personal taste. We ladies are always hard on ourselves when trying on clothes by focusing on those parts we don’t like, but understanding your body shape as well as dress design shape (this you should know by now if you read my last article) would help you decide faster and better what fits and what doesn’t.

Looking good greatly depends on you finding your strength quality and working it out. No body shape is limited to any body size, be it petite, tall or plump. Determine your shape, define your style, bring them together and look your best.

The five basic body shapes are as follow:

OVAL SHAPE

Description

·         Well proportioned body with no definite waistline

·         Large stomach region

·         Wide hips and full thighs

 

 

Suitable Clothing

·         Dresses with slim fit waist

·         Waist belts

·         Empire cut dresses

·         Simple, less dramatic sleeves

·         Hour-glass and rectangle dress design

Unsuitable clothing

·         Boxy Jackets

·         Shift dresses

·         Sash tied at the waist front

·         Horizontal trimmings and details

·         Too tight garments

The key is to wear garments that help synch in the waist, but not too tightly. Garments that show of your feminine curves up and down, at the same time giving the illusion of a slim waist are suitable. Under this body shape is the ‘Diamond shape’.

Diamond shape is very similar to the oval shape, except that the figure has a high sitting stomach and the hips start higher or very close to the waist. The rules for dressing the oval figure could also apply to this shape. High waist skirts and pants are suitable. Wearing low waist pants could divide the middle region into two halves resulting in unwanted bulges. Free flowing dresses with the natural waist line and empire cuts are flattering for this figure.

 

HOUR GLASS SHAPE

Description

·         Equal bust line and hipline width

·         Well defined waist

·         Top and bottom halves of the body are equal

·         Very curvy look

·         All the dress design works, but the larger figures should avoid round dress design

 

Suitable Clothing

·         Practically most styles of garments sit well on a hourglass figure ranging from tight fitting dresses cut on the bias to shift dresses

·         Trousers with a slight flare gives balance to the hips

Unsuitable Clothing

·         Although your body type is easiest to dress, but stay away from clothing that could add bulk to your hips or chest region.

Some women with this very curvy look would rather they had that slimmer figure of super models, but you should stay confident because this is a very feminine figure and you need not try too hard, just stay simple and confident, you are already hot as it is!

INVERTED TRIANGLE (APPLE) SHAPE

Description

·         Large bust and/ or broad shoulders

·         Narrow waist and hip

·         Some have flat backsides while some have curvy backside

·         Generally top half of the body is bigger than the bottom half

 

Suitable Clothing

·         V-shaped necklines help elongate the neck region

·         Brighter colours down for a fuller effect and darker colours up for a slimming effect

·         Garments with flares or gathers from the waist

·         More details on the lower part of dresses such as pockets, frills and so on

·         Bag hanging from shoulder to hipline

·         Triangle and hour-glass dress design

Unsuitable Clothing

·         Turtle neck garments

·         Dramatic tops and/or sleeves

·         High fitted waist

·         Wide belts

·         Trimming at, or near the bust line

·         Inverted triangle ans square shape dress design

The key is to dress in a way that will bring volume to the lower half of the body to balance the upper part.

TRIANGLE (PEAR) SHAPE

Description

• Defined Waist


• Wider hips and thighs


• Narrower shoulders


• Wider bottom


• Smaller bust


• Hour-glass and inverted triangle dress design

 

Suitable Clothing

·         Blouses with embellishments, frills and such details

·         Dramatic sleeves

·         Bright colours up, darker colours down

·         A-line skirts and dresses skim down the hip curves without any baggy appearance

·         Bags and purses that end at elbow length from the shoulder

·         Triangle and round dress design


 

Unsuitable Clothing
 

·         Lycra or tight hugging bottoms

·         White washed jeans

·         Blouses or tops ending just at the waist line

·         Gathers, pleats or side pockets on skirts or patterns

 

So much emphasis and detailing should be added to the upper part of the persons garment and the lower part should be kept simple, this is to strike a balance with between the two halves of the body.



 

RECTANGLE (ATHLETHIC) SHAPE

 

Description:

·         Equal bust and hip measurement with no defined waist line

·         Proportionately slim legs and arms

·         Overall boyish look with very little or no curves

 

Suitable Clothing

·         Girlish sleeves

·         Scottish skirts

·         Bust cuts

·         Frills, pleats, gathered and full skirts

·         Full, soft collars

·         Round, hour-glass and oval shape dress designs

 

Unsuitable Clothing

·         Boxy Jackets

·         Capes, square neckline

·         Any garment with very angular cuts

·         Rectangular and square shape dress designs


 

The aim is to achieve a feminine look as best as you can. So girly playful garments work just fine.



 

 HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SHAPE


 

Following these simple steps would enable you figure out which category best suits you:

 

·         Strip down to your underwear or thin layer of clothes that shows your curves well

·         Stand in front of a full upright mirror

·         Study the relationship between your shoulder, waist and hips.

·         Analyse your waist line and where it sits.

·         Turn as much as possible to assess your bum and backside

·         You should be taking down notes such as shoulder width compared to hip width, large or slim thighs etc

·         Also write down those areas of your body you are self conscious about and those parts you are confident of.

·         Using your jottings, you should be able to define your shape

·         In addition, you could get honest views from a trusted friend or family and then compare with your notes, just to have a more concise assessment.

·         Having differences in the opinions could mean you may have more than one shape combined (which is very possible), so you just read on the shapes and decide which one suits you better taking into consideration those areas you are confident of.

 

Every woman has her assets, so when dressing up try to flaunt those areas without overdoing it else you end up looking more slutty than lady-like. You would know these areas judging from compliments you get on the regular and those you feel confident about. Finally, no matter what you put on, make sure you feel comfortable and great before stepping out ;).