By Majella Shields
Staff Writer
Hey everyone, I hope you all have had a wonderful week. Today, I will be building off of last week’s article regarding plus-size clothing. I hope it was helpful and gave you the confidence to wear what you want and make you comfortable in what you wear. Today, I’m going to focus on the importance of dressing for your shape. Know your shape and choose garments that show off and compliment your body. I’ll show you how to figure out what body shape you are and the clothes that will suit your shape.
Figuring out which body shape you are can be confusing and overwhelming. The easiest way to think of your body is by comparing it to a shape, and knowing the shape of others may make it easier for you to know your shape. I have provided a diagram below of body shapes; have a little look and figure out which you are.
When body shapes are broken down to the four main shapes — apple, pear, hourglass and rectangle — it can be easy to understand.
An hourglass shape has shoulders that are proportionate to its hips and is defined with a small waist; basically, hourglass figures have curves in all the right places. A celebrity example of an hourglass is Beyoncé.
It is important to show off and enhance these curves in the right way. Avoid wearing clothes that are too big, for the extra cloth will make the body look bigger. Be careful that they are not too tight, as this will emphasize any flabby areas. Show off your curves in high-waisted jeans and fitted pencil skirts. A lot of these are shaped around the hips now, which is great because they will further enhance your curves. If you opt for a shift dress, which is less fitted than a body con, wear a high waisted belt — this will tuck you in and show off your tiny waist.
A pear shape will generally be bottom heavy. It has a small shoulder, a defined waist, larger hips and a well-rounded bum. A celebrity example would be Kim Kardashian.
It is important to recognize that your best features are your small shoulders and flat tummy. Avoid wearing clothes that will emphasize your hips and thighs. Instead, focus on making your top half look proportionate to your bottom half. This can be done by wearing ruffled tops. Try strapless tops and dresses to show off your shoulders and arms. Avoid roll-up jeans or mid length trousers and skirts because they will cut you off at the legs. Instead, elongate the legs by wearing nude shoes or boots with a pointed toe. By wearing jeans or trousers with a flared or wide leg, you will balance out your hips, making them appear smaller.
Apple shape has small shoulders and slim legs, but it will carry weight around the stomach. A celebrity with this body shape would be Jennifer Hudson.
The most important factor to consider when dressing is making the body appear longer. Create a waist line and show off your great legs. Avoid box-shaped jackets. Stick to fitted, cropped, brightly-colored jackets. Create a waistline on the smallest part of your waist by wearing a belt or a dress/top with an empire line. This falls just under the bust, so the garment will flow perfectly over your stomach making it appear smaller.
Box shape is generally slim, with hips, shoulders and waistline all in exact proportion. Don’t worry about hiding anything, just empathize your best features: your legs and arms.
Strapless dresses with a tucked in waistline will show off your figure. Sweetheart necklines, collared and detailed neckline blouses and other collars will compliment your chest. Wear layers — i.e. a blouse with a jumper, a jacket and a gilet, or shorts, tights, socks and boots. This will instantly create a nice shape.
