Dressing for your body type and finding clothes that flatter you can be a difficult challenge. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding something you love in a store, only to realize it doesn’t look great on you. Whether you have an hourglass, athletic, straight, apple, or pear body type, we’ve got some great style tips to help you choose clothes and accessories that will make you feel as confident as ever.
1. Dressing to Accentuate Your Best Features
The clothing we wear is one of the first ways we make impressions on those around us. Highlighting your best features, and embracing your body type, is a great way to boost your self-confidence and ensure you look your best. Here are some tips for :
- Shape: A great place to start is to opt for clothing that will complement your natural shape. From flowing bohemian blouses to statement-making jumpsuits, there is a wide variety of styles designed to flatter your figure.
- Colors: Certain colors can help bring out the beauty of your complexion. Think bright jewel tones like teal, ruby and emerald if you have warm undertones; or dark colors such as navy or forest green if you have cool undertones.
- Texture: Play around with texture to create interest in an outfit. Adding a menswear-inspired blazer, a chunky knitted cardigan, or a fuzzy faux fur piece to your look can break the monotony of any outfit.
- Accessories: Accessories are the perfect way to bring an outfit to life and distract from any areas you’re uncomfortable with. Layer a ton of necklaces for the ultimate statement necklace, or try larger accessories such as turbans or floppy hats.
In addition to creative styling, make sure to invest in great-fitting clothing. Wearing something that fits properly will immediately make you look more polished and put together. Figure-hugging fabrics and styles, as well as high-waisted silhouettes, can help contour your body and accentuate the best features.
We all come in different sizes and shapes, and being aware of our body type can help us choose clothing that will flatter us, rather than suppress us. can boost self-confidence and make you feel incredible!
2. Identifying Your Unique Body Type
Your body shape is a basic guide to understanding the kind of clothing that will best flatter your figure and sense of style. Identifying yours is the first step towards finding the right clothes that will suit you. Not only will it give you insight into the trends that you should mainly focus on, it will also make sure you never regret a purchase. In this section, we’ll discuss different body types and their key features that you need to know.
Hourglass
- Chest and torso are proportionate in size
- Waist is well-defined, with a curvature
- Hips are in balance with an even hip-waist ratio
- Shoulders tend to be broad with good muscle definition
Athletic
- Broad shoulders that are in balance with the hips
- Often have a well-defined waist
- Generous muscle tone and good definition
- Slender and not much tapered shape to hips and waist
Pear
- Shoulders are narrower than the hips
- Hip area is wider than the bust
- Small chest and well defined waist
- Generally longer limbs and a good leg length
Apple
- Widest point is through the abdomen
- Shoulder area is larger than the hips
- Waist is less defined
- Generally carries weight around the outer thighs
3. Styling Tips to Make Your Body Look Slimmer
One of the best ways to create a slimming illusion for your body is to style your clothing correctly. Here are some styling tips that you can use to make your body look slimmer:
- Fit is Key – The more form-fitting your clothing is, the better it will adhere to your curves and create an elongating effect. Avoid baggy items as they tend to add bulk to the body.
- Vertical Stripes – Wearing items with vertical lines can help give the illusion of height and slimness, and can be achieved by wearing striped clothing, blazers, or long necklaces.
- Monochrome – Head-to-toe black is a classic choice that helps to slim down your silhouette. Go for a dress in a style that fits your body perfectly and stick to one monochrome shade.
- Color Blocks – Placing blocks of color on different parts of your body can draw the eye away from certain areas. Darker colors should be placed on where you want to downplay, and brighter colors should be placed on areas you want to draw attention to.
If you want to make an even bigger statement, opt for an attention-grabbing piece. Try a crop top with a high-waisted skirt or a blazer paired with your favorite jeans. This will help create curves and a more flattering shape. Whatever you decide to wear, remember that your confidence is your best accessory!
With these styling tips, you’ll be able to give yourself the opportunity to enhance your naturally beautiful curves and create a slimming effect. So, go out there and slay!
4. Making the Most of What You Got – Outfit Tips for Any Body Type
We often use size as the biggest deciding factor when choosing an outfit, but it’s time to go beyond what cup size your dress is or what size jeans you should buy. Although size can be important, the way you feel in something is always top priority. Here are some tips to help you make the most of what you have, and put together outfits that are both flattering and fun no matter what your body type:
Go for Fitted Pieces
When it comes to clothing, fitted styles work best for showing off your favorite features while downplaying the ones you don’t. Depending on what body type you have, using fitted pieces can be a great way to draw attention to areas that are worth flaunting. They also help to give a completed look, and can make the outfit appear more put-together.
Proportion Is Key
When you have different proportions, you’ll want to make sure you’re balancing them out. Adding volume to the top or to the bottom is usually a great way to give an hour-glass figure look, while adding layers can be used to narrow proportions. Also, combine tight and loose-fitting clothing to create balance, as this will give you the perfect hourglass figure.
Choose Your Colors
Color can be a great tool for finding garments that flatter your body type. For example:
- Dark colors such as black or navy blue are great for creating slimming effects.
- If you have a petite frame, go for bright colors as they add volume.
- For a fuller body type, choose colors in the mid-tone range for a more balanced look.
No matter what your body type, the most important thing to remember when putting together an outfit is that confidence is what will make you look your best. So don’t be afraid to break out of the box and try something new.
No matter your body type, dressing to flatter your figure is an essential part of creating the perfect look. Get creative and have fun with it and before you know it, you’ll be walking out the door with confidence, looking and feeling your best!
