Bodies come in different shapes and sizes, and clothes flatter them. Many people focus on toning their bodies to fit into clothes, but style is about choosing the right clothes to conform to one’s body. For every silhouette, there is a complementary shape that dresses have. Read on to understand body shape, the importance of finding the right fit, and how to find it. The tiniest confidence boost can suffice, and finding the right dress fit can give one that.
Body Shapes
The first step towards finding the perfect dress fit is understanding one’s body shape or type.
Pear
Those with a pear body shape tend to flaunt their hips and thighs. If the shoulders are narrower than the hips, one has a pear-shaped body. With a pear body shape, one should accentuate their hips and waist. Additionally, defining the waist over the hips can also create a new look.
Hourglass
Many strive to achieve a perfect hourglass-shaped body. With a relatively dipped waist and well-balanced figure, it’s not easy to go wrong with what one wears.
Apple
Apple-shaped bodies are relatively well-proportioned and have fuller busts and mid-sections. They are typically slender with less defined curves.
Athletic
Athletic fits are typically known to be square or rectangular. The easiest way to discover if a body shape is athletic is by comparing bust and hip measurements, which will be similar. Weight is usually distributed homogeneously throughout one’s gait, with a less defined hip.
Dress Styles for Each Shape
Pear
With the pear shape, one must accentuate their hips and waist with a cinched maxi or A-line dress. V-necks work best in ensuring that all attention remains on one’s waist. Fit-and-Flares can accentuate the overall pear shape, making it a classic favourite.
Bright tones and dual-toned shades can help create symmetry between hips and thighs.
Avoid straight cut clothes as these do not define the hips and can remove the definition from one’s hips.
Hourglass Shape
With a well-proportioned body, figure-fitting dresses accentuate all the curves one has. A bodycon dress is a closet essential as it focuses on highlighting one’s natural body line. However, trial before commitment with such dresses is always a wise decision. While V-necks are flattering, try sweetheart and scoop necklines to keep the look fresh and youthful. Mermaid styles and wrap clothes help in accentuating the natural hip dip and one’s curvy shape, making them evergreen clothing pieces.
Avoiding shapeless and oversized clothes is essential – they tend to stick and hug the wrong places.
Apple
Apple-shaped bodies look best when waists draw attention away from the chest. Long flowy skirts can work wonders in accentuating the hip and creating a deeper hip dip, de-emphasizing the upper body.
V-necklines can make the top look lighter. Ultimately two styles work best – drawing attention away from the mid or accentuating and creating one’s mid-curves. Flowy tunic-like dresses work best for this body type.
Watch out for form-fitting clothes such as peplum styles and linear patterns.
Athletic
This shape might be the most versatile one and can be used to create false curves. Off-shoulder and sweetheart necklines can remove some harsh lines in one’s physique. Ruches and other materials make the shoulders seem wider creating a false hourglass effect. Asymmetrical clothes and halter necks can create the perfect wardrobe for someone athletic. Avoid straight necklines as they make one seem boxy!
