Have you ever seen someone wearing something utterly amazing, totally crushed on it, and then realised it probably wouldn’t suit you? We might lament that we might “never get away with wearing that”, and the reason why? Because so often dressing well is really about dressing for your body shape. But how do you nail dressing for your body shape? Here, our resident stylist Katie Moore at stylepath_ldn tells us why dressing for your body shape is the secret to nailing your next wardrobe move.

Hour Glass Body Shape

What is it?

Women with this shape have a smaller waist in comparison to their bust and bottoms. Busts and hips are similar in size.

Celebrities with this body shape

Kim Kardashian, Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara

Flattering clothes

If you have this shape, you might want to accentuate your waistline by wearing wrap tops and dresses, belts on the waist line, high-waist skirts, and fitted clothes. Don’t wear baggy things that will make you look bulky or box-y.

Rectangle Body Shape

What is it?

This body type doesn’t have just one particular area that stands out more than the others. Everything is close to the same size. This is perfect because you don’t have to try to minimize any body part.

Celebrities with this body shape

Natalie Portman, Mel C, Cat Deeley

Flattering clothes

Most things look good on this body type. If you want to add curves opt for v-necks. Fitted or flared jeans (creating curves) and french tucked tops into trousers.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

What is it?

Women who have this shape tend to have broader shoulders and/or bigger bust in comparison to their lower body.

Celebrities with this body shape

Charlize Theron, Renee Zellwegger, Demi Moore

Flattering clothes

Shoulders! You have awesome shoulders, so feel free to show them off with a sleeveless dress or top. Also, to balance out your lower body, use fuller bottoms.

Triangle (pear)  Body Shape

What is it?

If your hips are bigger than the rest of your body, women with this shape are normally smaller busted but have wonderful full hips.

Celebrities with this body shape

Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Shakira

 

Flattering clothes

You need to balance out your upper body, square necks are great as they show off your collar bone drawing the eye up. Avoid anything low waisted as this will only accentuate your hips.

Oval (apple) Body Shape

What is it?

Women with an apple shape are the biggest in their mid-section. Typically the lower body is smaller and they have a fuller bust.

Celebrities with this body shape

Queen Latifah and Kate Winslet

Flattering clothes

Draw attention to assets with no buttoned-up shirts but keep an elegant neckline with lower cutting tops.  No waist belts or low-cut trousers.

Well there you have it folks! Armed with this handy guide to dressing for your body shape you now have the knowledge and power to dress according to your favourite features with the clothes and silhouettes that will bring out the very best of you!