Welcome to the fashion world, where everyone’s beauty is celebrated. So learning how to dress according to body shape is vital.

We believe fashion should be inclusive and empowering for all, regardless of size or shape. By dressing in a way that flatters your body shape, you can accentuate your best features and feel confident in your skin. Whether you have an hourglass figure, apple, pear, rectangle, or an inverted triangle, there are style tips and clothing recommendations that will help you look and feel your best.

Let’s embrace our unique body shapes and celebrate our beauty together!

Understanding your body shape

Understanding your body shape is crucial when determining how to dress according to your body shape and finding clothes that fit and flatter your figure.

A combination of genetics, bone structure, muscle mass, fat distribution, sex and lifestyle determines your body shape. By taking the time to understand your body shape, you’ll be better equipped to find outfits that make you look and feel your best.

There are five main body shapes that most women fall into, and these are hourglass, apple, pear, rectangle, and inverted triangle.

Each shape has its unique features and challenges. Still, with the right style tips and wardrobe choices, you can accentuate your assets and feel confident in your clothing.

1. Hourglass Shape

The hourglass shape is characterised by a balanced proportion of the top and bottom, with a defined waistline. Hourglass shapes have curves in all the right places, and their figure is balanced from top to bottom.

Dressing for Hourglass Shapes

Hourglass shapes have a defined waistline, so improving this feature with clothing that cinches at the waist is essential. Belted dresses, high-waisted pants, and corset tops are all great options to accentuate your hourglass figure.

To maintain the balance of the hourglass figure, it’s important to choose clothing that flatters both the top and bottom. Skinny jeans and pencil skirts will enhance your curves, while off-the-shoulder tops and flowy dresses will balance out your figure.

The suitable fabric can make all the difference in enhancing your hourglass figure. Opt for materials that hug your curves, such as stretchy cotton, Lycra, and spandex.

Avoid boxy tops and shapeless dresses, as they only downplay your curves.

2. Apple Shape

The apple shape is characterised by an entire midsection, with a larger upper body and a more petite lower body. In addition, apple shapes typically have a fuller bust, waist, and upper back, with slimmer hips and legs.

Dressing for Apple Shapes

To de-emphasise the midsection, apple shapes should focus on creating the illusion of a slimmer waist. A-line skirts, empire waist tops, and high-waisted pants are great options for this look.

Apple shapes can create the illusion of a waist by wearing tops and dresses with a defined waistline. Belted jackets and coats can also help to create the illusion of a slimmer waist.

The right neckline can also help to balance out an apple shape. V-neck tops and dresses will elongate the upper body and draw attention away from the midsection.

Avoid boat neck and turtleneck tops, as they only add volume to the upper body.

3. Pear Shape

The pear shape is an entire lower body with a more petite upper body. In addition, pear shapes typically have a smaller bust, waist, and upper back, with wider hips, thighs, and buttocks.

Dressing for Pear Shapes

To balance out a pear shape, it’s important to emphasise the upper body. Off-the-shoulder tops, boat neck tops, and tops with ruffles or embellishments are great options to achieve this look.

A-line skirts and dresses are an excellent option for pear shapes, as they offset the lower body and create the illusion of a slimmer waist.

Wide-leg pants are also an excellent option for pear shapes to balance out the hips and thighs.

Avoid skinny jeans and leggings, as they only accentuate the lower body.

5. Rectangle Shape

People with a rectangular body type have shoulders to hips that form a straight, unbroken line, and their waist has little definition. This is because rectangle shapes have similar measurements for the bust, waist, and hips and lack curves.

Dressing for Rectangle Shapes

To create the illusion of curves, rectangle shapes should focus on defining the waist. Belted outfits, cinched tops, and wrap dresses are great options for this look.

Belted outfits are an excellent option for rectangle shapes, as they create the illusion of a defined waist.

Ruched or gathered fabric is also an excellent option for rectangle shapes, as it will create the illusion of curves.

Avoid boxy tops and shapeless dresses, as they only downplay your figure.

5. Inverted Triangle Shape

A full upper half with a smaller lower half defines the inverted triangle body shape. Women with this body shape usually have a larger bust, waist, upper back, and slimmer hips and legs.

Dressing for Inverted Triangle Shapes

It’s essential to draw attention to the lower half to balance out an inverted triangle shape. A-line skirts, wide-leg pants, and flared dresses are great options for this look.

Inverted triangle shapes should focus on choosing clothing that flatters their hips, thighs, and legs to draw attention to the lower half. Wide-leg pants, A-line skirts, and flared dresses are all great options.

Inverted triangle shapes need to avoid too much volume on top. Stick to fitted or more tailored tops, and avoid tops with ruffles, embellishments, or a lot of fabric.

The Bottom Line

In this blog post, we’ve stressed the importance of dress according to body shape. The article outlined the five main body shapes – hourglass, apple, pear, rectangle, and inverted triangle – and provided style advice and clothing recommendations tailored to each shape.

By dressing in a way that flatters your unique body shape, you can feel confident and look your best.