Dress For Your Body Shape

Hourglass Figure 

Lucky you! This is known as the perfect body shape. You have an hourglass figure if; your full hip-line and chest-line are in the same width and your waist is well defined. Your upper body length is almost the same with the lower body length. Your aims are to emphasize your curves, especially your waist, without ‘adding’ your weight. 

Do’s: 

• Wear fitted and semi-fitted clothes 
• Dresses with defined waistlines 
• Straight and gently light pants 
• Low to medium-low necklines 

Don’ts: 

• Baggy styles are a big no! 
• Too skinny pants 
• High necklines (unless you have a small bust) 
• Skirts with open pleats 

Kelly Brook

Katherine Heigl

Inverted Triangle 

You have an inverted triangle body shape if; you have a proportionally large bust, or you have broad shoulders, or both. You also have narrow hips with well defined waist. Your aims are to create the illusion of the perfect hourglass body shape by balancing your lower body to your upper body and to draw attention away from your upper body. 

Do’s: 

• Tops and dresses that flow through the waist 
• Flared (light-colored) pants 
• A-line skirts 
• Fitted sleeves 

Don’ts: 

• Skinny pants and fitted skirts 
• Styles that emphasize your shoulder (puff shoulder, padded shoulder) 
• Big collars 
• Stiff and thick fabrics 

Left to Right: Angelina Jolie, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow

Triangle or Pear-Shaped 

You have this shape if; your chest-line is proportionally narrower than your hip-line and your waist is well defined. You have narrow shoulders, larger thighs and full rounded bottom. 

Do’s: 

• Tops that emphasize your shoulder (puff shoulder, padded shoulder) 
• Skirts and dresses that are straight or slightly flared (light colors) 
• Lower and wider necklines 
• Straight-legged jeans with dark color 

Don’ts: 

• ‘Body-hugging’ tight skirts and skinny jeans 
• Tight jeans with too much details on the hips or bottom (flaps or embroidery on back pockets, large side pockets) 
• High-waisted pants (or shorts) and skirts 
• Flashy belts 

Alicia Keys

Kristen Davis

Rectangle

You have a rectangle body shape if; your full chest-line and hip-line are about the same width and your waist is little defined. Your legs and arms will typically be proportionally slender. Your aims are to add curves by defining your shoulders or if you are slender, by defining your waist. 

Do’s: 

• Tops that emphasize your shoulder (puffy, padded shoulder) 
• Semi fitted clothes 
• Short sleeves and sleeve-less tops and dresses 
• Medium necklines (V-neck would be great) 

Don’ts: 

• Baggy tops and pants 
• Too-fitted clothes 
• Narrow skirts 
• Straight cut jeans (this will only emphasize your straight figure

Nicole Kidman

Cameron Diaz