Success every time: The simple ‘shop for your shape’ checklist

It’s hard to keep up with the latest fashion trends and it can be even harder to figure out how those trends can be adapted to suit your body shape. The number one ‘rule’ when it comes to what you wear is that you have to feel good wearing it. When you dress for your body shape and accentuate your best features with the styles in your wardrobe, you’ll not only look great but you’ll feel great too!

Women come in all shapes and sizes, so when it comes to finding clothes that are flattering to your body it’s important you know your proportions. Most women fall into one of the following categories:

1. Pear-shaped body type (aka ‘the triangle’)
2. Hourglass-shaped body type (aka ‘curvy’)
3. Apple-shaped body type (aka ‘the inverted triangle)
4. Athletic-shaped body type (aka ‘the rectangle’ or ‘straight’)

How to determine your body shape type

To understand what type shape your body is, you need to pay attention to your curves. Look at how they connect your bust, waist and hips.

A pear-shaped body type is often where you have a waist wider than your bust, you consider yourself to have fuller hips, your shoulders are narrower in comparison to your hips and you have a fuller bottom. Think Marilyn Monroe, Helen Mirren or Michelle Obama.

You could have an hourglass-shaped body type if you describe your body as curvy, you have a well-defined waist and your bust and hip measurements are roughly even. You might also have a fuller bust, hips and thighs. Lynda Carter (aka Wonder Woman) and Sophia Loren are typical hourglass body shapes.

Apple-shaped body types are more likely to be well-proportioned. You’ll likely have shoulders broader than your hips, you’re not necessarily curvy through your hips and you don’t have a well-defined waistline (because if you did, you’d be an hourglass). Take a look at Catherine Zeta Jones, Dawn French, Raquel Welch and Oprah Winfrey who are all apple-shaped body types.

Those with an athletic-shaped body type will not be particularly curvy. Most women of this shape will have measurements of their shoulders and hips that are nearly the same. Instead of having a small or well-defined waistline, you’ll have a line that is straight up and down. If you are an athletic-shaped body type you’ll most likely have your weight evenly distributed throughout your body. Women with this shape include Nicole Kidman and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The pear-shaped body type checklist

If you’re a pear-shaped body type you’re going to look great in statement tops that draw the eye upward and highlight your waist, back and neckline. Statement accessories like necklaces and earrings are also going to work in your favour. Here are some items you should look for if you’re a pear shape:

• wide-leg pants (dark pants will make your thighs look slimmer while also creating a longer and more slender silhouette)
• boat-neck tops, cowl necks, scoop necks and plunging V-necks (which tend to broaden your shoulders and offset fuller hips)
• a tailored jacket (accentuating your shoulders, which are narrower than the width of your hips, and evening out your lower body’s proportions)
• an A-line skirt (a must-have if you’re a little ‘bottom heavy’; a tapered A-line will also help you avoid looking too triangular)
• avoid shapeless, oversized tops and jumpers; skinny jeans and pants; and skirts in flimsy, curve-hugging fabric as this will emphasise your larger lower body.

The hourglass-shaped body type checklist

If you’re an hourglass-shaped body take comfort in knowing that you’re the envy of women around the world. Remember corsets? Women still use them to get that hourglass silhouette. Of course, that doesn’t mean dressing for your shape is easy-peasy. The key for you is to first, define your waist and second, show off your shape. Embrace those curves. Here are some items you should look for if you’re an hourglass:

• high-waisted pants (they’ll hit your natural waistline and draw attention to a thin middle)
• V-neck tops (close-fitting blouses with open necklines flatter your curves without being over the top)
• wrap dresses (which will work with your natural shape by creating a diagonal movement across the body)
• a pencil skirt (it will accentuate your narrow waist and skims over your fuller hips)
• avoid shapeless or boxy styles of clothes such as baby-doll dresses, tunics or oversized items.

The apple-shaped body type checklist

True apple-shaped body types will carry a little more in their midsection, which is not the case if you are a simple inverted triangle. When it comes to dressing best for your shape, apples and inverted triangles look best when playing up to their full bust, their legs and/or their arms. Consider looking for the following items if you’re an apple:

• a tunic (the relaxed cut will glide over your stomach)
• slim-cut pants (these will allow your trim legs to take centre stage and paired with a tunic of flouncy top, you’re set)
• empire-wasted tops (where the waistline rests just below your bust, emphasising your narrow rib cage and hiding your stomach)
• a shift dress (the structured style of shift dresses allow you to slim trouble areas, wear with a heel for the best look)
• avoid high-rise pants, belts and tops that cinch at the waist.

The athletic-shaped body type checklist

You might not have enjoyed your athletic-shaped body in your youth (who was told they had a ‘boyish’ frame?) but the advantage to this shape is that you look good in just about anything. You can flaunt or hide as much as you feel comfortable with. What you want to do is balance your broad upper half by accentuating your legs and any curves. The rule for you if you have an athletic shape is to keep the volume either up top or on the bottom, not both. Here are some clothing options:

• boot-cut pants (slim fit at the hips graduating to a slightly wider hem will give the illusion of all-around shapeliness to your straight up and down figure)
• feminine tops (think ruffles and wispy sleeves that will add volume to your bust and shoulders, this will make your waist look smaller)
• flared skirts (anything with a flouncy hem contrasted with a tapered waist, which will create an hourglass look on your rectangular figure)
• a fitted jacket (you can create the appearance of fuller hips and a waist with a nipped-in jacket or blazer)
• avoid dresses that are too tight and anything that is too unstructured, especially around the waist (empire-waist tops, for example)

It’s critical to note that every body is different, but these tips are a great guide for giving you the basics to ensure you have success when you shop for your shape.