by The R2 Studio
Fashion tips
How to Dress Your Body Type
Your body type
Determining your body type is Step One when it comes to feeling good in your clothing.
There are five main body types to look at when determining what shape you are. Keep in mind that, your body type may be different than it was when you were in high-school.
When it comes to building a wardrobe you love and feel great in, knowing how to dress your body type is a game-changing skill.
With each body type, we will go over:
- Styling tips and tricks to show off all your best assets.
- Visual examples of clothing items that are effective.
- Do’s and Don’ts to pay attention to.
- Getting out of your comfort zone.
Step One:
Determining your body type.
For most accurate results use a sewing measuring tape to measure the width of the following areas:
- The widest part of your SHOULDERS
- The fullest part of your BUST
- The smallest part of your WAIST
- The widest part of your HIPS
Step Two
Select Your Body Type
Don’t overthink it! This is NOT a graded final exam. You WILL pass “GO” and you will look amazing! These tips are designed to help you expand outside of your comfort zone and look and feel fabulous.
Select your body type below by using the measurements you have come up with.
*Measurements are just used as a general guideline.
Select Your Body Type
Round
Bust measurement is often the largest.
Larger bust, narrow hips, and a full midsection.
triangle
Hips measure larger than shoulders and bust.
Weight tends to carry in the hips, thighs and butt.
Inverted Triangle
Shoulders and bust measure wider than hips.
Rectangle
Near equal bust, waist, and hip measurements.
The lack of curves appears like a rectangle.
Hourglass
Hips and bust are nearly equal in size, with a much smaller waist measurement.
Round/oval
With a round silhouette, the upper portion of the body is typically where much of the volume is. The waist is often not well-defined.
Largest Area
Chest and Abdomen
Goal
Elongate the figure, balance out the heavier top area, and create a visual waistline.
Focus On
Deep round/V shaped necklines, articles of clothing that create vertical lines (not lined patterns), and empire (fitted/high) waistlines.
Avoid
Busy prints, vertical lined prints, oversized clothing, wide legged pants that aren’t high waisted, and closed off necklines (turtlenecks).
Balance
As with any body type, we want to balance out the volume. The ROUND body type’s largest volume area is the upper body. Typically defined by broad shoulders and a larger bust and abdomen area, which creates the round shape that this body type is defined by.
Do add volume to the lower body
Draw attention away from the volume of the upper body by adding clothing with volume to the lower body.
Don't add volume to the upper body
Adding bulkier clothing to the upper body will only accentuate that area making it feel heavier, which is what we want to avoid.
Triangle
The triangle body type is characterized by large hips that are wider than the bust and shoulders. Weight tends to carry in the hips, thighs, and butt.
Widest Area
Hips and thighs are wider than the bust and shoulders.
Goal
Create shape, volume and interest in the upper body
Focus On
Bright colors and bold prints on top as well as tops with volume – puffy sleeves and ruffles, etc.
Avoid
Pants or skirts with horizontal lines and incredibly tight tops. This will highlight the imbalance between the top and bottom halves of the body.
Balance
As with any body type, we want to balance out the volume and define the waistline. The TRIANGLE body type’s widest area is the hips, butt and waist, which is what creates the triangular silhouette.
Do add volume to the shoulders and bust
Create visual volume in the shoulder and bust area with extra fabric as well as busier patterns and bright colors.
Don't add volume to the waist, hips and butt
The lower body is visually the larger area. Don’t add more clothing volume or draw attention to this area with busy patterns and colors.
Inverted Triangle
The inverted triangle body type is characterized by broad shoulders and bust that gradually narrow as you move to the waist and hips. Often with very little definition in the waistline.
Widest Area
Shoulders and Bust
Goal
Define the waist by adding volume and interest in the hips and legs.
Focus On
Bringing volume to the hips and keeping the upper body more simplified.
Avoid
Adding bulk, volume and fabric with busy patterns to the upper half.
Balance
As with any body type, we want to balance out the volume and define the waistline. The INVERTED TRIANGLE body type’s widest area is the shoulders and bust, which is what creates the upside down or inverted triangular silhouette.
Do add volume to the hips and legs
Create visual volume in the hips and leg area with extra fabric as well as busier patterns and bright colors.
Don't add volume to the shoulders
The shoulders will visually be the widest part of the body. Don’t add more clothing volume or draw attention to this area with busy patterns and colors.
Rectangle
The rectangular (or athletic) body shape is characterized by a straight silhouette with not many curves, shoulders and hips of similar width, little to no waist definition and often long legs.
Widest Area
Shoulders, bust, waist and hips are fairly equal.
Goal
Define the waistline.
Focus On
Belts and clothing that hug the waistline while adding volume to the shoulders/bust and hip area
Avoid
Oversized, shapeless clothing and multiple clothing items of the same color.
Balance
As with any body type, we want to balance out the volume. The RECTANGLE body type’s widest area is fairly equal between the shoulders, bust, waist and hips, which creates the rectangular silhouette.
Do add volume to the shoulders and hips
Create visual volume to the shoulder/bust and hip area with clothing that has extra material, fringe or ruffles.
Don't add volume to the waistline
The goal is to define and create a waistline with clothing that fits the body. Don’t wear bulky clothing with extra material in the mid-section.
Hourglass
The hourglass body type is characterized by nearly equal hip and shouler/bust measurements while the waist is typically more narrow. This is what makes the body appear like an hourglass shape.
Widest Area
Shoulders and Hips
Goal
Keeping the waist defined and the upper and lower body porportionally balanced.
Focus On
The natural silhouette of the body and defining the waist.
Avoid
Adding bulk to the shoulds and hips and don’t bring extra attention to the bust area with busy patterns and prints.
Balance
As with any body type, we want to balance out the volume and define the waistline. The HOURGLASS body type’s widest area is the shoulders and hips. In comparison to the shoulders and hips, the much more narrow waistline is what creates that hourglass shape.
Do follow the silhouette
Use the natural silhouette of the figure to accentuate the hourglass shape. Define the waistline with leading lines and belts. Use clothing – pattern, color and texture to equally balance the upper and lower body.
Don't add volume to the waist
Don’t add extra bulk to the waistline. Keep this area defined. Likewise, don’t add unecessary volume to either the upper or lower body. Keep it balanced.
Need More Help?
Could you benefit from more one-on-one help from a fashion expert?
You're in luck! Our amazing CRAVE Fashion Coach, Liz Garcia, offers various services for those who need a little more hand-holding. From private consultations to shopping lists curated for you, right down to doing the shopping for you, she is incredibly talented and our clients LOVE her. You will too!
Request Help
All fields are required
Questions?
If you have questions about this guide, your body type, or your upcoming CRAVE Session, please reach out.