Dressing for your body type can be a challenge, especially if you are not sure what your body type is or what styles suit you best. However, knowing your body type and how to dress for it can help you enhance your best features, balance your proportions, and feel more confident in your appearance.
In this article, we will explore the four main body types - apple, pear, hourglass, and rectangle - and give you some tips on how to dress for each one.
Apple Body Type
An apple body type is characterized by a rounder upper body, with a fuller bust, waist, and upper back. The shoulders are usually broad and the legs are slim and shapely. People with an apple body type tend to carry most of their weight in their midsection, which can make them look heavier than they are.
The goal of dressing for an apple body type is to create the illusion of a defined waist, draw attention away from the midsection, and highlight the legs. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Wear tops that are fitted at the bust and flare out at the waist, such as wrap tops, peplum tops, or empire-waist tops. These will create a more feminine silhouette and accentuate your curves.
- Avoid tops that are too tight, too loose, or too boxy, as they will either cling to your midsection or add more bulk to it. Also, avoid tops that have ruffles, pockets, or embellishments around the bust or waist, as they will draw attention to the areas you want to minimize.
- Choose bottoms that are slim-fitting and show off your legs, such as skinny jeans, leggings, pencil skirts, or fitted dresses. These will balance out your upper body and make you look taller and slimmer.
- Avoid bottoms that are too wide, too baggy, or too voluminous, as they will make you look bottom-heavy and shorten your legs. Also, avoid bottoms that have pleats, pockets, or details around the hips or thighs, as they will add more bulk to your lower body.
- Accessorize with long necklaces, scarves, belts, or statement earrings that draw the eye up and down, creating a vertical line that elongates your body. Avoid chokers, short necklaces, or bulky scarves that cut off your neck and make you look wider.
Pear Body Type
A pear body type is characterized by a smaller upper body, with a narrower bust, waist, and shoulders, and a larger lower body, with fuller hips, thighs, and buttocks. People with a pear body type tend to carry most of their weight in their lower body, which can make them look bottom-heavy and disproportionate.
The goal of dressing for a pear body type is to balance out the upper and lower body, draw attention to the waist, and highlight the bust and shoulders. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Wear tops that are bright, colorful, patterned, or embellished, such as off-the-shoulder tops, boat-neck tops, or ruffled tops. These will add some volume and interest to your upper body and make it look more proportional to your lower body.
- Avoid tops that are too dark, too plain, or too tight, as they will make your upper body look smaller and your lower body look larger. Also, avoid tops that end at your hips or thighs, as they will emphasize your widest points.
- Choose bottoms that are dark, solid, or vertical-striped, such as boot-cut jeans, straight-leg pants, or A-line skirts. These will slim down your lower body and create a more streamlined shape.
- Avoid bottoms that are too light, too bright, or too busy, as they will draw attention to your lower body and make it look bigger. Also, avoid bottoms that are too tight, too loose, or too cropped, as they will either accentuate your curves or make your legs look shorter.
- Accessorize with statement necklaces, earrings, or bracelets that draw the eye to your face and upper body. Avoid belts, anklets, or shoes that have straps or details around the ankles, as they will draw attention to your lower body and make it look heavier.
Hourglass Body Type
An hourglass body type is characterized by a balanced upper and lower body, with a well-defined waist, a full bust, and curvy hips and thighs. People with an hourglass body type tend to have a proportional and feminine figure, which can make them look attractive and confident.
The goal of dressing for an hourglass body type is to accentuate the waist, show off the curves, and avoid adding extra bulk or volume to the body. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Wear tops that are fitted, wrap, or V-neck, such as button-down shirts, wrap dresses, or V-neck sweaters. These will hug your curves and highlight your waist, creating an hourglass shape.
- Avoid tops that are too loose, too boxy, or too high-necked, as they will hide your waist and make you look shapeless or bulky. Also, avoid tops that have ruffles, pockets, or embellishments around the bust or waist, as they will add more bulk to your body.
- Choose bottoms that are fitted, straight, or flared, such as pencil skirts, skinny jeans, or flared pants. These will follow your natural curves and make your legs look longer and leaner.
- Avoid bottoms that are too baggy, too wide, or too pleated, as they will make your lower body look larger and your waist look smaller. Also, avoid bottoms that have pockets, details, or horizontal stripes around the hips or thighs, as they will add more width to your lower body.
- Accessorize with belts, waist-cinching dresses, or peplum tops that emphasize your waist and create contrast between your upper and lower body. Avoid bulky or oversized accessories that overwhelm your frame or make you look shorter.
Rectangle Body Type
A rectangle body type is characterized by a straight and slender body, with a less defined waist, a small bust, and narrow hips and thighs. People with a rectangle body type tend to have a more athletic and androgynous figure, which can make them look elegant and chic.
The goal of dressing for a rectangle body type is to create the illusion of curves, add some dimension and interest to the body, and avoid looking too flat or boxy. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Wear tops that are draped, ruched, or asymmetrical, such as cowl-neck tops, ruched dresses, or asymmetrical jackets. These will add some texture and movement to your upper body and make it look more curvy and feminine.
- Avoid tops that are too straight, too plain, or too square, as they will make your upper body look flat and boring. Also, avoid tops that have horizontal stripes, boat necks, or square necks, as they will make your shoulders look wider and your bust look smaller.
- Choose bottoms that are flared, fringed, or layered, such as flared skirts, fringed jeans, or layered shorts. These will add some volume and flair to your lower body and make it look more shapely and fun.
- Avoid bottoms that are too straight, too plain, or too tight, as they will make your lower body look thin and dull. Also, avoid bottoms that have vertical stripes, high waists, or low rises, as they will make your legs look shorter and your waist look less defined.
- Accessorize with statement necklaces, earrings, or scarves that draw the eye to your face and upper body. Avoid belts, waistbands, or corsets that cinch your waist and make it look smaller.
