By Meghan McAuley
In a world where all body types are beautiful, it's important to know how to dress to enhance your unique features so you will feel confident in your own skin. When it comes to dressing to fit your body type, there are style choices that can make you stand out in the crowd. Let's explore some fashion tips tailored to common body types.
Rectangle Body Type`
- Straight Silhouette
- Shoulders & Hips Are Similar Width
- No Visible Curves
- Little Waist Definition
- Long Legs
Examples
Cameron Diaz
Kate Hudson
Recommendations
Choose tops with structure or details like collars and pockets. Avoid tucking in tops to avoid elongating your torso.
Inverted Triangle Body Type
- “V” Body Shape
- Shoulders & Bust Taper Down Into The Waist and Hips
Example
Demi Moore
Recommendations
To accentuate your broader shoulders and tapering midsection, opt for fit-and-flare dresses or empire waist dresses that cinch at the waist and add volume to the lower body for a balanced silhouette.
Hourglass Body Type
- Wide Bust
- Narrow Waist
- Wide Hips
Example
Salma Hayek
Recommendations
Enhance your figure by choosing V-neck, scoop, or sweetheart necklines and tailored clothing that accentuates your waist. Bodycon styles that follow your natural curves are also flattering.
Triangle Body Type (Pear)
- Also Known As Pear Shape
- Shoulders & Bust Are More Narrow Than The Hips
Example
Emilia Clarke
Recommendations
Opt for wider necklines and dresses that define the waist with A-line shapes or flow from the hip.
Avoid tight clothing around the hips and focus on voluminous top details to draw the eye upward.
Spoon Body Type
- Similar To Other Figures
- Fuller Hips
- Narrow But Curvy Bust
- Narrow Shoulders, but more curvy than the triangle in the bust
Examples
Beyoncé Knowles
Marilyn Monroe (READ)
Recommendations
Emphasize your shoulders and arms with sleeveless or capped sleeve tops. Draw attention to your neckline. Contrast dark or neutral-colored bottoms with bright tops to create a balance and draw the eye upward.
The Takeaway
No matter what body shape you have, remember that fashion is about expressing yourself, feeling confident and developing your own style.
You can keep a journal of styles that you have tried on and taken pictures of or even get really creative and do figure drawings of your body type and designs you’d like to have tailor made for you. Embrace your unique features and rock your personal style with these tips tailored to your body type!
To learn more about Meghan McAuley, and read her past articles, click here.
Listen to Meghan's Podcast here.
Editor's Note: Our bodies are ever-changing, as are the celebrities pictured. Bodies and styles evolve over time. This article is for education purposes.
