How To Dress According To Your Body Type

By Bhumika Chitkara

Are you still wondering about that one dress you fell in love with at the mall but it didn’t fit you well? Well, we have all been there! It’s not your fault, each body type is different (yet so perfect) and not every piece of clothing suits everyone. So it becomes important to choose and dress according to body shape. Who doesn’t want to highlight their best features, right? So, all the fashion enthusiasts are in for a treat as we have talked in detail about different body types and how to dress accordingly!

Here’s what you need to know: 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT BODY TYPES:

Source:nypost

Rectangular body type:

Also known as straight or banana shape, rectangular shape implies a body with minimal curves. The middle of the body i.e. bust, waist and hip are of almost the same measurement. Women with a rectangular body shape are generally tall with straight shoulders and waist. 

Hourglass body type:

Hourglass shape is one of the most wanted body types by most women. As the name suggests, an hourglass shaped body has equal measurement of bust and hips with a smaller defined waist. The shoulders and the hips are in proportion with a lot more defined curves.

Inverted triangle body type:

Women with inverted triangle body type have broad upper body proportions as compared to the lower body. The shoulders and chest are broader than the hips. Shoulders are usually square and straight. The waist is also not very well defined. 

Pear shaped body type:

Pear shaped body type is the opposite of inverted triangle body type. Women with pear shaped body types have a broader lower body in comparison to the upper body. The waist in this body type is comparatively defined as the hips are wide and the shoulders are narrow which gives a defined shape to the waist. 

Diamond body type:

As the name suggests, women with diamond body type have diamond shaped body. Lower and upper body are narrow with wide waist and midriff area. 

HOW TO SELECT CLOTHES ACCORDING TO BODY SHAPE:

Rectangular body type: 

• As women with rectangular bodies have minimal curves, their aim is to make their body look more curvy and less straight. The aim is to add a definition to the waist. 
• Aim to accentuate the best features of your body so that you have the most attention there.
• Try to add different prints and colours. 
• You can choose to play around with different necklines like V neck, off shoulders to draw the attention to your collarbone.
• Wearing body fitted clothes especially around the waist can be a great option as this gives an illusion of a more defined body structure.
• Avoid wearing anything baggy or oversized as it will make you look more rectangular.
• You can also choose to add in a belt for a more defined look.
• A good fitting push up bra might also be a good bet for you. 
• Play with different colours as much as possible. Try adding colours to your bottom clothes.
• Wearing flare jeans can also do the job of creating more curves. 

Hourglass body type:

• As women with hourglass body type have natural curves, wearing something that accentuates your figure would be an excellent choice.
• While accentuating your natural curves, try to draw focus to your favourite body part by adding a pop of colour or even a cool print. 
• Instead of choosing a monochromatic look, try to play around with fun and bright colours.
• Wearing body hugging clothes can also be a great option for anyone with an hourglass body type. 
• Adding a belt to your dresses or coats can also help you get a more defined look.
• Again, avoid wearing oversized clothes as they can make you look petite.
• Adding deep V necks in your wardrobe is again an excellent way to enhance your look.
• If you are looking to highlight your lower body, a good pair of slim fit or bootcut jeans will surely amp up your style quotient.
• Slim fit skirts or pencil skirts are again a wonderful choice for women with hourglass body types.
• Avoid clothes with frills and layers as it might make you look fuller.

Inverted triangle body type:

• If you have an inverted triangle body type, you should surely snatch people’s attention from your upper body and try to accentuate your lower body.
• Wearing flared and wide legged pants is the best bet for you as it would create an illusion of balance between your upper and your lower body.
• Avoid wearing tops and dresses with padded shoulders as it will make your shoulders look broader.
• Again, avoiding puffed sleeves dresses would save you from looking wider.
• As women with inverted body types mostly have more defined and shaped legs, it is best to draw people’s eyes there.
• Try to add more prints and colours to your lower body.
• Wearing broad and wide necklines should be a big no incase of inverted body types.
• Avoid clothes that can make your lower body look more narrow and slim.
• Wearing narrow and asymmetric necklines can give your upper body a defined look making it look narrower.

Pear shaped body type:

• Pear shaped body type is completely opposite to inverted triangle body type.
• Women with pear shaped body types aim to draw the attention to their upper body.
• Again, adding bright colours, prints and details to your upper body is the best way to catch attention and interest.
• Try to create an illusion of broader shoulders by wearing off shoulders or wide neck dresses.
• Add statement jewellery pieces to direct the focus from your lower body to your upper body.
• As you can wear fun and bright colours on your upper body, try to stay away from colourful pieces for your lower body.
• Try to go for dark colours like navy blue and black.
• Avoid wearing slim fit jeans and try to choose wide legged or flare jeans as it would create a balance from your hips to your ankles.

 Diamond body type:

• Adding colours to both your upper and lower body can create an illusion of more curves and can make your waist look more defined.
• As the waist in this body type is already broader than the rest of the body, keeping it simple around the waist would be the one of the best options.
• Try avoiding belts as much as you can.
• Going for a monochromatic look can also be an excellent way to make your body look more defined and in proportion.
• Avoid body hugging clothes and horizontal prints.