Dressing Your Body Type

Much has been written on the different body shapes for women including best clothing styles to wear.  I don’t know if I am going to provide any new groundbreaking suggestions or theories, but I hope I can help inspire someone to try a pattern or style they have never thought about before.  First, it has been said many times by many people, size is just a number and you should be dressing your shape not your size.  I fully believe this!

There are five basic shapes: triangle/pear, rectangle/column, oval/apple, hourglass, and inverted triangle.  I am going to briefly go over characteristics of each body type and give some examples of patterns and styles that would work best for each.

Triangle/Pear

Triangle body shapes are characterized by your smaller upper body in comparison to their wider hips. You have a well defined waistline.

Because of your smaller chest you will want to try styles that accentuate it like empires.  Things like ruffles, pleats and gathers help to enhance your chest.  Avoid dresses with a fitted skirt and instead try those with an A-line skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rectangle/Column

Rectangles tend to be proportionally balanced, meaning their chest, waist and hips tend to align.  You will most likely have defined calves and balanced thighs.

You are going to want to try styles that create curves like empires with details such as ruching or pleating and basic bias cut dresses.  Also, styles with defined or structured shoulders work well and are on trend right now.  Avoid shapeless straight styles and fabrics with vertical patterns as they do not create curves on you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oval/Apple

Ovals have a wider waist than your bust and hips.  You have slim legs and a well proportioned face and neck with your bust.

Since your waist is larger try attached styles.  These will have an empire bodice with a ‘belt’ and an attached slightly fuller skirt. Wrap dresses that tie at the waist will also work well.  These will help to balance out your proportions.  Avoid slim fitting dresses as they will make your hips and legs look even smaller in comparison to your waist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hourglass

Hourglass shapes have a bust and hip line that are almost identical in proportion with a smaller more defined waistline.

Attached style dresses and wraps also work well for you with well defined V-necks or scoop necklines.  Avoid cowl necks and higher cut necklines as they can create the illusion of a larger chest and shoulders than you have.  Also avoid baby-doll or all over loose fitting styles that will make you appear shapeless.

 

Inverted Triangle

Inverted triangles have narrower hips and a smaller defined waist. You have broader shoulders and a fuller bust that make you statuesque.

Wrap dresses and A-line dresses work well for you to balance out your hips with your shoulders.  Lower scoop and V-necklines will help to elongate your decolletage.  Strapless and asymmetrical styles will fit your body type too.  Avoid styles with defined shoulders or shoulder pads and slim skirts as they will increase the definition between your chest and hips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many more pattern options out there that would work for each type. A lot of them will work for multiple body types too.  Pattern Review is a wealth of information as well.  If you are unsure of if a pattern will work for your body, check the reviews for it on Pattern Review.  Pay attention to the body type of the reviewer.  Do they have a similar body shape to you?  How does the style look on them?  Would you be comfortable in it?  These are just a few good questions to ask yourself before cutting into your coveted stash fabrics.  Making a muslin is also a huge part of it.  If you do not like how the muslin looks on you, chances are you probably won’t like it in your stashed fabric either.

Do you dress to your body type now?  Why or why not?