Fashion and body types: Finding the right clothes for your body

“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” – Coco Chanel

What is a girl’s worst nightmare? Probably spending a huge fortune on a much-coveted piece of clothing only to find out that it would look better in your closet than on yourself.

One size never fits all when it comes to fashion. A dress which would look flawless on a particular person/body type can turn out to be a complete disaster for another. (www.bricks4kidz.com) Therefore, understanding your body and dressing accordingly is of utmost importance if you wish to upgrade your fashion quotient.

Here is a comprehensive guide on how you can determine your body type and choose the correct clothes which would flatter your body.

Different Types of Body Shapes

1. The Apple

You have an apple body shape if your bust is larger than your hips. Women with an apple body shape generally have broad shoulders, slender limbs, and have an undefined waistline.

Celebrities with an apple body type – Kate Winslet, Sonakshi Sinha.

2. The Pear/ Triangle

You are blessed with a pear-shaped body if your hips are wider than your shoulders. A small bust, well-defined waist, and full thighs are common attributes of the pear body type.

Celebrities with a pear body type – Parineeti Chopra, Kim Kadarshian.

3. The Rectangle/Straight

Also known as the model body type, this shape is characterised by the same width of the hips as the bust with little or no definition to the waist.

Celebrities with a rectangle body type – Nicole Kidman, Anushka Sharma.

4. The Hourglass

Women with an hourglass body are endowed with a well-defined waist. The hips and the bust are roughly of the same width.

Celebrities with an hourglass body type – Priyanka Chopra, Jenifer Lopez.

Dressing According to Your Body

1. The Apple Body Type

Go for dark colours, especially when choosing outfits for the upper body.
Dresses or tops with a plunging or a V-neckline would best flatter your body shape.
Choose dresses and kurtas with 3/4 th or elbow sleeves.
For Indian wear, go for A-line kurtas. Kurtas with short jackets would also look great on you.
You can also choose flared bottoms like palazzo pants which would go perfectly with A-line or loose fitting kurtas.

Don’t(s)

Avoid clingy fabrics for your upper body.
Horizontal stripes are a strict no-no for your body shape.
Tops, dresses, and kurtas with a boat neck or halter neck.

2. The Pear Body Type

Look for tops and dresses which end just above or at your hips.
Dresses and tops with sweet-heart and boat necklines would accentuate your bust.
Layering is your best friend when it comes to adding fullness to your upper body. You can go for cardigans, shrugs, and embellished jackets.
Go for dark colours when picking up pants or jeans.

Choose dresses and kurtas with bell sleeves and kimono sleeves.

When it comes to Indian wear, anarkali kurtas, net sarees, and lehengas which flare from mid-waist would look good on you.

Don’t(s)

Avoid crop tops.
Stay away from embellished bottoms.

3. The Rectangle Body Type

Choose tops and dresses with scoop and boat necklines.
Cap sleeves, 3/4th sleeves, loose fit and flared sleeves would work best for your body type.
Wear belts on your waist in order to create the illusion of an hourglass figure.
While choosing bottom wear, you may pick flared trousers and pencil skirts.
When it comes to Indian wear, choose flared kurtas, patiala suits, and full flare lehengas.

Don’t(s)

Avoid vertical stripes
Stay away from pencil trousers.

4. The Hourglass Figure

Opt for sweet heart and scoop necklines.
Body-con & shift dresses, and peplum tops would hug your bodies at right places and accentuate your curves.
Stick to tops or dresses in solid colours.
Adding a belt at the narrowest part of your waist to emphasise it.
For bottomwear, flared pants, palazzos, pencil skirts, and high waist jeans can be your best bets.
When it comes to Indian wear, pick floor length anarkali kurtas, patiala with kurtas, sarees in georgette, net fabrics, or fishtail lehengas.

Don’t(s)

Stay away from turtle neck and high neck tops and dresses.
Avoid double-breasted jackets as they would add extra volume around your bust.

So, now you are ready to give your wardrobe a makeover.

If you’re an aspiring designer, learn more about dressing people according to their body types, personality and the occasion with the comprehensive design curriculum of the B.Sc in Fashion Design offered by JD Institute of Fashion Technology. Though this guide would help you to pick the right clothes for your body type, always remember that fashion does not come with a set of rules. Therefore, whether you opt to follow these guidelines while picking up clothes for your body or choose to wear whatever you feel like, never forget to top up everything with a bright smile.