Posts Tagged “Rectangle Body Shape”

Body Shape

If you like your body shape you are either male or a very unusual female! However, whether you like your body or not, if you understand what your current body shape and proportions are and know a few guidelines for your shape you are well on your way to looking your best.

body-shapes

Combine wearing flattering clothes with your best colors and you’ll feel fabulous and impress everyone you meet.There are a number of factors that are involved in a full style analysis.

To Determine Your Body Shape you will need

stand in front of a full length mirror.
A long straight object such as a long ruler or a broom handle will also be useful to work out whether your hip-line is narrower, wider, or the same width as your bust-line.
hold the ruler under your arm pit and rest it on your hip.

Select your horizontal body shape to find out the general style aims and specific dos and don’ts for your horizontal body shape.

Hourglass Body Shape

You have an hourglass figure if

Your full hip-line and your full bust-line are the same width and your waist is well defined .

You most likely have a balanced body vertical body shape

Lucky you! Your hourglass figure is referred to as the ideal body shape.

You have plenty of options dressing for your body shape.

Your main style aims are …..to emphasize your curves, especially your waist, without adding bulk.

Do wear…

Fitted and semi-fitted clothes
Soft, clingy, flowing fabrics
Low to medium-low necklines
Dresses with defined waistlines
Straight and gently flared pants
Straight and gently flared shirts

Don’t wear…

Stiff, bulky, fabrics
Baggy styles
High necklines (unless you have a small bust)
Skirts with open pleats
Very tapered pants

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Female Inverted Triangle body shape

This is the second best women body shape. You have an inverted triangle body shape if

You have a proportionally large bust, or you have broad shoulders, or both
You have narrow hips with a well defined waist
You most likely are a long legged vertical body shape with proportionally slim legs
You may also have a flat bottom

Your main style aims are …..to create the illusion of the perfect hourglass body shape by balancing your lower body to your upper body and to draw attention away from your upper body.

Do wear…

Flowing fabrics
Low to medium-low necklines
Set-in sleeves
Three-quarter length sleeves
A good fitting, well adjusted bra
Tops and dresses that flow through the waist
A-line skirts
Flared pants

Don’t wear…

Stiff, bulky, fabrics
Styles that emphasize your shoulders
High necklines
Big collars
Tapered skirts and pants

Triangle Body Shape

Female Triangle body shape

This body type is often also referred to as pear-shaped. You have this shape if

Your full bust-line is proportionally narrower than your full hip-line and you have a well defined waist
You typically have narrow shoulders
You most likely have a balanced body or short legged vertical body shape
Your thighs are typically full
You may also have a full rounded bottom

Your main style aim is……to balance your top half to your bottom half by creating the appearance of a wider upper body.

Do wear…

Accessories and designs to draw attention to your upper body
Short-sleeved tops
Shoulder pads to broaden your shoulders.
Medium to high necklines
Garments to emphasize your waist
Skirts and dresses that are straight or slightly flared
Low rise pants to avoid gaping at the waist
Boot leg and straight pants

Don’t wear…

Baggy garments
Stiff fabric
Garments that add bulk to your hips
Hems or design lines at hip-line
Open pleats on skirts or pants
Tapered skirts or pants

Rectangle Body Shape

Female Rectangle body shape

You have a rectangle body if

Your full bust-line and full hip-line are about the same width and you have little waist definition
Your legs and arms will typically be proportionally slender
You have a small to medium bust
You most likely have a balanced body or long legged vertical body shape
You may also have a flat bottom
You may have had an hourglass figure when you were younger or slimmer
You may look shorter and heavier than you really are

Your main style aim is……to add curves by:

Defining your shoulders
Or, if you are slender, by defining your waist

Do wear…

Shoulder pads to emphasize your shoulders. This may sound very 80s advice, but they really do work. However, they should not be too large and definitely shouldn’t be visible
Semi-fitted clothes
If you have firm upper arms, short-sleeves and sleeve-less tops and dresses
Medium to high necklines
Dresses that wrap or flow through the waistline
Straight to gently flared flat-fronted pants
A-line shirts

Don’t wear…

Clingy fabrics
Fitted clothes
Low necklines
Baggy tops
Baggy pants
Narrow skirts

Apple Body Shape

Female-Oval-body-shape

This body shape is also often referred to as an apple shape. You have an oval horizontal body if

You have the overall appearance of being round especially around the waist-line
Your waistline is undefined
You have a large, low stomach
You may have love handles
Your hips are wide
Your upper thighs are full
You may also have a full bottom or a flat bottom

Your main style aims are …..to create the illusion of a longer, inverted triangle body shape. And to draw attention upwards towards your shoulders and face.

Do wear…

Ear-rings, necklaces and other focal points designed to draw an observer’s eyes up towards your shoulders and face
Shoulder pads to emphasize your shoulders. This may sound very 80s advice, but they really do work. However, they should not be be visible
Semi-fitted and loose fitting clothes
Good fitting, well adjusted bras
Support underwear
Tops and bottoms in the same colors
Low necklines
Un-tucked tops
Tops and dresses that flow through the waistline
Straight flat-fronted pants in soft, flowing fabric
Straight and slightly flared skirts