Dressing for Your Body Type

Do you struggle with finding your style or that perfect fit that gives you confidence? It can be hard sometimes to figure out your body type and how to best dress for it, but that’s why we’re here to help! The good news is that it’s not about size - it’s about shape. Balance and proportion, along with using lines to draw focus to specific areas are the keys to understanding how to flatter your figure. Love the skin you’re in, and get to know your curves and best features. Okay, so let’s get into it!

HOURGLASS

Characteristics that often apply:

• Your shoulders and hips are about equal width.

• You have a defined waist.

• You likely have a larger bust and derrière.

• You describe yourself as curvy.

Sound like you? If so, let’s talk about your best style of necklines, jeans, and dresses.

Necklines:

1. Wrap - The perfect top to highlight the good stuff. (We mean your waist!)

2. Keyhole - A subtly sexy detail to accentuate your curves without being too revealing.

3. V-neck - This neckline draws the eye toward a defined midsection.

4. Peplum - This top mirrors your shape—a defined waist with volume in the shoulders and hips.

Jeans:

1. High-waisted - This rise accentuates your defined waist for a flattering fit.

2. Flared - This silhouette beautifully balances curvier hips and thighs.

3. Wide-leg - Like flared jeans, this style lends proportion to your lower half.

4. Skinny - A close-fitting style shows off your natural curves.

Dresses:

1. Jumpsuit - Okay, not a dress, but jumpsuits still show your curves and add volume to your lower half.

2. Wrap - Creates a focal point to a typically loose-fitting garment.

3. Fit-and-flare - This dress is constructed to highlight the waist and flow effortlessly from your hips.

4. Sheath - It may be form-fitting, but this style leaves enough room for comfort.

Next up is…

TRIANGLE

Characteristics that often apply:

• Your hips and thighs are wider than your shoulders and bust.

• You have a defined waist that is narrow compared to your hips.

• Your body shape resembles that of Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, or America Ferrera.

If this is you, keep reading for your best styles. If not, move onto the next body type.

Necklines:

1. Peplum - The quintessential waist-defining top. And the dolman sleeve adds volume to your top half.

2. Square-neck - Any open neckline (a V-neck works, too) shows off your collarbone and chest, helping draw the eye up.

3. Cowl-neck - Similar to an open neckline, this draws the eye up and adds volume thanks to the draped fabric.

4. Boat-neck - The horizontal neckline broadens your shoulder. Bonus points for a puff sleeve or other eye-catching upper-body detail.

Jeans:

1. Straight - We especially love NYDJ’s curve-conscious jeans for pear-shaped bodies.

2. Slim-straight - A skinny-jean alternative that skims the thighs rather than squeezing them.

3. Bootcut - The subtly flared hemline balances out your hips.

4. High-waisted - In medium to dark washes, they’ll make your legs look a mile long.

Dresses:

1. A-line - The roomier skirt falls away from the hip instead of clinging to it, which helps streamline your bottom half.

2. Fit-and-flare - Similar to A-line dresses, but usually with a more defined waist and more flounce in the skirt.

3. Wrap - The built-in ties are great for defining your waist, and they often have a V-neck that opens up your top half.

4. Off-the-shoulder - What better way to draw the eye to your upper body than with a completely bare shoulder?

Next up is…

INVERTED TRIANGLE

Characteristics that often apply:

• Your shoulders are the broadest part of your body.

• Your bust may be larger.

• Your hips and waist are narrower.

If this is you, keep reading for your best styles. If not, move onto the next body type.

Necklines:

1. Peplum - A built-in waist creates an hourglass-like shape around your hips.

2. Scoop-neck - These tops make your collarbone the focal point of your top half.

3. V-neck - This shape opens up your chest to create a long, lengthened neckline.

4. Crewneck - A great everyday option if you prefer a higher-cut top.

Jeans:

1. Cropped wide-leg - The fuller leg line is a no-brainer for balancing your shape.

2. Boyfriend - This baggy style creates curves around the hips and thighs.

3. Flared - Balance out your shoulders with this more shapely cut.

4. Straight-leg - Whereas skinny jeans exaggerate your shape, these balance it out.

Dresses:

1. A-line - Balance happens when a triangle-shaped dress meets an inverted triangle frame.

2. Fit-and-flare - Look for a fuller skirt—it’ll help fill out your hips to match your shoulders.

3. Sheath - Sheath dresses are constructed to fall straight down your body, creating long lines.

4. Midi - A pleated skirt in a midi length is ideal for your shape.

Next up is…

RECTANGULAR

Characteristics that often apply:

• Your shoulders, bust, and hip measurements are fairly uniform.

• Your waist is more straight than curvy.

• Your body shape resembles that of Anne Hathaway, Cameron Diaz, or Kate Middleton.

If this is you, keep reading for your best styles. If not, move onto the next body type.

Neckline:

1. Scoop-neck - An open neckline is a great way to draw the attention upward and the puff sleeves on this top help keep it there.

2. V-neck - Whether you go with a deep V or something a little more shallow, this neckline is ideal for highlighting your collarbone.

3. Sweetheart - Shaped like the top of a heart, this neckline is scalloped to create curves, and the peplum bodice accentuates the waist.

4. Detailed collar - A split mock-neck paired with raglan sleeves pulls the eye up by adding volume to your upper body.

Jeans:

1. High-waisted - Especially in darker washes, high-rise jeans (or mid-rise for a shorter torso) will make your legs look a mile long.

2. Wide-leg - This roomy silhouette fills out your hips, thighs, and derrière.

3. Slim-straight - An alternative to super-skinny jeans, which only exaggerate a rectangular frame.

4. Flare - The hemline adds flow and pairs well with your favorite booties.

Dresses:

1. Fit-and-flare - The fitted waist defines your midsection, while the roomier skirt adds a little flounce to each step.

2. Belted - A flowy dress contrasted with a belt is a great way to cinch the waist and create an hourglass silhouette.

3. Ruched - Between the flutter sleeves, swingy skirt, and ruched detailing, this dress instantly creates an hourglass shape.

4. Puff sleeves - Dramatic, ruched sleeves add interesting texture and contrast to the delicate, airy shape of the dress.

And last is...

ROUND (Apple shape-also referred to as circular)

Characteristics that often apply:

• Your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips are fairly uniform—but your shoulders and hips may be slightly narrower.

• Your waistline is rather undefined.

• You have a large bust.

If you made it this far, then this is you! Keep reading for your best styles.

Neckline:

1. Peplum - The quintessential waist-defining top. And the dolman sleeve shown here adds volume to your top half.

2. Dolman-sleeve - Arms and shoulders get a boost of volume with airy sleeves.

3. V-neck - Reveals your collarbone, which helps break up a uniformly shaped top half.

4. Peplum - Has a built-in waist that flows out, adding some curve to a less defined area.

Jeans:

1. Straight or slim - A great option if you don’t love super form-fitting pieces.

2. Bootcut - The slightly flared hem balances out a curvy silhouette.

3. Skinny - Very on-trend and highlights your legs. A high-rise pair also creates a waistline.

4. Flared - Mirror any volume created around your shoulders with flared-leg denim.

Dresses:

1. Empire waist - Brings your waist higher than its natural placement for a dramatic look.

2. Off-the-shoulder - Bare skin tends to draw the eye, so show off those shoulders when you have a chance.

3. Wrap - A more fitted cover-up that creates a waistline.sdasdaA more fitted cover-up that creates a waistline.

4. Bias-cut - Drapes softly so the fabric emphasizes the body without clinging.

Now that you know what styles you look killer in, go find them in your closet! And remember: It’s not about size - it’s about shape. If you want to have a personalized styling session to see what clothes in your own closet are good for your body type, go to www.rentmywardrobe.com/virtual to book!