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What’s Your Body Shape?
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There are four body types, the pear, the inverted triangle, the hourglass, and the rectangle. each has unique characteristics. Some body types remain lean and thin, while others gain weight easily. Remember that you can't change your body type, height and bone structure, but you can certainly change your body shape and body fat levels. Some people do not fit into any of the categories given below. Regular exercise and a healthy diet will make you healthy and fit.
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1- THE PEAR SHAPE
Also called the triangle & the A frame
PEAR has a defined waist with:
If you are a pear shape, draw the eye up with accessories and keep all detail away from the hip area. |
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If you are a pear shape, draw the eye up with accessories and keep all detail away from the hip area. Don't highlight the waist with anything or tuck in shirts. Use shoulder pads & cuts that accentuate your shoulders & make them look wider - heavier fabrics & printed patterns on top are good options, If you have small breasts drapée is recommended for your evening dress. For casual wear, you can wear shirts & jackets with breast pockets. Do not add details below the waist line, instead use smooth, simple pants and skirts and avoid crisp fabrics. Wear darker clothes in thinner fabrics on the bottom. V-necks are a great way to accentuate your upper body. Wear sleek high heels instead of striking footwear.
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For Your Wedding Gown
Look For a gown that has fitted bodices with full skirts as they will emphasize the waist while hiding the hips. Bodices with texture or accented with lace and beading will create the illusion of a fuller upper body. Look for gowns with no lace on the skirts and with few gathers; circle skirts would be ideal. Fullness in sleeves will extend your shoulder line if you have narrow shoulders.
Avoid gowns with high necklines will make the shoulders look narrower. |
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Avoid silhouettes that hug the body such as sheaths or mermaids and avoid skirts that have extra fullness through the hips, excessive gathers, bustles and bows in back. | |
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2- THE INVERTED TRIANGLE
also called the V shape
INVERTED TRIANGLE has an undefined waist with:
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Full bust, waist, and upper backLess full hips and flat rear
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Less full hips and flat rear
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Pronounced tummy and midriff
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Slim arms and legs
Some women are larger on top because of wide shoulders or large breasts. If you have “wide shoulders" |
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and you have average hips, your dressing options are plentiful. Like the "hour glass" shape, your proportions shouldn't present you with too many challenges.
But if you have a fuller breast area, think of drawing the eye downwards with long jackets or skirts and pants with interesting details. Go for form-fitting tops (not very tight) and thin fabrics - don't add any width to your upper body at all. For the bottom, choose heavier fabrics and patterns.
Use vertical necklines, simple straight lines without shoulder pads. Use pockets at hips and add details to your skirt. |
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For Your Wedding Gown
Look For simple bodices with accents kept to a minimum and with open necklines that are not too wide or low. Sleeves that are simple with minor gathers and that follow the natural shoulder line are ideal. Full skirts or straight gowns with full trains will create the appearance of a more curves on the lower body. Also look for gowns with bustles, bows and other adornments.
Avoid low necklines, heavy beading, oversize sleeves with elaborate detailing, and straight skirts without jackets or peplums.
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3- THE HOURGLASS
also called the 8 frame
HOURGLASS has a defined waist with:
The "hourglass" is considered to be the ideal female form. This shape best describes a woman who is balanced on top and bottom with a defined waist. You should be careful of adding volume |
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to either the bottom or top. Just highlight the positive. Think shirt-waist dresses, sweater dresses, tailored jackets, tucked in tops. Avoid straight darts. Go for Soft prints designs and V and scoop necklines. Breast pockets are not appreciated. Avoid also too tight tops or too loose baggy tops, body hugging dress will look great on you. Go for Waist or hipbone length jackets with soft structured lines & shaped, one-piece dress. |
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For Your Wedding Gown
Look For Basque waistlines or dropped waistlines as they will show waist definition. Look for simple, classic lines such as a fitted princess gown. Off-the-shoulder gowns and low necklines are great.
Avoid heavy bodice and skirt detailing as they can make you appear heavier. Also avoid high necklines and empire styling which will hide your best features. | |
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4- THE RECTANGLE
also called the H frame
RECTANGLE has an undefined waist with:
if you are thin and straight, from top to bottom and front to back, your mission is to add dimension to your profile. |
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Tight clothes will hug the body too much. Think of unstructured tops and pants. Bulky sweaters or baggy pants could be fun. Try anything with horizontal detail from patterns in clothing to the hemlines of blouses and jackets.
If you are heavy shape and color is important. Colors should be muted, and plain is best and prints should be kept to a minimum. Avoid clothes with pleats or gathers and jackets that stop anywhere from navel to hips. Go for over the hip length blouses, vests, or coats that you can wear open over your clothes. Vertical lines in pattern, styles and accessories Wear scarves and jewelry that draw the eye to the top or center of the torso & Never end jacket at waist. Never wear small horizontal lines on top that are tucked in at waist. Pants and skirts should be with minimal gathers but you can wear skirts with Pressed down pleats. |
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For Your Wedding Gown
Look For Empire waists as they will camouflage the waistline and place emphasis on the bodice and hem lines. If you are thin, oversized shoulders and sleeves with elaborate detailing will broaden the shoulders. Full skirts with horizontal styling or detail are best. Use a fabric that holds its shape well such as a silk Dupioni or taffeta. Jewel or bateau necklines will widen the shoulders. Use strong details on the upper or lower body, but not both
Avoid slim silhouettes with vertical styling such as straight gowns, as this will put emphasis on the rectangle shape, instead go for a straight lines that widen at the bottom.
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Author: Dina Shoeib
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