What clothes favor the most according to the shape of your body
Trends change quickly, and it's not always easy to know how to adapt them to our body, which is unique (and beautiful!). We believe that fashion consists of feeling good with a look that we like, but there are some guidelines, not norms, to get the most out of your body and your clothing.
Have you ever wondered what clothes suit you best according to the shape of your body ? Because yes, how to dress according to your body is the key to get the most out of each look . So we've created this handy guide to help you know how to dress according to your body shape and highlight your favorite features. But first things first: do you know your body shape?
What's your body type?
Don't know what your body shape is? Well, there are four main body types according to their shape: pear, apple, hourglass and athletic. In the following table we tell you what are the main characteristics of each of them:
Pear body (triangle shape) |
Apple body (inverted triangle shape) |
Hourglass body (curvilinear shape) |
Athletic body (rectangular shape) |
The waist is wider than the bust. |
In general, the body is proportioned. |
The body is curvilinear. |
It doesn't have many curves. |
The hips have more volume. |
The shoulders are wider than the hips. |
The waist is well defined. |
Shoulder and hip measurements are almost the same. |
The shoulders are narrower compared to the hips. |
The hips are not necessarily curvy. |
Chest and hip measurements are approximately the same. |
The waist is not very small or well defined, but rather straight and low. |
The butt is more voluminous. |
The waist is not well defined. |
The chest, hips and thighs are more voluminous. |
The weight is distributed fairly evenly. |
Pear body: how to dress
The best thing for pear-shaped figures is to play with proportions that elongate the body . Pear-shaped bodies look great with tops that draw the eye upwards and highlight the waist, back, or cleavage. Accessories like necklaces and large earrings are a secret weapon for pear bodies.
If you like bright colors and bold prints, you're in luck. The best garments for the pear body are:
- V-shaped necks in any silhouette.
- Round necks.
- Bell sleeves.
- Tops that define the shoulders and highlight your waist.
As for jackets , pears look great on A-line cuts, waist-length jackets, and any outerwear that hits mid-thigh. Boxy coats can look great on you, but as a general rule, it's best to go for a cropped style that accentuates your waist.
Dresses with sloping and embellished necklines and bare backs are also perfect. Belted dresses will enhance the slender upper part of your body, and skirts that reach just below the knees will also look luxurious on you, as they elongate your figure and slim the hips and thighs.
Finally, if we talk about pants, it is advisable to choose more subtle and darker colors for the lower part . Flared jeans are ideal as they balance the proportions. A floor-length cut over heels will do wonders.
Apple body: how to dress
The apple and inverted triangle shapes look best when your bust, amazing legs and/or arms are highlighted . The most comfortable tops look great with the classic apple figure, such as:
- A-shaped silhouettes.
- Buttoned shirts.
- V neck.
It is advisable to bet on thick fabrics that stylize your look from the chest to the hips, such as silk, linen, tweed , cotton or garments such as trench coats. As for the sleeves, you can show off your arms with tank tops or tank tops or, on the contrary, bet on fitted sleeves that help you balance the bust. We also recommend a higher neckline in a dark tone like black or navy blue.
Apple shapes look good on any waistcoat, coat or jacket that hits the hips or upper thighs . If you like dresses, go for strapless dresses or, if you want to show off your legs, for miniskirts or knee-length dresses . And when in doubt, diagonal stripes and dark colors will always flatter you.
As for the lower part, skinny jeans and leggings will look great on you, especially combined with an oversized sweater or a long button-down shirt. Flared pants with heels are ideal for elongating the silhouette; If you have long legs, feel free to wear flared pants with flats. Remember that the hem must reach the top of the heel or the floor.
Hourglass body: how to dress
The keys to dress if you have an hourglass body are the following: define the waist and show off a feminine silhouette . You've got amazing curves—it's time to embrace them with form-fitting silhouettes and clothes that flatter you in all the right places.
The essentials are fitted tops , since the important thing is to enhance the waist and highlight the neckline. The best clothes are:
- Fitted tops with ample chest space.
- Blouses.
- Any garment with a V, round or boat neck.
The hourglass silhouette is perfect for fitted shapes . And the best thing about this way is that your curves are already very balanced. Everything from the most basic garments (like casual T-shirts) to button-down blouses for work should be fitted to show off a narrow waist.
On the other hand, you can enjoy great flexibility when it comes to the length of the sleeves. Do you want to draw the eye to your waist? Try elbow length sleeves. Do you like to show your arms? Try a ruffle sleeve or even a tank top.
As for jackets, look for jackets that show off your waist , such as fitted blazers and bomber jackets with an elasticated waist. Of course: be careful with ornate styles, since they will not do justice to your curves. Instead, focus on clothes and shapes that draw the eye to the slimmest part of your body.
But without a doubt, the hourglass figure is made for dresses. Opt for iconic silhouettes like the wrap or bodycon dress. These shapes will naturally enhance your best features. If you like your legs, choose a miniskirt . If you want to cover yourself up a bit more, look for high-waisted skirts that hit just below the knee. If you want to hide your curves, choose very simple silhouettes in solid and dark colors.
Finally, choose high-waisted jeans and accessorize with heels. If you like to have a flat tummy, you can opt for edgier styles that are low-rise and cinched at the hips (they look great with a very tight top). Stretchy skinny jeans and leggings are perfect for showing off the curves of the hips and sagging leg, and work best when the inseam is normal (not cropped).
Athletic body: how to dress
The key to dressing an athletic or rectangular silhouette is to balance the width of the top by accentuating the legs and other curves. It's all about remembering the golden rule of athletic forms: keep the volume up or down . If you opt for an oversized silhouette on top, keep the bottom slim or structured. With a tighter top, go for a roomier pant style.
An athletic figure looks best when it draws attention to its arms, defined shoulders and flaunts a waist. The best clothes for this are:
- Garments with the back to the air.
- Round and circular necklines.
- Sleeveless or strapless garments.
If you have an athletic but curvy body, enhance your shoulders, clavicle, or arms . If you prefer to play down your shoulders or lengthen your neck, choose a narrower neckline , such as a round or V-neck . To enhance the bust, opt for models with striking collars or embellished necklines. You can also gain a lot of style points with a high neckline and open back.
As for the sleeves, you choose : if you like your arms, show them off with strapless or strapless models. If you want to hide them, opt for ¾ sleeves in dark tones. You most likely have square shoulders, which means you don't need to add a lot of structure. If what you want is to mark the waist, choose tops that you can tuck inside. Belted tops also help create the illusion of a slimmer waist.
When it comes to adding layers, jackets, down jackets, bomber jackets, and outerwear look great on you. If you have a slim figure, fitted jackets will look great on you. If what you want is to shape the midsection of the body, opt for the models with an elastic waist , which will help you mark and accentuate the waist. To minimize your waist, choose A-line cuts and hems that hit the hips or below the knee.
When it comes to dresses, most styles look good on you, so the important thing is to know what feature you want to highlight. Do you like your legs? Turn up the hem. To enhance your chest, choose a strapless dress (with a nice push-up bra) or a plunging neckline.
If you are one of those who prefer jumpsuits , choose a halter style and show off your back. Skirts can be worn in almost any style or length, but it's always a good idea to wear heels if you're wearing them long. To avoid being seen anywhere, choose darker colors, vertical stripes or A-line skirts. And, as always, if you want to accentuate your waist, wear a skinny belt.
Lastly, the bottom: Keeping in mind the general rule of thumb for an athletic silhouette, choose the pant style that best complements your top silhouette. If the top is too big for you, choose skinny jeans or leggings .
Do you want to appear taller? Floor-length flared pants or heeled bootcuts slim and elongate. If you're the petite type, you can balance out your figure with flowy, wide-leg styles, ruched waists, and even cargo. If your torso is longer, choose a mid-rise jean . High-waisted pants can be a bit tricky if you have a straight torso, but if you can find a stretchy one, they'll fit just fine.