One of the number one frustrations that you all write to me about is not knowing how to dress for your body type.
Being comfortable in your own skin starts with understanding your dimensions, embracing the way God created you, and then learning which clothing cuts look best on you!
Although I’ve picked up so much information about dressing for your body shape over the last year of writing this blog, I still don’t feel like an expert.
So when I stumbled upon Leena Kollar’s awesome online guide to dressing for your body type, I knew I needed to bring her on the blog to help begin to answer this question for all of us. I’m so glad she agreed to help us out with this topic!
In addition to running her style website, The Style Spectrum, Leena Kollar is a freelance writer, fashion blogger and mom who spends her days chasing her two rug rats around. Most days, she’s rocking her comfy mom pants and a dirty tank top, but when she has time to get dressed up, she documents her outfits on her fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss.
You can find and follow Leena on Instagram and her Facebook pages: The Style Spectrum and Leather & Lip Gloss.
Women come in all different shapes and sizes. That’s what makes us so beautiful! When it comes to dressing for your shape and size, it can be challenging if you aren’t sure what type of clothing works best for you. Sure, you know what feels good, but it’s hard to know what looks good on your body without having a bias that keeps you in your comfort zone.
Before you put together your next outfit, I’m going to share some basic information about the various body shapes and the best way to dress for each one. Use this guide as you update your wardrobe and anytime you’re in the market for some new clothes.
There are 8 different body shapes. You may have seen other variations of these, and you could possibly have a body shape that fits more than one of these descriptions.
To get the most accurate result, I suggest using my Body Shape Worksheet to determine what your body shape is.
Once you’ve determined that, here’s what to wear to bring out your best you.
NOTE: No matter what your body shape is, the key to dressing your body is to create a proportionate look. You want your shoulders and hips to appear wider than your waist, which should be as defined as possible. The goal is to be balanced and as close to an hourglass shape as possible. Of course, this can be done by creating visual illusions from the clothing that you wear.
Other commonly used classifications: Rectangle, Boyish, Banana, Letter I
If you have a straight body shape, your hips and bust are balanced. Your waist is not very defined and your bottom is flat.
Ideal Tops
- off the shoulder
- flutter sleeves
- belted waists
Avoid Tops
- that fall straight down and have no definition
Ideal Bottoms
- flap, hip or rear pockets
- tiered skirts with pocket details
Avoid Bottoms
- that taper or don’t add width to hips
Are you a straight body shape? (Hover to save on Pinterest!)
Pear Body Shape
Other commonly used classifications: Letter A
If you have a pear body shape, your hips are larger than your bust and you have a defined waist. You have proportionately slim arms & shoulders.
Ideal Tops
- boat neck
- structured shoulders
- bold patterns
Avoid Tops
- that narrow your upper half
Ideal Bottoms
- a-line skirts
- pants without pockets
- jeans that fall straight down from widest part of your hips
Avoid Bottoms
- that add width with pockets or embellishments
Spoon Body Shape
If you have a spoon body shape, your hips are larger than your bust and they have a “shelf” appearance. You have a defined waist and your lower legs and arms are shapely.
Ideal Tops
- strapless
- empire waists
- embellishments around the bust
Avoid Tops
- that narrow your upper half
Ideal Bottoms
- mini skirts
- wide waist bands
- pants with straight legs
Avoid Bottoms
- pants with whiskering or embellished pockets
Hourglass Body Shape
Other commonly used classifications: Curvy, Letter X
If you have an hourglass body shape, your hips and bust are well balanced and you have a defined waist. Your gently rounded shoulders align with your hips and your upper body is proportionate to your legs. You have the ideal body shape!
Ideal Tops
- belted
- form-fitting
- wrap-style
Ideal Bottoms
- high-waisted pants
- pencil skirts
Top Hourglass Body Shape
Other commonly used classifications: Full-busted
If you have a top hourglass body shape, your bust is larger than your hips and your gently rounded shoulders align with your hips. You have a defined waist and your upper body is proportionate in length to your legs.
Ideal Tops
- narrow v-necks
- wrap-style
Avoid Tops
- that add width to your upper half
Ideal Bottoms
- a-line skirts
- cargo pants
- jeans with whiskering at the hips
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Other commonly used classifications: Carrot (the food terms just kill me!), Letter V
If you have an inverted triangle body shape, you have a proportionately larger upper body. You have broad shoulder and an ample bust.
Ideal Tops
- narrow v-necks
- shirts with vertical details on the upper body
Avoid Tops
- that add width to your upper half
Ideal Bottoms
- wide leg pants
- full skirts
Avoid Bottoms
- that taper or narrow your lower half
Oval Body Shape
Other commonly used classifications: Apple, Letter O
If you have an oval body shape, you have a large bust, narrow hips and a full midsection.
Ideal Tops
- flare at the hips
- belted waists
Avoid Tops
- that narrow your upper half
Ideal Bottoms
- flared skirts
- mid-rise waists
- cargo pants with hip pockets
Diamond Body Shape
Other commonly used classifications: Figure 8
If you have a diamond body shape, your hips are broader than your bust and shoulders and you carry some weight in your upper legs.
Ideal Tops
- off the shoulder
- flutter sleeves
- embellishments around bust and shoulders
Avoid Tops
- that narrow your upper half
Bottoms
- straight skirts and pants that fall from the widest part of your hip
Using the Body Shape Cheatsheet to Shop for Clothes
Here’s a popular item from the Frump Fighters® shop that will help you know what kinds of clothes look good on your body:
