Dressing for Your Body Type by Katie

This is not a blog post about losing weight or disguising your extra pounds. I am not going to tell you how to lose ten pounds in ten minutes or how to reduce the size of your waist in minutes a day. This is a post about loving your body the way it is now, embracing the shape that you have, and working it to your advantage.

Over at my blog Hems for Her, I show everyday women how I dress. I have run the weight gamut from thin to thick and everything in between. When I got pregnant, I was in the best shape of my life. I had just lost 55 pounds; I was working out 4-5 times a week; I looked great and felt great. After the baby, my body was different. My boobs and belly were bigger; I had no time to work out. I started a stressful job, and the pounds piled on. However, I have grown to love and appreciate my new fuller figure.

The most important part of looking good and feeling good is confidence! That’s the first thing you should put on everyday! If you don’t believe you look good, then how do you expect anyone else to? Rock it and flaunt it! By identifying your body shape and learning what kind of clothing is most flattering, you will have the confidence to feel beautiful and stylish at any size!

First things first:  There’s no such thing as one size fits all! I am going to talk about the four most common body types, but they are not all encompassing; so if you don’t see “your body” among these shapes, don’t be discouraged. Pick the body type that most closely resembles yours and go with that!

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Apples

What they look like:

• Overall “round” shape
• Weight appears all over upper body
• No defined waist, some “love handles”
• Larger waist and bust
• Shapely legs
• Defined shoulders

Goals:

• Balance larger upper half and slender legs
• Define your waist
• Show off great legs

Wear:

• A-line and asymetrical skirts
• Body-skimming tunic-length shirts and sweaters
• Structured jackets and blazers
• Wide-leg jeans and pants
• Empire and maxi dresses with lower neckline
• V-neck and embellished neck tops

eloquii:  wide leg jeans, $89.90; v-neck belted tunic, $46.90; scroll print peasant blouse, $29.90; v-neck belted tunic, $49.90; pleated sleeve cowl cweater, $16.99; a-line skirt, $68.90; boyfriend jacket, $79.99; two in one belted box pleat dress, $108; pleated cowl neck dress, $59.90

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Pears

What they look like:

• Small busts
• Defined waists
• Heavier hips and thighs (“bottom-heavy”)
• Narrow shoulders, slim arms, defined waist

Goals:

• Balance slimmer upper body with heavy bottom and legs
• Add width to shoulders and bust

Wear:

• Patterned tops
• Knee-length skirts:  a-line or pencil
• Wrap tops or dresses
• Straight leg jeans and pants
• Pretty details on tops:  ruffles, ruching, cowl neck, etc.

eloquii:  straight leg pants, $79.90; plaid peasant top, $29.90; chiffon ruffle front shirt, $49.90; keyhole ruffle front shell, $49.90; eloquii ruched cuff bateau sweater, $24.99; below the knee crepe skirt, $69.90; gathered drape sleeve jacket, $138; printed tank dress, $110; two in one jaquard dress, $22.99; strapless party dress, $118

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Bananas

What they look like:

• Boxy/rectangular shape
• Very little definition, weight spread evenly between bust, waist, and hips
• Bust and shoulders same width as hips
• Small or medium bust
• Slim legs and arms
• Flat butt

Goals:

• Add the illusion of curves
• Define waistline
• Show off slim arms and legs

Wear:

• Flared/boot-cut jeans and pants
• Tops with details:  ruffles, ruching, etc.
• Pencil skirts or full skirts
• Belts or belted tops and jackets
• Dresses with structure:  full skirts, defined waists

eloquii:  straight leg pant, $79.90; soft bow blouse, $29.90; banded halter neck top, $49.90; ruffle shell, $46.90; sleeveless ruffle neck top, $44.90; pencil skirt, $44.90; belted ruffle collar jacket, $128; dolman sleeve drop waist dress, $98; faux wrap dress, $98

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Hourglass

What they look like:

• Full bust and full hips
• Clearly defined waist (at least 8" smaller than bust and hips)
• May be top or bottom heavy
• Weight evenly distributed between bust and hips

Goals:

• Considered “ideal” body shape, but very uncommon
• Show off shape:  don’t hide it under baggy layers
• Slim neck and chest area

Wear:

• Flared/boot-cut pants and jeans
• V-neck and scoop neck tops (with camisole underneath if you are nervous about cleavage)
• Halter-style dresses
• Belted jackets and tops

eloquii:  bootleg pant, $79.90; wrap front sweater, $19.99; two button ruched sleeve kacket, $108; cable v-neck sweater, $22.99; two in one cap sleeve dress, $118; printed knit wrap dress, $89.90; cowl drape top, $14.99; tulip skirt, $64.90; 3/4 sleeve shawl collar jacket, $138