DRESS TO IMPRESS THE CAMERA | How to Dress for Your Body Type
Finding your personal style is greatly influenced by understanding how to dress for your body type. Everyone's body is unique, and certain cuts and silhouettes will be more flattering on some body types than others. Knowing which clothes work best for your body can transform your dressing experience, making it easier to feel confident and stylish.
Understanding Body Types
Body types can be classified in various ways. Based on common classifications, here are some prominent body types:
Apple
Apple body types have a waist measurement that is at least 10% larger than their shoulders and hips. This difference can be subtle and hard to notice.
Celebrity Examples:
- Amy Schumer
- Jennifer Hudson
- Drew Barrymore
- Kate Winslet
- Catherine Zeta-Jones
Hourglass
Hourglass body types have shoulders and hips that are nearly equal in width, with a waist measurement less than 75% of the hips. Not all hourglasses have the stereotypical silhouette.
Celebrity Examples:
- Blake Lively
- Salma Hayek
- Sofia Vergara
- Beyoncé
- Emilia Clarke
Inverted Triangle
Inverted Triangle body types have shoulders that are at least 5% wider than their hips, bust, and waist. This difference can also be subtle.
Celebrity Examples
- Naomi Campbell
- Angelina Jolie
- Pamela Anderson
- Renée Zellweger
- Demi Moore
Rectangle
Rectangle body types have shoulders and hips that are nearly equal in width, with a waist measurement more than 75% of the hips.
Celebrity Examples
- Cameron Diaz
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Rosario Dawson
- Nicole Richie
- Jennifer Garner
Triangle
Triangle body types have hips that are at least 5% wider than their shoulders, bust, and waist. This difference can be subtle.
Celebrity Examples
- Shakira
- Kim Kardashian
- Jennifer Lopez
- Rihanna
- Christina Aguilera
Finding Your Body Type
To accurately determine your body type, follow these steps:
- Take a Photo of Your Body: Ideally, take a photo in undergarments to minimize clothing's effect on measurements. Keep your hands away from your body.
- Upload to Canva: Use lines to mark the width of shoulders, bust, waist, and hips.
- Calculate Measurements: Use Canva's tools to measure each line in pixels, noting the widths.
- Compare Measurements: Match your measurements to the requirements for each body type to determine yours.
Dressing for Your Body Type
Once you know your body type, use these guidelines to choose the most flattering clothing:
Apple Body Type
Goals:
- Define waistline
- Divert attention from midsection
- Add interest to neckline
- Add curves to lower body
Try:
- Wrap dresses
- A-line dresses and skirts
- Ruffled hems
- Embellished necklines
- Loose sleeves
- Structured pieces
- Flare pants
- Peplum tops
Avoid:
- High necklines
- Excess fabric in the midsection
- Skinny jeans
- Super high-waisted bottoms
Hourglass Body Type
Goals:
- Highlight waist and balance frame
Try:
- Belts at the waist
- Close-to-body skirts
- Ruching at the waist
- Form-fitting shapes
- High-waisted bottoms
Avoid:
- Boxy cuts
- Straight silhouettes
- Wide necklines
- Large, poofy sleeves
- Peplum and ruffles near waist
- Dropped waist pieces
Inverted Triangle Body Type
Goals:
- Balance shoulders with lower body
- Add volume and curve to lower body
Try:
- Asymmetrical tops
- Wide straps
- Peplum tops
- Bubble hems
- Flare bottoms
- Full skirts
Avoid:
- Form-fitting bottoms
- Horizontal stripes
- Pencil skirts
- Skinny jeans
Rectangle Body Type
Goals:
- Add curves
- Define waist
Try:
- Voluminous sleeves
- Belted waists
- Crop tops hitting natural waist
- High-waisted bottoms
- Flare bottoms
- Off-the-shoulder necklines
Avoid:
- Excess fabric
- Boxy cuts
- High necklines
- Very oversized cuts
Triangle Body Type
Goals:
- Add interest to shoulders and waist
- Balance shoulders and hips
Try:
- Straight or fitted bottoms
- Voluminous sleeves
- Ruffled tops
- Peplum tops
- Collared tops
- High-rise bottoms
Avoid:
- Low-rise bottoms
- Tight-fitting tops
- High necklines
Embrace Your Unique Shape
Understanding your body type and how to dress for it is a significant step toward developing your personal style. Experiment with different cuts and silhouettes to find what works best for you. Remember, fashion is about feeling good in what you wear and expressing your unique self.