04.01.2024
Body Shape: The Key to Your Best Style
Today, I’m sharing my #1 tip for discovering and curating your best style which is... body shape! If you don’t currently know which body shape you have and aren’t using that knowledge when curating your wardrobe, you’re doing it the hard way sis. This information not only sets the foundation of your wardrobe, but makes the process so much easier. Seriously, it’s like having a cheat code when you’re shopping for new items, editing your closet and putting outfits together!
Why It Matters:
Knowing your body shape is important because it gives you insight into which types of fits and silhouettes will best flatter you. Have you ever seen an item, either on a mannequin, a model online or even someone you know, that looked amazing on them so you decided to buy it for yourself, only to be disappointed when it didn’t look the same on you? If this has ever happened to you, you’re definitely not alone. We’ve all been there. Unfortunately when this happens, I think most of the time as women, we automatically start comparing ourselves and our bodies to whoever we saw the item on, which obviously isn’t helpful in any way. Can I let you in on a secret though? The problem isn’t you or your body, it’s actually the clothes. That particular item probably wasn’t made to fit your body shape and that’s okay! But, this is why it’s so important to know this information. It saves you time, money and frustration.
What Are The Possible Body Shapes?
There are 5 typical body shapes that people generally are described as (shown left to right below):
Round (Apple), Triangle (Pear), Inverted Triangle, Rectangle and Hourglass.
Regardless of which shape you have, the objective is still the same: to create and/or maintain proportion and balance throughout your body. However, while the objective is the same for all 5 shapes, the ways in which we achieve this are different. Let’s take a triangle shape for example. A person who is defined as a triangle will have a smaller shoulder measurement than their hips/bottom area, So, if our objective is to create balance and proportion, then we will want to add some volume to the top half to account for the smaller shoulder area. This can easily be accomplished by being intentional with the pieces we choose to wear, including the ones we pair together. Here’s an example of an outfit I would put together for a triangle shape:
A blouse like the one above that has a flutter sleeve instantly adds that volume we’re looking for to that shoulder area. Also, pairing it with a mid to high-rise jean that has a slight flare on the bottom hem, balances with the top half beautifully! Choosing tops that add volume is just one of the ways we can create that balance. Another easy tactic is to wear a print/pattern or brighter color on top, while pairing it with a more subtle bottom. This instantly draws the eye to the top half and distracts from the imbalance making it much less noticeable.
Putting It Into Practice:
These are just a few examples of how we can use certain fits and silhouettes of clothing to best flatter our figures instead of working against them. If you weren’t sure about body shape before, I’m hoping this has changed your mind and shown how impactful it can be to not only know which one you have but to also use that knowledge to your advantage.
To help you get started, I’ve included my FREE body shape guide below for you to download! It goes over each of the 5 body shapes and gives examples of items to look for and which ones to avoid for your particular shape. If you’re looking for more assistance in this area or are wanting to do a deep dive into your personal style and how to make your wardrobe work for you, I would love to work together! You can schedule your free 30 minute consultation using the link below.
