Dressing the Body Feminine Body Shapes Triangle/Pear Has hips and bottom that are wider than the waist, bust, and shoulders. Short legs with full thighs are common characteristics. Goal To balance the shoulders with the bottom half and draw the eye upwards by creating the appearance of a wider upper body. Use Horizontal necklines and lines in upper bodice Bright or lighter colors Texture and shine on top half Padded shoulders or shoulder pads Cap sleeves or short sleeves with details Tailored tops and bodices with lots of detail Vertical lines and seams for lower body Inset pockets Contrasting colors and details at center front Accessories and designs that draw the attention to the upper body Boot leg and straight pants Layered tops Belts and design details to emphasis the waist Avoid Bands, yokes, and hemlines at the hips Design details that bring the eye down to the hips Pleated skirts or pants Baggy garments Garments that add bulk to the hips Inverted Triangle or Strawberry Has shoulders that are wider than the waist and the hips. A larger bust, narrow hips, slim legs, and flat bottom are common characteristics. Fat is mainly distributed in the abdomen, chest, and face. Goal To narrow the shoulders, add fullness to bottom half for balance, and draw the eye downwards. You styles that create the illusion of the perfect hourglass body shape. Use Sleeveless styles and diagonal shoulder seam lines that direct the eye towards the neck (such as halter tops) Dark and flat colors on top with minimal or strategically placed texture V-necklines Flowing Fabrics Properly fitted bras Three-quarter length sleeves Flared or wide-leg pants A-line skirts Flared and full skirts Stiffer fabrics Horizontal lines at the bottom Flounces and ruffles from hip to hem Light or bright color Textured details at the bottom Avoid Shoulder and cap-sleeve detail. This would draw attention to the shoulder area, rather than minimizing it. Adding bulk to upper body and sleeves ex. (extra layers, oversized sleeves, etc.) High necklines Big collared skirts Tapered skirt and pants Rectangle Has shoulders that are nearly the same width and a waist that is the same or slightly narrower. The figure may be either broad or narrow, but the shape is generally consistent. Usually a boyish look with small/medium bust with slender arms and legs. Goal To add or enhance curves and define a waist. Use Light and bright colors at shoulders and hems Diagonal lines at shoulders and hem to direct the eye toward the center front Vertical details (darts, princess seams, waistbands) at the center of the body/waist Design details that widen the shoulder, bust, and hips Shoulder pads Semi-fitted clothing Dresses that wrap or flow through the waistline Straight to gently flared flat-fronted pants A-line skirts Avoid Contrasting colors at the waist Clingy fabric and fitted clothes Clothes that are too baggy Narrow skirts Hourglass Has shoulders and hips about the same width and a well-defined waist that is at least 8-10 inches smaller in circumference. Goal To emphasize the waist and maintain existing balance without adding bulk Use Lines and details that draw the eye to the waist ex. (seams, belts, etc.) Style lines of the garments should draw the eye right to the waist Fitted and simi-fitted fabric Soft, clingy, flowing fabrics Low to medium-low necklines Dresses with defined waistlines Gently flared pants and skirts Belts and accessories around the waist Avoid Adding volume at shoulders and hips Concealing or widening the waist with fabric that is too loose Diamond Has an undefined waist with a large and high stomach. They may also have a full or flat bottom. Goal To create the illusion of a longer, inverted triangle body shape and draw attention upwards towards the shoulders and face. Use Earrings, necklaces, and focal points to draw the eye up Semi-fitted and loose fitting clothes Good undergarments Tops and bottoms in the same colors Low Necklines Un-tucked tops that do not emphasize the stomach Tops and dresses that flow through the waistline Straight and slightly flared skirts Avoid Clingy fabrics Colors and detail that draw eye to waist Fitted clothes Fabric with large patterns High necklines Belts Tucked-in tops Pleats Narrow or tapered skirts or pants Round/Oval/Apple Has shoulders and hips that are narrower than the waist. The waist is rounded and wider from both front and side views. Goal To drawn attention away from the waist and upwards toward the shoulders and face. Use design elements that can make the waist look slimmer and create an hourglass look. Use Dimension and interest at shoulders and hips Earrings, necklaces, and other focal points Semi-fitted and loose fitting clothing Very fitted bras and supportive underwear to minimize the stomach Tops and bottoms in the same colors Low necklines Tops and dresses that flow through the waistline Flared skirts, Wrist length and short sleeves Vertical and diagonal details at the body’s vertical center Lighter colors above and below the center panel will create the illusion that the shoulder, chest and hip areas are wider than the waist. Belts and design elements that accentuate a smaller waist Avoid Tops that extend far past the hips Clingy fabrics Tight fitted clothes Fabric with large patterns High necklines Pleated skirts Sleeveless garments Universal Appeal The Defined Waist A defined waist works on all body types because it defines the smallest part of the waist. You can take the basic style and change the neckline, shoulder, sleeves, length, and amount of flare in the skirt to work the best with each different body type. Masculine Body Shapes Triangle Has a larger waist and hips in relation to the top part of the body. Goal To create balance and make the body appear proportional Use Tailored patterned blazers create the illusion of shape and take the focus away from the waist Vertical stripes Jackets with structured shoulders Shoulder pads Single-breasted suits Bright colors and patterns on the top but more neutral on the waist Accessories to draw the eye up (ties, bowties, pocket squares, glasses, etc) Wide and straight leg pants Avoid Double-breasted jackets Jacket with slouchy shoulders Fitted skirts Bright colors and busy prints Bold Belts Skinny fit and extreme tapered pants Inverted Triangle Has broad shoulders and chest and a slimmer waist and hips Goal To show off the natural body shape. Use Close-fitting clothes Clean, sharp lines Horizontal stripes Slim-fit shirts Regular V-neck T-shirts Straight-leg pants Slim-fit jackets Good tailoring of clothing Avoid Large lapels Suit jackets with extra shoulder padding Prints, patterns, and scoop necklines Rectangle Has shoulders that are roughly the same width as their waist and hips. Usually tall and thin frames are characteristics of this shape. Goal Widen the shoulders and add the effect of a slight taper from the top down and a nipped in middle. Horizontal stripes Use Horizontal stripes Button details on top of t-shirts Structured jackets Layered looks Scarves Prints, color pops, and detailing Avoid Double-breasted jackets Added bulk around the middle Oval Has a stomach that is wider than the shoulders and hips. Bodies tend to be stocky with shorted, broader limps that widen at their midpoints. Goal To slim and frame the body and draw the attention upward to the face Use Suspenders Comfortable loose pants at the waist Pleats Well tailored shirts Tight-fitted clothing Wider collars Dark, single-breasted jackets Neckties, bowties Avoid Tight belts or paints at the waist, no pinches or wrinkles Patterns and visual clutter that draws the attention to the waist Trapezoid Has a waist that is the narrowest point of the body but not extreme. This is the shape that most men’s wear is made for. Goal Showcase the body shape Use Close fitted, tailored clothing Vertical stripes Jackets that taper in the waist Neckties Clean lines Avoid Baggy clothing
