Tips for Dressing Your Body Type - Igigi

[ashmamma84]

I was browsing the site and found some tips that might be helpful..

Figure 8
1. Wearing the right neckline: Accentuate your face, neck, and bust with open collars and V necklines.

2. Picking Pants: Straight or Wide leg pants will help balance your figure. You also look good in Capri or Side Slit pants, which help show off your shapely legs.

3. Color Counts: Try wearing colors a tone lighter on top to gently draw attention upward.

4. Place Your Patterns Properly: Stick to vertical patterns and prints that aren't too busy in order to elongate your silhouette. Your figure also handles patterns better on top.

5. Dressing it Up: Shirt dresses and wrap dresses are sure to slim your silhouette. Also, dresses with shoulder necklines or asymmetric detailing work well for flattering the figure 8.

6. Sleek Sleeves: Our figure 8 friends look best in ¾ length and bell sleeves. Slightly shirred sleeves or batwing sleeves are also great options for slimming your arms.

7. Outerwear and Accessories: Long tailored jackets in dark solids work well on your figure, especially worn over outfits of a lighter tone. For short coats, try choosing fitted jackets with ¾ length sleeves.

8. Flattering Fabrics: Avoid stiff, heavy, or bulky fabrics. Choose lighter, draping fabrics to cuddle your curves.

9. Buckle that Belt: Accessory belts are a great a way to hide problem areas or make specific garments work better for you. Sometimes a top or sweater will be cut so that it flatters everything except that tummy bulge. An accessory belt can be the perfect solution, so be sure to keep a few in your closet.

10. Feel Fabulous: The best way to look great is to feel great. Whatever you wear, wear it with confidence and accessorize it with a smile.

[ashmamma84]

Inverted Triangle/Apple

1. Dress up without a dress: Because inverted triangle figures carry their weight disproportionately, picking different pieces for different parts of your body can be helpful. Try sporting a skirt and blouse for your next soiree instead of a dress.

2. Wearing the Right Neckline: For the inverted triangle gal, soft U necklines are the way to go. Tailored shirts and V neck wrap tops are also a great way to slenderize your upper half. Be sure to avoid halters, boat necks, gathered sleeves, and strapless tops.

3. Slimming the Shoulders: To slim your shoulders, try Raglan tops or shirts with shoulder slits. Also, soft collarless tunics are perfect for flattering the inverted triangle figure. Try leaving cardigans unbuttoned to help soften your shoulders.

4. Color Counts: Place your colors carefully! Wear lighter colors on the bottom and darker colors on the top to visually balance your figure.

5. Position Your Patterns Properly: For inverted triangles, busy patterns on top can point out your problem areas. Stick to simple and vertical patterns on the top to slim your silhouette.

6. Choosing the Right Skirt: Choose skirts that add a little flare to your figure. Knee length skirts with contoured waistbands will look great on you, as will full circle and pleated skirts. Avoid pencil skirts if you are on the busty side, as they will make you look more top heavy.

7. Picking Pants: The best part of being an inverted triangle is that your pants options are endless! Any style will work for you and you will look better in boot cuts than everyone else.

8. Outerwear and Accessories: You can wear jackets of any length as long as they are fitted at the waist. Avoid bulky necklaces.

9. Buckle That Belt: A funky belt will not only spice up your wardrobe, it will compliment your curves as well. For inverted triangle figures, belts look best buckled at the waistline.

10. Feel Fabulous: The best way to look great is to feel great. Whatever you wear, wear it with confidence and accessorize it with a smile.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

Description

You have a top-heavy appearance, with broad shoulders and upper back as well as medium to fuller bust.

Your waist gets narrower; your hips, thighs, buttocks, and lower legs are also proportionally smaller.

Characteristics

The Inverted Triangle Figure type has the following characteristics:

* Shoulders appear to be very broad
* Face is fleshier
* Neck is shorter with an inclination toward fullness at the nape and shoulders
* Back is broader and fleshier; wider ribcage
* Bust is ample; usually larger than the hips
* Waist could be slightly indented with some of the weight in the front midsection
* Flat or medium size buttocks
* Hips are (usually) proportionally slender
* Thighs are relatively thinner
* Legs are very shapely; the lower legs are proportionally slimmer to the overall body shape

[ashmamma84]

Triangle/Pear

1. Dress up without a dress: Because triangle figures carry their weight disproportionately, with greater width toward the bottom, picking different pieces for different parts of your body can be helpful. Try sporting a skirt and blouse for your next soiree instead of a dress.

2. Wear Wide Necklines: Wearing wide necklines and even shoulder pads when appropriate will help to visually broaden your upper torso and better balance your figure.

3. Color Counts: Place your colors carefully! Wear lighter colors on the top and darker colors on the bottom to slenderize those hips and draw attention upward. Likewise, try choosing dark stockings in solid colors when sporting a dress or skirt.

4. Position Your Patterns Properly: For Triangle figures, placing patterns on the bottom can point out your problem areas. Keep pants and skirts in solid colors and use patterns playfully to draw attention upward. Also, avoid bulky fabrics – they make you look bigger.

5. Lengthen Your Lines: Choose V-necks and vertical patterns to lengthen the lines of your silhouette.

6. Accessorize Upward: Use fun jewelry and accessories to bring out your best features. Short necklaces and long earrings are great for drawing attention to your face and bust.

7. Choosing the Right Skirt: Avoid wide skirts! Instead, stick with straight or A-line skirts that hug your curves and keep your stems looking slender.

8. Emphasize your waist: Try wearing tops and dresses that squeeze you in the right spot. Empire waist lines are in style this season so make sure they are in your closet too.

9. Buckle That Belt: A funky belt will not only spice up your wardrobe, it will compliment your curves as well. For triangle figures, belts look best buckled in the middle of the torso.

10. Feel Fabulous: The best way to look great is to feel great. Whatever you wear, wear it with confidence and accessorize it with a smile.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Description

You have very full and fleshy hips and thighs. Sometimes, your buttocks can also be very full and round (although, sometimes, your derriere can be quite flat).

Your face, shoulders, arms, bust, and ribcage appear to be overall much smaller relative to your bottom; you have a defined waist.

Characteristics

The Triangle Figure type has the following characteristics:

* Shoulders are proportionately narrow or average
* Face tends to be smaller relative to the rest of the body
* Neck is proportionally slimmer
* Back is smaller or average in size and is not so full relative to the bottom
* Bust is relatively smaller than the lower torso
* Waist is well defined due to a much more pronounced hips and thighs
* Full, round, and fleshy buttocks (in some cases, buttocks are flat)
* Hips are usually much wider comparing to the rest of your body and do get fuller at the lower hip line that frequently bulges outward
* Thighs are full and very voluptuous
* Lower legs are often proportionately heavier

[ashmamma84]

Hourglass

1. Wearing the Right Neckline: Choose deep U or loose V necks to show off your bust. Open collars or high-collar knits will also work to enhance your positive features.

2. Picking Pants: Consider flat-front, side zip, and pocket less pants to minimize your hips and bottom. Softly flared pants are also a good choice for hourglass gals.

3. Buckle That Belt: Belts are a necessary item in every hourglass wardrobe! They are perfect for emphasizing your naturally slimmer waist and showing how sexy your curves are.

4. Color Counts: Color blocking your outfits is a great trick for hourglass figures. Try wearing something dark on the bottom, something lighter on top, and a belt that matches your pants or skirt. This will highlight your waist without drawing too much attention to your curvier hips.

5. Place Your Patterns Properly: Stick to vertical patterns and prints that aren't too busy in order to elongate your silhouette. Your figure also handles prints better on the bottom.

6. Dressing it up: Bias-cut dresses and softly belted shirt dresses will gently compliment your figure. Wrap style tops and dresses also work well for the hourglass shape.

7. Sleek Sleeves: Fluted, ¾ length, and puff sleeves are best for slimming your arms.

8. Outerwear and Accessories: Look for jackets that are slightly fitted or have princess seams to compliment your figure.

9. Flattering Fabrics: Avoid stiff, heavy, or bulky fabrics. Choose lighter, draping fabrics to cuddle your curves. And don't forget that light weight velvet is a great evening wear fabric for your figure type.

10. Feel Fabulous: The best way to look great is to feel great. Whatever you wear, wear it with confidence and accessorize it with a smile.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________

Description

You have a very curvy shape with clearly defined waist. Your shoulders, bust, and hips are about the same width with the hips usually no more than 4” larger than your bust. Your waist could be 6”- 9” narrower than the smaller of the above two.

You have full and round hips, thighs, tummy, and buttocks. Your bust is medium to larger size; your lower legs are shapely and proportionately slender. Your upper arms are average in size but tend to be fleshier.

Characteristics

The Hourglass Figure type has the following characteristics:

* Shoulders are proportionate to the whole silhouette; about the same width as the hips
* Face has an oval, round, rectangular, or heart shape; potentially well defined chin and tendency toward a double-chin
* Neck is proportionate in length with an inclination toward fullness at the nape and shoulders
* Back is average and soft; medium size ribcage
* Bust is medium to large, shapely and full; usually narrower or equal to the hips
* Waist is well defined, gently curving in and out to the high hip
* Full, round buttocks
* Hips are usually soft and round with proportionate curviness to them. However, the lower hip is the widest part of the body
* Thighs are full but also proportionate to the rest of the body and can have tendency toward inner and outer thigh bulging
* Legs are shapely and proportionate; in most cases equal to the length of the upper torso

[ashmamma84]

Diamond

1. Dressing to draw the eyes away from the waistline is the trick for diamonds.

2. Opt for darker colors with horizontal, broadening necklines on your upper half.

3. Play around with chunky necklaces, large accessories like flower appliqués and scarves.

4. Try asymmetrical cuts for fun.

5. Show off those shoulders and arms in tanks and short sleeves.

6. Stock up on pashminas and shrugs for days when you need to hide all.

7. Go for duster-style jackets for outerwear.

8. Wear lighter colors on your lower half to balance out your mid section.

9. Go for knee length skirts to display your shapely legs.

10. Play around with capris and shorts.
__________________________________________________ __________________

Description

You have a smaller frame with narrow shoulders and back; medium, or smaller size bust and wider midriff with no defined waist.

Your body carries most of the weight in the middle section. Sometimes the waist is the largest measurement around the body. You have broad hips and generous thighs. At the same time, your buttocks are flat and your lower legs are proportionately slender.

Characteristics

The Diamond Figure type has the following characteristics:

* Shoulders are average or narrow
* Face is proportionate to the body
* Neck is well defined
* Ribcage is average
* Bust is small to medium size
* Waist is undefined, carrying the weight in the front midsection with a potential for the “love handles”
* Flat or average buttocks
* Hips are usually medium to prominent
* Thighs are slightly fleshy
* Lower legs are shapely and proportionately slimmer to the overall body shape

[volatile]

I really don't know what shape I am. I've always considered myself to be an apple because I carry my weight in the middle. So is that like Diamond?

[ashmamma84]

Originally Posted by volatile

I really don't know what shape I am. I've always considered myself to be an apple because I carry my weight in the middle. So is that like Diamond?

Well an apple is more like an inverted triangle...but I added some descriptions to the posts, so maybe that will be more helpful.

[supersoup]

yeah. i have no friggin idea what shape or whatever it is that i am.

turds.

so i shall continue to wear whatever appeals to me, even if i look stupid!

[HottiMegan]

I'm a rectangle...My measurements at the bust, waist and hips are within a few inches of eachother lol

[volatile]

Inverted triangle really doesn't describe me, I guess I'm not an apple. lol

I always have a hard time finding clothes that look good on me. My shirts always seem to baggy and long and I hate them. I just never know what looks good on me. I only have one top that I really love and it's a brown wrap top from Love Your Peaches. I stick to solids because prints scare me lol

here's a picture of me. Help! lol
It's not full body but my thighs are bigger at the tops then I get smaller as I go down. I don't have skinny calves but the are not huge or anything. Also I should mention I've lost 22lbs since that pic was taken. Sort of an overall loss, not one area in particular.

[ashmamma84]

Originally Posted by volatile

Inverted triangle really doesn't describe me, I guess I'm not an apple. lol

I always have a hard time finding clothes that look good on me. My shirts always seem to baggy and long and I hate them. I just never know what looks good on me. I only have one top that I really love and it's a brown wrap top from Love Your Peaches. I stick to solids because prints scare me lol

here's a picture of me. Help! lol
It's not full body but my thighs are bigger at the tops then I get smaller as I go down. I don't have skinny calves but the are not huge or anything. Also I should mention I've lost 22lbs since that pic was taken. Sort of an overall loss, not one area in particular.

Just going from the pic, I'd say probably a diamond...

[troubadours]

haha this post is great. it reminds me of when i first started working at the avenue. i had to listen to a cd describing these body types and shapes with very similar suggestions in case customers came in asking for advice.

its too bad i'm not looking to look more slender otherwise maybe i'd put some of these tips to use hehe

[ashmamma84]

Originally Posted by troubadours

haha this post is great. it reminds me of when i first started working at the avenue. i had to listen to a cd describing these body types and shapes with very similar suggestions in case customers came in asking for advice.

its too bad i'm not looking to look more slender otherwise maybe i'd put some of these tips to use hehe

Hmmm...it's not about looking slender for me, it's more about what's flattering and what's not...that's all.

[Ruby Ripples]

It did appear to me too that looking down all those, it's all about making yourself look slimmer and "balancing out" your body, ie. drawing the eyes away from pearish hips/thighs, etc. That's usually what these are about, and "flattering" usually tends to mean making one look slimmer or less obviously pear, apple, or whatever. They refer to "problem" areas, read FAT.

I don't have a problem with anyone wanting to "balance" out their figure by using certain styles of clothing, and hide "problem" areas, but I do think that is what is meant by "flattering" on those lists. They are about minimising lumps and bumps and trying to make your figure the most like society's ideal that you can.

I don't mind what shape I am in clothes, but I do like to wear colours that suit my skin tone and am more aware of that than garmet shape.

[ashmamma84]

Originally Posted by Ruby Ripples

It did appear to me too that looking down all those, it's all about making yourself look slimmer and "balancing out" your body, ie. drawing the eyes away from pearish hips/thighs, etc. That's usually what these are about, and "flattering" usually tends to mean making one look slimmer or less obviously pear, apple, or whatever. They refer to "problem" areas, read FAT.

I don't have a problem with anyone wanting to "balance" out their figure by using certain styles of clothing, and hide "problem" areas, but I do think that is what is meant by "flattering" on those lists. They are about minimising lumps and bumps and trying to make your figure the most like society's ideal that you can.

I don't mind what shape I am in clothes, but I do like to wear colours that suit my skin tone and am more aware of that than garmet shape.

I guess I just don't see an issue with dressing to suit your body shape -- some things are going to look better than others...just like with color; some colors make your skin radiant and pop...while others don't really do much. So to me, it's the same thing. Really isn't as deep as societal anything...and frankly, there's nothing wrong with minimizing lumps and bumps for everyday, so I think the tips are more helpful than harmful.

[Ruby Ripples]

Originally Posted by ashmamma84

I guess I just don't see an issue with dressing to suit your body shape -- some things are going to look better than others...just like with color; some colors make your skin radiant and pop...while others don't really do much. So to me, it's the same thing. Really isn't as deep as societal anything...and frankly, there's nothing wrong with minimizing lumps and bumps for everyday, so I think the tips are more helpful than harmful.

I don't think there's anything wrong with it either if that is what you like to do, and yes I agree they are helpful if it's what you like to do. I never said or thought they were harmful, and am glad if people feel better in their clothes by following these tips and hints.

[kr7]

Personally, I do like to dress "appropriately" for my body type. I think that there are certain cuts that make me look good, although, I wouldn't say that it equates to smaller (at least not in my case). Trust me, ain't nobody gonna be fooled about the size of my booty!

It's more like: some things make me look shapelier and put together, while others make me look frumpy and sad. I guess it's weird, but if I put on something that wasn't really made for a pear shape, I instantly look sloppy.

I do agree, though, that for a lot of people the goal in dressing for their body type involves appearing slimmer.

Chris