As I discussed here when I explained how lines work, body shape tells us:
- Where to put the verticals
- Where to put the horizontals to balance, broaden or highlight
- Where to place detail
- Where to keep boring/dull/plain/no detail
That’s it! So let’s look at the A Shape (commonly called the pear shape or triangle shape)
Let’s have a look at some outfits and analyse them based on the criteria of what will work for an A shape. This dress is shaped just like your A shape, it follows the lines of your shape, which is the best way to dress it and then uses horizontal details to balance shoulders with your hips.
How about jeans and a top – here we are following the rules of boring down bottom and interesting up top. Horizontals above the waist, and waist shaping to show off your waist.
Let’s have a look at the skirt, top and jacket outfit. Am I breaking the rules with a patterned skirt? Well yes, but you can still get away with detail below the waist if you include enough detail and colour above the waist and the pattern is more dense, so the eye doesn’t stop and focus on elements of the pattern.
You can see when you use the simple rules here it’s easy to find clothes to flatter your shape and create outfits that work.
More posts on dressing your A shape body
Don’t waste your money on these clothing styles
Body Shapes Explained – A shape
How to wear a column of colour for your body shape
Print out this blog post and keep it as a handy reference to your A Shape Bible
Not sure what your body shape is? Then take my Body Shape Calculator Quiz and discover your body shape today.
Hi,
I’m Belinda, and I’m an ‘O’ shape 🙁 I am a new subscriber and was wondering how do I read info about dressing up my body shape? I read the ‘A’ shape article, and I want to know more about styles that would suit my body shape.
I would truly appreciate a reply from you.
Kind Regards,
Belinda
Belinda – thanks for coming by – just search O shape and you will find everything I have written so far on dressing O shapes – there will be another body shape post this week too and I think it is on the O shape so keep your eyes out for that on Wednesday. There is lots of information on here about O shapes!
Dear Imogen, will you be writing about Inverted Triangle? Thank you
I will in coming weeks – I’m working through all the shapes!
I’m an A shape, and have followed you for years. You’re the BEST! I am confused by some of the new images, though. Will the “pear” replace the “A”? I’m not used to seeing the pear, apple, hourglass, etc. on your blog, but rather the A, O, X, etc.
Nope pear won’t replace A – I just use it sometimes so that people who don’t know my letters can understand!
Very confused. Maybe it’s me.
Why are you confused Del?
Hello dear!
I’m confused bcz i don’t know about my body shape how I now about it plz can u guide me??
Why not do my quiz to discover your shape if you don’t think this is the right shape for you – you can find it here – https://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2016/03/want-to-figure-out-your-body-shape-try-my-quiz.html
I’ve never been able to work out ny body shape. My shoulders are broader than my hips buy I wouldn’t describe myself as having small hips and behind. Not at all like the typical V shapes I see. I have been told I’m an inverted triangle by an image consultant but friends tell me that I’m not and I’ve also been told I’m not an inverted by an online forum of women who said that the consultant was wrong. I have problems with defining my waist which always looks ‘thick’ to me, yet friends say I look like an hourglass. Am I just good at hiding it without knowing? Have you covered my shape yet? I am confused.
Hi Kathy, without seeing you it’s hard to completely assess – which is why I offer my professional opinion in my 7 steps to style program – https://insideoutstyleblog.com/7-steps-to-style-system – you may have square shoulders on an H shape body (some curves can still part of a straighter body shape)