Discover the different body shapes and how best to dress your body shape to flatter
I was recently asked by a reader how to minimize her broad square shoulders. Now this is a problem I’d love to have, but this is not about me. This post is for the women who feel their shoulders are too broad and make them feel masculine. Look for narrower necklines, so narrow V necks,…
I’ve finally got into the Mad Men rage, it’s not big here in Australia but as Deja Pseu and others have all talked about it being a great show, I decided to get it on DVD and watch – I’m now up to Series 3 and loving it! Recently I was emailed by a reader…
“Do you think certain body types/faces look better in certain styles of clothes – and what I mean here is either casual, classic, sporty, etc.I have an X shape (hourglass) and with it being spring going into summer here in Canada, everyone wears t-shirts and capris/shorts a lot, but I find I look dumpy/matronly in…
So finally to our Real Life O body shape. When I was looking at these photos I got out my Trinny and Susannah The Body Shape Bibleto see how they had photographed, and I noticed that their models didn’t have bras on! As I’ve repeatedly said, a well fitting bra can give you the illusion…
. Here is the lovely Jan Fisher, Image Coach again, we bought this dress (same shop as we bought the beads) on Monday. It’s a versatile colour and can be teamed with blue, red, purple, chartreuse amongst others. Jan wanted me to cut off her head, but I just couldn’t do it to her. What…
Basic Question – Do body shapes change as we grow older / fatter / slimmer? Post pregnancy, my hips are definitely wider than my chest, but it wasn’t always so…. To answer – YES they do. Body shapes: As noted an 8 shape when carrying extra weight may turn more H shape, or may just…
I was lucky enough to spend the day yesterday with Jan Fisher, AICI FLC a New Zealand based image consultant who you have met before here and here with her ideas for dressing women of a certain age. We went out for lunch and dropped into a local boutique and discovered this great necklace, which…
Yes, body shapes can be confusing, we are all unique, so there is no exact standard for body shapes, but these are guidelines. You can be a mix of body shapes, though you will probably find that you fall more into one shape than another. If you have the top half of an A and…
The I body shape is characterised by a long lean body, shoulders are similar to hips, though sometimes marginally wider, (but never linebacker). There isn’t a particularly defied waist, many describe themselves as boyish. Here are 3 examples. How to dress your I shape body: If you want to create more curves, look for volume…
Here we have one version of a V body shape (inverted triangle) body. You will notice that her shoulders are broader than hips, but there is not a lot of curve through the body either. Some Vs are significantly wider than their hips, others are just a bit wider (like this example). How to dress…
X body shapes (hourglass figures) have defined waists, but their shoulders and hips are the same width (unlike the A who has wider hips than shoulders). There is a longer straighter slope from waist to hips (unlike the high shelf-like curve of the 8 shape). You can see that the X shape has a much…
On to the next shape – today we have an H body shape (rectangle body shape). What you will notice is that there is not much definition between the shoulders, waist and hips, sure there is a little curve here and there, but not a really defined waist curve. Here is another H – you…
Have you got a high “shelf” like hip? I often think of this as the Barbie Doll body shape – it’s what I call the 8 shape and is one of the two hourglass shapes (the X shape is the other hourglass shape). What you notice with an 8 shape is that there is a…
If you’d describe your figure as boyish, with little in the way of curves you are most likely an I body shape. (Not sure of your body shape? Take the Body Shape Calculator Quiz here). I body shapes tend to have similar width shoulders and hips with a fairly undefined waist. They are very lean…
Most O shapes that I’ve met tend to feel self-conscious about their stomach area, so here are some tips of what not to take into the dressing room if you are an O Shape. 6 Styles of Clothes or Clothing Details to Avoid if You are an O or Apple body shape Dresses or tops…
One commenter asked “who can wear a boyfriend jacket” ;that my friend is for the V shape. But what should a V shape avoid? Puffed sleeves Lots of shoulder detail Boat necks Wide lapels Straight skirts (if you are very broad shouldered) Shoestring straps Too much waist shaping if you don’t have a defined or…
Not sure of your body shape? Read up on the Body Shapes Explained posts to help you find it. How to Find the Right Top for X Shape Best to avoid looking at clothing with these features: Lots of horizontal detail across the hips. Patch pockets on the hips Tops that don’t show off your…
Nancy K put in a request (and yes I’m doing all the body shapes) for an 8 shape – so here are some guidelines. If you are an 8 Shape (high hip and bootylicious) you are best to avoid trying on garments that: Flare from the waist – such as dirndl or circle, or any…
Reader’s question: “Which tops and jackets to make a busty H-shape body with high hips and short, waist, long legs look good?” Flattering tops and jackets for H shape body What are the features that an H Shape should avoid taking to the change room to stop depression setting in when on a shopping trip?…
I always find that I want to make shopping a pleasant experience. So with a little knowledge you can be prepared to assess a garment before you try it to see if it has a chance of flattering your figure. If you have an A (pear) shaped body, which many women do, it’s that lovely…
Blogger Metscan asks: One more suggestion for you Imogen. Could you do a post telling what rules you won´t break ever? It would be so much fun. Thanks ! It was interesting thinking about this topic – what rules would I never break? I know there are definitely rules that I wouldn’t break when dressing…
