Fashion Fridays: Dress Right for your Body Type

Okay ladies, let's talk about our bodies. Your body is your temple, right? And naturally you want to look your best whatever your body type may be.

Luckily that is why there are so many different styles and trends. And yes, this means that not every trend and style is for you/your body type!

Fortunately for us women--we are beautiful in many different ways, and thus we naturally have different attributes that we want to highlight.

I have done my best to categorize all of bodies types that I have seen and added an appropriate name for each (you will see). I never liked those negative labels like "pear" or "box" so you will have a much more appealing name to call your body type after reading this blog!

Scroll down to see which one best matches you--and remember, you may be a combination of more than one. Once you find your body type--I have added celebrities to watch, what your style goal should be, and things to AVOID!!! I have also added other names you may have previously heard for that body type.

Please share this link with girlfriends, mothers, sisters, cousins, whoever you think will benefit from reading--the more the merrier--by clicking the tab at the end.

I got most of the information from DressYourBodyType.com which is an excellent resource because they have detailed rules for each body type. Some of the info is kinda dated, but it is still really good! Go to their website by clicking --> HERE.

Have a great day and don't forget to share with at least one friend by clicking the tab at the end!

Love,
Rose

P.S. I may do a blog on dressing right for your age too...

The Goddess

(Formerly Petite)

Celebrities to watch: Kelly Ripa, Kristen Bell, Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jada Pinkett-Smith

Style Goal: to elongate your figure

Characteristics: If you answer "yes" to almost everything below, you have a petite figure and should read on to find out what garment is best for your shape:

• You describe yourself as having a “small frame”.
• You are typically under 5'3".
• You wear “ankle” length pants or may feel “short”.
• Balanced proportions.

Avoid:

• Over sized tops and coats.
• Large, over-powering patterns or prints.
• Skirts that are way too full or too-long.
• Pants that are too wide or cuffed at the hem make you look shorter than you really are.
• Blousy dresses
• Be cautious when picking out a long dress. It may swallow you.
• No child-sized swimsuits!

The Queen

(Formerly Full Figured/Apple/Diamond)

Celebrities to watch: Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, America Ferrera, Queen

Latifah

Style Goal: For the full figure, you want to minimize those curves, but not deny them. Your #1 challenge is finding beautiful, trendy clothes that fit. First, let's find out if you are a full or curvy figure. If you answer "yes" to most of the characteristics below, then read on.

Characteristics:

• You have a full bust and hips.
• You may be thick-waisted or you have little to no curve in the waste.
• You feel your hips and upper portion could be smaller and want to minimize the portion.

Avoid:

• For button-up blouses, make sure the fit is right. The space between the buttons may open a bit. To solve this problem, use Velcro to secure the fabric. I hear it works perfect.
• Waist length jackets. This piece cuts the body in half. You want to elongate the body not chop off.
• Throw out the skirt that is gathered at the waist.
• Pleated and ankle-tapered pants.
• Big-patterned prints --run the other way!
• Tight satin-y dresses or any thin or flimsy fabric will ruin those curves.
• Anything too baggy--the volume only makes you look heavier than you actually are.
• Granny-style skirt swimsuits - give them to Goodwill!

The First Lady

(Formerly Pear/Triangle)

Celebrities to watch: Michelle Obama, Lucy Liu, Kristin Davis, Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock, Alicia Keys

Style Goal: The challenge is finding apparel that balances the upper portion with the bottom. Our goal is to visually slim your bottom half and play up your top. Choose bottoms with flowing fabrics to de-emphasize your wide hips.

Characteristics: You are generally bottom heavy. You have a slender neck, narrow shoulders, smaller bust, as well as a shapely waist, generous lower hips and full thighs.

So you think you may have a pear shape figure? Well, since this is the most important part of developing your image, let's make sure. If you answer yes to all of the statements below than you most likely have the pear shape figure:

• You have narrow shoulders. Your bust and waistline are small and petite.
• You have more voluptuous hips, bottom and thighs.

  

• You are blessed with the “derriere” syndrome.

Avoid:

• Tops that hit right at the waist or waist length jackets
• Don't wear extra full or clingy skirts.
• Drawstring pants, gathered, pleated, cuffed, or tapered ankles.
• Be cautious when it comes to skinny jeans.
• The same rule applies for skirts has it does for dresses. No full and clingy dresses.
• Stay away from boy-leg styles or super-high cut legs.
• No vertical stripes for the bottom half.

The Empress

(Formerly Busty/Broad Shoulders/Inverted Triangle)

Celebrities to watch: Jessica Simpson, Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore

Style Goal: You are blessed with a generous bust-line but haven't a clue how to balance your shape. You probably feel like people only see what's below your face. Well, lucky for you women pay thousands of dollars to have that bust-line. That's not the only plus; there are ways to wear certain fashions to complement not flaunt.

Characteristics:

• Bra size is over a "C" cup.
• Usually this shape has a combination of a shorter waist.
• With out the right support, your body can look 10 pounds heavier than it really is.
• Lower portion of body is petite to normal size compared to the upper portion.

Avoid:

• Embroidery, ruffles, gathering, shirring or big patterned tops. All they do is draw more attention to the bust-line.
• Flimsy fabrics or bias cuts lack support. Shop for thicker cotton or wool textiles.
• Be cautious with Empire waists. Make sure there is no extra fabric gathered or shirred around the bust.
• No waist-length jackets
• Mid-thigh or narrow skirts make you seem top-heavy.
• When shopping for pants or jeans, keep away from super skinny or super full legs. However, putting the boots over the pants works well with skinny jeans. It's a great trick to balance the top with your bottom half.

• Run from fullness on top such as ruffles or shirring.
• For special occasions, keep it simple on top. Don't let the clothes wear you.
• Be cautious when purchasing string bikinis!

The Renaissance Woman

(Formerly Classic Hour Glass)

Celebrities to watch: Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum

Style Goal: The hourglass figure is the dream body shape, so make sure you accentuate your curves well.

Characteristics: You have a small bone structure; defined waist; curved hips; protruding bottom and shapely legs. The body shape that most clothes today are made for.

Dubbed the “perfect body shape,” an hourglass has equally-proportioned bust and hips with a well defined waist. 36-26-37 is an example of an hourglass silhouette.

Avoid:

• Hourglass shapes should avoid stiff, bulky fabrics
• high necklines
• tapered pants
• baggy clothing
• David Justice...(okay that was a joke--he is Halle's ex husband!)
• yeah, that is pretty much it ;)

The Duchess

(Formerly Rectangular/Tall & Slim/Athletic)

Celebrities to watch: Jessica Alba, Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Gabrielle

Union

Style Goal: With this shape you might look shorter and/or heavier than you really are. So your main goal should be to create a waist on your figure and add more width to your upper and lower part -- transforming your body into a proportionate hourglass shape.

One advantage is you don't have to hide unwanted curves. You can emphasize areas that other women can't. With a tall frame, you want to work in a little curve with different blouses, ruffles, tailored jackets, belts and other fun trends

Characteristics: Do you struggle with shopping for the perfect outfit to bring out your girly side? If you match the profile below, you may have a tall and slim body type:

• You have little to no curve in the waste.
• You have long arms and legs.
• You have a straight shape from shoulders to hips.
• You maybe thick-waisted or very lean and tall.
• Your goal is to look more feminine.

Avoid:

• Leave plain t-shirts, camisoles and solid tanks as a second layer
• Don't wear a v-neck alone. Tight v-necks over elongate the body. Stick with blouses and ruffles.
• Stray from extremely full or baggy pants. You have the body most trends are made for. Flaunt it!
• Straight, boxy mini skirts.
• Tight knit dresses.

The Diva

(Formerly Curvy)

Celebrities to watch: Beyonce Knowles, Selma Hayek, Nelly Furtado

Style Goal: For the curvy figure, you want to minimize your curves, but not deny them. Your challenge is finding beautiful, trendy clothes that fit. First, let's see if you are a curvy figure.

Characteristics: If you answer "yes" to most of the characteristics below, then read on.

• You have a full bust and hips.
• Your shoulders and hips a line evenly.
• Your waist curves like an hourglass but you are fuller around the bust-line and lower portion.
• You feel your hips and upper portion could be smaller and want to minimize the portion.

Avoid:

• For button-up blouses, make sure the fit is right. The space between the buttons may open a bit. To solve this problem, use double sided type to secure the fabric. C'est magnifique!

• Throw out the waist length puffer jacket. This piece cuts the body in half. You want to elongate the body not chop off.
• Throw out the skirt that is gathered at the waist.
• For pants, avoid pleated and ankle-tapered pants.
• Big-patterned prints are a big no! Run the other way!
• Tight satin dresses or any thin or flimsy fabric will ruin those curves.
• Don't wear anything too baggy or with too much volume
• Throw out the granny-style skirt suits!

Le Petite Diva

(Formerly Curvy Petite)

Celebrities to watch: Reese Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Style Goal: For the curvy petite figure, finding clothes that do not overpower your frame and still, minimize your curves is one of your biggest challenges. First, let's find out if you are a curvy petite figure.

Characteristics: If you answer "yes" to most of the characteristics below, then read on.

• You have full bust and hips.

• Your voluptuous curves are well proportioned with you r body.
• Your goal is to elongate your figure.
• You feel your hips and upper portion could be smaller. You want clothes th at slim your curves instead of drawing too much attention to them.

Avoid:

• When it comes to work environment and wearing button-up blouses, be cautious of the space between the buttons. It tends to open a bit. A quick solution to this problem is adding velcro to secure the fabric.

• Items to throw out: waist length jackets. This item tends to cut the body in half. Before purchasing any garments be sure it elongates your body.
• Stay clear of big prints and patterns that over-power your frame.
• Avoid pleated and ankle tapered pants.
• Be cautious when picking out a long dress. It may swallow you.
• Don't be ashamed of your curves. Channel Marilyn Monroe --she had voluptuous curves and is an icon.