Dressr Style Assistant
Trends and styles are rapidly changing and it may not always seem easy to figure out the best way to highlight the trend in our unique body shapes. But to discover which characteristics of your physique to highlight or balance, this helpful guide will help.
First things first, how do you define your body shape?
The easiest way to find out your body shape is to measure yourself: in this way you find your body shape plus you have your measurements at hand if you need them.
And after this step there’s no need to get confused about the sizing of online brands!
Measuring yourself
To measure your body, the first thing you need is a measuring tape. The second is to wear as little as possible, if need be a bodysuit. Make sure to stand straight but not too straight, with the tape snug on your body.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab the measuring tape and start measuring the following areas of your body as indicated in the picture below!
- SHOULDERS | measure around the highest point of your shoulders.
- WAIST | measure around the smallest point of your waist.
- HIPS | measure around the hip, over the largest part of the buttocks.
How to determine your body shape?
STEP ONE
Determine your body shape using your shoulders, waist and hip measurements.
STEP TWO
Determine the widest, the smallest and the medium measurements to recognize the shape and the body type.
If the measurements are close to each other, ± 3 you can assume the measurements are equal.
STEP THREE
Go to the visuals below and identify your body shape.
What body type am I?
TRIANGLE
You may be a Triangle Shaped Body Type if:
- You consider yourself to have fuller hips
- Your shoulders are narrower than your waist and hips
- You have a fuller backside
RECTANGLE
You may be a Rectangle Shaped Body Type if:
- You’re not particularly curvy
- Shoulders, waist and hips have roughly the same measurements
- Your waist isn’t well-defined, but rather straight
HOURGLASS
You may be an Hourglass Shaped Body Type if :
- You’d describe your body as curvy
- You have a well-defined waist
- Shoulders and hips have roughly the same measurements
CIRCLE
You may be a Circle Shaped Body Type if:
- You are an all-around curvy
- Your have fuller shoulders and waist
- Hips are a bit smaller than waist and shoulders
INVERTED TRIANGLE
You may be an Inverted Triangle Shaped Body Type if :
- You are generally well-proportioned
- Your shoulders are broader than your hips
- You are not necessarily curvy in the waist and hips
What outfits fit my body-type the best?
How to dress your triangle body shape?
A triangle shape is when:
- You consider yourself to have fuller hips
- Your shoulders are narrower than your waist and hips
- You have a fuller backside
1. Start with the tops!
Go wild and have fun with the tops, patterned and bold colors are a must-have for you! Fitted or structured tops are a blessing for your curves!
Your must-have pieces are:
- Deep v-neckline in any tops
- Cowl necklines
- Bell-sleeves
- Scoop necklines
2. Add Layers!
Triangle body shapes look great in A-line and waist-length jackets and any piece that hits mid-thigh.
3. Say Yes to the Dresses!
From dropped to embellished necklines, open back and belted dresses will be a huge hit for your slender upper body. As for the hemline, any hemline that hits below the knees will elongate your figure.
4. Bottoms Up!
If you’re following this guideline and choosing colorful and bold tops, then a good idea would be to have more subtle and dark colors on the bottom.
Your must-have pieces are:
- A-line skirt
- Bootcut jeans and pants
- Flared jeans and pants
- Classic straight trousers
How to dress your rectangle body shape?
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘you look boyish’? or “Bet you are the sporty type”? … well, those phrases represent fully what a rectangle body shape entails:
- You’re not particularly curvy
- Shoulders, waist and hips have roughly the same measurements
- Your waist isn’t well-defined, but rather straight
1. Start with the tops!
Show off your arms, shoulders and waist in different neckline styles and play with tucked-in and belted tops:
- Halter styles
- Crew neckline
- Cowl neckline
- V-neckline
- Racerback styles
- Scoop and round necklines
- Statement/embellished necklines and collars
- Strapless everything!
2. Add Layers!
Rectangle body shapes look great in fitted and structured jackets, especially peacoats, duster jackets, bomber jackets and flowy outerwear.
To create more shape choose cropped or belted jackets or any piece that hits your mid-section.
If you’re looking to minimize your waistline, look no further than an A-line cut and hem that hits just at the hip or below the knee.
3. Say Yes to the Dresses!
Most styles look fabulous on you and you just have to worry about figuring out which feature you want to play up.
- Want to show off your legs? Hike the hemline.
- Have a romantic dinner party and want to play your bust? Choose strapless or plunging necklines.
- More of a jumpsuit kind of girl? No problem! Choose a halter style and show off your back.
4. Bottoms Up!
If you’re a rectangle, pick the pants or trousers that best compliment your top.
- Picked an oversized top? So grab a pair of skinny or structured style bottoms.
- Want to appear taller? Pick floor-grazing flares, boot-cut styles with heels and cargo pants. Medium rise jeans and pants work best for this shape!
Good rule of thumb: to minimize your outfit choose darker colors, vertical striped or A-line styles. If you’re instead looking to create more waistline, grab a belt, thin or thick.
How to dress your hourglass body shape?
Have the Kardashian kind of body curves? It’s time to embrace them in defined styles that’ll hit you in all the right places.
- You’d describe your body as curvy
- You have a well-defined waist
- Shoulders and hips have roughly the same measurements
1. Start with the tops!
Celebrate your waist and highlight your shoulders with power-fitted pieces such as:
- Form-fitting blouses, tops, knits
- Wrap tops
- Peplum blouses
- Tailored tops with plunging neckline
- V-neckline, round-neckline or boat-neckline is a godsend for this body type
2. Add Layers!
Look out for waist-length jackets! Classic trenchcoats, fitted blazers, cropped silhouettes and bomber jackets look great on this body type! And beware of boxy styles that won’t do any justice to your curves.
3. Say Yes to the Dresses!
Go crazy with all your options available! Reach for wrap or the fit & flare silhouettes that’ll play your best features.
Beware of flowy styles but if you love it, add a belt!
As for the hemline, any hemline, mini or ones that hit right below the knee will look smashing on you!
4. Bottoms Up!
If you’re following this guideline, then remember the key is to go for waist flattering styles. Your must-have pieces are:
- High-waisted skirts that hit right below the knee
- High-waisted flared jeans and pants
- Low-rise and hip hugging styles
- Stretchy skinny jeans and leggings
- Fitted jumpsuits look incredible on you
Discover outfits that will fit your hourglass body best!
How to dress your circle body shape?
A circle shape is when:
- You are an all-around curvy
- Your have fuller shoulders and waist
- Hips are 5% smallest than waist and shoulders
1. Start with the tops!
Go celebrate your figure with flowing styles and silhouettes with:
- Breezy A-line silhouettes
- Flowy tunics and tops
- Relaxed, boyfriend button-ups
- V-neckline everywhere
Looking for more fitted tops? Choose fabrics that will balance your look from shoulders to hips like silk, lines, tweed and cotton (no jersey).
For the sleeve length go wild! Love your arms and shoulders? Go strapless or sleeveless. If you want a more classic look, try a fitted sleeve to balance your shoulders and waist. If you’re on the curvy side, choose plunging v-neckline or scoop necklines to elongate your neck.
2. Add Layers!
Go crazy with all your options available! You look great in any vest, coat or jacket that hits the hip or upper thigh so A-line coats, knee length jackets (trench coats without belt) will be the cherry on top for you.
3. Say Yes to the Dresses!
If you’re a circle kind of body shape, strapless styles are your go-to-dress! Maxi styles with a lower neckline and wrap dresses are your secret style of dresses to wear everyday. Like mini so go mini and if not then A-line styles look great too!
4. Bottoms Up!
Skinny jeans, leggings, flares, bootcut, classic trousers, cropped, ankle style … you can pretty much pull every style of pants and jeans!
Good rule of thumb: if your top is very breezy, choose more fitted bottoms.
How to dress your inverted triangle body shape?
An inverted triangle shape is when:
- You are generally well-proportioned
- Your shoulders are broader than your hips
- You are not necessarily curvy in waist and hips
1. Start with the tops!
Play down your tops by adding volume to the waist and hip and slim down your shoulders:
- Wrap style tops
- Scoop and V-necklines
- Asymmetric styles: must-have silhouette to balance your bust.
- Wide straps: big yes as it’ll make your shoulders look slimmer.
- Dropped shoulders and open shoulder slits
- For long sleeves add volume near the hips with raglans or kimono sleeves.
Avoid wide and low necklines like off-the-shoulders, bateau and square necklines that will only add width to your shoulders.
Good rule of thumb: go for darker colored tops with no collars or very small collars and avoid cropped tops and details at the upper body.
2. Add Layers!
Inverted Triangle body shapes look great in jackets with flares at the waistline or at the hip line. Details on the waistline are a great way to add volume to the hips.
Your must-have pieces are:
- Single breasted jackets
- Belted jackets
Opt for darker color for a slimming effect on the upper body.
Steer clear from double breasted jackets, structured and tailored jackets, cropped jackets, big collars, shoulder pads as they will add
too much volume to the upper body.
3. Say Yes to the Dresses!
Simple, straight and flared out dresses are a huge must-have for the inverted triangle body shape. Shift dresses, A-line styles and belted dresses are a huge hit. Details on the lower part or lighter colors will draw the attention away from your shoulders.
Avoid dresses that highlight the upper body and stay clear of the dresses fitted at the bottom.
4. Bottoms Up!
If you’re following this guideline, you’ll know by now that the rule is to add volume to the bottom and leg line.
Your must-have pieces are: Baggy Trousers, Turn-ups, Combat style, Palazzo, Flares, Bootleg, Wide, Boyfriend style, Culottes, Wide-leg pants, Harem style pants.
Fitted bottoms: straight and cigarette-style pants are okay if they have details
*Avoid: skinny jeans and darker colors
Any type of skirt that flares from the hips and adds width to the hips such as straight, full, A-line, ballerina and tulip skirts are a must-have. From mini to midi, flared to long and flowing, skirts length can be extreme.
*Avoid: tight-fitted skirts
Colors: bright or light colors, add lots of details: pockets, embellishments on back and front, pattern and horizontal prints.
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