Find Your Body Shape
Shoulders: Start at the tip of one shoulder and measure in a circle all the way around to your other shoulder. Keep the measuring tape high up around your shoulders so it almost slips off. You may need to have someone help you take this measurement.
Bust: Take the measurement at the fullest point of your bust. Make sure that the tape is not too tight. You should be able to inhale and exhale freely as the measuring tape is wrapped around.
Waist: Measure your waist at the narrowest portion just above your navel.
Hips: For your hip measurement, stand up straight and wrap the tape measure around the widest part of the hips as viewed from the side.
The ratio of these body measurements to one another can then give you an idea of what body type category you fall into, as described below.
APPLE BODY TYPE
You may be this body type if...
- You have broad shoulders and back
- You are well-proportioned
- You have narrow hips and full midsection (round tummy)
- You have slim legs and hips (not necessarily as curvy)
- Your waistline is not well-defined
DRESSES FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
The best dress for this Apple body shape.
- You should wear a dress that skims over the midsection without clinging to the body
- The best dresses that will take away the attention from the mid-riff area are the Bias-cut, A-line dress and Empire-line
- Wrap dresses are the best as they tailor the midriff by visually lifting the bust
- You should wear dresses that have neckline, shoulder and sleeve details
- Wear textures and patterns that help distract the round tummy
- Draw in the waist by wearing a belt (medium to wide belts)
- Wear a dress with a hemline that flare outwards to narrow the broad shoulders.
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RECTANGLE BODY TYPE
You may be this body type if...
- Your hips, waist and shoulders measurements are approximately the same
- Your waist is more straight up and down and is not very well-defined
- You have slim limbs and your weight is evenly distributed throughout your body
DRESSES FOR RECTANGLE BODY SHAPE
The best dress for this Rectangle body shape.
- Best to have the dress balanced on top and bottom whilst pulling at the waist
- Look for a dress that has high waist definition - empire line, princess seam and wrap dresses
- Wearing a belt helps creates a shape on your dress
- Find a wrap dress that falls over the straight body frame, this should help create the impression of curves
- A shift dress will complement the rectangle body shape, best for small bust and flat bottom
- Best to stay away from shapeless and baggy clothing
- Go for a dress with big sleeves (ruffles) and flare at the hem to help balance the rectangle shape
- Opting for a dress with darker colour, colour-blocking around the waist, or add a dark belt
- Try avoiding dresses that make you look bottom-heavy, dresses that flare out too wide, boxy and baggy styles
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PEAR BODY TYPE
You may be this body type if...
- You have defined waist and is wider than your bust
- You carry more of the weight on your butt, hips and thighs
- You buy bigger size on bottom and smaller on top
DRESSES FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE
The best dress for this Pear body shape.
- Find a dress that draws attention to the waist while hiding the wide bottom, hips and thighs
- Do not go for dresses with wider shape at the bottom as it does not balance out the shape
- Wearing tight-fitting dress such as a bodycon accentuate the lower body part, which should be avoided
- Opt for an A-line or X-line dresses as they help balance the pear shape body this will give a balance to the upper body
- Avoid dresses in thick fabrics and any dress with a straight cut as it hides your waist.
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INVERTED TRIANGLE BODY TYPE:
You may be this body type if...
- You have smaller bust
- You have long and lean limbs
- You have broad shoulders
- Your hips and waist are the same width
DRESSES FOR INVERTED TRIANGLE BODY SHAPE
The best dress for this Inverted Triangle body shape.
- Find a dress that adds volume to your hips to balance your shoulders, flare from the waist or hips
- A-line, shift and straight lines are great for the Inverted Triangle Body Shape
- Draw the attention below and away from the shoulders, you should wear a dress that has details on the lower part of the dress, such as patterns and pleats and lighter colours
- Opt for nipped or belted dresses, you can add some definition to your waist
- Wear a strapless dress, but add volume to the hips to help balance the wide shoulders
- Avoid dresses that emphasise the shoulder area and upper body - neckline or details on the upper body
- Steer clear from dresses fitted at the bottom, which don't add any volume to the hips
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HOURGLASS BODY TYPE:
You may be this body type if...
- Your hips and shoulders are about the same width apart
- Your bust size is medium to large
- Your waist well-defined
TOP HOURGLASS BODY TYPE:
You may be this body type if...
- Your bust or shoulders are visibly bigger than the hips
BOTTOM HOURGLASS BODY TYPE:
You may be this body type if...
- Your bust is smaller than the hips
DRESSES FOR HOURGLASS BODY SHAPE
The best dress for this Hourglass body shape.
- Draw the focus to the waist without adding volume to the chest area, use belts on dresses
- Accentuate the waist and tailor the midriff by wearing a wrap dress this will help create a nice silhouette look, which will look a lot less boxy
- Go for dresses that have a simple style with a full circle or tulip skirt as it will make the waist appear a lot smaller, the hemline should be no shorter than the knee length
- Add volume both to bust and hip by having embellishments, pockets or ruffles on your dress
- To avoid showing off your curves, opt for a dark or vertical stripe dress
- Best not to have pockets or embellishments in either shoulder (if you are top hourglass) or hip (if you are bottom hourglass) area, but you can balance the look by having the pockets or embellishment sit opposite depending which hourglass shape
- Avoid dresses with boxy cuts or straight lines as this may make you appear heavy
