Facts About Figures

Facts About Figures
Determining your figure type or body shape is essential in order to dress to look your best. There are many different shapes, but the ones generally recognised by the fashion industry are apple, pear, hourglass, athletic & rectangle shaped body types.

How to determine your body type

While your silhouette can be substantially modified by lifestyle, diet & exercise, your bone structure, proportions & muscle distribution are in your DNA.  Understanding & dressing in accordance to your body shape is the best way to look & feel good. 

Pear Shaped Body Type (Triangle Shape)

You may be this body type if…

  • Your waist measurement is wider than your bust
  • You have fuller hips
  • Your shoulders are narrower than your hips
  • You have a fuller rear end

The pear body shape features wider hips & thighs, & proportionately smaller bust & shoulder measurements. These bodies usually have narrow waistlines in comparison to the width of the hips, & often have long, slim arms.

If this sounds like your body type, attention should be diverted away from your hips by wearing full skirt dresses or embellished necklines. Highlight the waist, back or neckline with fun top shapes, open backs, big sleeves & belted styles.

A-line and maxi dresses are very flattering for women with this body type, especially with hemlines falling just below the knee.

Hourglass Shaped Body Type (Curvy Shape)

You may be this body type if…

  • You’d describe your body as curvy

  • You have a well-defined waist

  • Your bust & hip measurements are roughly the same

  • You may have a full bust, thighs & hips.

These are curvy body types with about the same bust & hip measurements, &  significantly narrower waistlines. 

If you are within the small percentage of women with this body type, you should show off your waist & accentuate your curves.

Jumpsuits, fit & flare styles with cinched waists as well as wrap & form fitting sheath dresses, are perfect for this naturally balanced body structure.

Apple Shaped Body Type 

You may be this body type if…

  • You are generally well-proportioned

  • Your shoulders are broader than your hips

  • You are not necessarily as curvy through your hips

  • You don’t have a well-defined waistline 

An apple body shape is characterised by broad shoulders, a substantial bust & narrow hips, with a waistline which is not clearly defined.

If this is you, focus on drawing attention to your legs with high heels and short skirts or ultra-high-waisted skinny jeans, & accentuating the shape of your breasts with A-line silhouettes and V-necks.

Wrap dresses, loose fitting tunics & any other dresses that either define or take attention away from the waist are the way to go.

Off-the-shoulder & strapless styles also look amazing on an apple shaped body. Choose fabrics that sit close to your body but do not cling, such as cotton, silk, & linen.

Athletic Shaped Body Type (Rectangle/Straight Shape) 

You may be this body type if…
  • You’re not particularly curvy
  • Your shoulders and hip measurements are roughly equal
  • Your waist isn’t very small or well-defined, but rather straight up & down
  • Your weight is fairly evenly distributed 
    Practically anything looks good on this body type! Also called straight or athletic body type, a rectangle body shape presents fairly uniform measurements with rather straight waistlines.
    Women with rectangle shaped bodies can play around with the features they wish to highlight to create the desired balance. If you want to accentuate your lower body, rectangles can pull off most statement-styled bottoms.
    Focus on the top half of your body by drawing attention to your arms & shoulders & highlighting your waist.
    Curvy rectangles look great with crew, cowl or V-neck tops. Small busted rectangles can favour their upper body with embellished necklines or statement collars.
    When it comes to dresses, almost any dress is designed to fit a rectangular frame. Consider exploring different sleeve types, cinched waistlines & busy prints.

    Athletic/Inverted Triangle Body Type

    You may be this body type if…
    • You’re not particularly curvy
    • Your shoulders & bust measurements are similar
    • Your waist is small & well-defined.
    This body type has great shoulders that are wider than your waist & hips. They often come with lovely, shapely legs. Dressing for this type is all about balancing out your broad shoulders by drawing attention to your lower half.
    Choose dress styles that add volume & attention to your hips & legs, by wearing styles with ruffles or pleats below the hips. This not only draws eyes down from the upper body, but can create a more defined waistline.
    A dress (or top) with a deep & narrow necklines should be favoured whilst avoiding wide, square necklines & off-the-shoulder styles.  
    Knowing your body shape will help you build a wardrobe which emphasises your best features. According to Pratima Ati Fashion & Lifestyle Writer for Stylecraze, who I wholeheartedly agree with, you should recognise your best assets & choose styles which highlight & flatter these parts of your body to allow you to dress with confidence & be your best you.
    Rosemaree Rogers   |   Posted on November 13 2022

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