What Dress Will Flatter My Figure?
24 Oct 2024
Finding the perfect dress that flatters your body shape can make a significant difference in how confident and stylish you feel. Each figure has its unique attributes, and understanding your body type is the key to choosing outfits that complement your natural proportions. In this guide, we will explore different body types and offer practical tips on what styles work best for each. By following this shape guide, you'll be able to enhance your silhouette and feel more confident in your wardrobe choices.
What Is a Body Type?
A body type is a characteristic of bone structure and fat and muscle tissue that determines the proportions of body parts. There are five types of figures, based on the ratio of shoulder width, hips, waist, and chest. This classification applies to everyone, but one type of figure, in particular, is only found in women.
The "hourglass" is considered the most attractive and conventional (that is, generally accepted) type of female figure. With this structure, the hips and breasts are approximately equal, and the difference between the hips and waist exceeds 25 cm. Many people know the ideal model parameters of 90-60-90, although no one knows who exactly created this formula. The "hourglass" ideal has become so deeply ingrained in culture that scientists have even found a link between this figure and eating disorders.
Other common body types include the "triangle" or "pear," where the hips appear wider than the shoulders, and the "inverted triangle," characterized by broader shoulders than hips. There's also the "rectangle," where the hips, chest, and shoulders are nearly equal, and finally, the "apple" or "circle," where the waist is not defined, similar to the rectangle but with more emphasis on the middle section.
Your body shape can depend on various factors such as nutrition, physical activity, hormone levels, and genetics. While it’s possible to influence your appearance slightly with lifestyle changes, your overall body type will remain constant.
The "hourglass" is considered the most attractive and conventional (that is, generally accepted) type of female figure. With this structure, the hips and breasts are approximately equal, and the difference between the hips and waist exceeds 25 cm. Many people know the ideal model parameters of 90-60-90, although no one knows who exactly created this formula. The "hourglass" ideal has become so deeply ingrained in culture that scientists have even found a link between this figure and eating disorders.
Other common body types include the "triangle" or "pear," where the hips appear wider than the shoulders, and the "inverted triangle," characterized by broader shoulders than hips. There's also the "rectangle," where the hips, chest, and shoulders are nearly equal, and finally, the "apple" or "circle," where the waist is not defined, similar to the rectangle but with more emphasis on the middle section.
Your body shape can depend on various factors such as nutrition, physical activity, hormone levels, and genetics. While it’s possible to influence your appearance slightly with lifestyle changes, your overall body type will remain constant.
What Is My Body Shape?
Your body type is not dependent on weight alone. Even if you gain or lose weight, your bone structure and proportions will remain the same. This is why focusing on specific numbers is less important than understanding the relationship between the various measurements of your body.
To determine your body shape, measure the following parameters:
Shoulder width: Measure from one shoulder corner to the other.
Chest circumference: Measured at the fullest point of the chest.
Waist circumference: Measured just above the navel at the narrowest part of the abdomen.
Hip circumference: Measured at the widest part of the hips.
By comparing the measurements, you can figure out which body type best describes you.
Inverted triangle: Shoulders wider than hips.
Triangle (pear): Hips wider than shoulders.
Hourglass: Hips and chest roughly equal, with a defined waist more than 25 cm smaller than the hips.
Rectangle: Hips, chest, and shoulders nearly equal, with a less defined waist.
Apple: Waist and hips are similar, with little definition.
To determine your body shape, measure the following parameters:
Shoulder width: Measure from one shoulder corner to the other.
Chest circumference: Measured at the fullest point of the chest.
Waist circumference: Measured just above the navel at the narrowest part of the abdomen.
Hip circumference: Measured at the widest part of the hips.
By comparing the measurements, you can figure out which body type best describes you.
Inverted triangle: Shoulders wider than hips.
Triangle (pear): Hips wider than shoulders.
Hourglass: Hips and chest roughly equal, with a defined waist more than 25 cm smaller than the hips.
Rectangle: Hips, chest, and shoulders nearly equal, with a less defined waist.
Apple: Waist and hips are similar, with little definition.
What Clothes Suit My Shape?
*️⃣Hourglass
What is the rarest type of figure? The hourglass silhouette is considered the rarest type of figure. Every woman strives to bring her body closer to the ideal parameters—equal volume in the chest and hips, complemented by a slim waist. Girl magazine explains: "Many girls try to achieve such a figure with the help of training and even plastic surgery, but only a few can boast natural data." To achieve the visual effect of an "hourglass," a suitably selected wardrobe can help by shifting accents and using accessories. Possessors of a balanced figure can afford to wear anything.
Stylists recommend emphasizing the waist and balancing the width of the shoulders and hips. Ideal choices include fitted silhouettes, pencil skirts, trousers and jeans with an exaggerated waist, and deep necklines. To avoid distorting feminine outlines, it’s best to avoid oversized jumpers, wide trousers with a low or medium fit, and straight-cut outerwear. Hiding such a gorgeous figure behind baggy styles is a crime.
*️⃣Triangle
Women with a triangular figure have plump hips and narrow shoulders that are almost as wide as the waist. Owners of such a figure should remove volume in the legs to create balance with the top and achieve the illusion of an "hourglass." Stylists recommend emphasizing the top and exposing the arms and shoulders, thus diverting attention from the voluminous bottom. Blouses and tops with open shoulders, large and massive collars, puffy sleeves, and decorations in the chest area, as well as jackets with shoulder pads and oversized shirts, can help. For bottoms, use monochrome, calm colors, minimal decoration, and minimalist prints. Choosing trousers and skirts can be challenging, as many models that fit well on the hips are large at the waist or vice versa. When selecting jeans, favor slouchy or mom jeans, which accentuate the waist and hide excess volume in the hips.
Suitable outerwear includes short voluminous jackets, coats, and down jackets with a belt at the waist. Avoid adding extra volume to the hips by steering clear of large pockets and decorative elements, cargo pants, and skinny jeans.
*️⃣Circle
A round figure does not necessarily mean you are overweight. With this physique, the main accent of roundness is shifted to the center of the figure. To draw attention away from the belly, use techniques such as monochrome total bows, high-fitting trousers and skirts, asymmetrical cuts and prints, mini-length styles, and wide waistbands to create outlines. Straight-cut trousers and flared models, as well as voluminous coats and long jackets, are also effective. Cosmopolitan recommends paying attention to A-silhouette skirts and dresses, as they add volume to the hips and balance the figure. Avoid trousers with exaggerated waistlines, fitted silhouettes, and cropped jackets.
To prevent drawing attention to the abdominal area, avoid additional accents such as belts, large prints, and decorations.
*️⃣Rectangle
The rectangular body type is often found in tall and thin girls. The main problem with this type is the almost complete absence of a waist. The main recommendation is to emphasize long legs. This can be achieved with clothing that highlights the waist, such as short dresses with a puffy skirt, layering, bright colors and prints, coats and cardigans with a belt, jumpers, shirts, and oversized T-shirts, and trapeze skirts. To create the effect of a narrow waist, accentuate and emphasize it with necklines, belts, and the right fit.
When choosing jeans, Girl recommends skinny jeans, as well as models that accentuate the waist, such as mom or slouchy jeans. Classic straight jeans should be avoided, as they visually erase the curves of the figure and waistline. Cropped tops, tight turtlenecks, and pencil skirts are also unsuitable.
*️⃣Inverted Triangle
The main problem with the inverted triangle body type is the excess volume in the upper part of the body. To hide it and achieve an "hourglass" look, shift attention to the hips. Here’s what to wear: puffy trapeze skirts, baggy boyfriend jeans, wide-leg flared models, palazzo and cargo pants, A-silhouette dresses, and trousers or skirts with extra decoration, draping, or large prints in the hip area.
A useful tip is to choose V-neck T-shirts, jumpers, and shirts to visually soften massive shoulders and balance proportions. This option will help elongate the silhouette and divert attention from the problem area. To hide the shoulders, opt for jackets, angular jackets, and down jackets. Not the best solution for girls with an inverted triangle body type are shirts and jackets with a massive collar, shoulder pads, or lantern sleeves. Additionally, blouses and dresses with open shoulders and narrow jeans are not suitable.
The concept of body type is abstract, as it is difficult to fit all kinds of female silhouettes into any standard. One can only highlight the main features and characteristics to visually correct shapes and create a feminine image.
What is the rarest type of figure? The hourglass silhouette is considered the rarest type of figure. Every woman strives to bring her body closer to the ideal parameters—equal volume in the chest and hips, complemented by a slim waist. Girl magazine explains: "Many girls try to achieve such a figure with the help of training and even plastic surgery, but only a few can boast natural data." To achieve the visual effect of an "hourglass," a suitably selected wardrobe can help by shifting accents and using accessories. Possessors of a balanced figure can afford to wear anything.
Stylists recommend emphasizing the waist and balancing the width of the shoulders and hips. Ideal choices include fitted silhouettes, pencil skirts, trousers and jeans with an exaggerated waist, and deep necklines. To avoid distorting feminine outlines, it’s best to avoid oversized jumpers, wide trousers with a low or medium fit, and straight-cut outerwear. Hiding such a gorgeous figure behind baggy styles is a crime.
*️⃣Triangle
Women with a triangular figure have plump hips and narrow shoulders that are almost as wide as the waist. Owners of such a figure should remove volume in the legs to create balance with the top and achieve the illusion of an "hourglass." Stylists recommend emphasizing the top and exposing the arms and shoulders, thus diverting attention from the voluminous bottom. Blouses and tops with open shoulders, large and massive collars, puffy sleeves, and decorations in the chest area, as well as jackets with shoulder pads and oversized shirts, can help. For bottoms, use monochrome, calm colors, minimal decoration, and minimalist prints. Choosing trousers and skirts can be challenging, as many models that fit well on the hips are large at the waist or vice versa. When selecting jeans, favor slouchy or mom jeans, which accentuate the waist and hide excess volume in the hips.
Suitable outerwear includes short voluminous jackets, coats, and down jackets with a belt at the waist. Avoid adding extra volume to the hips by steering clear of large pockets and decorative elements, cargo pants, and skinny jeans.
*️⃣Circle
A round figure does not necessarily mean you are overweight. With this physique, the main accent of roundness is shifted to the center of the figure. To draw attention away from the belly, use techniques such as monochrome total bows, high-fitting trousers and skirts, asymmetrical cuts and prints, mini-length styles, and wide waistbands to create outlines. Straight-cut trousers and flared models, as well as voluminous coats and long jackets, are also effective. Cosmopolitan recommends paying attention to A-silhouette skirts and dresses, as they add volume to the hips and balance the figure. Avoid trousers with exaggerated waistlines, fitted silhouettes, and cropped jackets.
To prevent drawing attention to the abdominal area, avoid additional accents such as belts, large prints, and decorations.
*️⃣Rectangle
The rectangular body type is often found in tall and thin girls. The main problem with this type is the almost complete absence of a waist. The main recommendation is to emphasize long legs. This can be achieved with clothing that highlights the waist, such as short dresses with a puffy skirt, layering, bright colors and prints, coats and cardigans with a belt, jumpers, shirts, and oversized T-shirts, and trapeze skirts. To create the effect of a narrow waist, accentuate and emphasize it with necklines, belts, and the right fit.
When choosing jeans, Girl recommends skinny jeans, as well as models that accentuate the waist, such as mom or slouchy jeans. Classic straight jeans should be avoided, as they visually erase the curves of the figure and waistline. Cropped tops, tight turtlenecks, and pencil skirts are also unsuitable.
*️⃣Inverted Triangle
The main problem with the inverted triangle body type is the excess volume in the upper part of the body. To hide it and achieve an "hourglass" look, shift attention to the hips. Here’s what to wear: puffy trapeze skirts, baggy boyfriend jeans, wide-leg flared models, palazzo and cargo pants, A-silhouette dresses, and trousers or skirts with extra decoration, draping, or large prints in the hip area.
A useful tip is to choose V-neck T-shirts, jumpers, and shirts to visually soften massive shoulders and balance proportions. This option will help elongate the silhouette and divert attention from the problem area. To hide the shoulders, opt for jackets, angular jackets, and down jackets. Not the best solution for girls with an inverted triangle body type are shirts and jackets with a massive collar, shoulder pads, or lantern sleeves. Additionally, blouses and dresses with open shoulders and narrow jeans are not suitable.
The concept of body type is abstract, as it is difficult to fit all kinds of female silhouettes into any standard. One can only highlight the main features and characteristics to visually correct shapes and create a feminine image.
How Do I Look Slimmer?
If you want to look slim, consider trying the following options:
Flared Dress
One of the most ingenious pieces, which instantly became a timeless classic, was invented by Diane von Furstenberg and has since been included in the collections of virtually all brands—both luxury and mass-market—yet it has not lost its relevance. A dress with a flare emphasizes the waist, highlights the neckline, and makes the figure appear more slender and feminine.
Jeans or Slacks
Such jeans and pants visually make the legs not only slimmer but also longer, which can make you appear taller. Therefore, they are useful not only for girls who want to lose weight but also for those who dream of an extra couple of centimeters in height.
Straight and Skinny Pants
These pants work similarly to flared pants, but they have one more important advantage: they never go out of fashion. So you can safely splurge on them; this purchase is like an investment, and, believe me, they will come in handy more than once in a "nothing to wear" situation.
By using this style guide, you can choose outfits that not only flatter your figure but also enhance your overall appearance.
Flared Dress
One of the most ingenious pieces, which instantly became a timeless classic, was invented by Diane von Furstenberg and has since been included in the collections of virtually all brands—both luxury and mass-market—yet it has not lost its relevance. A dress with a flare emphasizes the waist, highlights the neckline, and makes the figure appear more slender and feminine.
Jeans or Slacks
Such jeans and pants visually make the legs not only slimmer but also longer, which can make you appear taller. Therefore, they are useful not only for girls who want to lose weight but also for those who dream of an extra couple of centimeters in height.
Straight and Skinny Pants
These pants work similarly to flared pants, but they have one more important advantage: they never go out of fashion. So you can safely splurge on them; this purchase is like an investment, and, believe me, they will come in handy more than once in a "nothing to wear" situation.
By using this style guide, you can choose outfits that not only flatter your figure but also enhance your overall appearance.
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