In the quest to find your personal style, it’s easy to overlook the details that will significantly impact how your clothes look on you. Focusing on what works for your body type will boost your look from good to great.
It is imperative to understand that no two people have the same body type. From apple-shaped figures to inverted triangles, there are many different body shapes out there. Understanding which category you fall into and how it impacts the way your clothes fit can be an eye-opening experience.
Once you know what works best for you, putting it into practice will help you dress for success in more ways than one. Read on to discover what apparel and personal style works best for different body shapes.
What’s Your Body Type?
When it comes to clothing for your body type, knowing your body shape is a great place to start. That way, you can tailor your approach to dressing to your figure’s specific needs.
There are five body types: apple, inverted triangle, rectangle, triangle, and pear. Each body shape is characterised by a particular set of measurements and proportions. Knowing what category you fit into will help you dress accordingly.
- The apple body type is characterised by a larger midsection, smaller upper body, and broader hips. Someone with this body type may have a smaller waist relative to their hips or a bigger overall frame.
- The inverted triangle body type is characterised by broad shoulders, a smaller midsection, and narrow hips. This body type often has a smaller waist and a more defined upper body than other types.
- The rectangle body type is characterised by broad shoulders, a smaller midsection, and wider hips. This body type is often seen in athletes who put more emphasis on their upper body.
- The triangle body type is characterised by smaller shoulders, a smaller midsection, and broader hips. This body type often has a smaller waist and bigger thighs than other body types.
- The pear body type is characterised by wider hips, a smaller midsection, and smaller shoulders. This body type often has a smaller or slimmer waist and thinner legs than other body types.
The Magic of a Good Fit
More often than not, the difference between a great outfit and a bad one is its fit. Even if you’re wearing something stylish and in-trend, a bad fit will have you looking disproportionate. A good fit means that your clothes are shaped to your body, not just thrown on as an afterthought. It takes into account your proportions as well as your body type.
Knowing your body type and shopping for the right clothes is the key to a good fit. For example, buying clothes that fit around your hips and thighs but aren’t too loose on your upper body is recommended if you’re pear-shaped. On the other hand, if you’re apple-shaped, it’s recommended to ensure your clothes fit around your waist and midsection but aren’t too tight around your upper body.
While people of all shapes and sizes are free to wear whatever they want, tailoring your wardrobe to your body type will significantly affect how well your clothes fit. No matter your body type, you’ll always be able to find clothing that fits well. All you have to do is know where to shop and what to look for.
Body Shaping Tips for Different Body Types
Once you’ve identified your body type, it’s time to figure out what works best for you. When choosing clothes that fit well, each body type has its own set of advantages. If you know what the pros and cons are, it makes shopping a lot easier, regardless of your body type.
Dressing for Apple Shapes
If you have an apple-shaped figure, you’ll want to focus on slimming and streamlining your silhouette. This means finding clothes that are fitted around your waist, hips, and thighs but are looser around your upper body.
Apple-shaped figures are often told to avoid wearing horizontal patterns as they will make you look wider. While this is good advice, it can be overwhelming if you’re unsure which designs to avoid. Our advice? Focus on vertical patterns that will draw the eye upward.
When it comes to colours, almost anything goes. Darker colours are best for apple-shaped figures. They help minimise your midsection while adding the illusion of length to your legs. Other great options include khaki, navy, and black.
Dressing for Inverted Triangle Shapes
Broad shoulders and a narrow waist are the hallmarks of an inverted triangle shape. Inverted triangle-shaped figures should wear patterns that draw the eye upward to play up these features. This will naturally draw attention away from the midsection.
Darker colours will help minimise your shoulders and create the illusion of a slimmer waist. Other options include lighter colours like khaki, navy, or grey. You also want to highlight your upper body and bring attention to your waistline. Wear darker bottoms with lighter or shorter tops, and avoid excess fabric that drags on the ground.
Dressing for Rectangle Shapes
If you’re a rectangle-shaped figure, you want to focus on minimising your waist to create a perception of a smaller frame. Look for looser-fitting clothes in lightweight fabrics like linen, khaki, cotton, and silk. Avoid darker fabrics like black, navy, grey, and heavy fabrics like wool, denim, and flannel that will emphasise your waist. You can also experiment with materials that drape rather than cling to your body.
Dressing for Triangle Shapes
If you’re a triangle-shaped figure, you want to focus on minimising your hips and balancing your silhouette. You can do this by wearing looser bottoms and lighter-coloured tops, and avoiding wide belts. You can also try wearing thicker fabrics that drape, like linen and cotton, and wearing shorter tops that draw attention to your legs.
The key is to draw attention away from your wide hips and narrow shoulders. Try wearing patterns that draw the eye upward as inverted triangle-shaped figures do. Alternatively, you can also wear patterns that draw the eye downward. This way, the attention is diverted away from the hips and towards your shoulders. Neutral colours like black, grey, or navy are perfect for this.
Dressing for Pear Shapes
If you have a pear-shaped figure, you might have wider hips, thighs and a smaller bust and shoulders. You will also have a narrower waist and lower torso compared to your upper body.
If you have a pear-shaped body, avoid clothing that is too loose-fitting, as this will make your upper body appear even wider. You can wear fitted tops and dresses, but go for looser-fitting bottoms, such as flowy and gathered dresses, wide-leg pants, culottes, and skirt. Oversized sweaters and tops will also draw attention to your upper body and should be avoided. Draw attention to your waist by wearing cinched-in tops, belts, and waist-high skirts.
Summary
Dressing for your body type is more than just knowing what colours or patterns work best for you. It’s knowing how your body type impacts the way your clothes fit. For instance, a large-chested woman with an apple-shaped figure can wear horizontal patterns, but she’ll want to avoid ones with large, bold prints that will make her look wider. Similarly, an inverted triangle-shaped woman with a narrow waist and broad shoulders can wear any pattern she likes, but she’ll want to avoid anything that draws attention to her hips.
Remember, no two people have the same body type. As such, you must tailor what you wear to your specific proportions to look your best.
TRT Concept is a minimalist clothing brand that offers a large selection of women’s and men’s clothing online in Singapore. From off shoulder tops to maxi dresses, you’re sure to discover something that flatters your figure among our comfortable classics and timeless patterns. Complete your ensemble with outerwear or a signature bag from our online clothing store.