Characteristics
Styling the Pear Shape
The pear body shape is heavier on the bottom which creates an imbalance with the upper half of the body. The key to dressing this body shape is to take attention away from the wider hips and to draw it towards the upper body and defined waist instead.
You want to create the illusion of volume on the upper body while emphasising the waist and de-emphasising the lower body to create a balanced silhouette.
Highlight the upper body
Visually adding more weight to the shoulder and bust area de-emphasises the hips and thighs, and balances the silhouette.
Play down the lower body
De-emphasise the hips and thighs to balance them out with the upper body.
Characteristics
Styling the HourGlass Shape
The hourglass body shape is balanced naturally with a defined waist.
The key to dressing this body shape is to follow its natural silhouette by proportionally dressing the top and bottom of the body while accentuating the waist.
You need to ensure that you don't unbalance the body frame by making it either top- or bottom-heavy.
Follow the natural silhouette
This means maintaining the body's naturally balanced proportions without drawing attention to only the lower or upper body.
Define the waist
Wearing anything that draws attention to the waist helps bring out the body's balanced proportions.
Characteristics
Styling the Inverted Triangle Shape
The inverted triangle body shape is heavier on the top due to the wide shoulder line.
The goal for dressing this shape is to balance the broader shoulders, chest and back with the narrower lower body to create a balanced silhouette.
This is achieved by choosing clothes that add curves to the hips and bottom while creating a more defined waist and de-emphasising the upper body.
Soften the shoulder line
Reduce the wide appearance of your shoulders by playing them down and balancing them out with the narrower hips.
Create curves around your hips
Add volume and interest to your hips and bottom to make them look curvier and your shoulders smaller.
Characteristics
Styling the Rectangle Shape
The upper and lower parts of the rectangle body are well-proportioned and create a balanced silhouette. The focus of this body shape should be on defining the waist by breaking up the rectangle.
When enhancing your waist, you have two options: if you are very slender and want to create more curves, you can proportionally add volume to your upper and lower body and leave the waist as is.
Alternatively, you can make your waist appear slimmer by visually pulling it in but leaving the upper and lower body as is.
Add Dimensions To Your Body Frame
This means breaking up the straight silhouette to create curves from the waist up and down.
Define The Waist
Defining the waist is the easiest and quickest way to break up the rectangle.
Characteristics
Styling the Apple Shape
The apple body shape can appear top-heavy due to a full chest and upper body with little to no waist definition.
To balance out the upper body, choose clothes that add curves and fullness to the lower body.
To de-emphasise the midsection and to create a more defined waist, pull it in visually.
Flaunt your assets
Highlight your best parts - usually the bust and/or legs - to help take attention away from the midsection.
Define the waist
Clothes that make the mid-section narrower help achieve a more proportional body shape.