A stylist's tips for dressing your best
Byline: Madeline Manning
Let’s be clear - by no means is this a list of rules that has to be followed. Fashion is a sacred and ancient form of self-expression that we at MODMuze hold in the highest esteem. These are just a few tips from our team of style experts to help you take your shopping game to the next level, whatever your body shape or size.
Pear Shaped:
Dress: The most flattering dresses for your body type are the fit and flare and A-Line styles. These dresses will highlight your waist while allowing room for your curvier hips. The defined middle and tailored top will emphasize your smaller upper-half, while also flattering your curves.
Shirts: Off the shoulder, V-neck, boat neck and tailored tops are great shirts for drawing attention to your upper frame. Don't be afraid to accessorize your outfit with bold necklaces that will compliment your look perfectly.
Bottoms: Try to avoid bottoms with too much detail like ruffles, ruching and flare. The key is creating a balance between the top and bottom halves of your body. High-waisted pants are your best friend. Skinny or straight jeans will be your go-to because they flatter your curves and hug you in all the right places.
Apple Shaped:
Dress: It’s important to remember to highlight your figure’s strengths, such as your legs and a upper body using a deep-V neckline. An A-Line or an empire-cut dress both hit a little higher on your midsection, drawing attention upward. Printed patterns or layers are also a go-to as they shift the eye away from unwanted focal points. Shift dresses will flaunt your great shape but won’t hug too tight, instilling you with confidence.
Shirts: The key here is to balance out your body’s natural emphasis points. Flowy tops balance proportions just as longer sleeves bring attention away from the bust and slim out your arms and midsection.
Bottoms: Just as flowy works for tops, flared bottoms balance out the weight and length of the legs. Try pairing your tops with low-waisted, straight-legged pants. For a skirt try a high-waisted flounce skirt, which will highlight the slimmest part of your waist. Overall, keep the weight and concentration above your hips, and highlight those gorgeous legs.
Rectangle Shaped:
Dress: You want to create curves in your body by drawing attention to the waistline and avoid shapeless clothing items that have extra bulk and can throw off your body's proportions. The most flattering dress is a semi-fitted dress, creating curves and giving you a more balanced figure.
Shirts: You are fortunate enough to be able to pull off turtleneck and high-neck tops. These will elongate your body while accentuating your natural curves. Shirts with embellishments around the bust are also an ideal choice, and scoop-neck shirts can also add balance to your silhouette.
Bottoms: Full skirts and detailed bottoms are your go-to styles for bottoms. It will add shape and balance to your hips.
Hourglass shaped:
Dress: Next time you are looking for a dress try a wrap or scuba-crepe dress, both of which will form around the waist to best highlight your silhouette. Pencil dresses with belted waists are another flattering option for your figure. Try to avoid any trapeze dresses because it will enlarge your hips and will take away from the opportunity to flatter your figure. Another trendy opportunity for an hourglass body is a sheer dress paired with bike shorts and a cute bandeau. The bike shorts hug the hips while also being high waisted. These pairings with a sheer dress allow easy visibility to see your perfect curves.
Shirts: Similarly, wrap tops accentuate the top half of your frame and show off your hourglass figure. Crop tops with high waisted bottoms also highlight your even shoulders and hips. The best thing to focus on when dressing an hourglass body is wearing tops that hit above the hips or hug your hips to make sure to accentuate them.
Bottoms: High waisted pants and skirts will define your waist and flatter your hips. Exaggerated bell bottom jeans can also accentuate your body shape, adding length and following the curves of your hips. For a fun outfit, you could even consider layering fishnet tights with really distressed denim.
Inverted Triangle:
Dress: To best flatter your silhouette, go for dresses that are slightly flared. A-Line or even a simple wrap dress will give your body a more balanced appearance.
Shirts: To draw more attention to the lower half of your body, wear dark colored tops with a V-neck or scoop neck. Avoid horizontal patterns and try a halter or even peplum top.
Bottoms: Avoid straight leg pants, and instead choose pants that will balance out your silhouette, like flared jeans or wide-leg bottoms. As far as skirts, A-Line or full skirts are your best bet. Not only will it give your body balance, it will highlight and define your waist.
If you take anything away from this articles, know that a wrap dress is a must have for every body type! It’s basically “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” - dress edition.
So next time you’re out shopping, go for a timeless wrap dress, a style that has been fitting women like a glove for decades!