RectangleDOS

Do define your waist with skinny belts and tops that have waist-tie details.

Do embrace the fact that you can wear most trouser styles, even skinny jeans. Sporty drawstring, wide-leg pants are a great option if you’re heavier as they won’t cling to your thighs. 

Do invest in a classic trench coat. Worn with the belt tied tight, it will pull you in at the waist and elegantly flare out.

Do choose scoop necks and sweetheart tops to create curve on your top half. 

Do mix print, texture and detail like ruffles and drapes to add movement and shape.

DON’TS

Don’t choose masculine, boxy jackets. Instead, look for styles that nip in your waist. 

Don’t assume you don’t need to wear a bra if you’re small busted – even small breasts need support. 

Don’t wear shapeless shift dresses unless you have good legs, in which case look for short styles that show them off.

PearDOs     

Do look for slashed necklines and halter-neck styles as they will broaden your narrow shoulders.

Do show off your fab arms, show off your chest, show off everything that’s not your bottom half.

Do wear a-line skirts with fitted tops. Pear? What pear? 

Do embrace the lightweight summer trench. Worn tied at the back, it will skim over your thighs and create that all-important optical illusion of a long slim body.

Do choose wide-leg trouser styles in slimming dark colours and wear them with chunky heels and platforms to lengthen your legs. DON’Ts

Don’t wear tops that end at the hip as they cut you off at your widest part. Instead look for shorter or longer styles.

Don’t wear anything on your bottom half that has side pockets as they add width. 

Don’t be tempted by the trend for full bikini briefs as they will only emphasise your bottom. With your small bust, you can go for string styles that also lengthen your legs.

HourglassDOSDo take your pick from the retro-style bikinis around and you’ll be a poolside knockout. The tops have support and the briefs will shape and flatter. 

Do remember that a little extra effort goes a long way when it comes to dressing an hourglass. Super-casual clothes do little for fabulous curves.

DON’TS

Don’t wear tops with frills or flounce as they will add volume to your already voluptuous shape. 

Don’t choose smock shapes that flare out over your bust as they will make you look bigger. 

Don’t wear flat, mannish shoes. The androgynous look is one trend you can always safely bypass.

AppleDOs 

Do wear a straight, lightweight coat worn open as it creates the illusion of a long slim middle. 

Do choose tops with open necklines that are fitted on the bust and gently flare out over your tummy.

Do take your pick from the on-trend graphic prints around this summer. Mixing patterns, textures and colours will break up your shape. 

Do choose flat-fronted, side-fastening skirts and trousers. Front zippers and buttons add bulk.

Do look for low-cut swimsuits with clever in-built shapewear.DON’Ts

Don’t wear unsupportive or ill-fitting bras. Get fitted by a professional and look for styles that separate and lift what may be your best assets.

Don’t go for dainty heels that enhance your top-heaviness. Instead opt for wedges to create balance and add inches to your height.

Don’t rely on jeans to do your body any favours. Tailored trousers are a much more flattering option.

Inv TriangleDOs

Do choose deep V and scoop necklines to make your chest appear narrower and to show off your sexy décolletage.

Do wear slim boot-cut trousers to show off your legs and add sexy curve.

Do look for soft, drapey fabrics that soften your shoulders and frame.

Do wear slim skirts that gently flare out to show off your slim hips and great legs. 

Do look for balconette bikinis with thick straps to support your breasts and make your shoulders appear narrower.

Do opt for chunky platforms and wedges as they are substantial enough to create that all-important balance.

DON’TS

Don’t wear spaghetti straps or halter-neck tops as they will make you appear even broader.

Don’t go for tapered or skinny trouser styles as they will create a lollypop effect.

Don’t choose smock shapes as they will look tent-like. Empire line styles are a much more flattering option for you. 

Don’t wear shoulder pads. Ever.

How to dress for your hourglass body shapeYour bust and hips are approximately the same width. You have a well-defined waist – much smaller than your bust and waist measurements. Your are curvy all over. Think of Marilyn Monroe or Scarlett Johansson.

Lucky you, you were born with an hourglass body shape which means you already have a nicely proportioned body. Stylists often refer to you as being ‘all woman’ because you tend to be curvy. Your aim is to show off your curves while keeping them under control, and to show off your waist. Here is what to wear for your body shape.   

TopsLook for tailored classic cut tops and shirts that are fitted or semi-fitted at the waist and/or can be belted in at the waist.Necklines should be scoop or v-neck in order to elongate the neck and break up your chest.Top lengths should be just below your hip bone or go down past your thighs (e.g. tunic styles) – i.e. they don’t cut across your curvy bottom.Shoulders should be fitted.Sleeves should be elbow length (to draw attention to your waist).Avoid embellishments/flounces/frills/bling around your neck or shoulders – you certainly don’t need it.BottomsWide-legged, flared or boot cut pants or jeans –depending on your actual proportions. Sorry, nothing in the skinny style.Pants should be flat fronted, have a mid rise, a wide waist-band and no detailing around the hips or bottom. They should be the length that just falls short of skimming the ground (i.e. as long as possible).Shorts should be knee length.Ensure that skirts and pants are properly tailored around the bottom, waist and hips – you want a tailored, skimming look (i.e. not too baggy or too tight).Skirt of choice is anything that is structured and knee-length – the pencil skirt is ideal.

DressesDresses should be tailored, semi-fitted and nip in at the waist.                                                                                                                        Follow the same rules regarding neckline and embellishments as for the top.A wrap dress can also look fabulous.JacketsShould be single breasted -- double breasted will increase the size of your chest.Opt for a strong v-line style with lapels.Jackets that are belted at the waist and gently flared out from the waist will show off your fabulous assetsJacket/coat/cardigan length should be above or below the bum – don’t cut across it.Also keep in mind…..Monochromatic colour schemes can look fabulous – mix it up with a darker shade on bottom and a lighter one on top.Avoid baggy clothes at all costs. They make you look frumpy. Tailored clothes are your friends, while achieving a casual look can be hard for you.  See this as a positive: you are one classy woman!Choose soft flowing fabrics.

How to dress for your ruler body shapeYour bust, waist and hip measurements are approximately the same width – you have a ‘straight’ line body with few curves and no defined waist.  You are often naturally slim (lucky you). Think of Cameron Diaz or Keira Knightly.

Like the hourglass body shape, you are also blessed with a beautifully proportioned body – but without the curves. You’re a straight up and down kinda girl – and I bet you were a tomboy as a little kid. Fear not, we know what to do with you. The aim for you is to create those curves on both the top and the bottom of your figure and to draw attention to your enviable legs. Feel grateful that you can wear pretty much what you like. Here is what to wear for your body shape. 

TopsWhatever you wear make sure that you show off your tiny waist either through use of a belt or tucking in your top to your trousers/skirts.

If you have a small chest, where higher necklines such as a crew-neck, slash, turtle, funnel or botton up shirt.

For something a bit different, try wearing a wrap top or plunging neckline top with a cami underneath to balance out the plunge.

If you have a large bust, the usual top designs apply: scoop neck, v-neck and wrap tops are the way to go.

Since you have wonderful arms and back, try wearing a halter neck top in summer or for a special occasion. Show off your assets!

A blousy soft top or shirt can also work – but wear a belt with it.

Be brave women over 30: wear sleeveless tops!

BottomsYou can get away wearing any type of trousers (with the exception of baggy), so experiment with what you feel comfortable with. Slightly flare trousers can emphasis your slim thighs and introduce shape into your silhouette.

If you want to add shape to your hips try trousers in the cargo, harem, taper (or tulip) styles or styles with embellishments on hips/pockets.

Knee length pencil skirts with a blousy tucked in top can look great.

For adding volume, try a-line full skirts and/or skirts with box pleats.

DressesSoft flowing dresses that create swirl, movement and shape are your best bets. You can even try a bias cut. Whatever you choose, make sure that it is fitted at the waist to show off your gorgeous asset and gives you an overall curvy silhouette.

JacketsLike many other shapes, go for a belted jacket that flares out from the waist and ends below your bottom.

Also keep in mind…..Necklaces that are long, large and feature strong shapes can help ‘’feminize’ your shape and give some visual interest to a relatively plain outfit. Also experiment with long scarves.

How to dress for your pear body shapeAs a luscious pear shaped woman you have one aim in getting dressed (aside from stop being naked!): to balance out your slender top half in order to match the proportions of your lower body and thereby mimic an ‘hourglass’ silhouette. This is achieved by adding volume to the top half of your body, wearing minimising clothes on your bottom half and showing off your gorgeous tiny waist.  Think of Monica Bellucci or Kristin Davis.

Here is what to wear for your body shape.   

Tops•    All the focus for you should be on top – so show off your fabulous boobs and shoulders through eye catching colours, design details (such as ruched shoulders, ruffles, large collars or boat necks if your bust is on the smaller side).•    Go for a wider neckline to balance out your bottom half. If you are conscious about showing off your cleavage aim for this look through some clever layering: wear a high neck top as an under layer and a wide neck top over it. Layering can also help break up a long torso if this is an issue for you.•    Show off that tiny waist by having fitted tops  and cuff details – nothing baggy or you’ll hide your best bits.  A fitted, flattering belt is your friend.•    V-necks can elongate your neck and draw attention to your slim upper half.  Again, if you are conscious about showing off your cleavage, aim for this look by layering a v-neck top over a high necked one.•    Top length should be strictly at the hipbones or travel well past your bottom (i.e. in a tunic style). Any length in between will stop at your widest part.

Bottoms•    Plain, dark, unembellished, well-structured trousers or skirts are your best friends. Make them mid-rise and they are even better.  Sorry, no skinny styles. Flat fronted trousers or skirts are also recommended.•    Experiment with fabric, but something with a slight stretch can work well.. Avoid clingy, loud or flimsy fabric on the bottom.•    If you have the dilemma of trousers or skirts ill fitting either at the waist or thighs, go for the size that fits you at the thighs and get the waist band adjusted (sorry, I know, what a pain). The last thing you want is to make your thighs look like sausages for the sake of having a fit at your waist.

•    Absolutely never ever go for bias cuts. Ever.  Ditto for capri pants (although I have been known to get away with them in the gym). Either go for an A-lline skirt or a pencil skirt that doesn’t taper in at the knees and is worn slightly longer than the knees.

Dresses•    A-line dresses, wrap dresses, tunics that are fitted ‘up top’ and waisted dresses (such as a shirt dress) are your key dress shapes.•    Keep hemlines to just below the knee so the eye is draw to your relatively slim knees and calves.•    Follow the same rules for the fabric, fit at waist and colours as set out in the tops and bottoms advice.

Jackets•    Belted, long or mid-length (beyond bottom) with wide lapels to add interest will keep you warm and fabulous.

Also keep in mind…..•    Enjoy accessorising up top to draw the eye to your fabulous top half. Just don’t over do it: you are not a clown.

How to dress for your apple body shapeAlthough apple body shaped women often despair when it comes to clothes, in many ways you have the easiest set of clothing rules to follow. Your clothing aim is focused solely on lengthening out your relatively heavy torso/tummy to minimise its size and to draw the eyes to your fabulously shapely and slim legs and arms. Think of Jennifer Hudson or Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Here is what to wear for your body shape.   

TopsEven if you have a small bust, go for a lowish neckline in the shape of a v, scoop neck, cowl neck or open shirt: this will elongate your neck.Wrap tops, empire line cuts or tops with ruching can create strategic folds and shadows that can help minimise tummy size. Avoid baggy tops (tempting as they may be) and go for a good fitting, skimming top in well structured fabric.Draw attention away from tummy (and to your slim arms) through embellishments on your sleeves or wrists.Length of tops should be around crotch point: enough to cover up the lumps but short enough to display your fabulous legs.Create waist definition through layering: a short waist length jacket, cardigan or waist-coat over a longer top.

BottomsSlim line to medium width jeans or trousers or with a boot leg will show off your beautiful legs but be careful with skinny fit styles --- you don’t want to unbalance your silhouette through having skinny legs that make your top half look bigger.  Leggings are perfectly fine with a dress or tunic.Flat fronted trousers or skirts will ensure that no additional bulk is added to your mid-drift: beware the chunky elastic waist band!Skirts should be structured pencil shape to ‘bring it all in’ or an A-line skirt: experiment to see what you feel comfortable with.

DressesWrap dresses are perfect for you.Tunic dress/empire line dresses with leggings are also a great look (paired with a little cardigan can give you a waist too!).  Also look for dress with details under the bust.  

Another option is to go for a drop waisted dress – but take care that it doesn’t make you look pregnant!Stretch knit dresses are a good option – and don’t need ironing!

JacketsAvoid the double breasted jacket!A belt trench coat that is slightly flared from the waist is a good option – particularly if it has structured shoulders.Ensure the jacket length skims over your bottom.Good vertical lines can be created through wearing open jackets or cardigans teamed with long scarves.

Also keep in mind…..Experiment with monochromatic colours and patterns that you mix and match tops and trousers. Try teaming jeans with a similar blue patterned top etc…This can help break up your silhouette.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Best features. A tapered torso, trim waist and killer legs make you look confident and fit.

Common pitfalls. Your legs are typically well-sculpted, so your instinct may be to show them off with fitted leggings. That works if you’re wearing a long top (below your booty), but in general, you want to add volume to your lower half. 

TopsYou look great in cowl necks and deep V-necks that help minimize a stronger upper body. Go for simple, fuss-free shirts (no ruffles!). For feminine flair, tops with gently draped fabric or flutter sleeves add movement and softness. Embrace your inner flapper, and rock a drop-waist dress—a look that few can pull off!