Many people feel they’re unable to express their personal style to fit their body type. No matter whether you’re petite or plus-size, you can find outfits that are both flattering and fit correctly.
However, clothing brands and their widely varying size measurements can make it impossible. A size 6 from one brand may fit, but with others, you need an 8 or 4, even without experiencing any recent unintended weight fluctuations. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy, so much so that it should be the top fashion dos and don’ts rule for designers, factories, and retailers: stick to a single standard!
Unfortunately, that’s unlikely to happen, so it’s left up to you to ensure that your fashion selections fit properly. While we can’t do anything about the size variances, we did put together some tips that may help you find clothes that fit your body type.
Understanding Your Body Type
There’s no way to guarantee that you’ll get the best fit every time or that the picnic outfit you purchased online will look fabulous, but knowing your body type and the looks that generally suit them best is a great place to start. Check it out:
- Apple: Tends to carry weight around their midsection and have broader shoulders and slender legs.
- Pear: A narrower upper body and wider hips and thighs
- Hourglass: A balanced bust and hip ratio with a well-defined waist
- Rectangle: Bust, waist, and hip measurements are relatively similar.
- Inverted Triangle: Broader shoulders and narrower hips
Dressing Tips
When it comes to dressing various body types, you should look for more than just sales on outfits for “plus-size” women just because you’ve hit a weight loss plateau. Certain tricks can help you look your best, no matter what size you are.
Dress the pear body type with clothes that highlight the upper body while minimizing your lower half. Look for tops with sleeves, ruffles, or lace detailing to draw attention away from the hips and thighs. Boot-cut jeans and wide-leg trousers are also great for balancing out wider hips.
For those with an hourglass figure, embrace it! You can show off your curves with wrap dresses and high-waisted trousers, topped off with a great pair of women’s boots.
If you have an apple-shaped body type, don’t be afraid to show off your legs. A wrap dress or a well-fitted skirt will help draw attention away from the midsection while still looking chic.
Rectangles and inverted triangles can also look fashionable by wearing clothing that adds curves in the right places. For the rectangle body type, try adding some volume to your clothing with puffy sleeves or a peplum top. For those with an inverted triangle body type, pick items like high-neck tops and wide-legged pants to add balance between the upper and lower halves.
Lastly, if you need the best fashion for a petite figure, pick clothes with shorter lengths and avoid voluminous items that add bulk.
The Perfect Fit
No matter what body type you have, it’s essential to find the right fit for your clothing. When trying on new items, don’t be afraid to look in the mirror and assess how they look from all angles. Move around a bit, too. You should be able to move comfortably, or it’s not the right fit for you.
Just remember that fashion should be fun! Don’t feel like you have to conform to any specific body type we discussed; always look for clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.
