STYLE RULES
Love Your Body Shape
by Mukui Mbindyo
Hello Glam Girls!
Welcome back to another edition of Style Rules-- the column that helps you develop your own great style. Last week we talked about the first style rule: "Keep It Real . . . Know Your Measurements!" You can find that article here.
This week the Style Rule is:
Style Rule #2
Love your shape
Now that you know your measurements, you can use them to
figure out how your body is shaped. Knowing and loving your shape is critical
for great style because it will help you know which styles flatter your body
and the features you want to highlight. Wearing the best clothes for your body
shape means, that though you may opt out of the latest trends, you'll be assured that you will always look stylish and put together in the most flattering looks for you.
So what are these shapes? We hear names tossed around like banana, apple, pear, hourglass . . . but what does it all mean?
Below is a handy guide to what the shapes are. You can use your measurements to determine which body shape is closest to yours.
Now that you know your body shape, you can find out what
styles to look out for to flatter your shape the best.
Hourglass Shapes
Hourglass shapes are defined by a bust and waist that are proportional with a smaller waist in the middle. The bust and hip measurements for the hourglass are almost the same and the waist measurement is smaller.
What to wear:
Choose dresses with a cinched waist and lower necklines to balance out your bust and your hips. Dresses that flare out are really flattering for this shape.
Apple Shapes
Apple shapes have rounder shoulders and middle section. Apple shapes usually have smaller legs in proportion to their body.
What to wear:
Choose dresses that flare and fabrics that won't cling to your body. Also wear dresses that are shorter to show off your great legs!
Pear Shapes
Pear shapes have smaller shoulders and waists in
proportion to their hips. The shoulder and waist measurements would be
considerably smaller than the hip measurements.
What to wear:
Choose empire dresses that draw attention to the smallest part of your waist and then flow out. Also choose dresses and tops with shoulders to create balance with your hips.
Banana, Lean Column or Rectangular Shapes
Banana shapes have lean shoulders, as well undefined bust and hips. The measurements across all three areas would be almost equal.
What to wear:
Choose dresses that have a bell cut to create the illusion of curves. Also choose dresses that have higher cuts on the neck that draw attention to your lean neck.
Inverted Triangle Shapes
Inverted triangles have broader shoulders and fuller busts than the hips. The measurements would be bigger at the top than on the bottom.
What to wear:
Choose dresses like A-Lines that create the illusion of more rounded hips. Also choose v- neck dresses that draw attention to your bust.
Now that you know your measurements and the right dresses for your shape, the next thing is to learn what colors suit you and how to put colors together.
Toodles for now, Glam Girls!
P.S. If you have any burning style questions, let us know on Facebook. It may be answered in a future column.