How To...Dress For Your Body Type!

Discussing body types has certainly become a tired and overanalyzed subject. At this point, it doesn't matter if you're a size two or a size fourteen. The numbers are useless if you're clueless when it comes to dressing your body type. I firmly believe that the first step to putting together a good ensemble is knowing how to flatter your physical strengths and weaknesses. It seems like a basic thought, but lots of women struggle with body self-awareness. Since every women's body type is completely different because of height/genetics/waists/etc here is a very broad outline on dressing body types.

Petite

So after all that hard work, you finally got down to wearing the smallest sizes in the store. Except, there's still a few problems. Such as...the itty bitty waist can fit into the size two skirt but the booty can't. Or, you're technically small enough to fit into the tight clothes but maybe your stomach isn't exactly flat enough. And then there's the height...maxi's are a big no-no and jeans always need hemming. Even as the "tiniest", there's still body issues. The best general way to fix your problem? Wear loosely fitted clothes but don't drown in them. A long top with skinny jeans can distract from your short torso. During the summertime, still aim for the flowy shirts with shorts. Avoid bermuda shorts and be careful if choosing kapris-- you might end up giving your normal legs a false appearance of being short and stumpy. (Note: Follow the elongate your torso pattern even if you don't consider your weight "petite" but you're still a shorty.)

Average

         

Hard to categorize yourself? Personally, I think most women don't give themselves enough credit and actually do fall into this category. Height wise, you're either in the middle(not the shortest person in the room) or on the taller end(aka welcome to Karlie Kloss level). Weight is a little more tricky thanks to a round bottom, fuller stomach, or the tricky chest area. To put it bluntly, if you have big boobs, you've gotta dress them correctly or else you're going to make the rest of your body look bigger than it actually is. Basically, you have some humps that you want to dress smoothly and appropriately. Best way to achieve this is to go for the straight leg pants, a medium length shirt(no midriff baring or long and flowing), and a waist distraction. Above, model Whitney Thompson wears fitted shirts that distract from the stomach area but still stick well to the body. 

Curvaceous

Your height is similar to the average body type but those humps are a little bit more noticeable. Best way to flatter your shape? Go straight for the hour glass look. Your body has a particular roundness where you want to show off your waist's shape without wearing a skin tight fabric that would stick to the stomach area. Best way to do this is to accessorize with belts and annunciate those hips. Keep the girls tucked in so that they're not falling out but don't hide them. In the colder seasons, layering with cardigans and blazers are also a great way to flatter your figure.