Anyone who’s ever tried anything on in a store fitting room should know two things:
- You are not a clothes hanger
- You are not the mannequin by the store window
Remember this the next time you grab that to-die-for top and immediately skip to the cashier with it.
The hard fact is, not everything that looks good, automatically looks good on you. However, choosing clothes is not that hard once you know how to spot the ones suited for your profile. Every piece of clothing can compliment a particular body figure, but appear utterly unflattering on another.
The trick is to know your body figure: a delicate but practical slice of fashion science. To do this, put on a leotard or swimsuit then take a look at yourself in a full-body mirror. After taking an objective look (the operative word being objective) examine the list to identify which category you belong to.
Photo courtesy of Calculator.net
BANANA
Your body is very slim and straight, with little, if any difference among your torso, tummy, and hips.
Wear:
- Low, fitted jeans to draw attention to the hips
- Pencil skirts
- Fitted, scoop-neck or polo neck tops
- Padded bras for extra boost
- `Layered outfits to add shape to the body
Don’t Wear:
- Baggy trousers – they will bog down your figure, making it look shapeless
- Plunging and low-cut necklines
- Flowing skirts – they draw attention from the hips (as opposed to pencil skirts)
- Masculine tops – they can make your curves virtually non-existent
For more Banana (or “ruler”) wardrobe tips, click here.
APPLE
The top half of your body tends to be bigger than the bottom half, and have slim hips and a large chest and stomach.
Wear:
- Shirts that reach below the waist or a tunic-style top to draw attention from the waist
- Tops with slightly-lowered necklines to keep the eyes moving upward
- A necklace to complete the effect
- Wide-legged pants and capris to flaunt ankles.
- Skirts with high waistlines to draw attention away from the tummy
Don’t Wear:
- Mini-skirts – they can make you look tarty
- Skinny pants – they can make your bust larger than they are
- Spaghetti straps – they can enlarge bust, shoulders and upper arms
- Stretchy blouses, unless worn under a light blazer
For more Apple wardrobe tips, click here.
PEAR
Your hips are wider than your shoulders, and your chest and stomach do not exactly stand out. When choosing clothes, you’ll want to emphasize your topside.
Wear:
- Tops with a lower and wider neckline to emphasize the bust area
- Light-colored blouse with a lot of detail to balance the larger, lower part
- Puffy-sleeved blouses to visually widen the upper half
- Dark flared or straight-legged pants to slim and elongate the lower half
- Thin-heeled shoes or shoes with pointed toes
- A-line and flared skirts
Don’t Wear:
- Full skirts or jeans with large pockets or embroidery
- Narrow, tapered jeans
- Flashy belts that draw attention to the hips
- Jackets that end at the widest portion of the hip
- Stiletto heels – they make you look unproportioned
For more Pear wardrobe tips, click here.
HOURGLASS
You have a well-proportioned upper and lower body, with a narrower waist.
Wear:
- V-neck or scoop necklines to emphasize the bust
- A well-fitted bra
- Flat-front trousers to emphasize your legs
- Boot-cut jeans
- Wrap dresses to highlight the figure
- A belt to show off that tummy!
Don’t Wear:
- Tops that are too big – they can make you look larger and sloppier
- Tops that are too tight
- Heavy fabrics – they can make you look heavy as well
- High, round necklines – they draw attention away from the waist
- Long, boxy jackets – they make the figure appear larger
- Outfits with too many layers that make you look boxy
For more Hourglass wardrobe tips, click here.
Incoming search terms:
- corporate attire for chubby
- banana shape body outfits
- corporate attire for apple shape women
- corporate attire for pear shape
- modern corporate attires for chubby women
