Trying to Create Flattering Outfits? Learn How to Know Your Body Shape and Do So Effortlessly!

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Last Updated on November 18, 2022 by Sagarika Kapoor

We often look at an outfit online and recreate it, only for it to look unflattering on us. The reason is most of us are not aware of our body types. Wondering how to know your body type? Well, fret not! We are here to make the job much easier for you. Once you can identify your body shape it gets relatively easy to decide how to dress. Whether you should opt for high-waist or mid-waist bottoms, what colours are ideal for your body type and a lot more. All of this helps really sort out how to dress well according to your body type.

Once you learn to do all of this, chances are you are going to shop accordingly and then anything you wear would look flattering on you. Just following online trends is not enough, knowing your body and what suits you, needs also be taken into consideration. When you dress well, you also tend to feel confident. Hence, the first step in learning to dress well is by understanding the basics. Not everything can work for everyone, so make sure you personalise it according to yourself.

Here’s how to know your body shape and dress according to it!

Step 1 of How to Know Your Body Shape – Measure

No points for guessing, the first step to figuring out your body shape is to whip out that measuring tape. While the majority of the measuring you might be able to do on your own, we recommend asking someone to help you with the same. Let’s be completely sure if we are getting into the process, shall we?

So begin with your shoulders. Ever seen the level at which your tailor measures your shoulders? You gotta keep it at that level. Next up, is the bust area, place the measuring tape on the highest point of your bust and measure it so. Next in line is the smallest part of your waist, so measure that next. And finally, measure around the hip area and note all of these measurements down. Next, you need to understand which part of your body measures the highest and which one the lowest, which will effectively help you determine what body type are you.

Types of Shapes

These are some of the basic and most seen body shapes. Do remember that not everyone is just one body shape throughout their lives. It could keep changing and sometimes also be a combination of more than one. Following are the body shapes:

Oval Body Shape

With an apple body shape, you are likely to have rounder shoulders which are slightly wide. Your bust and torso area would be widest while your waist, hips and legs will be thinner than those areas. While you are likely to have a heavier top, the lower part of the body is more slender.

Triangle Body Shape

Imagine a pear and what it looks like. The top of a pear is usually thinner and the lower part is the widest. The same goes for someone with a pear body shape. Your shoulder and bust area would be narrower and the most width would be seen around your hip area. The waist however would be cinched and be the thinnest section of your body as compared to the rest.

Hourglass Body Shape

Much like an hourglass the top and bottom half of your body would measure almost or exactly the same. Now for the shape to classify as such, your waist would actually be thinner than the top and bottom half of your body. So if your waist is the smallest part of your body and your bust and hip are the same widths, yours is an hourglass body shape.

Inverted Triangle

If in your measurements, your bust/shoulder is the widest part of your body and it keeps getting thinner as you move toward the hips then you have an inverted triangle body shape. You are likely to have small hips and slender legs and the waist is not well-defined.

Rectangle Body Shape

A rectangle body shape is pretty easy to guess. If all your measurements are almost the same or the same only then you have a rectangle body shape. You do not have to look for a wider body section because all sections would be in symmetry.

How to Dress According to Different Shapes

Now that we have all understood the different body shapes. It’s time to understand how to correctly dress all of them to look the most flattering. This can also very well help you the next time you go shopping.

Oval Body Shape: Now we know the upper part of the body is heavier than the lower so go ahead and look at ideas that complement that shape. What you can opt for are A-line silhouettes which give some dimension to your lower body parts. Go for some nice V-necks also, so that your torso appears longer. You could go for darker colours on top and lighter ones at the bottom.

Triangle Body Shape: With a pear body shape you can also very well make it look like an hourglass shape with the right outfits. Pick outfits that highlight your waist section and take attention away from the bust. Designs that take attention to the upper body would be great too, like ruffled sleeves, unique collars, nice necklines and the like.

Hourglass Body Shape: Nice body-hugging outfits would fare well for you. Outfits that cinch at the waist and highlight the upper and lower body parts can work well. Go for waist belts and V-necks and all your looks are sorted.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape: With this body shape we need attires that add some dimension to the lower part of your body. Straight-cut jeans would be a great option for you. If you love to highlight those beautiful broad shoulders of yours then feel free to do that with structured sleeves and more.

Rectangle Body Shape: You could highlight your arms and legs instead of your waist and dress accordingly. Some nice A-line silhouettes, things that add definition to the legs and shoulder, all of these are options for you to consider. Try high-waist jeans to highlight the hip area and take attention away from the waist.

And that’s how to know your body shape and dress right according to it. Trust us, once you understand this basic difference, life will get much easier when heading out shopping. These tips are very important when it comes to day-to-day dressing as well as for work. We hope this was helpful, for more on everyday styling and wardrobe planning, get in touch with us at Styl Inc. and our team will guide you every step of the way.

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