What to wear? What to wear?

Body shapes are like opinions, everybody's got one. The question is, do you know your shape and what looks good on you? Why is this important you might ask? For one, the right garment can make you look up to 10 lbs lighter and who doesn't like the idea of that? Then there are always garments that flatter your body and draw the eye in. You don't have to make a fashion statement every day, but you do want to appear put together and look your absolute best.

Shopping for trendy clothes can be exhilarating. It makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. You see something in a magazine, then go out and buy your special version of it. Great! While acquiring new trends may have psychological rewards, there are certain confines that you should be aware of. This way when you think you look great, others will share in that opinion.

Your job now is to identify your body shape and scroll down to find out what fabulous finds I've put together especially for you. You can refer back to this post whenever you like, to ensure that you're always dressed to impress.

Calling All Rectangles - Tips on what to wear:

The goal of dressing a rectangular shape is to use garments that create an illusion of curves. So instead of hiding body parts, your challenge is to dress up the parts you already have. This can actually be a lot of fun.

There is also no better time than the Spring to test out the "new" length. And if you're a rectangle, your optimal look is a fantastic light colored, a-line skirt like this feminine Miss Unkon Hey! Girl Shirt. It has a vintage feel with a unique modern twist which is hard to resist.

The color is ah-mazing and it's versatile. Dress it up and wear to a shower or dress it down for a stroll in the park. Why wear a skirt? Because rectangle shaped ladies tend to be more boyish and gravitate towards pants so this is your chance to be girly.

Ladies, when it comes to bottoms, choose jeans and pants that sit below your waist. I found these absolutely adorable RED Valentino Wide Leg Pants with the perfect ruffle detailing to create a little curve. Don't be afraid of the color pink if you're used to wearing mostly black and gray. This color is young and fresh and perfect for Spring and Summer.


Other things to look for are tops and dresses with ruffles and large prints. As far as dresses go, invest your money in wrap dresses with draping, since the fabric creates interesting curves and dresses that are cinched at the waist; they will give you more of an hour glass shape. I personally like this Halston Heritage Shirred Shoulder Dress because it is has a little bit of everything that looks ideal on you.

No, no's:

• Don’t wear tight clothes that accentuate your lack of curves. If you do, choose either a tight top or a tight bottom, but never both. Unless you are being cat woman for Halloween and I can relate, choose wisely.
• Stay away from vertical lines.
• Just remember high-waisted pants and skirts do not help create curves. You may not want curves, so if you have to wear anything with a high waist, wear a statement piece on top.

Ladies you're not alone, here are some celebrity Rectangles and aren't they fabulous: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Bosworth, Kate Hudson, and Keira Knightley.

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How Do You Like Them Apples - Tips on what to wear:

Since apple shaped women have a larger bust than hip measurement, you tend to carry most of your weight around the midsection. The goal for you is to elongate your upper body, define your waist and bring balance to all of your outfits. How do you do that? Pants and skirts with a flare will help draw attention to your lower body by balancing out your upper body.

Lucky for you 70's influence is very prominent right now, so you can wear your favorite bell-bottom jeans with confidence. I just love these flared jeans by Resin. You will really look like the forbidden fruit in these puppies.

Some women have become apple shaped by choice. All of the gals reading this who've had breast augmentation and anyone else who fits the apple shape description-I have great news for you! There are tops that will elongate your body without making you look top-heavy. The trick is to wear longer shirts and blouses, like this asymmetrical Helmut Lang tank that ends over the hips. Pair it with pants that taper out and you're golden.

The same rules you've heard most of your adult life still apply. Wear dark colors where you're bigger which in your case is the top. Leave the brighter colors and even prints for the lower half of your body. Wrap dresses seem to be a universal quick fix for you. Find one with a fun print and all of your imperfections will instantly disappear. Plus, wrap dresses help accentuate your waist.

I prefer to stick to dark, solid colors, so I found this super cute Parker Dress. It is loose on top so you won't fill it out entirely and it has a sexy v-neck. A V-neck should be your best friend if it isn't already. V-necks draw the eye away from your shoulders and tastefully draw the eye to your face and cleavage. Of course it all depends on who's doing the looking. So reveal with caution.

To expand your look, find belted jackets, dresses, and tops which will help your waist look deceivingly smaller. I know that I am preaching to the choir here, but high heels work wonders on visually elongating your entire body, so don't hesitate to invest in shoes. As if you needed another reason...

No, no's:

• As tempting as it may be, please avoid tops with puffy sleeves. They will only make you look bigger up top.
• Pleated pants will add inches to your waist. So, be conscious of that when you shop.
• Pants that taper in towards your ankle should be avoided at all costs. They will throw off the balance of your body and outfit.
• Tops that are busy with a lot of detailing, or too tight should not be worn for obvious reasons.

Ladies you're not alone, here are some famous Apples of the eye: Tyra Banks, and Dolly Parton.

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The Perfect Pear - Tips on what to wear:


Pears, you have a triangular shaped body where the hips are wider than the bust. Envied by most women for your great posteriors, even pears have to dress strategically. The goal of dressing a pear shape is to do all you can to draw attention away from the hips and emphasize your top half. This will help create a visual balance.

So for you, bright colored tops are ideal. Look for ruffles and detailing, keeping the bottoms simple, preferably darker in color. The party stays up top while you can go all business on the bottom. The perfect color for a top this Spring is pink/coral, so here's a great top by Rebecca Taylor. She really knows how to make us feel most feminine and is truly one of my favorite designers.

As far as bottoms go, the awesome sailor pants I wrote about are a match made in heave for pears! Your pants should be straight leg. They will make your curves more subtle all while elongating your legs. If you can find a pair like these DSQUARED2 Jackie Sailor Pants, you will be in good shape. Sailor pants are also high-waisted so they will hug your midriff which is the smallest part of you body.

The same goes for dresses. You'll look stunning in empire-waisted and wrap dresses because they will help conceal your lower body while accentuating the smallest part of your torso. Maxis like this Milly number are also a good choice because they will do the same and they are the it item to have. Of course you already know about a-line skirts and how they were practically made for you, right?

No, no's:

• Do not wear pants that taper in at the ankles. This will make your hips look wider.
• Avoid jackets that end at the widest part of your hips. Wear shorter cropped jackets instead.
• Don't tuck in your shirts with low rise bottoms because that can make you look boxy. Save this look for your high-waisted pants that show off your curves.
• Don't wear tight bottoms as they will make you look bottom heavy.
• And if you want to wear a pencil skirt, create a balance by wearing a shirt with a ruffle or a fuller top.

Ladies you're not alone, here are some famous Pears: Jennifer Lopez, Mischa Barton, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Kelly Clarkson

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What time is it? Hourglass Time - Tips on what to wear:

Sorry for not including you in the fruit salad, but I wanted to save the classic hourglass for last. You lucky ladies have a bust measurement that is roughly the same as your hips. And not enough can be said about your tiny waist? Because you're proportionately curvy you have major options when it comes to clothes. The key is to not add extra weight to your frame. A little fashion secret that works wonders for your shape is anything that elongates your body.

So, do wear a sexy pencil skirt. And you don't have to stick to the boring basics by only wearing black. I found this amazing Lela Rose Pencil Skirt with Draped Detail that is unlike what you're used to. With an hour glass figure you can think outside of the box and shop that way.

Feel free to flaunt a decollete, v-necks for one are uber sexy since they draw attention to your face. This doesn't mean that you should go out and buy tee shirts. V-neck dresses and blouses are very popular this season. Which will you be wearing?

My pick is this simple yet chic Charlotte Ronson pleated number. A great way to incorporate a v-neck into your wardrobe is by investing in a dress, be cinched at the waist or a wrap dress. All hourglass shaped girls should have at least one wrap dress in their closet.

Celebrate your curves by wearing short fitted jackets and tailored pants. This season cropped trousers are really in, so to stay current buy a pair that are slightly flared at the bottom like these J Brand Gigi Cropped Flare Jeans. I may have to get these myself. I recommend that you wear these with your favorite heels. This can complete a look for work or be a perfect item for a night on the town. And always try to incorporate a belt into your attire. You have a waist, so don't be afraid to show it off. A belt is a great way to accentuate the smallest part of your torso.

No, no's:

• No shapeless tops please – they do not accentuate your waist, and can add weight to your body.
• Stay away from empire-waisted dresses & tops since you have an actual waist. Women that need to create the smallest part of their bodies have to wear those, you can reveal your natural waist.
• Short skirts will visually cut your body into small pieces and make you look shorter.
• And of course, no baggy pants. They will only add extra weight and make you look bottom heavy.

Ladies you're not alone, here are some fellow celebrity Hourglass shapes: Sophia Vergara, Kim Kardashian, Kate Winslet, and Salma Hayek.

I hope you found this post helpful. In the future is you're at a store and feel stuck, you can always click on the "Ask the PF' tab and I will help get you through it. Decisions...decisions. Happy Shopping Ladies!

 

- Biana

www.PhillyFashionistas.com

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