Your Ultimate Guide to Dressing For Your Body Type

The number one rule of fashion is to wear whatever you want. That said, it’s also true that most (if not all of us) want to wear whatever we want while still looking our best. This is why it definitely is helpful to have a few fashion tips and tricks up your sleeve in order to find what suits you.

On that note, knowing how to dress for your body type is a great tool to have in your arsenal. Accentuating your figure will allow you to not only be smarter about the pieces you buy, but it will also help you find better ways to style your existing pieces. If you’re ready to dive in, keep reading below for some surefire fashion tips when it comes to dressing for your body type.

Figure Out Your Body Type

Naturally, the first step is to figure out your body type. While everyone’s body is different, Healthline’s guide to the different body types notes that there are a few general categories that can help you determine where you fall under. These general categories — think pear, hourglass, or apple — are determined by the ratio of your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips. As a result, it’s totally common for your body shape to change over time. Get to know your shape right now, whether you’re someone with big hips or broad shoulders, and flaunt it!

Know What to Accentuate

Speaking of flaunting it, one way to dress up according to your specific body type is to accentuate the parts of your body that you truly love. Lifestyle writer Stephanie Watson lists accentuating your assets as a key part of finding your own fashion style, and doing so lets you really get to know your body. For those of us who have curves for days, opt for clothes that fit well and aren’t baggy. If you’ve been working out recently and you’re proud of your arms, show them off with a breezy tank top or an off-shoulder blouse!

Keep Your Height in Mind

Height is something that’s often overlooked when it comes to dressing for your body type. After all, you don’t want to drown in your clothes (or else have them too short)! Pretty Me’s article on dresses for petites emphasizes the importance of silhouettes that accentuate your figure. Sheath dresses are your best bet, particularly as it makes petite women look taller and leaner. Monochromatic dresses also give the illusion of height while helping your outfit look put together. For taller women, maxi dresses are a natural choice for accentuating your height.

Consider Fabric Type

Fabric type is also an important consideration to keep in mind when dressing for your body type. Fabrics like rayon and polyester are softer and move with the body, which are great for those who want their clothes to hug their entire figure. Linen is equally light but has a bit more structure to it, so women with more angular frames would do well to gravitate towards it. You may want to go through your closet and find the pieces you think you look best in, and then use that information to find out what fabrics suit your body best.

Finding your personal style will undoubtedly require lots of trial and error, but that’s what makes fashion so fun. For more tips and tricks, our Fashion column has lots of guides and articles for you to reference!

Feature Photo by Tiko Giorgadze on Unsplash

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