It is difficult to interpret all the latest trends and find a style to suit your individual body shape. Every woman has something about their body that they dislike, whether it’s heavy thighs, chunky arms or a big bottom. In a recent survey conducted by Cosmopolitan magazine 81% said that they do not feel body confident because they weigh more than they'd like to and a further 66% blame their body shape for preventing them from buying the clothes they love. 54% say they can't even find clothes that fit correctly.
However, in the media we are seeing a shift and talk of size acceptance and body love are all over. Woman of all body types are celebrated from the gorgeous Beth Ditto gracing the covers of Love magazine to a stick thin Keira Knightley all praised as being stunning. It’s all about finding the right clothes for your shape so you can feel comfortable, revealing your assets by knowing how to make the most of them.
Looking at the 4 most common body types we have come up with some tips and suggestions to help you find the right fashion that will inspire confidence:
Pear Fashion
If your hips are wider than your shoulders and you have a bigger bottom and thighs with a relatively slimmer upper body than you are a classic pear shape.
•A-line, maxi and trumpet style designs are good options and will balance out problem areas
•Empire designs, which full below the bust and raise the natural waist-line are great options when teamed with a maxi style skirt or dress as this allows for concealing heavy hips.
•Accentuate a slimmer upper torso with bold colours on top, details like corsages and accessories will draw the eye upwards.
•Try sleeveless and strapless
dresses to play up shoulders and arms.
Apple Fashion
Apples typically have fantastic legs and a full cleavage, broader shoulders and an undefined waist with a rounder tummy. When apples gain weight it tends to go in the middle section.
•Accentuate neck-lines to draw attention to one of your best assets! Go for striking key-hole designs, v-neck and deep-decolte.
•Emphasise luscious legs with shorter skirt options, 1-6 inches above the knee.
•Look for designs with retro peplums that will conceal rounder middles.
•Opt for a-line designs that will give you a more definitive waist-line.
•Dark and solid colours also work well for the apple because they create a more balanced appearance with slimmer legs.
Hourglass Fashion
Enviable curvy hourglass have symmetrical shoulders and hips, a full and shapely bust and a defined waist, this is the easiest style to dress so be creative!
•Accentuate your full bust with scoop, V and deep-decolte neck-lines.
•Go for skirts with sexy slits that show-case great legs
•Highlight your defined waist with contrasting colour waist panels or detachable belts in contrasting colours
•Halter-neck and asymmetric styles work wonders on an hour-glass silhouette
•If you’re a curvier hour-glass a-line and maxi-styles will help balance out.
Rules Fashion
You are like many of today’s fashion models your figure is svelte and athletic. You are pretty much straight up and down with no significant difference between the sizes of your chest, waist and hips.
•To create curves opt for bandeau and halter-tops that will accentuate a smaller bust.
•Enhance your femininity and give the illusion of curves with wrap tops and clever box pleats.
•Pencil skirts and dropped waists will look amazing on you.
•For real slender shapes cocoon styles are sensational adding curves.
•You can go short with mini’s without looking too exposed!
