How to Dress for Your Body Type? Expert Advice by Sunset Fashion LA

Finding the perfect outfit for you is more than just following trends or buying a cloth because it look stunning on a super hot model. It’s about understanding your body type and knowing what styles will highlight your best features. Whether curvy, petite, athletic, or somewhere in between, dressing for your body type can make all the difference in how you look and feel. The outfits at Sunset Fashion LA are size and shape-inclusive, from hourglass and pear shapes to inverted triangle and rectangle body shapes. Over here is expert advice from our fashion team on how to dress for your body type to help you choose the perfect outfits that flatter your shape.

Steps to Determine Your Body Shape

The first step to finding the perfect outfits is understanding your body shape and dresses for body type. This way, the clothes you choose will truly flatter your figure and highlight your best features. Not to worry the guide below will help you easily identify your body shape.

Take the following measurements using a measuring tape:

• Shoulder Measurements: Measure the circumference of your shoulders. Your shoulders should be straight, and the tape should be at the same level.
• Bust Measurement: Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust and note the measurement. Ensure the tape is secure over your bust, but not too tight or loose.
• Waist Measurement: Find the smallest part of your waist, which is usually just above your belly button, and measure around it.
• Hip Measurement: Take measurements around the widest part of your hips. That is the point where your hips and buttocks are the fullest.

• Hourglass: You have a narrower waist than your bust and hips. Also, your bust and hips are just about the same size.
• Pear, Triangle, or Spoon: Your midsection is narrower than your bust and hips. While your hips are wider than your bust. The spoon body shape is quite similar to the pear shape but the former has wider hips and lower body.
• Inverted Triangle: Your midsection is narrower than your bust and hips. While your bust and shoulders are wider and broader compared to your hips.
• Apple, Round, or Oval: This body shape has a fuller waistline than the hips and bust.
• Diamond: Your waist is the widest part of the measurements when compared to your bust and hips. The shoulders and hips are also narrower than the waist.
• Rectangle or Straight: Your bust, waist, shoulder, and hips are roughly aligned.

Common Body Types and How to Dress for Them

Fashion is art and fashion is creativity, but when you want to create a staple wardrobe with outfits that enhance your natural shape, you have to factor in your body type. Whether curvy, petite, or athletic, each body type has unique features and clothing styles that are just perfect for them. While exploring what makes each unique, let's closely look at the common body types and how to dress.

Dressing for a Pear-Shaped Body

If you have a pear-shaped body, your hips and thighs are wider than your shoulders and bust. Hence, to balance these areas, clothes that spotlight your upper body and draw attention away from your lower half like an off-the-shoulder dress will be more suitable. Dress style for body type - Pear includes tops with eye-catching details like ruffles, embellishments, patterns, or more colorful options will draw attention upwards. Dark, tailored trousers, A-line skirts, and flared party dresses will also complement your figure by balancing your lower half. 

Choose a lighter or patterned top with dark-colored bottoms when pairing clothes. Avoid skinny jeans or pants as they emphasize your hips and thighs. Instead, go for bootcut or wide-leg trousers for a more even line from hip to toe. To highlight your waistline, opt for fit-and-flare or wrap-style midi dresses. You can also try out high-waisted pants or skirts as they elongate your legs and flaunt your hips better. For your accessories, choose statement necklaces or earrings to draw attention upward.

Dressing for an Hourglass Body

An hourglass-shaped girlie or what is also known as the figure 8 body shape has a bust and hip measurement that are roughly the same width. The waistline is well-defined and narrower than both the bust and hips. Clothes that highlight your curves while maintaining balance are what you need if you have this body shape. Dresses and tops with cinched waists, wrap dresses, bodycon dresses, sheath party dresses, off-the-shoulder dresses, or belted styles will enhance your curves. V-necklines and scoop necklines will also flatter your bust without overwhelming your frame. And you can take the look up a notch with drop necklaces. Stretchy fabrics like jersey or knit blends will comfortably hug your curves. Try them out in pencil skirts and high-waisted pants to emphasize your proportions without adding bulk.

Avoid boxy or shapeless clothes that hide your waist, as they can obscure your natural curves. Instead, when dressing for body type, go with structured jackets or fitted blazers that nip in at the waist to enhance your hourglass shape. If you want to wear oversized outfits, then either wear them at the top or bottom, but not on both sides. For formal events, you can wear a rhinestone dress in the mermaid style or layer fitted blouses under cardigans or jackets to define your waist in work settings. For bulky clothes, you can still enhance your hourglass shape with stylish belts.

Dressing for an Apple-Shaped Body

If you have an apple-shaped body, your shoulders are broad, your hips and thighs are slim, and you have a less defined waistline. To dress for apple shaped body type, choose outfits that draw attention away from the waistline to flatter your unique shape. Tops and dresses for apple body type that gently flow out around the waist will create the balance you need. This may be empire waistlines, A-line cuts, and V-neck tops. 

Structured blazers, V- and scoop necklines will elongate your torso and create more definition. For your bottoms, straight-leg pants and skirts can help create a longer and leaner line from waist to toe. When you want to wear mini dresses for women, opt for materials that drape well and have some stretch like jersey or cotton blends. Bulky or stiff fabrics may add unnecessary volume to your looks. Layering will make getting dressed so much easier, especially when the jacket or cardigan stops at the hip. Chunky necklaces or bold earrings will also draw attention upward towards your face.

Dressing for a Rectangle Body

A rectangle body shape is defined by a straight silhouette where the bust, waist, and hips are similar in width. The goal here is to create an illusion of curves and define the waistline for a more shapely look. Ruffled, peplum and patterned tops and dresses will add volume and shape to your upper body while enhancing your feminine profile. A cut out dress will also add details to your waist and when you want to define this area, use belts or opt for dresses for women with belted styles. 

Layers, draping, or gathering around the bust and hip area will add some dimension to your shape. You could try maxi dresses that fit and flare out as well. Flared pants, wide-leg pants, or skirts with pleats can help create a more defined waistline and add interest to your outfit. When dressing for body type and accessorizing, choose pieces that make your waist the focal point like fancy belts or scarves, but don’t overwhelm your frame. Fabrics like knits, silk blends, or structured materials will also save you time, money, and sanity, by creating a balance.

Dressing for an Inverted Triangle Body

Someone with an inverted triangle body shape has broader shoulders and larger busts compared to their narrower hips and waist. The waistline may or may not be well defined from the hips here and the aim when dressing, is to balance the upper body with the lower body. To create this balance you may need A-line skirts and midi dresses or wide-leg trousers. Your staple pair of boyfriend jeans will also work for an inverted triangle body-shaped girlie. 

V-necklines, thin shoulder straps, scoop necklines, off-the-shoulder dresses, and backless dresses for women are dress types for body shapes like this as they will elongate the neckline and draw attention towards the center of your body. Tailored jackets and blazers or power suits that nip in at the waist to create an hourglass effect can help define your waistline. For your shoulders, you want to steer clear from anything that will exaggerate the broader upper body like shoulder pads, big straps, puffy sleeves, big shawl collars, or tops with heavy studs or sequins around the shoulders. To reduce the focus on your upper body, opt for darker colors on top and lighter patterns, prints, or colors on your lower half. 

If you have to layer your outfit, do it strategically with vests, cardigans, or scarves that are not boxy around the shoulders. Pair fitted tops with bottoms that have more volume, and use belts to define your waist.

Now you know how to dress for your body type women, let us go throw some Do’s and Don’ts for every fashion-foward female irrespective of body shape.

General Fashion Tips for All Body Types

• When shopping, choose clothes that fit well and flatter your body dress type. Focus on your best features and opt for styles that draw attention to them.
• Your clothes and accessories can go a long way in creating a balanced silhouette.
• Quality over quantity. Invest in well-made pieces that will last and can be styled in multiple ways. Quality clothes will save you some money in the long run and SunsetFashionLA is a one-stop shop where you can buy all your clothing needs at friendly prices. 
• Wear fashion trends in moderation to keep your look fresh and modern. You don’t have to box your clothing selections into the mentions in this guide. Feel free to experiment with trends to see what feels and looks best on you.
• You can also experiment with different styles, cuts, and patterns when you can. If you have a fashion icon with a similar body shape to you, you can take inspos from them as well. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid wearing dresses for body type that are too tight or too loose as they can detract from your overall look.
• If you’re getting tailored outfits, ensure they are made properly to fit your body as poorly tailored clothes can give off a sloppy look.
• Ill-fitting undergarments can affect the way your clothing looks and fits. Your underwear should be supportive and not be visible from under your clothes. 
• Too many accessories can overwhelm your outfit and distract from your overall look.
• Not every trend will work for every body type. Don’t follow trends blindly, instead choose the ones that complement your best features.

Conclusion

Sometimes, it’s hard to define what body dress type you belong to. In that case, you will have to adapt your outfit selection to sit between the two types. Also, remember every body shape is unique and what’s more fascinating is that your body shape can change over time. And no, you won’t get a different body shape by adjusting your weight because it is your bone structure that determines your body shape. 

Another thing here is that your bone structure is inherent to you and as you grow, it grows and changes as well, making it possible for one to have a different body shape over some years. However, adjusting your weight can impact your fit or size. That is, if you work on your bust, tummy area, and glutes, your body size will certainly change with it, and overall the fitting you get from clothes can tilt toward the body shape you are working for.