Dressing the Body

Feminine Body Shapes

Triangle/Pear 
Has hips and bottom that are wider than the waist, bust, and
shoulders. Short legs with full thighs are common characteristics.
Goal
 To balance the shoulders with the bottom half and draw the eye
upwards by creating the appearance of a wider upper body.

Use
 Horizontal necklines and lines in upper bodice
 Bright or lighter colors
 Texture and shine on top half
 Padded shoulders or shoulder pads
 Cap sleeves or short sleeves with details
 Tailored tops and bodices with lots of detail
 Vertical lines and seams for lower body
 Inset pockets
 Contrasting colors and details at center front
 Accessories and designs that draw the attention to the upper body
 Boot leg and straight pants
 Layered tops
 Belts and design details to emphasis the waist

Avoid
 Bands, yokes, and hemlines at the hips
 Design details that bring the eye down to the hips
 Pleated skirts or pants
 Baggy garments
 Garments that add bulk to the hips

Inverted Triangle or Strawberry

Has shoulders that are wider than the waist and the hips. A larger bust,
narrow hips, slim legs, and flat bottom are common characteristics. Fat is
mainly distributed in the abdomen, chest, and face.
Goal
 To narrow the shoulders, add fullness to bottom half for balance, and
draw the eye downwards. You styles that create the illusion of the
perfect hourglass body shape.

Use
 Sleeveless styles and diagonal shoulder seam lines that direct the eye
towards the neck (such as halter tops)
 Dark and flat colors on top with minimal or strategically placed texture
 V-necklines
 Flowing Fabrics
 Properly fitted bras
 Three-quarter length sleeves
 Flared or wide-leg pants
 A-line skirts
 Flared and full skirts
 Stiffer fabrics
 Horizontal lines at the bottom
 Flounces and ruffles from hip to hem
 Light or bright color
 Textured details at the bottom

Avoid
 Shoulder and cap-sleeve detail. This would draw attention to the
shoulder area, rather than minimizing it.
 Adding bulk to upper body and sleeves ex. (extra layers, oversized
sleeves, etc.)
 High necklines
 Big collared skirts
 Tapered skirt and pants

Rectangle
Has shoulders that are nearly the same width and a waist that is the same
or slightly narrower. The figure may be either broad or narrow, but the
shape is generally consistent. Usually a boyish look with small/medium bust
with slender arms and legs.
Goal
 To add or enhance curves and define a waist.

Use
 Light and bright colors at shoulders and hems
 Diagonal lines at shoulders and hem to direct the eye toward the
center front
 Vertical details (darts, princess seams, waistbands) at the center of
the body/waist
 Design details that widen the shoulder, bust, and hips
 Shoulder pads
 Semi-fitted clothing
 Dresses that wrap or flow through the waistline
 Straight to gently flared flat-fronted pants
 A-line skirts

Avoid
 Contrasting colors at the waist
 Clingy fabric and fitted clothes
 Clothes that are too baggy
 Narrow skirts

Hourglass 
Has shoulders and hips about the same width and a well-defined waist that
is at least 8-10 inches smaller in circumference.
Goal
 To emphasize the waist and maintain existing balance without adding
bulk

Use
 Lines and details that draw the eye to the waist ex. (seams, belts,
etc.)
 Style lines of the garments should draw the eye right to the waist
 Fitted and simi-fitted fabric
 Soft, clingy, flowing fabrics
 Low to medium-low necklines
 Dresses with defined waistlines
 Gently flared pants and skirts
 Belts and accessories around the waist

Avoid
 Adding volume at shoulders and hips
 Concealing or widening the waist with fabric that is too loose

Diamond
Has an undefined waist with a large and high stomach. They may also have
a full or flat bottom.
Goal
 To create the illusion of a longer, inverted triangle body shape and
draw attention upwards towards the shoulders and face.

Use
 Earrings, necklaces, and focal points to draw the eye up
 Semi-fitted and loose fitting clothes
 Good undergarments
 Tops and bottoms in the same colors
 Low Necklines
 Un-tucked tops that do not emphasize the stomach
 Tops and dresses that flow through the waistline
 Straight and slightly flared skirts

Avoid
 Clingy fabrics
 Colors and detail that draw eye to waist
 Fitted clothes
 Fabric with large patterns
 High necklines
 Belts
 Tucked-in tops
 Pleats
 Narrow or tapered skirts or pants

Round/Oval/Apple 
Has shoulders and hips that are narrower than the waist. The waist is
rounded and wider from both front and side views.
Goal
 To drawn attention away from the waist and upwards toward the
shoulders and face. Use design elements that can make the waist look
slimmer and create an hourglass look.

Use
 Dimension and interest at shoulders and hips
 Earrings, necklaces, and other focal points
 Semi-fitted and loose fitting clothing
 Very fitted bras and supportive underwear to minimize the stomach
 Tops and bottoms in the same colors
 Low necklines
 Tops and dresses that flow through the waistline
 Flared skirts,
 Wrist length and short sleeves
 Vertical and diagonal details at the body’s vertical center
 Lighter colors above and below the center panel will create the illusion
that the shoulder, chest and hip areas are wider than the waist.
 Belts and design elements that accentuate a smaller waist

Avoid
 Tops that extend far past the hips
 Clingy fabrics
 Tight fitted clothes
 Fabric with large patterns
 High necklines
 Pleated skirts
 Sleeveless garments
Universal Appeal
The Defined Waist
 A defined waist works on all body types because it defines the smallest
part of the waist.
 You can take the basic style and change the neckline, shoulder,
sleeves, length, and amount of flare in the skirt to work the best with
each different body type.
Masculine Body Shapes

Triangle
Has a larger waist and hips in relation to the top part of the body.

Goal
 To create balance and make the body appear proportional

Use
 Tailored patterned blazers create the illusion of shape and take the
focus away from the waist
 Vertical stripes
 Jackets with structured shoulders
 Shoulder pads
 Single-breasted suits
 Bright colors and patterns on the top but more neutral on the waist
 Accessories to draw the eye up (ties, bowties, pocket squares, glasses,
etc)
 Wide and straight leg pants
Avoid
 Double-breasted jackets
 Jacket with slouchy shoulders
 Fitted skirts
 Bright colors and busy prints
 Bold Belts
 Skinny fit and extreme tapered pants

Inverted Triangle
Has broad shoulders and chest and a slimmer waist and hips

Goal
 To show off the natural body shape.

Use
 Close-fitting clothes
 Clean, sharp lines
 Horizontal stripes
 Slim-fit shirts
 Regular V-neck T-shirts
 Straight-leg pants
 Slim-fit jackets
 Good tailoring of clothing

Avoid
 Large lapels
 Suit jackets with extra shoulder padding
 Prints, patterns, and scoop necklines
Rectangle
Has shoulders that are roughly the same width as their waist and hips.
Usually tall and thin frames are characteristics of this shape.

Goal
 Widen the shoulders and add the effect of a slight taper from the top
down and a nipped in middle. Horizontal stripes

Use
 Horizontal stripes
 Button details on top of t-shirts
 Structured jackets
 Layered looks
 Scarves
 Prints, color pops, and detailing

Avoid
 Double-breasted jackets
 Added bulk around the middle

Oval
Has a stomach that is wider than the shoulders and hips. Bodies tend to be
stocky with shorted, broader limps that widen at their midpoints.
Goal
 To slim and frame the body and draw the attention upward to the face

Use
 Suspenders
 Comfortable loose pants at the waist
 Pleats
 Well tailored shirts
 Tight-fitted clothing
 Wider collars
 Dark, single-breasted jackets
 Neckties, bowties

Avoid
 Tight belts or paints at the waist, no pinches or wrinkles
 Patterns and visual clutter that draws the attention to the waist

Trapezoid

Has a waist that is the narrowest point of the body but not extreme. This is
the shape that most men’s wear is made for.
Goal
 Showcase the body shape

Use
 Close fitted, tailored clothing
 Vertical stripes
 Jackets that taper in the waist
 Neckties
 Clean lines

Avoid
 Baggy clothing