We’ve all done it. We reached for that beautiful gown that looked oh so perfect on the hanger. We saw ourselves in it. Dancing in the meadows overgrown with daisies and sunflowers and riding wild horses with their hair flapping in the wind…or is that just me?
Then, we take this dress and try it on, only to find that it’s not flattering and definitely not comfortable and absolutely not “dancing in the meadows overgrown with daisies and sunflowers and riding wild horses with their hair flapping in the wind” material. I know. It’s terribly disappointing and I hate it just as much as you do.
But there’s hope! Hope for every girl in every body. First thing is first. What is your body type? I have a guide here for you to use:
Hourglass Body Shape – Think Marilyn Monroe. All the right body in all the right places with a defined waistline. The shoulders and hips are the same but the waist is very defined without any help. A dress with a plunging neckline and tucked in waistline is something this gal can get away with wearing. Paneled waists and wrap dresses look wonderful.
H Body Shape – A spinoff of the hourglass but a little more on the petite side. Think Jessica Alba. These types of bodies look well in tailored apparel.
Apple Body Shape – Think Catherine Zeta Jones. If you have this body type, I personally think she dresses the best for her type. Hips and Breasts are the same width and the middle is the widest part. Ways to give illusion to a waist is to use color contrasts between the top and bottom, add ruching and use a large belt.
Pear Body Shape – Think Beyonce. Hips all the way around. Big enough to tap into those beliefs that these women are the best for childbearing. These body shapes have shoulders that are narrower than their waists, therefore, it is easy to bring flair this area. Embrace the puffed sleeved trend or maintain that off the shoulder because nobody can pull this off better or make it look more feminine than you.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape – Think Angelina Jolie. Full breasts and skinny everywhere else. It’s what I think I look like until I look in the mirror and I’m like “hmmm” the picture in my head looks different. :))) This body type seems to make everything look elegant due to their broader shoulders, everything just hangs…its the hanger illusion. Wear halter tops, palazzo pants and assymetric lines.
Rectangle Body Shape – Think Nicole Kidman. The coveted model’s look. Perfect proportion from top to bottom, no change between shoulders, waist or hips. The 90’s style looks very well on this body type. Unlike the pear, rectangles can wear low rise jeans and a line skirts. These body types can dress very girly without looking like a little girl. Anything fit and flare looks good.