CURATED BY SHARRA GREENE
Fit is everything. My top priority when styling a client is always educating them on specific techniques that work for their unique shape. Knowing what typically works for your figure and what doesn’t saves so much time when shopping and raiding your closet.
There are literally soooo many different body types out there and they all have a unique beauty about them but regardless of the variety, MOST figures tend to fall under one of the categories below, based on their proportions. To find out which one you are, use my guide below featuring some of my fav celeb stylistas who dress amazingly for their unique body types!
THE “HOURGLASS” SHAPE
According to Healthline, “if your hips and bust are nearly equal in size and you have a contoured waist that’s narrower than both, you have an hourglass shape. Your legs and upper body are probably considered proportionate. Your shoulders may be slightly rounded, and you most likely have a rounded butt.”
Celebs you can look to for inspo with an hourglass shape include Beyonce, Jlo, and Lala Anthony.
General Styling Tips for the Hourglass Shape:
choose pieces that hug the body, showcase waist, legs, & hips
Go To Styles for The Hourglass Shape:
a line dresses & skirts - this exagerates your slim waist
high waist pencil skirts
high waisted slim fit or skinny leg jeans - this draws attention to your symmetrical proportions
vertical prints - shows off the length of your frame
cropped jackets that show off your long torso
bodycon jumpsuits & one pieces
Styles to (Typically) Avoid on an Hourglass Shape
boxy dresses - these don’t always look bad but they completely hide your bomb shape
avoid a skirt hem that ends at the widest part of your legs - this can widen your bottom half, sometimes in an unflattering way
THE “PEAR” SHAPE
Healthline states, “if you have a pear body shape, you have a clearly defined waist, your hips are larger than your waist, you have a longer neck and proportionately slim arms and shoulders. You first gain weight in your legs and butt, followed by your stomach and upper body.”
Celebs with a pear body shape include, Rihanna (depending on the era), Sarah Jakes Roberts, & Ashley Graham. Note: Though these womens’ shapes appear TOTALLY different, their actual proportions are all similar to each other.
General Styling Tips for the Pear Shape:
accentuate thighs, bring attention to neckline & shoulders.
Go to Styles for Pear Shape:
blouses tucked into low waist bottoms
fit & flare dresses - this flatters your waist and hips
voluminous layers (coats, blazers, jacket, etc.) paired with slim fitting pants or bodycon skirts - this creates balance if you have a smaller bust area
flowy fabrics
V necks & plunging necklines
Styles to (Typically) Avoid for the Pear Shape:
Fabrics that are too structured or heavy with no cinching at the waist - this can tend to swallow your shape up
boxy dresses without a belt
THE “APPLE” SHAPE
Healthline says, “if you have an apple body shape, then you have a wide torso, broad shoulders, a full bust, waist, & upper back. Those with an apple body shape tend to have thinner arms & legs and tend to gain weight at their waistlines/ midsection.”
Celebs who dress impeccably with an apple body shape include Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson, & Claire Sulmers.
General Styling Tips for the Apple Shape:
elevate legs with a nice pair of heels to define calf muscles, showcase thighs, and show subtle, small peaks of skin around chest & mid section to make your looks more dynamic.
Go to Styles for Apple Shape:
long tunics & peplum tops
a line circle skirts that emphasize hip area and narrow the waist
bardot (off the shoulder) tops - these showcase your gorgeous shoulders
High-low dresses - these give you height while showcasing your beautiful leg shape
high waisted bell bottoms & wide leg pants
pieces with ruffle details - this adds more depth and dimension to your shape.
Styles to (Typically) Avoid for the Apple Shape:
Crop tops paired with a low waist bottom - this can widen your midsection
busy horizontal prints
THE “SLENDER” SHAPE
This term is usually referred to as “square” but I don’t like that term so I call this one slender. According to Livestrong, this body shape is characterized by “the top and bottom halves of your body being similar in size. There’s only a small variation between your waist and hip areas, and you have a lean midsection.”
Celebs with a slender body shape include Kelly Rowland, Karrueche, and Jourdan Dunn.
General Styling Tips for the Slender Body Shape:
Show off midsection, use layers to add volume.
Go to Styles for the Slender Shape:
dresses & tops with sexy chest & midsection cut outs
cargo pants & baggy low waist bottoms that add some width to a slim frame
bodycon dresses with thick belts that cinch at the waist
ankle boots that showcase the length of your legs
Styles to (Typically) Avoid for Slender Shape
oversized pieces that tend to swallow you up and hide your shape
Again, this is simply a guide! Personal style is all about having fun and experimenting with your look BUT following these guidelines have helped me to create some BOMB looks for my clients that made them feel truly confident with their unique silhouette. I hope they do the same for you!