How to dress for your body type

It is really important to know your body shape, to wear the right clothes. Follow your luxury streetwear blog to find how to enhance your style and dress for your body type. I have put together a guide for five main body shapes for men & women. Rhomboid, triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle and oval.

Rhomboid Body Shape

· Broad shoulders and bust

· Narrow hips and waist

· Medium to large bust

· Horizontal figure type versus vertical figure type

· Has waist definition

· Has a proportioned body

· Legs are in proportion, but this body type may also have shorter legs

· Facial shape also rounded – either oval, long oval or round

Ideal body shape. This shape can wear many silhouettes and does not need to rely on clothing tricks to create a flattering figure. Remember to wear clothes which fit close to body and recommend suits as often as possible. Baggy and shapeless styles do nothing to flatter a look.

Triangle Body Shape (Pear)

· Small to Medium size frame

· Narrow or sloping shoulders

· Hips wider than shoulders and bust line

· Body larger below the waist than above

· May have small bust line

· Large hips

· Full legs, sometimes short legged

· This body type is also known as ‘pear shaped’

· Facial shapes usually with angles

Balance the upper body by creating visual width, use shoulder pads and lighter colours on top, darker on the bottom. Wear tops with pleats, epaulettes, ruffles and patch pockets. Wear simple and straight or slightly tapered trousers without pleats or gathers at the waist.

Colourful accessories can be worn around the neckline and shoulder area. Avoid adding visual to the hip area with long jackets. Instead, choose jackets that are cropped or box style.

Avoid tight fitting jeans and opt instead for a straight cut leg; solid colour shoes in a matching shade serve to elongate the leg.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

· Shoulders wider than the hips

· Body larger above the waist than below

· Small hips and flat derriere

· Legs are shaped well

· May have full bust

· Clothes hanger shoulders

· May have short legs combined with broad shoulders

· Sporty/athletic physique

· Facial shape usually with angles

Wear darker colours on top, lighter colours on the bottom. ‘V’ necks elongate the upper body. If wearing loose clothing that falls from the shoulder, belt at the waist to create definition.

create Gathered skirts and flared hems look great on this body type. Wear wide legged trousers to visual balance below the waist. Use horizontal stripes and patterns.

This shape can wear halter tops well.

Use accessories and jewellery to visually elongate the torso (scarves, long necklines, ...). Define the waist with belts or wrapped sweaters.

Rectangle Body Shape (Square)

· Very little or no waist definition

· Hips and shoulders look balanced

· Vertical body type

· Small derriere

· Legs are usually long

· Waist measurement from 1” to 8” smaller than the bust

· Very common figure type as women age or gain weight

· This body type is also known as ‘square’

· Facial shapes have sharp and square lines

Wear fitted jackets with defined shoulders (pads, lines, seams, …). Wear dresses with waist accents to help create illusion of waistline. Wear gathers and pleats at the waist. Trousers should be fitted with slight flair at the bottom. Jackets with waist defining lines are good. Vertical lines will help elongate the figure. Depending on facial shape, wide necklines are also good.

Round Body Shape (Diamond, Oval)

· Apple shape, fullness at midriff

· Smaller shoulders and full neck

· Shape created by weight gain

· No waits definition

· Bust, waist and hips are very close in measurements

· Horizontal body line

· Legs are in great shapes

· May have short legs combined with broad shoulders

· Facial shape also round and curved

Proportion the top half of the body by wearing shoulder pads. Choose ‘V’ necklines and vertical design lines. (Draped scarves, long necklaces, ...)

Prints work well as long as they are medium in scale, not tiny and not oversized.

Dark solid colours on the inside, lighter colours on the outside. Wear skirts only if they fall past the knee, and with the same colour hosiery and shoes.

I hope the guide gives you all the answer to your questions, you can also email us at info@noirnice.com for more information or fill up the contact form on our website.