Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or so they say. Imperfections really ARE what make us perfect but nonetheless, that really doesn’t take away any of the insecurity on those days where nothing seems to fit. You know what days I’m talking about - Those days when you shamefully go to that unearthly section in your closet, painfully referred to as the “fat” clothes shelf.  As I get older, more and more of these days seem to occur as I unsuccessfully try to convince myself that it is my clothes dryer’s fault that nothing fits, that it is an appliance spawned from evil, out to shrink all of my beloved garments and make me feel chunky.

If you are a part of the 98% of the population who does not have that stereotypical “perfect” figure, then you have most likely been in my predicament also. But fear not, taking charge and not letting those judgemental inner voices take over is easier than you think. Clever dressing is not a myth. Dressing to your body type can shave off those extra pounds, extenuate your goods and let you really embrace the goddess in you, no matter how thin or voluptuous you may be.

The first step to doing this is determining your body type.

	Triangle Shape (referred to as a Pear shape) - Bust-line is proportionally narrower than full hip-line - Narrow shoulders - Full thighs and bottom
	Inverted Triangle - Large bust or broad shoulders - Narrow hips with well-defined waist - Long-legged vertical body shape - Flat bottom
	Rectangle - Bust-line and hip-line are about the same width - Little waist definition - Small to medium bust - May look shorter or heavier than you really are
	Diamond (also referred to as an Apple shape) - Waistline is undefined - Large, high abdomen - Full bottom or flat bottom
	Oval (referred to as an Apple shape) - Overall appearance of being round – especially around waistline - Waistline is undefined - Large, low abdomen - Wide hips
	Hourglass Figure - Hip-line and Bust-line are about the same width - Waist is well defined - Balanced vertical body shape

 
 DRESSING THE TRIANGLE FIGURE
If you have a triangle-shaped body, the goal is to minimize the appearance of your hips by balancing out the top half of your body through details and emphasis.  

Quick tips: Not many body types can experiment with extravagant sleeves on tops but they are perfect for triangles. You are really going to want to keep your bottom half as simple and structured as possible, focusing all the interest and excitement on your top and shoulder area. Colours, shoulder details, ruffles, rushing, large collars and other embellishments are all features that will draw eyes upward, so you can really have fun with your look.
Avoid lengths that end at the wider area of your body. The curvier your bottom, the longer and wider your pants should be in order to balance out your shape.
 

Try: Flared or fluted sleeves, wide necklines (boat neck, sweetheart neck, and large cowls); detailed tops (ruffles, rushing, collars, zippers, etc.); and pointy-toed or almond-toed shoes.
Avoid: Cargo pants; waist pleats; hip embellishments; detailed pant pockets; and ankle strapped shoes.

DRESSING THE INVERTED TRIANGLE FIGURE
The main goal with the inverted triangle-shaped body is to soften your shoulders, define your waist and add curve to your bottom.

Quick Tips: Stay away from any shoulder details such as epaulettes, tight armholes or overly puffy sleeves. Instead, try soft, draped fabrics that skim over your frame. For casual wear, the length of your tops should either hit just below your hipbone or a few inches above the crotch. A straight-legged pant will also help balance out your shape.

Try: “A-line” silhouettes; wrap dresses and tops; tailored or belted jackets; Empire waist dresses; deep or narrow V-necks; thick strapped tops; cargo pants; boot-cut or wide-legged pants; and knee-length or pencil skirts.
Avoid: Wide necklines; detailed or extravagant shoulders or sleeves; halter necks; bold horizontal lines; and thin strapped tops.

DRESSING THE RECTANGLE FIGURE
Having a rectangle body shape type gives you the appearance of being naturally athletic and well-proportioned. Although dressing this body type is probably one of the less restrictive in terms of trying to balance out your shape, learning how to define your waist and create curves will emphasize your features.

Quick Tips: Wearing tight fitted pants or skirts is a good idea with this shape as your body will naturally showcase its curves. Voluminous garments and dresses are made for you as straight body shapes look amazing with straight styles. Thick belts or waist details are essential to emphasis and define a waist.
Try: Sack dresses; pants with full or moderately flared legs; boot-cut pants; belted jackets; wrap dresses; high necklines (such as crew, turtle, polo or halter); and button-down shirts.
Avoid: Baggy clothing; vertical patterns; thin belts; and cropped jackets.

DRESSING THE OVAL AND DIAMOND FIGURE
Both of these body types tend to have no defined waistline and overall appearance of being round. To reverse this effect, the main goal is to lengthen the body and draw the attention upwards to the shoulders and face.
Quick Tips: Stay away from tapered pants as they tend to off-set the visual balance of the body by emphasizing the widest areas of the midsection. Having said that, have fun with choosing your tops. Tops that have detailed shoulders or fitted bosom areas are especially flattering as it will draw your eyes up and create the illusion of a smaller waistline.

Try: Tops with belted waists; embellished sleeves (princess, flutter, flared); off the shoulder necklines; wide V or U necks; pants or skirts that fall straight from the widest area of your bottom; dark coloured bottoms.
Avoid: Fitted and tight clothing; large patterns; belts; tapered bottoms; pleats; and high necklines.

DRESSING THE HOURGLASS FIGURE
The hourglass figure has long been thought of as the ideal feminine shape as can be referenced through many paintings and sculptures. Despite being a highly envied body type, there are still a few key tips to making sure you showcase your best features.

Quick Tips: Simplicity is a good rule to follow with this body type. Your figure itself is sure to draw enough attention when teamed with classic, tailored cuts so over doing it with too many embellishments will tend to look over done. Be sure to have correctly fitted and tailored tops and jackets in the bosom area to help emphasize the beauty in this body shape.

Try: Scooped or V necklines; wrap tops; belted tops; wide-legged pants; pencil skirts; and fitted and tailored jackets.
Avoid: High necklines; thick belts; smocks; embellished sleeves; and tapered paints.

This fall, don’t hide behind your “fat” clothes. Embrace your personal style by understanding how to bring out and truly showcase your features, as well as have fun with how you are presenting yourself. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Not anymore- it’s time to show the WHOLE world what beauty is all about!

DO YOU HAVE ANY OF YOUR OWN FASHION TIPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? COMMENT BELOW AND TRADE SOME STYLE SECRETS!

 *Illustrations by Steffany Gundling*

OCTOBER 2011 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND