Getting Dressed

Dress Your Shape

Published by Jess on October 13, 2007 05:52 pm under Appearance, Body & Mind, Image, Self & Self Esteem, Women

Each part of our body that we adorn with clothing or accessories has specific measurements. Depending on brand and our body measurements we can range several sizes and departments (petite, misses, or womens).

Taking the focus off of a specific size allows us to prepare our body for any occasion with elegance and grace. Oh, and I almost forgot… with ease.

Once we know basic measurements (insert link to shapely) we can determine what tips will help us create the look to support the image we want to portray.

Hourglass
	Measurement Characteristics Hips and shoulders are similar, waist is different. Defined waist, straight shoulders, curvy not overly voluptuous behind.	Create Balance and Polish By Emphasize figure-8, try flowing and simple patterned fabrics to accentuate curves. Belts and wraps will show off waist. Flowing materials add shape without adding bulk.
Straight
	Measurement Characteristics All three measurements very similar, maybe identical. Almost flat behind, average to no waistline	Create Balance and Polish By Create curves with clothing to create a waist line. Busy patterns take away from overall look. V-neck and belts add definition, so do ruffles and flowing material.
Marquise
	Measurement Characteristics Waist measurement is the largest of the three, hips and shoulders are similar. Full waist, potentially short waist, mass is around the middle.	Create Balance and Polish By Work to elongate body and deemphasize waist. Longer top pieces keep attention away from waist. Straight lines, vertical ones, create length. Work with lose cuts that do not hug mid-section.
Pear
	Measurement Characteristics Hips and waist similar measurement, shoulders much smaller. Full round hips and large thighs.	Create Balance and Polish By Balance upper body by adding width to shoulders. Try boat necks, cowl necks, ruffles, etc. Fitted pieces should not end anywhere on hips or thighs - tops should end at widest part of hip or mid-thigh. Simple patterned bottom pieces minimize width to balance shoulders.
Heart
	Measurement Characteristics Shoulders the largest measurement, hips and waist smaller and similar. Narrow hips and potentially thin legs.	Create Balance and Polish By Visually balance hips with heavier materials and patterns. Textures and layering of bottom pieces add width. Keep all top pieces simple.

This is a starting point for you. As you dress each day observe how much you own that does or does not flatter your natural shape.

A recommendation is to slowly remove anything that does not flatter you and help you create the balanced and polished look you want.

Updating pieces may take some time, however since we regularly update our wardrobe with an item or two each season and as stuff wears out make a pact with yourself to only buy replacements that flatter you and bring attention to the beautiful body you have today.

3 Comments so far

Only one clothing size? Probably not. « Getting Dressed on October 27th, 2007

[...] what size we are in the brands that flatter our body shape is more important than what the size [...]
Correct Fit Flatters Your Body Shape « Getting Dressed on November 17th, 2007

[...] talk about body shape, and here are some excellent resources that compliment GettingDressed.com’s Dress Your Shape [...]
Enhance Your Non-Verbal Communication « Getting Dressed on June 15th, 2008

[...] if we only owned clothing that flattered our body shape and that made us feel good? If we didn’t have fat clothes, would we feel fat? Sure we may feel [...]

Trackback URI | Subscribe to the comments through RSS Feed

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Dress Your Shape

Hourglass

Straight

Pear

Heart

3 Comments so far

Leave a reply

Categories

Archives