Knowing your Body Shape is the first step towards Dressing Well. Let’s understand how the Shape of You should help you in making apparel choices.
I’m in love with the shape of you We push and pull like a magnet do …….
Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I I’m in love with your body ……
Lovely song, Isn’t it…
Well , this article has nothing to do with this Ed Sheeran’s creation but everything to do with your shape.
Men and women both come in all shapes and sizes, some are tall and lanky while others are short and stout. Some might have heavier torsos while others might have thunder thighs. There could be those with longer arms, while there could be some with longer legs. And then there are those admired by everyone in unison for their more than perfect bodies.
Now, whether perfect or imperfect, everyone wants to look good. And the very first step towards looking good starts with understanding your body shape.
Knowing body shape aids one in making better wardrobe choices and gives a clarity on what you should actually purchase, thus, saving your valuable time and money. Well, one important thing to acknowledge is that your body shape might change due to weight loss, weight gain or due to a particular life phase like pregnancy.
So, here are certain body shape categories that each one of us falls into.
Below are certain expert tips for dressing each body shape so that you can have an impactful presence where ever you go. Let’s delve into knowing ourselves.
1. Triangular
How to know if you are a Triangle : When you have narrower shoulders and wider hips or thighs.
Examples : Ileana D’cruz, Neha Dhupia, Aamir Khan in Dangal
Images : “Neha dhupia iifa press confrence 2012” by Bollywood Hungama, licensed under CC BY 3.0 ; “Ileana Dcruz at the launch of ‘Barfi!’ promo” by Bollywood Hungama, licensed under CC BY 3.0
What to Wear :
Women : The trending Off Shoulder and One shoulder Tops are just meant for you. Also, you can opt for shirts and tops with embroideries and embellishments around the neck and shoulders. Choose shirts with wide collars and blouses with knots.
Wear Darker coloured trousers/ denims/ skirts. Choose those that are straight fitting. Palazzos, culottes and boot cuts (the coming back trend) are going to look great on you.
Men : Wear lighter coloured shirts. You can have them in vertical stripes as well. Go for horizontal lined prints on shoulder area; have epaulets, embroidery, wider collars and lapels. Have shoulder pads in coats and keep them single breasted.
Go for Darker coloured trousers/ denims that are straight fitting. You can also, choose boot cuts.
2. Inverted Triangle
How to know if you are an Inverted Triangle : When you have wider shoulders and narrower hips or thighs.
Examples : PV Sindhu, Mandira Bedi, Hritik Roshan, Dwayne Johnson
Images : “Hercules Premiere, Event Cinemas Sydney Australia” by Eva Rinaldi, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 ; “Mandira Bedi, Raj Kaushal at Esha Deol’s wedding reception” by Bollywood Hungama, licensed under CC BY 3.0
What to wear :
Women: Choose darker colours for tops. V-necks, U-necks and halter necks will look good on you. Wrap style and peplum tops could be your go tos. Have prints, embellishments etc. in the centre away from shoulders.
Most inverted triangle women have great legs, so flaunt them. Pick full skirts and those with pockets. Have printed denims, boyfriend denims, distressed denims, cargos, palazzos, culottes, straight fits etc. but avoid leggings and slim fits.
Men: Men crave to be inverted triangles since this body shape is considered sort of ideal and almost all male actors can be seen flaunting it.
Well, if you too have an inverted triangle body shape, pick polo t-shirts, crew necks and avoid V-necks. You can choose raglan sleeved t-shirts. Shirts with vertical stripes and horizontal stripes below chest would look great on you. Avoid shoulder pads in coats, double breasted will do.
Choose regular or straight fit trousers, printed ones will also look good.
3. Rectangle
How to know if you are a Rectangle : When you have similar width in shoulders, waist, hips and thighs.
Examples : Arjun Kapoor, Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz
Images : “Arjun Kapoor at ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’ screening” by Bollywood Hungama, licensed under CC BY 3.0 ; “Drew Barrymore 2” by David Shankbone , licensed under GFDL, CC BY-SA 3.0
What to wear :
Women: You can wear Boat necks; Off Shoulder, flare sleeved, wrap style and peplum tops and those with embroidery, ruffles, knots and collars at the neck. Have pocketed styles – in short tops that have some designing on the chest and shoulders.
Have full skirts, boot cuts, straight and skinny denims/ trousers. These can have some embroidery/ embellishments or dramatic pockets on the hip and thigh area.
Belts can be used to define a waist in dresses.
Men: Have Horizontal striped shirts and prints. Have those with pockets, collars, epaulets etc. The lapels for coats can be a little wider with shoulder pads and have these single breasted. You can use scarves, pocket squares etc. Layering would be helpful as it well help you to bulk on the torso.
All trouser/ denim styles would work for you.
4. Hourglass
How to know if you are an Hourglass : When you have larger shoulders and hips but a small waist
Examples : Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty Kundra
Images : “Dita Von Teese in Zac Posen” by The Heart Truth ; “Priyanka Chopra at Karan Johar’s 40th birthday bash at Taj Lands End” by Bollywood Hungama, licensed under CC BY 3.0
What to wear :
Women : This is considered an Ideal body shape for women with full and balanced bust and hips and a narrow waist.
Choose wrap style, peplum tops or tops/dresses with belts so as accentuate your waistline. Go for darker coloured shirts, tops. Have V-necks, Halter Necks, Sharp collars and lapels. Having some embellishments or work on the neck areas is a good option. Go for vertical stripes.
For trousers, opt for darker colours. Straight fit , Slim fit and boot legs – all will look great on you. You can experiment with a wide variety of skirts as well.
Just make sure that you avoid anything in tops and bottoms that make you look bulky.
Men: This is not a body shape for men.
5. Diamond
How to know if you are a Diamond : When you have narrower shoulders and hips but a wider waist.
Examples : Bharti Singh, Melissa McCarthy, Zach Galifianakis, Varun Sharma (Fukrey)
Images : “En 2016 at The boss presentation” by eva rinaldi, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, “Sharma at the screening of Shweta Rohira’s short film ‘Parineeti’” by Bollywood Hungama, licensed under CC BY 3.0
What to wear :
Women : Have tops that are wrap style with nipped or belted waists. Emphasize shoulders by choosing tops with shoulder pads.Go for flutter, princess, butterfly or other flared sleeve designs. Have some embellishments or designing on the neck and shoulder area. Off shoulders and wider necks will look great on you.
Avoid wearing very clingy trousers/ denims, rather have straight fits and boot cuts for yourself. Choose A-line skirts, those that have a comfortable fit and again, aren’t clingy.
Men : Have patterns and detailing across the chest and shoulders. Go for vertical striped shirts. Shoulder pads in shirts and coats will help you get a balanced look.
Choose single breasted coats that have wider lapels. Having epaulets is also a good idea. Wear ties.
Wear dark coloured trousers in regular and straight fits. Have simple pockets and avoid pleats.
6. Rounded
How to know if you are a Rounded : when you have a larger figure with rounded body lines.
Examples : Ram Kapoor, Kevin James, Rebel Wilson, Delnaaz Irani
Images : “Rebel Wilson at the A Few Best Men movie premiere in Sydney.” by Eva Rinaldi, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0; “Ram Kapoor with Deepak Bhanushali on the Shoot of Bade ache lagetey hai on ONCE MORE STUDIOS location” by Wiking32 , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
What to wear :
Women : Have tops that are wrap style with nipped or belted waists. Emphasize shoulders by choosing tops with shoulder pads. Have some embellishments or designing on the neck and shoulders. Wide, deep V and square necks will look great on you. A-line tops or tunics can be chosen as well.
Avoid wearing very clingy trousers/ denims, rather have straight/ regular fits and boot cuts for yourself. Choose A-line skirts, those that have a comfortable fit and again, aren’t clingy.
Men : Have patterns and detailing across the chest and shoulders. Go for vertical striped shirts. Shoulder pads in shirts and coats will help you get a balanced look. Choose single breasted coats that have wider lapels. Ties and suspenders are good for you.
Wear dark coloured trousers in regular and straight fits. Have simple pockets and pleats to help yourself be comfortable.
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