Women's Body Types and How to Dress Them

How to determine if you are an "A"
The hip measurement will be the largest, with narrow shoulders and defined waist. If in doubt, take the shoulder measurement and add 5%. This will give you the minimum hip measurement to be considered an A.
If you are an A

What to do: Distract attention from hips. Divert attention to shoulder/chest area

What to wear: Fur collars, scarves draped horizontal will help to balance out hips. Close fitting necklace, punchy earrings

What to avoid: Anything that creates a horizontal line across hips - low slung belt, tops that end at the widest part, pants with pockets that create this horizontal line

Some suggestions:
-Jackets with strong shoulders or large lapels help to balance out hips
-Boot cut pants will slenderize hips
-Dark on the bottom always diminishes
-Jackets should end above or below the widest part of hip
-Use your accessories to give some flash to your upper body
-Horizontal lines on a vest add width to shoulders
-Flare leg balances out hips
-A-line skirt will balance out hips
-Graphic details on a top keep the attention on the upper half
-Light on top, dark on the bottom is a quick and easy way to divert attention to the upper half. The eye will always go to the lighter colour.
-Add an accessory at the neck as a double whammy to keep focus on top

The photo
This is an example of applying the light on top/dark on bottom approach, and adding a colourful accessory near the neck (the scarf). These garments are part of the Optionelle (now Eveology) spring/summer 2009 fashion collection, further information on which you can find in my Eveology lens. And of course a link to the latest fashions on the main Eveology site!

How to Determine if you are a "T"
The shoulder or bust measurement will be the largest. If in doubt, take the hip measurement and add 5%. This will give you the minimum shoulder measurement to be considered a T.
If you are a T

What to do: Distract attention from shoulders. Divert attention to slender hips

What to wear:Create the illusion of v neckline or slimming vertical line with longer necklaces. Bangles or chunky bracelets divert attention to your wrist, which is naturally close to hip area. Belts slung across hips are an instant way to balance slim hips with wide shoulders. Stand out shoe will divert attention

What to avoid: Avoid large lapels, shoulder pads or sleeve gathers that will emphasize your broad upper half. Horizontal lines across shoulders or bust area

Some suggestions:
-Create the V-neckline by unbuttoning the top two buttons of shirt - it will slim
down shoulders
-Stripes will hold your attention at the lower part of body
-Double whammy by adding longer necklace to slim upper half
-Light on the bottom, dark on top will keep attention southward
-V-necklines, turtlenecks or a deep scoop slim down broad shoulders
-Halters or straps that are closer to the neck will slim shoulders. Halter draws eye to
focus on collar bone rather than shoulders
-Head to toe colour always creates a streamline silhouette
-Choose pants that flare at the bottom to balance hips
-Bottoms that have a detail like buttons, a print or embellishment divert attention to
lower half
-Jackets that cinch in at the waist and then flare at hips create the illusion of needed
volume in the hips
-Slim skirt makes hips look wider to balance shoulders

The photo
This is an example of creating a V neckline, using stripes or other detail on the bottom to divert attention, and adding a longer necklace to slim the upper half. These garments are part of the Optionelle (now Eveology) spring/summer 2009 fashion collection, further information on which you can find in my Eveology lens. And of course a link to the latest fashions on the main Eveology site!

How to Determine if you are an "H"
Hip and shoulder measurements will be the same (or very close) and the waist will be very similar or larger than the hip or shoulder measurement. Take the hip or the shoulder measurement (remember that these will practically be the same) and subtract 25%. This will give you the minimum waist measurement to be considered an H.
If you are an H

What to do: Distract from waist. Create curves. Divert attention to upper and lower body

What to wear: Belts - if slim or average with long torso, can use at waist to pull the eye inward and create waist, otherwise avoid in this area. A low slung belt can add volume to the hips and make waist smaller by comparison. Attention begging footwear will help to emphasize your slender legs

What to avoid: Boxy cut, gathered pants that will hide your slender lower half. Detail at your middle

Some suggestions:
-Swirly print instantly creates curves and adds softness to silhouette
-Empire cut and roomy fit hides tummy
-Flare pant leg creates curves
-Loose fit top hides sins
-Create shape with a tailored jacket - a nip and flare at waist fakes a curvy figure. Pair with a flare cut pant and voila! Instant va voom!

The photo
This is an example of an empire cut top with a print to add softness and hide the tummy, and the use of flare pants to create curves. These garments are part of the Optionelle (now Eveology) spring/summer 2009 fashion collection, further information on which you can find in my Eveology lens. And of course a link to the latest fashions on the main Eveology site!

How to Determine if you are an "X"
Shoulder and hips should be within 5% of each other. Take the hip (or shoulder) measurement and subtract 10 (assuming that you're working in inches). This will give you the approximate waist measurement for this person to be considered an X (within a couple of inches).
If you are an X

What to do: Keep hips and shoulders balanced. Show off smaller waist and va va voom shape

What to wear: Belts - always wear at waist to show it off. If busty - choose necklace that sits above bust line on chest

What to avoid: Boxy cuts that hide your shape. All over horizontal stripes which will visually add bulk to your silhouette

Some suggestions:
-Fitted tee hugs in the right places. Horizontal pattern emphasizes curvy shape
-Pencil skirt shows off curves
-Large collar and shiny shoes keep the upper and lower body in check. Belt
highlights waist
-Criss-cross under bust emphasizes shape
-Accent your curves with a well fitted jacket and pant
-Balance neckline with glossy shoes
-Head to toe dressing will accent your silhouette

The photo
This is an example of a fitted tee with horizontal patterning (in this case, writing) to emphasize upper body curves, and a pencil skirt to emphasize the lower body ones. These garments are part of the Optionelle (now Eveology) spring/summer 2009 fashion collection, further information on which you can find in my Eveology lens. And of course a link to the latest fashions on the main Eveology site!

As I jokingly replied in the feedback section, men are mostly "H"s and a few lucky ones are "T"s. And the "T" is basically what men want to strive for (like the "X" type for women). So here's a quick summary for men... I'm still searching for photos, so this is a work in progress...
The "H":
As in the women's types, this type carries their weight in their middle.
How to Determine if you are an "H"
This is essentially the same as the women's determination. Hip and shoulder measurements will be the same or very close (shoulder measures are often the larger of the two) and the waist will be very similar or larger than the hip or shoulder measurement.
If you are an H

What to do: Distract from waist. Divert attention to upper body

What to wear: Belts - as with women, a low slung belt can add volume to the hips and make waist smaller by comparison

What to avoid: Boxy cuts - why be a rectangle?

Some suggestions:
-Try to emphasize your upper body (shoulders). This is why most men's jackets have shoulder pads
-Choose shirts/tops that are fitted but that don't excessively hug the body, especially if you are more of an "O" (larger in the waist)

Photo coming

The "T"
This inverted triangle or wedge shape is the "desired" men's body type.
How to Determine if you are a "T"
Like for women types, the shoulder measurement will be the largest. If in doubt, take the hip measurement and add 5%. This will give you the minimum shoulder measurement to be considered a T.
If you are a T

What to do: By all means, attract attention to the shoulders and to the hips/legs

What to wear: What women want to avoid, you want to emphasize: larger lapels, shoulder pads or sleeve gathers in reasonable proportion will emphasize your broad upper half, but don't overdo it. Horizontal lines across the the shoulders or pectoral area will also highlight this area.

What to avoid: Not too much, most men's fashions will do justice to your body type

Some suggestions:
- None yet... most men's fashions are made for this type

Photo coming

They are usually sold through fashion consultant via home shows - send me an email if you want to find a consultant or ask on the Eveology website. The website also has some online shopping - past season fashions at great prices!

(If you register there and don't have consultant, here are the last names of some great consultants I know - Groll or Makar. Just enter one of those names as your consultant!)