Body Type - Secret Weapons for your Perfect Style

We're going to talk about body types, which are the basic body shapes determined by the relative dimensions of the human form.

* Learn how to determine your Body Type
* Tricks for choosing basic wardrobe essentials that work with your Body Type

Just as there are four Color Seasons, there are four commonly recognized Body Types.

A Body Type is a term used to represent a particular overall geometric shape of the human form. Body Type is often labeled one of several ways, depending on the person doing the writing on the topic. (I prefer the term Rectangle - some prefer Box.)

Shoulders and hips are nearly equal, and there is little or no waist definition.

Those of us with rectangle body shapes face some interesting challenges, but we can do a lot by
- focusing on long lean looks

- using faux belts (or even real ones)

- lovely pointed toes on our shoes

- bright scarves, big chunky necklaces, heavy brooches

Gravitate toward accessories that bring the eye up to your smile. Find your color and stick with it from neck to knee. Use prints cleverly to create the illusion of indentation and shape at the waistline, with colored side panels, faux vertical seams and tucks, shirring at the midriff, diagonal print panels.

Some people refer to this body shape as apple shape in some fashion references, although I find that term a bit silly unless you have a stem sprouting from your neck. Others refer to it as the 'oval' shape.

Shoulders and hips are narrow compared to the waist.

Those of us with circle body shapes need to
- define our non-existent waists

- use V-necklines to lengthen our necks, and

- accentuate our shoulders

Sleeveless tops give the illusion of more shoulder than we truly possess. We need interesting hemlines to give that leggy look (and turn attention away from the waist). We need to avoid hemlines that cut us off too far below the knee and turn us into popsicles.

Shoulders are narrow compared to the hips.

Those of us who are triangle shaped need to
- redirect attention away from the hip area

- use bright colors near the shoulders

- strive for lines that bring the eye upward

- avoid strong waistline definitions

Look for scarves, eye-catching necklaces, necklines and collars of interest. Bring attention to the areas that are needing it, and away from areas that already have too much of it.

Shoulders are wide compared to the hips.

Those of us who are inverted triangle shape need to
- draw attention away from our nice wide shoulders

- bring focus down toward waist and hips

- create tall, smooth, unbroken lines from shoulder to knee

- use attractive and unusual hemlines to our advantage

Tunic style jackets with jewel collars (no huge lapels), long lean lines that make us look tall, smooth unbroken lines from shoulder to knee. Avoid breaking up those unbroken lines with belts, horizontal visual breakpoints, prominent waistbands.

Avoid fashion traps like shoulder pads - no need to accentuate that positive broad shoulder more than necessary! Bring attention down to the narrow end of that inverted triangle with flair.

The Hourglass Body Type is the fifth Body Type.

Shoulders are proportioned perfectly in relation to bust. Waist is smaller than shoulder and hip measurements, with thighs smaller in proportion to hips.

Contrary to popular belief, the Hourglass Body Type can't wear anything they want.. they just look like they should be able to. But restrictions should apply:
- outfits cut to hide the waistline or overly focus on bustline or hips do not compliment the Hourglass.

- outfits that draw attention away from that perfect figure should be avoided.

- shapeless cuts that fall straight from shoulder to knee can be avoided as well.

Ok, we don't TOTALLY hate you. But we're going to make you work it when we get into the accessories section of the series.

Thanks for joining us here in the series about Secret Weapons for your Perfect Wardrobe. Hope to see you over at the next step: Core Wardrobe

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