I’ve always believed that just buying random clothes that looks great in shop window might not be a great way to build your wardrobe. The pieces that you collect over the years should make you stand out and the garment that you are wearing. To get that, its important to know your shape and buy clothes that flatters you most. It might be a slow journey but mindful buying is always rewarding.
In my previous blog I’ve discussed about apple and pear shap. Here we will analyse other shapes like rectangle, inverted triangle body and hourglass.
3. The Rectangle Body Shape – You are lean, your hips are as wide as your shoulders, and you have a waistline that is a few inches smaller than your bust line. You have less to no curve so accentuating it is important.
- A-line skirts, peplum tops, sleeveless garments, ruffles and flared tops, sweetheart necklines, strapless tops are the kind of garments that would compliment your body.
- Form fitted garments looks great.
- Semi stiff fabrics can make you look de-shape so should be avoided.
- Tops with scoop neck and V necklines or one that elongates the shoulder line. These works great on other bodies like apple shaped or pear shaped as well.
- Halters are great to expose your shoulder and give that broad appearance. Flaunt it innovative necklines in tops or saree blouses.
- Bias cut and A-line or full skirts help create curves.
- Avoid boxy tops and dresses that hang straight down.
- Choose clothes which soften your figure and create the illusion of curves, define the waist while maintaining the natural balance between the upper and lower body.
- Wear thin belts, or medium size belts to cinch the waist further. Create the illusion of the most desired curves.
- Avoid MIDI length skirts that end up in the mid way .
- Whereas skinny, bootcut, boyfriend or cigarette trouser and jeans are great on your body.
- Play with criss cross or over lapping structured pieces to create volume but remember to avoid mono chromatics , if at all play then with textures.
- Horizontal stripes looks best.
- A one or two-button classic blazer, a wrap style, or anything belted is for you. Recently I wore a sleeveless waistcoat with a plunging neckline paired up with wide legged pants and that looked great since it cinched my waist . The high waisted pant gave it the additional curvy look which im absolutely devoid of. So I was happy with the result.
You can be a “regular,” petite, tall, or plus and still fall under a rectangular body shape. I come under a rectangle petite category so for me there are a few challenges I have to deal with. For casual daily wear or office wear clothing there is not much of a trouble. A mid rise jeans and a basic top is good for me. But while dressing up I wear tops with exaggerated sleeve or off shoulder with layers that accentuates my small shoulders.
In ethnicwear you can wear almost anything . Shararas that hugs your thighs and drops down, will be a great option if height is in your favour. For the petite girls, straight legged pants with kurtis, anarkalis, 3 piece lehengas (with jacket) , satin / silk sarees with some modern blouse…literally anything will look good on you. For long necked girls chokers are ideal whereas if you do not have an elongated neck, opt for round shaped necklace. Just keep it simple and classy!
4. The Inverted Triangle shape: Your top part is broader that your bottom part, shoulders are wider than the hip, bust tends to be proportionally large than hips and your legs are likely to be slender and great. Our goal is to balance your silhouette by creating the illusion of a smaller waist and fuller hips and proportionate shoulder.
- Fit-and-flare dresses with a cinched waist and a flared / pencil skirt are excellent choices as they create an hourglass effect.
- Wrap dresses, skater dresses are also flattering because they emphasise your waist and balance your upper body.
- Tops with asymetric neck, deep neck, halter or strappy are good for you.
- Maxi dresses with a defined waist and a flowing skirt can create a beautiful, balanced look.
- Choose tops that Demphasise your shoulders and draw less attention to your upper body. Boat necks, wide-necked tops, and off-the-shoulder styles does not work well.
- Opt for tops with simple detailing on the sleeves or blazers without pads …you already have a wide shoulder structure so any jacket with a little long (covering your hip bone ) will be perfect for you. highlight your shoulder. But refrain from wearing puffy sleeves.
- Avoid tops that are too tight around the shoulders or have a high neckline, as they can make your upper body appear broader.
- Aim for bottoms that add volume to your hips and create the illusion of a smaller waist.
- A-line skirts and dresses can help balance your shape by adding fullness at the hips.
- Look for pants and jeans with flared or wide-leg styles. Bootcut, straight legged and wide-leg pants can create the appearance of more balanced proportions.
- Avoid bottoms that are too tight , skinny or tapered, as they can exaggerate the inverted triangle shape.
- Darker colors on top can minimize the appearance of broad shoulders.
- Experiment with patterns and prints on the bottom half of your outfit to add volume to your hips.
- Instead of tugging in leaving the tops and t-shirts loose is a good idea to accentuate your hips.
- A pleated front pair of shorts adds volume to narrow waist and hips, balancing out the shoulders.
If you are a plus size inverted triangle and fitted dress feels intimidating, you can create a similar look with a swing or caftan-like dress that stops at your knee. Asymmetrical necklines also make a good choice. But refrain yourself from adding volume to your shoulder or bust . Wearing a correct bra that gives you the right support is important. Trying to minimising your bust by wearing ill-fitting bras, to make yourself look smaller can go wrong in many ways.
Remember that these are guidelines, and personal style and comfort should always be a priority. The most important thing is to feel confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles to find what works best for your unique body shape.
For indian ethnicwear anarkalis with 48- 52 kalis is a great option for you to balance your waist with your strong shoulders. Similarly high volume lehenga with minimally-designed cholis look fabulous! A-line lehenga with wide flares or a circular lehenga with many pleats. Statement necklaces or long earrings can draw attention upward, highlighting your shoulders and neckline. Choose shoes with a bit of a heel to elongate your legs and add balance to your silhouette. A nude, transparent or any neutral color footwear will help in this process.
4. The Hour Glass shape: The hourglass body type is characterised by a defined waist, with bust and hips that are approximately the same width. This figure is often considered to be the most desirable female body type, and it has been celebrated in art and literature for centuries. I have always wondered how exactly the body shape looks so stunning? But that is absolutely my perspective. So there are two types of hourglass, the neat hourglass and the full hourglass.
The hourglass body type is often seen as being attractive and feminine. It is also a relatively balanced body type, with the weight evenly distributed between the top and bottom of the body. This can make it easier to find clothes that fit well and look flattering.
Dos:
- Emphasize the waist: Highlight your narrow waist by choosing clothing that cinches or defines it. Belts, fitted tops, and high-waisted bottoms are great choices.
- A-line and wrap dresses: These styles are excellent for showing off your curves, as they hug the waist and flare out at the hips.
- Tailored clothing: Invest in well-fitted clothing that complements your shape. Tailored blazers, pencil skirts, and structured dresses can work wonders.
- Necklines: V-neck tops and dresses draw attention to your bust, enhancing the hourglass appearance. Assymetric , strapless, deep U, plunging neckline all are great options for you.
- Bodycon dresses: Form-fitting dresses can accentuate your curves, especially when they have some stretch to them.
- Well-fitted jeans: Look for jeans that fit snugly at the waist and hips, and have some stretch for comfort. The legs can be straight leg , bootcut or cropped .
- Accessorize strategically: Belts, statement necklaces, and waist-cinching accessories can draw attention to your waist.
- Color blocking: Use color-blocking techniques to create the illusion of an even more defined waist. Dark colors on the sides and a lighter shade in the middle can create this effect.
Don’ts:
- Avoid shapeless clothing: Baggy or shapeless clothing can hide your curves and make your figure look less defined.
- Avoid clothes that hide your waist: Avoid clothing that conceals your waist, like oversized tops or dresses with no defined waistline.
- Avoid overly loose or tight clothing: Extremely tight or baggy clothing can distort your natural proportions. Opt for well-fitted styles instead.
- Avoid bulky layers: Excess layers and chunky sweaters can add unnecessary bulk and hide your curves.
- Avoid horizontal stripes: Horizontal stripes can make you look wider and less curvy. Opt for vertical stripes or patterns that elongate your figure.
- Avoid boxy silhouettes: Stay away from boxy or shapeless silhouettes that don’t accentuate your waist and curves.
- Avoid low-rise bottoms: Low-rise pants or skirts can disrupt the hourglass silhouette. Instead, go for mid to high-rise styles.
- Avoid oversized belts: While belts can be great for defining your waist, oversized or wide belts can overwhelm your figure.
For indian ethnicwear too a sweetheart neckline, which resembles the top of a heart, is an excellent choice for blouses and anarkalis. It accentuates your bust and complements your curvy shape. V-neck blouses work well in Indian attire as they elongate your upper body and draw attention to your bust and waist. They add an elegant touch to your look. U-neck or round neck cholis provide a balanced look that complements your hourglass figure without emphasising the bust too much.
Fabrics for an Hourglass Boost:
- Georgette: Georgette is a lightweight and drapey fabric that falls beautifully, creating a flattering silhouette. It gently hugs your curves while offering an elegant and flowy appearance.
- Chiffon: Chiffon is another excellent choice for Indian ethnic wear. Its sheer and delicate nature adds a touch of sophistication, and its fluidity complements your curves without adding bulk.
- Satin Silk: Satin silk has a glossy finish that adds a touch of richness to your outfits. It drapes well and is especially suited for saree blouses and anarkalis, giving a luxurious look that enhances your hourglass shape.
Anarkalis with A-line silhouettes are a great choice as they flare out gracefully from the waist, enhancing your curvy figure. They provide a balanced and graceful appearance. For sarees, fitted blouses that hug your waist and accentuate your curves are ideal. They create a striking contrast with the saree drape. When wearing lehenga cholis, opt for styles that have a well-defined waistband and flared skirts. This combination highlights your waist while maintaining a traditional and feminine look. Mermaid styles looks great on you since it frames your waist beautifully.
- Statement Belts: Adding a statement belt to your anarkali or saree can further emphasize your waist and create an eye-catching focal point.
- Earrings and Necklaces: Long earrings and necklaces that complement the neckline of your outfit can draw attention to your upper body.
The hourglass body type is a beautiful and desirable body type. However, it is important to remember that all body types are beautiful in their own way. It’s also essential to choose colors and patterns that suit your personal style and the occasion you’re dressing for. Don’t stress over the multitude of guidelines. If you do not have an hourglass body type, there are still many ways to dress your figure and look your best. Fashion is your canvas for self-expression, so wear what brings you joy and comfort. Think of this as your trusty style companion, there when you need a little inspiration or guidance.
