This thread is inspired by a response from Swanky Mama of 3 to one of my questions in another thread. Do you know which body shape group you belong to? And more interestingly, do you know how to dress for your body shape? Spill your secrets, ladies!
here's a guide to get you all started:
There are primarily 2 types of body shape commonly referred to, the 'pear shape', and the 'apple shape'. Women who fall in between these 2 categories are sometimes referred to as 'avocado' shaped.
Pear shaped
Pear shaped generally describes women who store fat below the waistline on their hips, thighs, and bottoms, as opposed to their stomachs and mid-sections. Such fat being stored on the thighs often leads to cellulite. Commonly the upper torso is relatively slim in comparison to these lower parts of the body, with shoulders and bust being narrow compared to the hips. Pear shaped women are commonly viewed as 'bottom heavy' with well defined waists.
To see whether you are pear shaped, obtain your 'hip-waist ratio' (also known as 'trunk fatness') ~ divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement; if the ratio is 0.8 or below then you are pear shaped.
Famous pear shaped celebrities include singer Baby Spice and Oscar nominated actress Kate Winslet.
What to wear if you are a 'pear'
Trousers or skirts that emphasise your well defined waist area (softly pleated or flat-fronted). Try hipster trousers, as these will eliminate that gaping waist problem common to all pear shaped women. A-line skirts/wraps are by far the most flattering for 'pears' as they slim the hips and emphasise the smaller waist area. Short, tight skirts should be avoided as these will accentuate the tops of your thighs, and divert attention to that problematic area below the waist
Avoid light coloured bottoms and stick to darker blues and browns which absorb the light
Tops should be fitted and focus the eye to your upper body (beautiful necklines, patterns and colours). They should not be baggy as these will cover your waist, and instead should finish at the top of your hips so that your waist is emphasised
Choose accessories (jewellery and scarves) that avert attention upward away from the hips and thighs.
Apple shaped
Apple shaped tends to describe women who have wide torsos (full bust, waist and upper back), as they store body fat around the mid section of their bodies (stomach, abdomen and chest). Such women have relatively slim thighs and upper legs. Apple shaped women often have a 'top-heavy' appearance, with a bust and midriff bigger than their hips, a prominent tummy and a flat bottom.
To assess whether you are apple shaped, again measure your hip-waist ratio; if the ratio is greater than 0.8, then you are apple shaped.
If you are apple-shaped then you are in good company ~ other famous UK 'apples' include the beautiful Elizabeth Hurley and Oscar winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
What to wear if you are an 'apple'
Trousers and skirts that are straight. Avoid very fitted or tailored garments, particularly those with well defined waist bands as these will only draw unwanted attention to your mid-section Avoid mixing and matching many different colours. Choose monochromatic outfits, as the use of just one colour will create an overall impression of length that will focus away from your width. Tops should cover the hip area and be worn over tapered trousers that flatter slimmer legs. Shorter skirts also help to draw interest to your lower body region. Light coloured hosiery (preferably 'nude') will help focus attention on your legs.
Pockets should be avoided as often these can be unflattering and attract unwanted attention to the upper body.[/COLOR]
Obviously, not everyone will fit neatly into these categories. For now, there seem to be 4main groups that i can think of:
-tall, boyish and slender;
-top heavy, often with slender and long legs (apple)
-bottom heavy (pear); and
-generally curvaceous all over.
Hopefully, if this thread progresses, we may get lots of different combinations and tips from tPF's cosmopolitan population!
here's a guide to get you all started:
There are primarily 2 types of body shape commonly referred to, the 'pear shape', and the 'apple shape'. Women who fall in between these 2 categories are sometimes referred to as 'avocado' shaped.
Pear shaped
Pear shaped generally describes women who store fat below the waistline on their hips, thighs, and bottoms, as opposed to their stomachs and mid-sections. Such fat being stored on the thighs often leads to cellulite. Commonly the upper torso is relatively slim in comparison to these lower parts of the body, with shoulders and bust being narrow compared to the hips. Pear shaped women are commonly viewed as 'bottom heavy' with well defined waists.
To see whether you are pear shaped, obtain your 'hip-waist ratio' (also known as 'trunk fatness') ~ divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement; if the ratio is 0.8 or below then you are pear shaped.
Famous pear shaped celebrities include singer Baby Spice and Oscar nominated actress Kate Winslet.
What to wear if you are a 'pear'
Trousers or skirts that emphasise your well defined waist area (softly pleated or flat-fronted). Try hipster trousers, as these will eliminate that gaping waist problem common to all pear shaped women. A-line skirts/wraps are by far the most flattering for 'pears' as they slim the hips and emphasise the smaller waist area. Short, tight skirts should be avoided as these will accentuate the tops of your thighs, and divert attention to that problematic area below the waist
Avoid light coloured bottoms and stick to darker blues and browns which absorb the light
Tops should be fitted and focus the eye to your upper body (beautiful necklines, patterns and colours). They should not be baggy as these will cover your waist, and instead should finish at the top of your hips so that your waist is emphasised
Choose accessories (jewellery and scarves) that avert attention upward away from the hips and thighs.
Apple shaped
Apple shaped tends to describe women who have wide torsos (full bust, waist and upper back), as they store body fat around the mid section of their bodies (stomach, abdomen and chest). Such women have relatively slim thighs and upper legs. Apple shaped women often have a 'top-heavy' appearance, with a bust and midriff bigger than their hips, a prominent tummy and a flat bottom.
To assess whether you are apple shaped, again measure your hip-waist ratio; if the ratio is greater than 0.8, then you are apple shaped.
If you are apple-shaped then you are in good company ~ other famous UK 'apples' include the beautiful Elizabeth Hurley and Oscar winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
What to wear if you are an 'apple'
Trousers and skirts that are straight. Avoid very fitted or tailored garments, particularly those with well defined waist bands as these will only draw unwanted attention to your mid-section Avoid mixing and matching many different colours. Choose monochromatic outfits, as the use of just one colour will create an overall impression of length that will focus away from your width. Tops should cover the hip area and be worn over tapered trousers that flatter slimmer legs. Shorter skirts also help to draw interest to your lower body region. Light coloured hosiery (preferably 'nude') will help focus attention on your legs.
Pockets should be avoided as often these can be unflattering and attract unwanted attention to the upper body.[/COLOR]
Obviously, not everyone will fit neatly into these categories. For now, there seem to be 4main groups that i can think of:
-tall, boyish and slender;
-top heavy, often with slender and long legs (apple)
-bottom heavy (pear); and
-generally curvaceous all over.
Hopefully, if this thread progresses, we may get lots of different combinations and tips from tPF's cosmopolitan population!
I cannot wear petite sizes though because I'm not that short. I am about 5'5-5'6. My legs are long so I don't need to worry about lengthening, however I like to focus on my butt. 
ush:
