Style Guide: How to Determine & Dress For Your Body Shape

The first step to building a wardrobe that makes you look AND feel fabulous is knowing your body shape, or the outline, of your body. Knowing your body shape will allow you to choose outfit styles that compliment your features and achieve a figure flattering look.

To help you, we created a guide that first helps you determine your body shape and then helps you learn how to dress for your body shape. We’ll also help show you which Connected Apparel styles are perfect for your body type! Keep reading for more!

SHOULDERS -- Measure from the top of one shoulder (where your arm and shoulder meet), straight across your upper back to the same point on the opposite shoulder. **BUST -- **Measure all the way around the fullest part of your bust. Make sure that the tape measure is tight, without pressing down on your chest. **WAIST -- **Measure around the smallest part of your waist above the belly button. **HIPS -- **Start on one side and wrap the tape measure all the way around the fullest part of your hips.

While a measuring tape may provide a more exact formula of determining your body type, if you don’t have one, that’s okay! You can get an idea of your body shape by asking yourself the following questions:

• What is the widest part of your body – your bust, waist or hips?
• What areas of your body do you have the most fit issues with?
• What area of your body do you first notice changes in your weight
• What styles are/are not typically flattering to your figure?

*PRO TIP: Use a cloth measuring tape instead of a metal one. When measuring, the tape should fit comfortably around the area you’re measuring not too tight and not too loose.

**HELPFUL REFERENCE: **Watch our video or read our guide on How to Take Your Measurements for an in-depth lesson to help you determine your body shape. *

• Take your measurements! We can't stress this enough! Make sure you’re truly an apple shape by taking your body measurements.
• Draw attention away from your midsection. Redefine where your mid section is by placing a belt a little further up from your waistline to create a slimmer figure.
• Emphasize other parts of your body. Whether it's emphasizing your cleavage or your legs, draw attention away from your mid section to other body parts you love.
• Choose the right fabrics. Opt for loose and texture materials or draping and ruching.

• Draw attention to your upper body. The idea is to detract from your bottom half and draw attention to your upper body.
• Consider your neckline. Create width across your shoulders to balance out your hips.
• Show off your shoulders! Cold shoulder styles work best to draw attention up to your shoulders.
• Accessories are your friends. Draw the eye up away from your hips with colorful scarves, statement necklaces, and yes, even fashion-friendly face masks.
• Dresses are your best friend! Fit and flare dress styles cinch at the waist and fall over your hips, creating a flattering body shape.

• Fitted dresses are perfect for you! Because your body is already balanced, fitted dresses only aim to accentuate your shape.
• Avoid bulky clothing. Avoid adding ruffles and/or extra fabric so that you don’t end up losing your hourglass body shape.
• Opt for v-neck styles. High necklines will make your bust area feel larger than it actually is.

• Choose open necklines and collars. Bring attention to your upper body with open necklines.
• Choose dresses with a voluminous skirt. Add volume below the hips with a-line or fit and flare dresses.

• Avoid clothes with no shape. You always want to choose items that will do wonders for our body shape.
• Belts are your new best friend. The easiest solution for creating a waistline!
• Opt for A-Line dresses. Create a waistline with minimal effort by choosing this figure flattering dress silhouette.
• Jumpsuits are also your best friend. Choose a cold-shoulder jumpsuit to highlight your shoulders.

Creating looks that compliment your body shape doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Read our guide to help you create your most stunning look yet.