Shopping Your Shape

You can find TONS of articles out there about dressing your body type. Usually, they tell you how to disguise the things you don't like, and how to create an illusion of having a different body type.

I personally believe that variety is the spice of life! I think the different figure types are all glorious, and I wanted to write a handy guide for how to celebrate each. Read on to find your basic shape, remembering that you may be a combo of a couple of different ones.

By White House Black Market

1. Apple: Women with this body type tend to have narrower hips, full bust lines, and narrow waistlines. I like how women with this physique have a stately air to them. Some fun clothing silhouettes include:

• Tunics with leggings or narrow pants, 
• Long and flowing tops with little shape definition, 
• Garments with long, elaborate sleeves
• Sheath dresses
• Wrap Skirts

Avoid: Bold printed tops, short and boxy tops, and horizontal stripes across the bust line. Your bust line already calls attention to itself, so you don't want it to make it look larger than it really is.

By White House Black Market

2. Banana: Women with this body type are narrow both in the bust and hip area with little narrowing in the waist. This often athletic physique often reminds me of strength and simplicity. Some great silhouettes include:

• Straight legged jeans, pants, and shorts
• Straight skirts
• Long and narrow dresses
• Skirts and jumpsuits with pockets
• Boot cut jeans

Avoid: Too much fabric. You wouldn't want a long dress with a full, gathered skirt or a large full length coat as it would overwhelm your figure.

By Anthropologie

3. Pear: Women with this body type usually have smaller bust lines and fuller hips. I think of soft curvy elegance when I think of this type. Some good looks for this type include:

• Mermaid Dresses
• Low Rise Pants and Skirts
• Empire Waist Dresses and Tops
• Shapely Tunics
• Pencil Skirts

Avoid: Pants with tapered legs (i.e. skinny jeans, leggings, or any other taper) as they give the illusion that your hips are bigger than they are. Also avoid skirts and pants with side detailing (baggy pockets, gathering on the outer seam, etc.).

By Anthropologie

4. Strawberry: Women with this shape have broad shoulders and bust, but narrow hips. Like apples, these ladies have a statuesque air about them. Here are some good shapes for you:

• Sleeveless Tunics
• Wrap Dresses
• Bubble Skirts
• Straight Skirts
• A-line Dresses

Avoid: See "Apple." You also may want to steer clear of tops with short sleeves. I have broad shoulders, and I find that they make my shoulders look extra-wide, not to mention that they aren't comfortable. I prefer 3/4 sleeves or tanks.

By Anthropologie

5. Hourglass: Women with this shape usually have about the same width in hips and bust with a proportionately narrow waist. Ladies with this figure type are curvy and lovely. Here are some fun looks to try:

• Boot-cut Jeans
• Wide leg Jeans
• Sarongs
• Wrap Dresses
• Symmetrical Dresses

These are some examples, but experiment with different shapes, and see what you enjoy the most! Have fun!