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Women's bodies come in many shapes, and smart women know how to accentuate their best features while downplaying areas they feel less confident about.
Photo credit: Reggie Casagrande/Getty ImagesIn the fashion industry, the ideal female figure is often portrayed as slim and almost straight. However, in reality, many women have bodies with curves, with some areas having more curves than others.
Too often, women with curves feel like fashion isn't designed with their body types in mind. What looks great on tall, slim models may not suit them at all — if it even fits.
Curvy women don't need to feel discouraged. By learning which styles complement her unique body shape, a woman can select clothing that enhances her look while staying fashionable. However, to make these choices, she first needs to understand her body type.
Remember, a woman doesn't fit neatly into a single category. For example, a woman with a fuller chest may also be tall or short, heavy or light. Identifying her most prominent feature and how to dress it can guide her in selecting the best clothing styles.
Here are four of the most common body types for women with curves:
- Hourglass. This figure features a balanced chest and hips with a well-defined waist, resembling the classic figure-8 shape.
- Funnel. A funnel-shaped woman has a larger bust than her hips, tapering down to narrower hips and legs.
- Pear. The pear-shaped body is most common. The widest part is the hips, and the woman may have a shorter waist and longer, fuller legs, resembling an A-frame shape.
- Apple. An apple-shaped woman is fuller around the midsection, often with larger breasts, slim legs, and a flatter rear.
No matter your shape, the key to choosing flattering fashions is to accentuate your best features while drawing attention away from areas you're less confident about. Don't hide your curves; instead, dress to make them appear more balanced with the rest of your body.
Continue reading for style advice tailored to each body shape.
Styling the Hourglass Shape
With an hourglass figure, you embody the ideal of femininity, much like the classic depictions in Renaissance art or World War II pin-up photos. Embrace your balanced curves and highlight them in a subtle, flattering way, without overemphasizing them. Also, make your trim, defined waist a focal point. Opt for clothing that elongates your body without making you appear bulky.
Women with hourglass shapes should consider the following tips:
- Use belts. Adding a belt to your dress or outfit can accentuate your waist. Bold colors are eye-catching, so choose standout belts. Dresses with well-defined, fitted waistlines also work well.
- Opt for wrap dresses. These styles emphasize your waist beautifully.
- Go for tops with low necklines like V-necks to elongate your upper body and highlight your face.
- Try strapless dresses if your shoulders and arms are not overly broad, ensuring the dress has a defined waist.
- If wearing separates, match their colors to create a lengthening effect.
- Keep in mind that darker shades like black tend to slim the body.
- A-line skirts can flatter your hips.
- Consider heels to add length to your legs and balance out your hips.
On the flip side, here are some fashion "don'ts" for women with hourglass shapes:
- High-necked tops or turtlenecks
- Avoid separates in contrasting colors or mixing prints. This could create the illusion of being cut in half at your narrow waist.
- Short skirts. They can accentuate your hips and make them appear rounder.
- Loose, baggy pants. These tend to add bulk and make your legs appear larger all the way down. Instead, opt for pants with a slight flare at the hem.
- Jackets that end at the widest part of your hips. Go for waist-length jackets or longer options that fall below your hips.
- Double-breasted jackets. They can make your chest look too large.
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High-waisted dresses or tops. These can hide your well-defined waist and disguise your best feature.
Although specific advice varies based on body type, there are a few common "don'ts" that most curvy women should keep in mind when dressing.
- Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit properly. Clothing that’s too tight draws attention to your curves, while baggy clothes make you look larger than you are.
- Don’t ignore proper undergarments. Regardless of your bust size, ensure your bra fits correctly.
- Don’t go overboard with bold or flashy clothes. Use prints, patterns, and accessories sparingly and thoughtfully. You don’t have to wear all black or one solid color, but you should be strategic about your outfit choices.
Styling the Funnel-Shaped Body
If you have a funnel-shaped body, your curves are mainly at the chest, with slim hips, legs, and thighs that many women envy. Focus on drawing attention to your legs and creating the illusion of height. Use the colors and cuts of your clothes to balance your upper body with your narrower lower half.
Funnel-shaped women should consider the following styling tips:
- Opt for open-neck and V-neck tops.
- Pair these tops with long necklaces to create the illusion of a longer neck.
- Look for clothes with lines and patterns that introduce vertical detail above the waist.
- Choose short skirts to showcase your long legs.
- Wear shoes with a small heel to further highlight your legs.
- Keep in mind that dark colors create a slimming effect, while lighter hues can add volume.
- Try dark tops with lighter skirts or pants for a balanced look.
- Wearing a single color for your outfit can also make you appear taller and leaner.
- Choose flared skirts to balance out your top half. The same effect can be achieved with flared pants.
- Longer jackets and tops will help elongate your overall appearance.
For funnel-shaped women, here are some fashion "don'ts":
- Avoid wide belts
- Stay away from double-breasted jackets
- Don’t wear oversized tops that further emphasize your upper half
- Skip large collars with heavy lapels
- Avoid clingy tops that hug your upper body
- Steer clear of low-rise jeans
- Bright colors and bold prints can be overwhelming
- Skip horizontal patterns that can widen your frame
Styling the Pear-Shaped Figure
Lightly colored tops paired with dark trousers are a flattering choice for pear-shaped women.
Dan Hallman/Getty ImagesIf you're a pear shape, you're in good company – it's the most common body type among women [source: Martin].
Simply put, pear-shaped women are bottom-heavy. Your widest point tends to be below the waist, around your hips.
The key is to select clothing that minimizes the lower half and draws the eye upward. You'll also want to create the illusion of a longer silhouette. Pear-shaped women face the challenge of showcasing their curves while keeping everything in proportion with the rest of their body.
Hopefully, this guide will be helpful. Pear-shaped women should:
- Draw attention to your upper body with tops that feature bold colors, patterns, sparkle, and other eye-catching details.
- Enhance your upper half by adding accessories like jewelry, scarves, and other statement pieces.
- Opt for lighter shades on top and darker tones for your bottom half.
- Choose long jackets and tops that fall well below the hips.
- Try tunic tops and dresses for a flattering fit.
- Place belts at the waist rather than around the hips. Choose belts that match your pants or skirt.
- Stick to tailored styles below the waist, such as flat-front trousers and A-line skirts.
- Heels can help elongate your legs.
What pear-shaped women should avoid includes:
- Pleated skirts, as they can add bulk to the bottom half.
- Pants with pockets, especially side or large pockets.
- Loose-fitting or wide-leg pants.
- Bold prints, especially horizontal patterns, on the lower half.
For tips on dressing for the apple-shaped figure, continue to the next page.
Fashion Tips for the Apple-Shaped Woman
If you're apple-shaped, your curves are concentrated around the middle, with a fuller bust. Your legs tend to be slender, and your rear is often flatter than the rest of your body.
To balance your figure, highlight your bust and legs to shift focus away from your midsection. Aim to minimize attention on your belly area.
For apple-shaped women, the following styling tips can be helpful:
- Keep patterns to a minimum on skirts and pants.
- Choose short skirts that accentuate your slender legs.
- Use V-neck tops to draw attention to a fuller bust.
- A-line skirts can help balance out your top and bottom proportions.
- Opt for pants with back pockets to create a fuller-looking rear.
- Go for tops and dresses with dropped waists that fall below your natural waistline and belly.
- Wear single-breasted jackets, ideally left unbuttoned for a more flattering fit.
- Stick to solid-colored outfits. Monochrome looks can elongate your figure and give a slimmer appearance.
Things to avoid when dressing for an apple-shaped figure include:
- Horizontal patterns
- Skin-tight pants
- Pants with pleats in the front
- Jackets or tops that end right at the waistline
No matter your shape, embrace your curves. Rather than trying to conceal them, focus on making the most of what you have. No one’s body is perfect, but savvy women know how to highlight their strengths and downplay their weaknesses.
Keep reading for more helpful tips and insights on women's fashion.
