How to Dress your Body Type

Submitted by Mimi on Monday, 6 October 200815 Comments

Body Types and how to build a perfect wardrobe for your figure.

First thing you need to do before going shopping for clothes is properly assess your body type. You can either be a standard, X, H, O, V or A. You can be either one of these body types and sometimes a mix of two. Now that you know your body type, next step would be to dress according to your shape to look your best and achieve your maximum potential. Wearing the right clothes for your specific figure will make an enormous difference in the way you feel about your body. You don’t need to lose or gain weight, or get a plastic surgery. There are natural and free ways of enhancing the way you look and I’m going to show you how. In some cases it is difficult to know which body type you are, while for others, looking in the mirror would be enough to know the answer. If you are having a hard time understanding which body type you have, then think of the time when you gained weight. Where did most of that weight go?

Here are just some options on what to look for when shopping according to you body type:

Standard is certainly the easiest body type to dress. When gaining weight, the standard type will gain weight evenly on all of the body. Due to the proportion of the body, this type can pretty much wear anything.

X or the hour glass body type shoulders and hips are around the same size and have a defined waist. When looking for clothes, go for things that hug and not hide your curves.

Here are some suggestions:

Close fitted pencil skirt is a great choice for the X type. It is both trendy and classy. The skirt should be close fitting but not tight on you. This is a great way to make the most of your form without adding extra volume.

The Empire Waistline is perfect for curvy girls.

When wearing dresses or tops accessorize them with bright, eye-catching belts that would be sitting right on your waist. That will keep all eyes on your little middle.

Full skirt dress is a great choice. It skims your hips while the well fitted top plays up your narrow waist.

Wide leg trouser is dressy and chic. It will balance out your curves.

H – Your shoulders, bust, and hips are similar in size and there is no defined waistline.

When looking for tops opt for ruffles and various detailing as it will visually make you look bigger. This top has a tie waist that will define your middle while the ruffles will bulk up your chest.

Boot-cut jeans or pants will instantly create an illusion of curves. For bigger curves, go for the ones with pockets on the back.

Pick the right dress and you will instantly transform your shape into an hour glass figure. Look for a full skirted dress with a fitted bodice.

O – Your mid area is larger than your hips, bust, or shoulders. The key is to distract from mid area. Here are some tips:

Go for flaring tops that will hide your mid area and draw attention to you smaller half.

Find pants and jeans with a big waistband, because they are perfect for holding the mid section in.

Small, busy print helps distract from the mid area. So, keep that in mind when shopping for tops and dresses

V- Your shoulders or bust are larger than your hips. In order to create a proportioned look, filling up your lower half is essential.

Tulip skirts and bubble dresses is what you should be looking for. They balance out your strong shoulders by enhancing your hips. Go for lighter colors on the bottom as they will make you look larger and dark at the top to make upper body look smaller.

The key when shopping for pants and jeans is flare, the bigger the better, as it will only play up by balancing out your top half.

A – Your hips are wider than your shoulders. Balance out wider hips by adding interesting, fun pieces on top (preferably lighter colors) and dark pieces on the bottom.

Straight legged jeans and pants are ideal for your body type. They visually minimize the size and create a leaner, slimmer silhouette. Opt for same colored shoes to create longer legs.

Go for horizontal stripes as they will highlight your torso, drawing attention away from your lower half.

Ruffled tops are also a great way of bulking up your bust. It’s trendy and chic.

When shopping for dresses go for the ones that draw attention to the top area due to puffy sleeves, bright waistband or bold pattern. All those things are good for adding volume and diminishing the lower half.

I hope all these tips were helpful. In my future posts, I will be adding more information and useful tips on how to shop based on your body and personality. If you follow these easy steps, you will be transformed into looking chic and sophisticated! In the meantime feel free to comment, ask questions and leave feedback. Thank you!

15 Comments »

Trish said:

Good ideas, but it would be nice to see a model that actually had my body type! (i wear a 12, like a lot of the women that I know) It is kind of hard to picture what you would look like in these clothes when all the women are a size 2!!

- 7 October 2008 at 5:51 pm

mimi said:

Hey Trish! and thank you for the comment! I’m actually working on a new post that will include examples of different body types either on celebrities or real people with real sizes.(and and not airbrushed models) A lot of my clients are also size 12, 14+, and believe me, these concepts work on everone, regardless of the weight one carries. They might be two women that wear the same size, however due to different body types, they should also be dressing up differently, each one flattering her own, unique shape and personality. I could expand on the topic for hours! He-he…I will probably post it at the end of this week, so stay tuned. And please feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions.

Mimi

- 8 October 2008 at 12:09 am

heidie said:

Dear Girls
Checkout http://www.carmakoma.com a new clothing brand for real curvy girls.
The fit is really good !

- 9 October 2008 at 7:57 am

Katie said:

Mimi,

I am not sure which of these body type categories I fit into. My hips are about the same width as my shoulders, maybe a bit narrower and my waist is pretty well defined. My problem is that I have a huge butt (like, sticks out towards the back, not the sides) and pretty curvy thighs. No one ever seems to address my uncommon (?) body issues. The view from the front can’t be the only one that matters, right?

- 17 October 2008 at 10:07 am

Mimi said:

Dear Katie!

It’s not uncommon to have a hard time deciding what body type you are. Especially if you have never done that before. To me, you sound like an X ( hour glass) . The look from the back sometimes is more important that the look from the front. It really is very individual. It’s also possible that you are a mix of two body types. Like, in my case I’m a standard body type with a bit of an A. If you wish you can send me your pictrues, front and back. Wear something tight fitting so i can see your defined curls and i’ll be more than happy to help you with solving this dillema!

Mimi

- 17 October 2008 at 11:34 am

Examples of Different Body Shapes | La Mimi |Fashion Blog| Fashion, Beauty, Style and so much more! said:

[...] my previous post on how to dress your body type, I showed ways on how to dress a certain body type. One reader, Trish had this comment regarding to [...]

- 20 October 2008 at 12:56 am

cialis overnight said:

Yes I agree with you!

- 28 November 2008 at 7:59 pm

Christine said:

I’m not sure of my body type at all. My midsection is my biggest problem. My hips and shoulder are about the same width. I have a pooch from having my babies, and the biggest problem is the rolls I have on my back. I generally wear a size 18. I feel like I’m in between sizes. Plus sizes fit at the waist, but that’s where it ends. I have fairly long legs and am approx. a 40D. Any suggestions?

- 25 January 2009 at 10:46 pm

Mimi said:

Hello Christine!
Don’t pay attention to the fats when trying to determine your body type. Those have formed for certain reasons (giving birth) in your case and can be lost if you decide to. However your body type doesn’t change based on those factors. To me you sound like a mix of H and O. You also said that you are bothered by your back rolls and the pooch. Well…those can be easily tucked in by wearing a high waist tummy support panties. I’m not sure where you are located, if you are in the U.S or Canada then you can find them at Wal-Mart for only $ 15 and they are great. I’ve recommended them to many of my clients. The clothes will fit you differently when you have those support panties on. Avoid wearing big baggy clothes as they will only make you look bigger. Some of your wardrobe staples should include flared tops to distract from mid area, jeans and pants with a big waistband to tuck in your tummy, as well as tops and dresses in busy prints. It’s difficult for me to make any more recommendations just based on the information that I have. Please let me know if you have any further questions, I’d be glad to help.

- 26 January 2009 at 9:16 pm

FUMZy said:

Well its good,but it would be nice if the models had the exact same body shapes described. Am African and I don`t see my body shape here, cuz most African women have volumptious backsides,medium waist and big breasts, try and do something for everyone.Thanks this is helpful.

- 22 March 2009 at 12:41 pm

awest said:

I think I would be considered a V body type. However, I do not necessarily have small hips. I have large breasts (32DDD) but when looking at my body from the back, there is almost a straight line from my armpit to my thighs (28.5″ wasit and 32″ hips). So, for instance, a bubble dress makes me look very large all over. It is so frustrating, I hate shopping, which means I do not have very many clothes, which makes me self concscience because I never have anything to wear! What a cycle! Maybe thats all a little dramatic, there are much worse things in life… but it would be nice to be able to get dressed without stressing out and never feeling confident with the result. If you have any advice PLEASE help me!

- 1 May 2009 at 8:51 am

Marie said:

Dear Mimi,

Ive been told for the longest, that I am an hourglass shape, but i dont think i am. I am a 40D but right below my chest im about 35″ then my belly (i guess waist) is like 5f4″ (i wear a size 20). Another problem i run into is that i am only 5′ tall… i constantly am commended on my success for flattering my body type however i’ve recently been getting into the high wasted skirts and 80′s attire as well as some bohemian trends. My one problem is that its all for really thin girls… help?

- 27 February 2010 at 7:50 pm

Sue said:

Hi Mimi,
Im attending a wedding in April as part of the wedding party. I have to wear gold/beige colors but Im a bit overweight, wish I could wear black. After seeing the pics you posted, I have realized Im an X body shape, I want a nice short cocktail dress, what do you recommend?

- 9 March 2010 at 3:44 pm

Debby said:

hi I have read ur article But seriously I don’t know where I fit into, I think My shoulders are broad, my burst is about 34, am 177cm height, and I am a size 8,british, so pls help me find where I fit into.

- 10 May 2010 at 6:36 am

leanne said:

hi, i have broad sholders, very small bust and very small waist but large hips and thighs i am also only 5ft1. I need help because i cant find my body type or how to dress properly for my body type, can you help?

- 14 June 2010 at 5:13 am