Style your body shape

1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet ligula non
duise vel este orem ipsum dolor sit
ipsum dolor sit amet ligula siter ligula
siter non duises tempor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet ligula non
duise vel este orem ipsum dolor sit
ipsum dolor sit amet ligula siter ligula
siter non duises tempor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet ligula non
duise vel este orem ipsum dolor sit
ipsum dolor sit amet ligula siter ligula
siter non duises tempor
Company Acme Inc. © Copyright Amazing Co. 2015
LOREM IPSUM DOL SITTERUS
LINGULA AMET
Crack the Body Shape Code
& Style Yourself Like a Celebrity

2. Hello – I’m Lesley Elizabeth.
I’m a Style Consultant on a mission to help mature,
sophisticated women rediscover their style and build an
empowering wardrobe!
When it comes to body shape challenges, believe me, I’ve
lived the pain! For years I was deeply ashamed of my figure,
agonizing over why trendy pieces didn’t fit me the way they did
other girls. I loathed myself for having a body that didn’t
conform to the ‘heroin chic’ ideal of my youth.
Deep insecurity ultimately led me to give up on style, resorting
to baggy jogging suits just as other young women were
blossoming into their style. For far too many years I relied on
shapeless clothing to hide my body and avoid the pain of
dealing with it.
Everything changed when I cracked the body shape code and
discovered the styling secrets for my unique proportions.
Once empowered by those secrets, choosing flattering pieces
became intuitive and effortless. I became instinctively drawn
to pieces that work for me while bypassing those that don’t –
like having a sixth sense for style! Today every shopping
experience is a good one (a.k.a. no more change room
meltdowns) and my wardrobe brings me confidence and joy.
In the few pages, I’m sharing the simple measurements and
tricks that will empower you break the body shape code and
empower yourself with style!

3. BODY SHAPE 101
(HINT: THEY’RE ALL GOOD)
Understanding your body shape is the key to slaying personal style.
We all know a woman who always looks gorgeous despite having an unconventionally beautiful figure. This is
because she knows exactly how to package her shape to highlight her best features and create visual balance.
Differences in body shape are why some women look long and lean in skinny jeans and a long, slouchy tee, while
another woman of the same height and weight appears shorter and heavier in exactly the same outfit.
The hourglass figure – a body with balanced hips and shoulders and a defined waist is the longstanding ideal. This
is because it is inherently proportionate and quintessentially feminine. To make your figure look its best, use styling
to create the impression of hourglass curves.
This is not to say that the hourglass is hands down the “best” shape to have and every other is inferior. For one
thing, the hourglass is one of the hardest shapes to dress with off-the-rack clothing because standard sizes rarely
conform to such killer curves. A rectangle shaped woman, or model-slim inverted triangle shaped woman, will
undoubtable have an easier time shopping.
Further, even longstanding ideals fluctuate over time and between cultures. Today large hips and buttocks (the
triangle shape) are seen by many as a new ideal – while supermodels, perhaps the most worshiped beauties
among us, typically sport inverted triangle proportions. As you’ll see on the next few pages, each of the shapes
have their own standout assets to highlight!
The styling secrets that follow are tools to dress your shape in the way that creates the most visual harmony,
leading to the illusion of a more balanced and lean silhouette, making every body shape celebrity-chic!
3
© Copyright Working Look 2018

4. 3 STEPS TO CRACK THE BODY SHAPE CODE
1 Determine Your Body Shape 3 Enhance Your Styling Skills
4
2 Discover Your
Vertical Proportions

5. The 5 Body Shapes
HOURGLASS RECTANGLE ROUND
TRIANGLE INVERTED
TRIANGLE
5

6. STEP 1 | KNOW THE MAGIC
MEASUREMENTS
Determining your specific body shape requires just three simple
measurements – bust, waist and hips.
How to Measure
Bust: With a non-padded bra on, measure around the most projecting part
of your bosom.
Waist: Measure around the smallest part of your natural waistline (where
you have the most indentation). If you lack indentation due to weight gain,
typically the natural waist is a few inches above the navel.
Hips: Measure at the low hip (i.e. the largest part of your hips/upper thigh)
and over the most protruding part of your bottom.
6

7. 7
What measurements mean
The proportionate difference between measurements is how we determine your body shape. For
example, a hip measurement that is larger than your bust measurement suggests you’re a rectangle
(pear) shape, while bust measurements that are larger than hips, indicate an inverted rectangle. You
have a “defined waist” if it measures at least nine inches smaller than your other measurements.
Discover the specifics for each body shape on the next pages.

8. The Hourglass
Defined waist, with shoulders and hips of equal width
Company Acme Inc.
8

9. The hourglass shape is
characterized by balanced hips and
shoulders with a defined waist. If your
bust and hip measurements are the
same, or within an inch of one another,
and your waist is at least nine inches
smaller than your hip/bust
measurement, you’re an hourglass!
The hourglass woman usually has a full
bosom, a full, round bottom and good
legs. Weight gain is usually
proportionate throughout the body.
The hourglass shape is a cultural ideal
and the easiest to dress (although
finding clothes that fit your bust or hips
without drowning out your waist is a
challenge).
The hourglass figure doesn’t need
styling tricks to create the illusion of
symmetry as it’s already the definition
of “balanced”. The challenge for this
body shape is to find garments that fit
your curves without making you look
bigger.
Hourglass Styling Tips
• Your key style goal is highlighting your
waist to showcase your curves.
• Beware of baggy or unstructured
clothing which can make you look bigger
than you are. Show off your waist with
belts, tailoring and by tucking in your
tops.
• Look for tops and dresses that highlight
your waist. Examples include wrap tops
and dresses, form-fitting styles and
banded waistbands.
• Waist-cinching belts are your best friend.
Use them to showcase your waist and
add structure to flowing or baggy tops.
• Expect to have clothing altered. It is
tricky to find off-the-rack styles that
accommodate your bust and hips/bottom
while fitting your waist. Consider it the
price you pay for perfect proportions!
• Maintain your proportions. If you choose
a top that adds volume to your bust or
shoulder line, coordinate with a bottom
that adds volume at the hip.
9

10. 10

11. 11

12. The Rectangle
Shoulders and hips of equal width, minimal waist definition
Company Acme Inc.
12

13. The rectangle shape, also known
as the “straight” shape, is defined by
balanced hips and bust with minimal
waist definition. It is possible to have a
fair amount of waist definition (up to
eight inches) and still be a rectangle,
which simply means you have a lovely
shape that runs a bit straighter than a
true hourglass.
The rectangle usually has a small
bottom with minimal hip fat and and a
waist that is only one to eight inches
smaller than the bust/hips.
Weight gain is usually proportionate
across the rectangle body shape.
This is a great body shape with nothing
to hide, but using the following styling
secrets you can create killer feminine
curves and look slimmer by defining
your waist.
Rectangle Styling Secrets
• The key secret in rectangle styling is to
define your waistline to create the
illusion of proportionate curves.
• Use waist-defining belts to slim the
waist in contrast to your hips and bust.
• Adding volume to your shoulders, bust
or hips is a styling option to enhance
curves.
• Tops with frills and ruffles add flattering
volume.
• Most skirts look great on this body type,
including pencil, tulip, “fit and flare” and
A-line styles.
• Flare shapes, in dresses and jackets,
work wonders to add feminine shape to
your silhouette.
• Beware of drop-waist dresses, low-rise
pants and very straight shift or column
dresses as these may exaggerate your
straightness.
13

14. 14

15. 15

16. The Triangle
Hips wider than shoulders
16

17. The triangle shape, also known as
a pear, is characterized by hips that
are larger than the shoulder/bust line.
The triangle body is larger below the
waist than above. Shoulders tend to be
narrow and/or sloping and the bust
usually ranges between small and
average.
Triangles tend to gain weight in their
hips and buttocks first.
This is the most common female body
shape and a feminine ideal among
many.
If you’re a triangle, embrace your
powerful feminine curves with pride!
Triangle Styling Secrets
• The secret to making a triangle body
look look its best to create the illusion of
balance between your lower and upper
body.
• Highlighting your upper half with bold
colors, prints and interesting details,
while keeping your lower half more
muted with solids provides visual
balance.
• Create balance with skirts and dresses
that skim over hips and thighs. Maxi
dresses, “fit and flare” and A-line styles
are all great options. In contrast, tight,
hip-hugging styles, like pencil and tube
skirts, amplify the width of your lower
body.
• Emphasizing your bust with ruffles,
embellishments and push up bras also
works to create the look of balanced
curves.
17

18. 18

19. 19

20. The Inverted Triangle
Shoulders wider than hips
Company Acme Inc.
20

21. The inverted triangle shape, also
known as the diamond, is
characterized by wide shoulders with
narrow hips and minimal waist
indentation.
If you have this body shape, you’re in
elite company – this is the shape of
most of the world’s top models!
Because the upper body is
proportionately larger than the hips,
women with this shape gain weight in
their upper body first (e.g. arms and
chest) while preserving relatively slim
hips and legs.
This body type is often athletic. The fit
inverted triangle body showcases
clothes at their best, just like a
supermodel!
Inverted Triangle Styling Secrets
• The key styling secret is to balance the
body by avoiding pieces that make
shoulders look broader and by adding
volume to the lower half.
• Look for fuller-shaped skirts and wide-leg
trousers to balance your frame while
avoiding tapered styles that exaggerate
your proportions.
• Skirts and dresses that flare out below the
hip (e.g. “fit and flare” styles) add curves
to your lower half to create balance.
• More than any other shape, you can rock
bright colors and prints on the lower half
of your body, to add visual volume.
• Beware of tops and jackets that add
volume. Frills, ruffles, poof sleeves, overly
blouson styles, large lapels and double
breasted jackets will make you look bigger
on top.
• You look great in almost any pant,
including styles that are difficult for the
majority of women, such as gauchos,
capris and harem pants.
21

22. 22

23. 23

24. The Round
Shoulders and hips of equal width with minimal waist definition
Company Acme Inc.
24

25. The round body shape, also
known as an apple, is characterized by
fullness in the midriff without a defined
waistline.
If you have a bit of a tummy with bust,
waist and hip measurements that are
all very similar, you’re considered a
round. Rounds gain weight in their
midsection first and usually have an
impressive bust, great legs and nice
arms.
Having a round body shape is not
synonymous with being overweight;
even the extremely thin Angelina Jolie
is a round, based on where she carries
weight relative to the rest of her figure.
The round body usually has killer arms
and legs, plus the femininity of soft
curves!
Round Styling Secrets
• Your key styling secrets are to highlight your
best assets and create a waistline above your
natural waist (where you are slimmest)
• The right bra is a game-changer as the area
immediately under your bust is the narrowest
part of your torso. Lifting your bust will lengthen
and slim your body.
• Empire waistlines highlight the narrowest part of
your torso to create the illusion of an hourglass
shape. Wrap tops, “fit and flare” styles and
peplums (a short flared fabric around the waist
of a garment) are also great choices.
• Choose necklines that open up the chest and
draw the eye upwards, as V-necks do.
• Forgo clingy fabrics in favor of those that glide
over the body and camouflage bumps.
• Skirts to the knee or slightly longer will lengthen
your frame.
• Dark wash bootcut jeans and trousers, which
fall straight from the hip to the ankle, are most
flattering.
• Genreally avoid clothing that adds volume to
either half of your body as ruffles, tiers and puffy
details emphasize roundness.
25

26. 26

27. 27

28. STEP 2 | Determine
Your Vertical
Proportions
A much lesser known principle of understanding
your body shape is working with its vertical
proportions.
Are you perfectly balanced, long in the legs or long
in the torso? The answer will dictate your best
styling choices.
Determine your vertical proportions with two easy
measurements.
1) First, determine your height in inches. For
example, a 5”7 woman is 67 inches.
2) Next, measure from your low hip (this is the
widest part of your body, just slightly above crotch
level) down to the floor.
28

29. 29
What measurements mean
If the second measurement is exactly half of the
first (e.g. 33.5 inches in the case of a 67 inch
woman), your body is vertically balanced.
If the second measurement is any less than half
(even by less than a half inch), you have a long
torso with shorter legs. If the second
measurement is more than half of your height, you
have long legs with a shorter torso.
Don’t have measuring tape on hand? No worries!
You can get the same information with a piece of
string!
Simply mark your height against a wall and cut a
piece of string to be the same length. Hold the
string up beside you and fold it over at the
measurement 2 point. If the string falls exactly to
the floor, you’re likely vertically balanced. If it
doesn’t reach the floor, you’re likely long in the
legs. If the string pools on the floor (like
unhemmed pants) you’re likely long in the torso!
67” (5”7)

30. Long Legs
Company Acme Inc.
30
Long legs are an asset! The key for you is to show off
your legs without visually truncating your shorter torso.
•Low to medium rise pants create the illusion of balance
(good!) while high waisted skirts and pants emphasis
long legs and further shorten the torso (bad!).
•Shorter tops amplify the length of your legs. Create
balance with tops and jackets that end at your hip bone
or below.
•Skirts and shorts are your best friends! Virtually any
length skirt or short compliments your great legs (even
the difficult to pull off midi-skirt).
•Culottes, cropped pants and patterned pants, which are
tricky for many women work with your gorgeous gams.

31. 31

32. 32

33. 33
In this example,
vertical proportions
are in perfect
harmony. Even with
ultra high stilettos,
Cameron’s long legs
don’t look out of
proportion with the
upper half of her
body, which is made
visually longer with a
v-neckline and
natural waistline.
While Cameron
Diaz always
amazing, this outfit
is not the best
choice for
balancing out long
legs and a shorter
torso.
The high waist and
short, tube top style
of this dress
contribute to an “all
legs” silhouette.
© Copyright Working Look 2018

34. Long Torso
A long torso is very feminine and usually has good waist
definition. These tips will create the illusion of longer legs.
•Tops, blazers and jackets that fall above her hip bone
visually lengthen your lower half.
•High waisted skirts and pants create the illusion of longer
legs.
• Belts worn on the high waist (above belly button) will
create the illusion of longer legs while belts worn on the
lower hip shorten your leg line (and exaggerate a long
torso).
•High heels lengthen and slim the legs.
•Adding visual interest on the upper half of your body with
color, ruffles, print and embellishments will be more
flattering than doing the same on your lower half.
•Dark colors on your bottom half will slim and lengthen.
•Shoes in a similar color to your pants or hosiery lengthen
your legs, as do skin-colored shoes with bare legs.
•Shoes with thick ankle straps truncate your leg length
•Boots that come to the knee (not mid-calve or over the
knee) work best for lengthening.
•Skirts and dresses that fall slightly above (or just at) the
knee are most lengthening.

35. 35
While always a knock
out, Olivia Wilde’s hip-
grazing top amplifies
her long torso and
truncates the leg line.
The contrasting shoes
(i.e. white beneath
denim) visually block off
the leg, whereas a dark
heel that blends into the
jeans would create
longer leg line.
This outfit visually
extends the leg line for
a balanced silhouette.
High waisted pants with
a long inseam create
the illusion of legs that
go on for days!
© Copyright Working Look 2018

36. 36

37. 37

38. Vertically Balanced
Company Acme Inc.
38
This body shape doesn’t need styling tricks to
balance vertical proportions, but there are still some
basic styling principles in mind:
• If you’re petite, follow the tips for those with a long
torso/short legs for a lengthening effect.
• If you’re tall, and want styles that deemphasize
your height, follow the tips for long legs/short
torso.
• If you’re bottom heavy (e.g. pear shaped) follow
tips for a long torso/short legs to slim your lower
half.
• If you’re top heavy (e.g. large
bust/chest/shoulder), the tips for those with a
short torso/long legs can help create balance.

39. STEP 3 | Enhance your
skills!
Discovering your body shape styling secrets is a HUGE step
towards mastering personal style, but you only benefit if you put
them into practice!
Now that you know your body type, commit to learning more about
the cuts, fits and drapes that best compliment it.
Try these mini assignments to enhance your knowledge:
• Find a celebrity “body type double” (someone with the same
proportions and a similar size to you) and research her best
looks online
• Create a Pinterest board of outfits that compliment your body
shape (throw in images of your body type double for extra
points)
• Audit your wardrobe to identify the pieces that truly flatter you
(extra points if you remove the pieces that DON’T flatter)
• Spend a day at the mall playing dress up! You don’t have to buy
a single piece; simply dedicate a few hours to trying on different
styles in order to lock down the options that work best for you!
Finally, don’t let your newfound knowledge get lost to the vast
amount of information you take in daily. Studies show that, after a
week, we only retain about 10% of what we learn! Beat the system
and make success effortless by keeping your top styling tips close
by at all times (bonus points if you message them to yourself now).
39
© Copyright Working Look 2018

40. Company Acme Inc. © Copyright Amazing Co. 2015
READY TO COMPLETELY
REINVENT YOUR STYLE?
Cracking the Body Shape Code is an excerpt
from the comprehensive, style-enhancing
digital workbook, Reinvent Your Style with a
10-Piece Micro Capsule Wardrobe. The
workbook is for you if you …
• Want equal clarity in all aspects of your style
• Would like to define your style vision and
build an impactful capsule wardrobe of
pieces you love
• Are ready to think like a stylist and end the
style struggle once and for all?
The digital workbook a fast and pragmatic
step-by-step guide to get you there.
For a limited time, you can upgrade to the full
workbook for just $6.97 or combine the
workbook with a full hour, one-on-one Skype
consultation with Lesley for just $77!
This special offer is only available here!
START YOUR STYLE
TRANSFORMATION TODAY

41. Company Acme Inc. © Copyright Amazing Co. 2015
ABOUT LESLEY
ELIZABETH
Lesley believes that a bright and bold
future is calling out to every one of us,
no matter what our age – and her
mission is to help you answer that call
with confidence!
Lesley Elizabeth is Certified Image
Consultant, Certified Personal Stylist,
Certified Visual Brand Consultant and
one of just 15 graduates of the
Personal Styling Mastery Program
offered by premiere L.A. stylist, Lauren
Messiah.
In addition to supporting style
transformations in Canada, the United
States and the U.K., Lesley has helped
hundreds of women enhance their
style as a Stylist on the Style Counsel
app.
Learn more about Lesley or book a
FREE DISCOVERY CALL with her
today!