This document provides tips for dressing based on different female body shapes: rectangle, triangle, hourglass, inverted triangle, and round. For each shape, it lists key characteristics and recommendations such as emphasizing the waist, adding volume to hips, choosing flattering necklines, and dressing differently for top and bottom halves of the body. The goal is to accentuate best assets and create a balanced silhouette. Famous celebrities are named for each shape as examples. Overall it encourages discovering individual assets and dressing to impress.

1. ByÁoibheannDiver
Fit guide
WOMANSWAY.IE 7
Dressing for your body shape
Rectangle
CHARACTERISTICS: Your bust
and hips are about the
same size and your waist
isn’t defined.
DRESSING FOR YOUR SHAPE
› Stay away from shoulder
pads and ruffled tops as
these will broaden your
shoulders
› Wear skirts and trousers
with details around
the hips and bottom as
these will make you look
curvier
› Steer clear of shift
dresses as they
will accentuate the
straightness of your
figure
› Layer your clothes to
create more shapes and
focus on the areas you
want to show off
› Tops with a sweetheart
neckline will help to
create curves
› Avoid stripes around the
shoulder area
› Wear full, flowy skirts to
balance out broad
shoulders
Stylist Roxanne
Parker’s top tip
for rectangle
body shapes:
“Emphasise
your small
waist by
accentuating
it with fitted
tops and
skirts and by
using a belt to
further cinch
in your waist.”
Famous rectangles:
Cameron Diaz and
Nicole Kidman
Triangle
CHARACTERISTICS: Your
waist slopes out to your
hips, which are wider
than your bust and
shoulders.
DRESSING FOR YOUR SHAPE
› Try and draw attention
to your top half by
wearing tops with
ruffles or prints.
› Wear dark-coloured
trousers and skirts and
keep patterns to your
smaller top half.
› Dresses and tops with
belts and tight waists
should be your best
friend, as they will
emphasise your small
waist and curves.
› Off-the-shoulder and
strapless tops will look
flattering and will draw
the eye upwards.
› Jackets that finish at the
broadest part of your
hips will catch the eye.
Stylist Justine
King’s top tip:
“Look for A-line
styles that
flow from
the waist,
which will
show off
the most
narrow
part of
your
figure
while
skimming
over your
hips and
bum.”
Famous triangles:
Eva Longoria and
Jennifer Lopez
Hourglass
CHARACTERISTICS: Your
bust and hips are about
the same size and you
have a defined waist.
DRESSING FOR YOUR SHAPE
› Emphasise your curves
rather than swamping
them in shapeless or
oversized clothes.
› Wear plenty of belts to
accentuate your waist.
› Avoid shift dresses,
especially if you aren’t
tall, as you will drown in
them.
› Stay away from details
around the bust as they
will make you look top-
heavy.
› If you have a bigger bust,
V-neck tops will help
balance your figure.
› High-waisted trousers
and crop tops will flatter
the hourglass figure.
› If you want to conceal
your curves, avoid
horizontal stripes and
bright colours.
Stylist Justine
King’s top tip:
“For bigger
busts, avoid
strapless
or high
necklines,
opting for a
halterneck
or V-neck
as the most
flattering
option.”
Famous
hourglasses:
CarolVorderman
and Dita Von
Teese.
Inverted Triangle
CHARACTERISTICS: Your
shoulders are broader
than your hips and waist
and you wear a smaller
size on your bottom half.
DRESSING FOR YOUR SHAPE
› Patterned and brightly-
coloured trousers
and skirts will help to
balance out your figure
and draw attention away
from your torso.
› Wear darker, plain tops
and avoid anything off-
the-shoulder or padded.
› You’ll want to define
your waist, so try
wearing thick belts.
› Try wearing high-
waisted trousers and
skirts. Trousers with
pockets will also suit
your shape.
› Avoid spaghetti-strap
and v-neck tops as
they will broaden your
shoulders.
› A-line skirts and bootcut
or flared trousers
and jeans will be
flattering for your
figure.
Stylist
Georgina
Vahey’s top
tip: “You
want to add
volume
to the
hips and
bottom
while
trying to
create a
waist.”
Famous inverted
triangles: Renée
Zellweger and
Naomi Campbell
Round
CHARACTERISTICS: Your
waist is somewhat
undefined and you tend to
have an average to
large bust.
DRESSING FOR YOUR SHAPE
› Wear wrap-style dresses
and tops that go in just
below your bust.
› Choose tops with thick
textures and make sure
to avoid clingy materials.
› Women of this body
shape often have great
legs, so show them off.
› Avoid details around the
tummy area and keep
any designs and ruffles
above the bust and below
the waist.
› Wear V-neck tops and
dresses to elongate.
› Tailored jackets paired
with a nice scarf will suit
your figure.
› Stay away from large
belts, stick to narrow
ones that will help to
create a waist.
Stylist Courtney
Smith’s top tip:
“Little tricks like
avoiding fussy
patterns on
your top
half will
help give
you the
appearance
of a slimmer
frame and
elongate your
legs with a
heel.”
Famous
rounds:
Elizabeth
Hurley and
Catherine
Zeta-Jones
The key is to discover what your best assets are, dress to
accentuate them and flaunt what you’ve got. Here is our
handy guide to body shapes with tips on how to dress to impress
WW33 Fashion Shape.indd 1 11/08/2016 12:38