I always thought that I was built like an alien thanks to the likes of fashion magazines asking “what’s your body type?” I was never in just one of the categories. I’m a nice, irritating mixture of at least three of them. Awesome. So does that mean that I can’t wear clothes? And before you yell “gross” at your computer screen, just hear me out. You are supposed to base the styles of clothing you wear on what your body type is. Uuuuuuum since when? How about you pick your favorite body feature and work with it? Flaunt what you’ve got. Besides, on what planet does a woman want to say out loud “my body types an apple” anyway? So if you have a favorite part of your body that you think looks great, then hopefully this can help you with ideas on how to accent it for all of the word to admire.
Neck- A long, beautiful, swan-like neck is always a beautiful asset. If this is one of your favorite features, accent it with an updo or your hair pulled dramatically to one side. You can even pull off a shorter cut if you’re willing to take the plunge. For jewelry, a delicate chain will go a long way because you don’t want to cover it up with a pile of necklaces. Some long earrings will really pull focus to it as well. As for clothing, think Audrey Hepburn. She was praised for her neck. She never pulled focus away from it by showing off too much anywhere else up top. Basically, a boat neck top was made for you.
Shoulders- If you really like the look of your shoulders, then you should start appreciating thin and delicate straps on a top. It won’t reveal too much and will draw the eyes to your beautiful shoulders. Off the shoulder tops can really accent this as well. Whether you choose to show one shoulder or both, be sure to be somewhat covered on the bottom. That way the eyes will automatically be drawn up. Exactly what you’re aiming to do.
Chest- Hi Chesty Larue. If you have somewhat of an ample bosom (ugh, I have waited SO long to use that phrase) then you can achieve that through fit or cut. If you aren’t as in love with your tummy as you are your chest, then choose a low cut shirt that flows out a bit. You can get a lot of oomph out of even a v neck shirt though, so be careful. There is a difference between showing what you’ve got and having a nipple pop out and say hello. I would stay away from higher cuts of tops because they can actually make your chest look larger and can be unflattering. They can even make you appear heavier. So even if showing your cleavage isn’t your thing, be sure to show some skin.
Arms- If your yoga game is on point and your guns could rival Jennifer Anniston’s, then you work those sleeveless tops. If you have a function to attend that you don’t feel comfortable having completely bare arms, then try a sheer sleeved top. You still get to show a glimpse of your arms, without having too much skin showing.
Waist- If you have a waist that your proud of, then stick to a more fitting cut of top. Anything too baggy and your shape will be lost all together. I’m not saying you have to wear a sausage casing, I’m saying have it fit against your body nicely. Also, you should embrace the art of a well placed belt. It will accent your waist like nobodies business.
Behind- I had to think long and hard about what to call this section. Bum? Caboose? Ass? Dumper? Whatever you would like to call it, I think you know what I’m talking about. If your behind is your favorite ASSet ( zing! ) then some well fitting jeans, pants, or skirts is where your mind should be. Don’t wear any tops that are too long. Try to have them cut off right at your belt line. Also, don’t be afraid to be choosy when it comes to buying some new pants. Make sure they fit right and aren’t too baggy. That will just hide everything. And if you can’t seem to find a pair that fits right, or if your skirts seem to be too boxy, then having them altered would be a great investment for you. Fit is everything.
Legs- For people that are wanting to show off their long stems, then obviously showing some skin is the way to go. You want to keep it classy though, so if you don’t want to make a scene on the street, then mid thigh should be the highest that you go. There are tons of short and skirt options for everything from a day at the beach to a work meeting. Save the denim for downtime though and when you have somewhere to go where it’s not appropriate try some tweed, silk or even leather. Adding a wedge or a heel is your ace in the hole.
These are all basically the same principles as trying to determine your body type, just on a more friendly level. Unless you want to FEEL like a boxy rectangle, then don’t call yourself one. Doesn’t ” I have wide shoulders and hips, but I also have an ass that won’t quit” just sound so much better? Work to show off what you like. If you leave the house knowing that what you love about yourself has been accented, then you won’t think twice about what the parts you don’t like are doing.
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