EASY GUIDE: DRESSING ACCORDING TO YOUR BODY TYPE

When you are fully aware of your own anatomical structure, flaunting your dream outfit becomes a reality straight away. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance to be informed about the various kinds of types that are there and identify which somatotype you belong to. Simply put, your body type is the outline of your structure. Thus, understanding your silhouette helps with mapping clothes and tweaking them in a way that matches your style too. The concept is to make sure the dresses we choose sit beautifully and proportionately (in line with your body proportions) and enhance your looks for a better-looking silhouette.

The general perception is that vertical stripes can elongate the body but the horizontal stripes have the opposite effect. But we need to wear it right. To create an illusion of a bigger torso, the pear-shaped body should opt for a horizontal striped top. Women with a larger midsection, apple-shaped body, should indulge in vertical or diagonal stripes. Curvaceous figures can pull off most prints, either to hide the curves or accentuate them.

Patterns and prints can throw the outfit off balance. Bold prints fit perfectly for the upper half of pear-shaped bodies, and busier patterns must be avoided for bottoms in an hourglass physique. Prints and patterns in subdued colours are perfect for apple body shapes, and bright coloured prints are much needed to give the rectangular shape a curvier appearance.

Choosing fabrics as per body type is as important as the outfit itself. Fabrics can draw or divert attention from certain body parts.

We can broadly classify fabrics into three categories, namely—fluid (chiffon, silk, viscose, crepe), medium drape (cotton, lightweight denim), and stiff (heavyweight denim, organza).

For a pear-shaped body, with a heavier bottom, it’s advisable to avoid stretchable materials for bottom wear, especially for leggings and jeans. The recommendation is to stick to flowy fabrics for bottom wear.

Our suggestions for the inverted body type are the same as the pear-shaped body but for opposite reasons. They have broad shoulders, a thin waist and skinny legs. Stretchy materials as lowers make the legs look super skinny, so stick to flowy materials.

Skinny people need to add dimension to their bodies and should opt for fabrics that are frilly and add volume.

An hourglass body tends to carry most garments well, except for straight cuts which hide the beautiful figure. We need to accentuate our assets and create a balance.

It is also crucial to accessorise well. The right jewellery, shoes, and bag always help in putting together the entire ensemble. A smile and a good attitude can make you carry off everything in style.

All it really comes down to is identifying your proportions and creating a silhouette this is balanced. And most significantly, feel great in the clothes you wear, no matter your shape, size, height or age!

The writer is co-founder of Fabnest.