The key to dressing well is balance.
Those who think Houdini was the master of illusion have never shopped with a woman who knows dress for her body shape. She works her magic through clothing that camouflages and accentuates to create balance. The same formula will work for all bodies: triangle, inverted triangle, hourglass, rectangle and oval.
Triangle Shape
Triangles should accentuate their upper half to avoid a bottom-heavy look. Choose A-line skirts in darker colors, paired with more vibrant colors above the waist. Jackets with a strong shoulder line or a little padding will balance your look, but they should not end at the hip, or you'll bring attention back to your widest area. Choose straight-leg or boot-cut jeans, while avoiding tapered pants that narrow to a tight ankle and pants with side pockets or front pleats. Believe it or not, even the shoe you wear can make a difference. Pointed toes will lengthen the look of your legs to create an overall slenderized effect.
Inverted Triangle Shape
Inverted triangles want to balance a large chest and narrow hips. Solid colors will usually be more flattering than patterns. A-line or pleated skirts and thicker fabrics will add width to your lower half, as will pants with side pockets or belts worn at the hip. Steer clear of skinny jeans, leggings, pencil skirts and clingy fabrics, all of which will accentuate what you want to camouflage. When shopping for jackets, choose a fitted style with a deep V front and narrow lapels to move the eye away from the shoulders. Always avoid jackets with shoulder pads or detail near the chest.
Hourglass
Hourglass figures are already quite balanced, but that doesn't mean poor style choices won't be noticed. As a general rule, think about drawing attention to your waist and away from your chest. Wrap dresses and high-waisted skirts are excellent choices. You can also wear thin and nonpleated skirts. Hourglass figures are perfect for scoop, draped and off-the-shoulder necklines; choose those over baggy tops, Chanel jackets and other boxy styles. Look for mid-rise jeans rather than low-rise. Pants with a crease or vertical stripes can be especially flattering.
Rectangle and Oval
Rectangle and oval shapes need to create the illusion of a waist, and that's exactly what wearing solid, contrasting colors above and below the waist will do. Shop for boatneck tops or tops with a square neckline. Stay away from boxy sweaters and double-breasted jackets. Instead, choose jackets with a drop waist and a V-neck or a tailored fit that flares out at the hips. Look for wrapped dresses rather than shifts. Belts can give you a defined waist by drawing the eye away from your shoulders and hips.
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