Tuesday, August 23, 2011

College-Style

College-Style

Dressing for your Body Type

Posted: 22 Aug 2011 03:58 PM PDT

By Megan R of George Brown College. Follow me on Twitter @meggles_07.

Okay, so as you may know, I have told you all about Beating the Body Blues and Updating your Look for $100. It’s easy when you’re shopping to forget beating the body blues when clothes don’t fit or look good on you. To combine these two posts, it’s important to know how to shop for your own body type, which will help you look and feel good. I’m going to focus on the five main body types: tall, curvy, petite, apple and athletic. Now there are obviously more, but these are some of the most common.

The Main Body Types

Tall – Show off your height.

I love this bohemian inspired look for taller girls. When you are tall (5′10″ or above), you want to focus on working with your height without looking lanky. Maxi skirts and dresses are your friend because they will show off your height beautifully. Layering is also great because you can mix lengths, like the longer tank paired with the cropped blouse. A common misconception is that girls who are taller should not wear heels. This is just not true. It’s a personal choice, and if you don’t feel comfortable in heels, don’t wear them. I am 5′8″ and I wear heels all the time, making me measure in at about 6″ !
Overview:
  • Maxi Dresses and Skirts look great on tall girls.
  • Layering adds contrast and helps accentuate your height.
  • Tall girls can wear heels!!

Curvy – Highlight the curves you love.

Lucky you, curvy chica! High-wasted pencil skirts look great on hourglass figures because they are cut off at the smallest point on the body: the waist. Also, anything that cinches in at the waist, such as the top and jacket pictured above, will help accentuate the waist. V-shaped necklines also look wonderful on hourglass figures because they flatter larger chests and can draw the eye away from any area you may not want to emphasize. Bright colours are great too because they add interest to the outfit and won’t overpower your figure.
Overview:
  • High-waisted skirts or pants flatter the smallest point on your body, the waist.
  • Waist-cinching tops and jackets also draw the eye to the smallest point.
  • V-shaped necklines accentuate your chest, and will draw the eye away from any areas you don’t want seen.
  • Bright colours are great because they won’t overpower your figure.

Petite – Look taller and enhance your figure.

Petite figures want to focus on wearing clothes that will enhance their figure, and not make them look shorter than they really are. Sticking to a monochromatic outfit is perfect because wearing a lot of colour will make you look shorter than you are and will compliment your hight nicely. Dresses look great on petite figures because they don’t cut you off at the middle. Pairing a nude pump with a shorter dress or skirt will help elongate your legs because the nude colour won’t cut off your leg at an awkward place. Try and wear jewelry in muted tones to ensure you don’t distract from the outfit.
Overview:
  • Compliment your height by wearing shorter dresses and skirts.
  • Nude pumps will elongate your legs without cutting them off at an awkward point.
  • Wear jewelry in muted tones so it won’t distract from your outfit.
  • Choose outfits in monochromatic colours, lots of colour will make you look shorter and wider.

Apple – Show-off those legs!

Apple-figured girls tend to have small legs and a wider middle. Dressing for this figure is easy and flattering when done right. Now, before y’all look at the tummy-control garment and freak-out, they really aren’t that big of a deal. Most of them are super comfortable and you won’t realize that you’re wearing them. All they do is smooth out the lines and let clothes glide over your stomach nicely. These are perfect for girls who aren’t as confident with their mid-section. Bootcut jeans look great on apple figures because they will showcase the slim legs you were given. When it comes to tops, choosing something that isn’t too tight, but not too loose is key. You want to find something in the middle, and preferably something with a lot of draping such as the top above, as it will flatter your mid-section. Don’t be afraid of colour either, choosing one piece, like the blazer, will add a pop of colour and adds interest to the outfit. However, similar to the petites, try and stay away from mixing too many colours within your clothing as it can make you look larger.
Overview:
  • Find a top that skims your middle with a lot of draping.
  • Bootcut jeans will flatter your legs and make them stand out.
  • Don’t be afraid of adding a pop of colour in your outfit.

Boyish-Figure (Athletic)- Embrace your Feminine side.

Girls with an athletic (boyish) figure tend to have similar measurements for their bust, waist and hips, creating a rectangular shape. For this body type, focus on showing off your feminine side. I love the dress in the picture above, the empire waist is universally flattering. The cardigan shown adds to the feminine details, and the scoop neckline, along with the sweet-heart neckline of the dress will flatter the bust area. With an athletic shape, try and stick to simple jewelry pieces. The clean lines will highlight your amazing features such as broad shoulders, without overpowering them. I have given two choices for footwear, depending on personal preference. The ballet flats add a feminine touch without having a heel for those who aren’t comfortable in heels. While the high heels will elongate your leg.
Overview:
  • Find dresses that flatter your body, like an empire waist.
  • Sweetheart necklines flatter the bust area.
  • Stick with simple jewelry pieces to highlight your features.

Thoughts?

So what do you think? Do you like the styles for each body type? What tricks do you use to enhance your figure? Email us at info@college-style, comment below or tweet me! We love to hear what you guys think!

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