Fruit of your Loins..

Have you ever found yourself stumbling upon an article in a fashion or fitness magazine comparing your body to fruit?  Are you shaped like an Apple, Pear, Strawberry, etc.?  If you are anything like me, I completely loose interest in what “body type” I am.  I just find myself all of a sudden hungry for fruit.  I will break this down a little easier for you so you stop comparing your body to food.  They say “you are what you eat” but I am not here to preach about your diet.  I am talking about your genetics.  As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, it is essential to really observe the clothing that you choose; Lines, fabric, and material, etc.  If chosen improperly, clothes can make you look heavier, shorter, and oddly shaped; ultimately accentuating areas that you really wished your wardrobe wouldn’t.  When you appropriately dress for your body, you have built the ultimate foundation of what it takes to make you look like a million dollar stylista. 

Whether you are a trend-setter or a religious follower of all things stylish, you have to know and understand that all fashions are not made for everyone.  Knowing and truly accepting your body shape, and type, will lead to more fulfilling shopping experiences. 

The Long Columnist

BODY TYPE:

·         Short legs, long torso

STYLE GOAL:

·         Create an illusion of longer legs.

What to Shop For:

TOPS:

·         Layering tops (tanks, tees, sweaters)

·         Tighter, more tailored fitting tops (oxfords, tailored blazers)

·         Lighter colors (pastels, neutrals)

·         Blouses to tuck in or tie (try a new spin on a blouse and tie at the bottom)

·         Bow Tie or Tie Neck blouses (blouses that create interest at the neck and shoulders)

BOTTOMS:

·         High-waist pencil skirts, dress pants or shorts (higher rise style sitting at the navel or above)

·         Straight, boot or straight leg jeans, Pants (mid-rise pants)

·         Pant hems to the ground (no crops or “high waters” please)

·         Mid to High Heels (nude heels in a dress, or skirt will make legs look longer)

·         Pant, sock and shoe color the same (this will create a leggier look)

ACCESSORIES:

·         Bold necklaces, scarves and garment designs that draw attention towards your shoulders and face

·         Medium-Wide Belts

Faux Pas:

·         Long tops, blouses (especially if you are on the shorter side)

·         Low-rise jeans, pants, or shorts (this will make you look shorter)

·         Tight or tapered skirts

·         Tight or tapered pants

·         Cropped pants

The Balanced Body:

BODY TYPE

·         Leg and Torso length similar.

·         Congratulations, you are part of the 2% that is proportional. Typically you are a medium to smaller body scale.

Style Goal:

·         To elongate your mid torso

What to shop for:

TOPS:

·         Medium-long tops

·         Un-tucked tops

·         Tops and bottoms in the same color (color block different shades.)

·         Tops and dresses that flow through the waist

·         Skirts and pants with narrow waistbands or no waistband

·         Peplum style jackets or dresses

BOTTOMS:

·         Straight or flared skirts

·         Low-rise or hipster pants

·         Straight or flared pants

·         Skinny belts

ACCESSORIES:

·         Jewelry, scarves, and garment designs that draw the observer's eye up towards your shoulders and face

·         Examples:

o    Infinity scarves and wraps

o    Bow Tie Blouses (garment design)

o    Short style fashion necklaces

Faux Pas:

·         Short tops (bra-let, cropped, or short yoke blouses)

·         Empire line tops and dresses

·         Wide belts

·         Pants or skirts with a high waistband

She’s Got Legs:

BODY TYPE

•    Long Legs, Shorter torso

Style Goal:

• To create the illusion of a longer torso.

What to shop for:

TOPS: (all tops should be a longer style.)

·         Layering Tops (tees, tanks, sweaters)

·         Blouses and Tunics

·         Fitted or Boyfriend Style Blazers

·         Fitted knee length dresses

BOTTOMS:

·         Mid to Low Rise Pants, Jeans or skirts

·         Flared, Boot Cut, or Straight leg jeans or pants

·         Knee Length skirts

·         Cropped Pants (roll up the bottoms of your pants or jeans for a different look)

·         Bermuda Style Shorts

ACCESSORIES

·         Long Scarves

·         Long Strand Necklaces

Faux Pas

·         Short or Cropped shirts, blouses, and tanks

·         High-waist pants, shorts and skirts

·         Cropped Jackets and blazers

·         Empire waist tops or dresses

GO FIGURES

THE HOURGLASS:

This is known as the perfect body shape. You have an hourglass figure if...

·         Your full hip-line and your full bust-line are the same width and your waist is well defined

·         You most likely have a balanced body vertical body shape

THE INVERTED TRIANGLE:

This is the second best female shape. You have an inverted triangle body shape if...

·         You have a proportionally large bust, or you have broad shoulders, or both

·         You have narrow hips with a well-defined waist

·         You most likely are a long legged vertical body shape with proportionally slim legs

·         You may also have a flat bottom

THE TRIANGLE:

The triangle body type is often also referred to as pear-shaped.

·         Your full bust-line is proportionally narrower than your full hip-line

·         You have a well-defined waist

·         You typically have narrow shoulders

·         You most likely have a balanced body or short legged vertical body shape

·         Your thighs are typically full

·         You may also have a full rounded bottom

THE RECTANGLE:

You have a rectangle body if:

·         Your full bust-line and full hip-line are about the same width

·         You have little waist definition

·         Your legs and arms will typically be proportionally slender

·         You have a small to medium bust

·         You most likely have a balanced body or long legged vertical body shape

·         You may also have a flat bottom

·         You may have had an hourglass figure when you were younger or slimmer

·         You may look shorter and heavier than you really are

THE OVAL:

This body shape is also often referred to as an apple shape. You have an oval horizontal body if...

·         You have the overall appearance of being round especially around the waist-line

·         Your waistline is undefined

·         Larger, lower set stomach

·         You may have "love handles"

·         Hips are wider set

·         Upper thighs are full

·         Full bottom or a flat bottom

THE DIAMOND:

This body shape is similar to the Oval body type.

·         Your waist is undefined

·         You have a larger to high stomach

·         You may have "love handles"

·         You may also have a full bottom or a flat bottom

So there you have it; a little more insight on how to identify your true body type. Go ahead, have your cake and eat it too.  There is no point in depriving yourself the foods you love to fit into a current trend.  If it’s not made for your body shape, it won’t look good anyway.  Embrace your gorgeous genetics and quit cursing the handles we are intended to love.  Dressing is all about creating an illusion; a masterpiece of style. How nice is it to know that you could be wearing something from TJ Maxx next to someone in Versace, and look better than they do?!  Have fun with it.  Educate yourself on your body type, you might find yourself actually loving the experience of shopping!

Need more help? Schedule a full body assessment with me.  I will tell you your body type and shape and make further suggestions on how to properly shop for yourself. 

As always, thank you for reading.  Be sure to share with others.  It’s not fair to keep your “how to look fab in everything you wear”, to yourself.  Fashion is contagious and Image is everything.