If you like your body shape you are either male or a very unusual female! However, whether you like your body or not, if you understand what your current shape and proportions are and know a few style guidelines for your shape you are well on your way to looking your best.
Combine wearing flattering clothes with your best colors and you'll feel fabulous and impress everyone you meet.
There are a number of factors that are involved in a full style analysis. These include assessing...
- Your vertical body type
- Your horizontal body type
- Your face shape
- Your weight
- Your height
- Your bone structure
- Your shoulder size and angle
- Your neck length and circumference
- Your age
- Any figure flaws such as a large bottom, a large stomach, or saddle bags
However, you can get started by self assessing your vertical body type and your horizontal body type.
SHORT LEGS AND LONG TORSO
If your legs are short compared to your upper body you have short legs and a long torso...
- Your hip-line height is less than half your height
- You may also have a low waist -- your waist will be lower than your bent elbow
- You will have a long torso -- typically you will put on weight first on your thighs and hips
- Your bottom will typically be low and heavy
- You may also be short – although tall people can also be short legged
Your main style aims are to create the illusion of longer legs and a shorter torso.
Do wear...
- Jewellery, scarves and garment designs that draw the observer's eye up towards your shoulders and face
- Short to medium-long tops
- Tucked-in tops (if young and slim)
- Layered tops
- Medium or light tops and dark pants or skirts
- Medium to wide belts
- Straight skirts
- Straight or boot-leg pants
- Pant, sock and shoe colors the same
- Medium to high heels
- Pant hems to the ground
Don't wear...
- Long tops (if you are short)
- Pants or skirts with a dropped waistband
- Tight or tapered skirts
- Tight or tapered pants
- Cropped pants
BALANCED BODY
If your upper body length is about the same as your lower body length you have a balanced body...
- Your hip-line height is half your full height
- Your waist is at your bent elbow
- Females may be low busted
- You tend to put on weight around your torso or hips and thighs
- You probabaly have a round well formed bottom or you have a flat bottom
- You have proportionally slim arms and legs
If you are less than 160cm (5’3”) with a small to medium body scale then you are alsopetite.
Your main style aim is to elongate your mid-torso.
Do wear...
- Jewellery, scarves and garment designs that draw the observer's eye up towards your shoulders and face
- Medium-long tops
- Un-tucked tops
- Tops and bottoms in the same color
- Tops and dresses that flow through the waist
- Skirts and pants with narrow waistbands or no waistband
- Straight or flared skirts
- Waisted, low-rise or hipster pants
- Straight or flared pants
Don't wear...
- Short tops
- Empire line tops and dresses
- Wide belts
- Pants or skirts with a high waistband
LONG LEGS AND SHORT TORSO
If your legs are longer than your upper body you have a long legged vertical body type...
- Your hipline height is higher than half your full height
- You should also have a high waist -- your waist will be higher than your bent elbow
- You will have a proportionally short torso
- Your bottom will typically be round and high
- You tend to put on weight around your waist, above your waist or on the back of your hips
- You may also be tall -- although short people can also be long legged
Your main style aims are to create visual balance by creating the illusion of a longer mid-torso and shorter legs.
Do wear...
- Design details that draw the eye down, such as border prints on skirts and pants (unless you are short)
- Medium-long to long accessories (unless you are short)
- Skirts and pants in the lighter colors than tops
- Medium-long to long tops (if you are short, no longer than knuckle length)
- Un-tucked tops
- Tops and dresses that flow through the waist
- Skirts and pants with narrow waistbands or no waistband
- Straight and flared skirts
- Low-rise or hipster pants
- Straight and flared pants
Don't wear...
- Focal points that draw the eye upwards
- Pin stripes
- Short tops
- Empire line tops and dresses
- Wide belts
- Pants or skirts with a high waistband
- Tapered pants and skirts
