If you know your body shape, regardless of fashion trends or whether you are under or overweight, you should never be stuck for something to wear that you look and feel great in.
By stylish mum of three Kiran Pandya from Season2Style.
Hourglass figure
You’ve got an ample bust, curvy hips and a slimmer waist. Make the most of your shape and opt for clothes that cinch in your waist, accentuate your breasts and show off your legs. Belts should become your new best friend – team with everything from thin-knit sweaters to pretty dresses.
Lace pencil dress, Next, £58
Apple shape
You’ve got an ample bust, rounded stomach and slimmer hips. Rounded and curvaceous, you have a super-feminine body and a typical shape for many British women. Get rid of all those over-sized tops as we now want draw attention to your waist and create the illusion of curves. So go for structured shirts and dresses that give you definition and shape. Embrace empire line dresses, which make your torso appear more slender, and V-neck wrap-around dresses will look great too.
Longsleep Mock Wrap Dress, Laura Ashley, £90
Pear shaped
You’ve got a small bust, narrow shoulders, and bigger hips, thighs or bum. It’s time to embrace your femininity and make the most of your assets. Show off your slim top half with strapless tops and dresses and nipped-in waists. You have a flat stomach most women long for so accentuate your curves with a wrap-around dress and do not be afraid to go for bold vibrant print or detail on your tops. On your bottom half avoid clingy fabrics and instead work stiff or floaty fabrics that don’t stick to your bottom half.
Ivory Dress, Dorothy Perkins, £45
Inverted triangle/strawberry shape
Your shoulders are broader than your hips, you have a great bust and narrow waist and hips you’re the inverted triangle body shape, also known as strawberry. Full skirts and wide-leg trousers will draw attention to your bottom half in order to balance your figure out. You’re really suited to classic looks, such as sexy tailored jackets, slim-line trousers and sweeping dresses, so if you want to look up-to-date, go for on-trend colours rather than trying to wear the latest shape.
H&M Autumn 2012
Slender/banana
If you have a slim frame with few curves, you’ve got the slender body shape, also known as the banana. You are most women’s idea of the perfect figure, but, we know that you struggle with creating curves. It’s time to get feminine and embrace soft, floaty fabrics such as long pleated skirts or the shorter shift dress. You can wear prints and bold colours on your top and bottom, so take advantage of that. Invest in neat, structured tailoring that will widen your shoulders and give the illusion of a narrower waist. For example a slim-fitted tailored jacket or blazer will add definition to your frame.
Peterpan Collar Jumper £30, Cream Flared Trousers £40, Moc Croc Ladybag £25, all from Awear
If you’re not sure of your body shape, find out. You don’t have to be a rich celebrity or an applicant on a TV show to get some some style advice.
Kiran learned the ropes of the clothes industry through her family business but went off to do a Masters in Business and IT, working in IT Management at companies like ITV, Sony and John Lewis. Kiran is now mum to three boys and has returned to the industry she loves; now helping people to feel stylish and confident no matter what their shape.
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