Women’s bodies come in different shapes and sizes. That’s part of what makes each of them unique and beautiful. There is no average or typical body shapes. Some of you are curvier while others have narrower hips or broader shoulders. The differences showcase the beauty

However, your bone structure, fat distribution, age, pregnancy, genetic permutation, and hormonal combination are some of the factors that determine your body shape.

In this article, we shall look at the different body shapes for women and the tips on how to dress them so that you look confident and beautiful with your body shape.

The different body shapes for women include; rectangular shape, pear body shape, apple body shape, hourglass body shape, athletic shape, oval shape, inverted triangle, diamond-body shape, and more

What are the different body shapes for women and how to dress them?

According to a 2004 study, it was reported that descriptions of women’s bodies have historically been described based on shapes, such as triangle, rectangle, diamond, oval, and hourglass.

The most common women’s body shapes include;

1. Rectangular/straight body shape

 

This is at times called the supermodel body. With this body shape, the individual has the same measurement for all sections of the body. The body generally looks straight without a well-defined waistline.

How to dress

Use tube tops or polka dresses to highlight your body features. Also, a tube dress with a snazzy belt can help you create a slim and sexy hourglass silhouette.

2. The pear body shape

 

This is also known as a triangle-shaped body. It features large hips and a tiny bust or one would characterize it as having broad hips with a tiny west section.

How to dress

With this body shape, scoop-neck and boat-neck tops together with a push-up bra or padded bra will make your upper body and shoulders look wider.

You can accompany this with bracelets and accessories to highlight your appearance. Avoid balloon dresses, cigarette pants, and tight skirts.

3. Apple body shape

 

Women with a larger bust compared to their hip section, coupled with an undefined waistline are said to have an apple body shape. They normally have around shoulders, smaller hips, and slimmer legs and arms.

How to dress

Wear A-line dresses, shirts with a tie below the bust line tops that fall lower than the hip bone, top with cuff sleeves, well-fitting clothes, V-necks, scoop tops, ruched t-shirts, or shirts in the middle to give more definition to your midsection.

Avoid clothes that are tight-fitting, rough-textured, shapeless, and boxy, tight skirts, jeans, or pants that have a minimum or no details near the waist to prevent drawing attention to your waist.

 

4. Hourglass Body Shape

Here, the buttocks and bust line are well-balanced with a well-defined waistline. It portrays round buttocks and the body is generally in proportion throughout. The shoulders are slightly rounded with the legs in proportion with the upper body.

How to dress

Make your waist prominent and put on attire that reveals your perfect curves. Use broad belts on a shirt or dress.

Tops and skirts, flowy dresses, skirts, well-fitting tops, fitting jackets, tops or dresses with pleated waist, pencil skirts, ¾ skirts with side or back slits, and jeggings can look good on you.

Boots, strappy sandals, high heels, peep toes, and necklaces that fall till your navel are a very good complement.

Avoid shapeless and loose tops and dresses.

5. Inverted triangle

Women with this kind of shape have broad shoulders, small hips, and slender legs. One does not have a well-defined waist. Since the upper body is broad, it should be made prominent to draw away attention from the waist.

How to dress

The clothes you can put on include; ruffles around the neck, peplum tops, low waist jeans with back pockets, satin dresses, V-necks, A-line dresses and skirts, fish cuts, shorts, chunky shoes, slender necklace, long dresses, high-waist pants, bell-bottoms, and sequined skirts.

Avoid baggy and shapeless dresses and tops, pencil skirts, tapered jeans, and trousers.

sequined skirts

6. Oval body shape

Women with an oval-shape have their busts larger than the rest of your body. The midsection looks full without a well-defined waist, plus the narrow hips.

Ladies with this body shape pack pounds around their stomach before anywhere else. The buttocks are ever flat with slender legs.

How to dress this shape

Squareneck, V-neck, and U-neck tops or shirts look nice on you.  The wrap-around tops, skirts, and jackets can slim down your mid-body area. Others include; vertical stripes, peplum tops, tunic tops, belted dresses and tops, wide-collared jackets, fish-cut or flared skirts, cargo pants with pockets near your hip, dresses, or skirts just above knee level to look well proportioned.

Don’t put on tapered jeans or trousers, loose-fitting tops, wide stripes, ruffles, pleated skirts, baggy jackets, tight t-shirts, high necks, turtle necks, cardigans, chunky earrings and necklaces, round-toed shoes, heavy boots, and flats.

7. Diamond-shaped body

The diamond-shaped body is characterized by; broad hips, narrow bust in alignment with the shoulders, full mid-section, and the waist not well-defined.

With this shape, people tend to have a little more weight in the upper legs, slender and well-shaped arms, and lower legs.

How to dress

Wear pants and skirts that make you look slimmer while revealing the sexy lower legs. Also, Belted tops and dresses, flowy cuff sleeve tops, fluttered sleeves, dark jeans or trousers can be good for you.

Don’t put on pencil skirts or tapered trousers and jeans, big prints, gaudy embellished tops, vertical patterns and prints, thick scarves that sit around your neck, and heavy boots.

8. Athletic body shape

Athletes have well-toned and attractive curves. They have a more muscular body, tight thigh and calf muscles, well-built shoulders, and a broader and elongated neck. Also, the arms are well built and toned.

How to dress

Put on fitting knee-length dresses and skirts. Make your curves outstanding by wearing belts above the waist with dresses, wrap-around dresses and tops, off-shoulder tops and dresses, boat necks, tube tops, and high neck tops.

You can also juggle with sleeve lengths, sportswear, sports shoes, chunky shoes, slender and long earrings, collarbone length necklaces, medium heel pumps, and pencil heels.

Avoid baggy jackets, boxy shirts, V-neck, plunging U-neck, noodle or spaghetti straps, halter neck, strappy sandals, flats, and chunky earrings.

Which body shape is the best?

I am sure you often come across this question and have been debated on for years; because every woman regardless of their age is looking to match the typical beauty ideals in today’s society.

However, many studies have determined that aspects such as;

• Good skin, long legs, fit body
• Large breasts, curvy hips, round butt
• Large eyes and a small nose
• Dilated pupils and redder lips

As the ones that act as a yardstick if you are looking for a perfect women’s body shape.

Various studies front the hourglass shape as the ideal body shape for women. The hourglass body shape has qualities including;

• Hips larger than the shoulders
• Small waist
• The hip and bust measurements are equal.
• Bust measurement = waist x 1.5
• Waist measurement = height x 0.375

How then do we maintain a nice body shape for women?

Attaining an hourglass body shape is one thing and maintaining it is another.  In this section, we share some of the tips that will keep you in shape year in year out. These include;

Daily exercise

Exercising for at least an hour a day will help you burn calories that would have been stored as fat. Here is our guide for several exercises for weight loss. These will help you shed off the extra pounds fast.

Get plenty of sleep

Sleeping is crucial to recharge the body’s batteries. Quality sleep will protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety.

Related; lose weight by sleeping.

Make proper food choices

Avoid emotional eating or eating just because something is available. Be picky about what goes on the plate, choose quality, not quantity.

Weigh yourself

Stepping on a weighing scale often is one way of keeping your weight on track. You can easily notice when you have added on a few pounds so you work them off immediately. Don’t do this unnecessarily. Limit your scale this to once a week.

Stay hydrated

Water supports all body functions. Apart from keeping the body going when exercising, water can also aid weight loss. Drinking water will rev up your metabolism burning food faster, aiding you to keep the stubborn pounds off.

Related;

Facts about drinking water for weight loss

Different ways of how to stay hydrated

Manage stress

Stress affects your ability to manage a healthy weight. Often when we are stressed, we tend to make unhealthy food choices, and this has a big impact on our body shapes.

Related; the link between stress and weight loss.

Bottom line

There is no such thing as an “ideal” body shape; regardless of your body shape, you are beautiful. What is important is learning how to dress your beautiful body, being healthy, and happy.

In case of any concern or health problem, talk to your health care provider for advice and appropriate treatment or alternative measures.

 

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