How to dress for your body type
Dresses are perfect for showing off femininity and are nice and cool for the summer heat. Aesthetically, dresses look best when they are filled in the bust, hip and derrière. Obviously, we always want to accentuate the positives without overstating them and deemphasize those features that you are less proud of. Here are some tips for finding the perfect outfit for you.
Willow - Little definition between bust, hips and waist. *think kate hudson*
Focus on your neck, face and arms for balance.
Choose tops that have an interesting design feature in the chest area. High necklines will give the illusion of slightly larger shoulders, which is a plus for you. A-line skirts, pencil skirts, dropped waist or handkerchief hems are all great for a straight figure. Use lots of color and design in straight figure clothing. The simple lines of your figure mean you can pull off a variety of texture and layering- have fun with colors and patterns!
Pear - Smaller bust, rounded hips and more defined waist. *think kate winslet*
Focus upward for balance.
Wear the right size, don’t try to hide your hips. Full skirts are actually a boon for you- (i.e. The Academy Skirt) Dark colors are always generally more slimming. Love detail on your tops and blouses! Solids for the bottom half and prints for the top half of your wardrobe will be best.
Hourglass - Bust and hips in equal proportions, with more defined waist. *think liv tyler*
Focus on waist for balance.
Look for tops that are cropped or end at the waist. Select tuxedo, shawl and v-neck collars. Seek to emphasize your waist without highlighting your curves by color blocking your outfits and adding a thin belt that matches the pant or skirt. Tight shirts and high necklines are NOT your friends, they just make your bust look bigger. The “the Pencil skirt” is your best friend, as it glides over your curves and flatters that hourglass shape. (I have one in nearly every color, including white) Pocketless pants and skirts minimize your full hips. Remember that dark colors such as brown, navy, charcoal and black are naturally slimming. Keep your jeans and slacks bootcut at all times!
Spoon - Full bust, small hips and small waist *think nicole kidman*
Focus on hips for balance.
Avoid tops with high-placed pockets, buttons or designs that draw attention to your top half. Try wide-leg pants and skirts or dresses that are triangular in shape. Have your clothes altered so they fit. Solids for the top half and prints for the bottom half of your wardrobe will be best.
Apple - Full bust, average hips and average waist. *think catherine zeta-jones*
Focus on mid-section for balance.
Pieces with vertical lines will flatter your curvier figure. Keep your accessories to a minimum and make sure they are proportionate to your frame. Avoid baggy or over-sized pieces. If your thighs are the largest part, try a one-piece with a graphic design. You can also add a bubble skirt to help camouflage your hips. Dress in tops with empire waists to elongate your figure.
Half-pint
You are under 5′ 4″ and generally are a miniature version of the willow. Keep clothes in proportion to your smaller frame, this also applies to prints. (small prints on a small frame). Skirts to the knee are most flattering and pants with heels will lengthen your frame.
DO accentuate the positives without overstating them
DON’T accentuate your larger area.
Remember, whatever you wear, own it. If you’re not confident in it, wear something else.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Christa,
I have so enjoyed your blog lately. I’m learning a lot. Thank you.
I really don’t know what my body type is. I’m not tall–about 5′2″–but I’m rather short-waisted and have longer legs. I’m slender–I have a small, defined waist, smaller to medium bust, and slim hips. I tend to be able to wear a wide variety of styles well. What type do you think I am?
June 17th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Many times women are a combination of body types…
It sounds like you are more on the straight side, with the addition of a defined waist. Think “willowy”, slender but still feminine vs. the more boxy straight.
Essentially, you are a petite version of the “straight” (also known as “the Willow”)
June 17th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
hi christa,
i would think of myself as straight/rectangular, but i don’t really fit the description you gave, either. i don’t have a whole lot of definition around my hips/waist, and i’m not exactly what you’d call an upside-down triangle, but my shoulders are on the broad side. i have a rather athletic figure and stance, so it’s often hard for me to find dresses that i really feel comfortable in and not too frilly. (when i try something on that has frills on it, my sister says i look like “a linebacker in lace!”) my style is sporty but elegant. what kind of dress would you suggest? i’m 5′3” and about 125. generally wear a size 4.
heidi
June 18th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I was going to ask the same thing Julia!
What type do you think I am?
I always thought I was pear shaped, but I do not have a defined waist. So… I have a very small bust, large hips, and am average height for an 18 year old.
Thanks so much.
P.S. I read your blog every morning.
Too bad it only updated a couple times a week! lol Just teasing. It is a great blog though. 
June 18th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Thank you so much, Christa!
June 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Dear Beth,
Even without a defined waist- you sound like a pear. An Hourglass will always have hips that are 10″ wider (at least) than her waist, and roughly match her bust. A pear often has the curvy derriere without the bust.
So pull out a few full skirts!
June 25th, 2008 at 6:16 am
One thing about full skirts though (minus the fact that I think they are awesome and so feminine
) how to you keep them from flying up in they air?! This might sound silly, but it really is a problem. I have gotten out of my car, when the breeze just swoopes through my car and the one nearby, and lifts me skirt! My sister wore a light denim skirt that went just-below her knee…and almost flew all the way up on our way out of the grocery store! I really need some ideas on how to stay ’safe’ when wearing a full-skirt. Thank you so much for helping me with my ‘figure-question’. 
July 1st, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Ha ha! That’s rich, I’m glad I’m not the only one with the “wind in the skirt” problem.
This is an age-old problem, and one that takes a bit of practice and a dash of stealth to fix. When getting out of the car, make sure you lift your legs out first,and keep your skirt down with your hand.
To prevent the “accidental billow” (especially in windy cities) safety pin your skirt to your slip- works every time. I’ve also used double sided, “fashion tape” to keep things in place. A longer coat (i.e. trench) is also a good idea.
Overall, the best defense is an offense- as much as possible try to hold down your skirt with your arms, or handbag. I know it sounds funny, but I do it all the time.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 am
Thank you Christa.
Great tips!
July 9th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Thank you for this wonderful post, Christa! I read through it several times, but I can’t seem to figure out which shape I am. I have a small bust (30 in.), defined (although not tiny) waist (around 27 in.), and bigger hips (33 in.). Oh, and I’m 16 years old and 5′3 1/2″. Do you know which figure is me? And what clothes would I look good in? Thank you so much! Great blog, by the way…I just love reading it!!!!
July 14th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
On the skirt thing, I have alot of problems with
my skirts flying up too. But I hate wearing slips
because I move alot! So I always wear a pair of tight
shorts under my skirts, they’re like leggings but
only come down like midthigh. It also helps prevent
heat rashes on the insides of my thighs.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Dear Hannah-
Because you are under 5′ 5″ I would slip you into the “half-pint” category, you lean more towards a straight body type. An Hourglass usually always has a hips measuring 10″ wider than your waist, and a pear has hips measuring at least 6-10″ wider than your bust. Neither of these options matches your measurements.
So, with more of a straight or willow body type, you can use the tips above. Just remember to keep them in balance with your smaller frame.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
-Christa
July 30th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
WHAT DO YOU CALL MY BODY???
I AM 5′5 ABOUT 145-ISH
SMALL SHOULDERS AND ARMS
AVG CHEST
LARGE JELLY BELLY
A LITTLE OVER AVG THIGHS
THIN LONG LEGS
AND TINY CALVES???
ALSO……WHAT’S GOOD TO WEAR SO MY JELLY BELLY
DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THEIR IS A BABY IN THERE?
THANK YOU…YOU’RE AWESOME
July 31st, 2008 at 12:21 am
Christa,
Im completely confused as to what body type I am, and I would really appreciate some help! I’m five feet seven inches tall, 32″bust, 22-23″waist, and 32″ hips. I have rather long legs, and my waist is pretty well defined, but all of my other limbs (and neck) are so long that I tend to look on the lanky side, with the exception of my torso, which is shorter compared to everything else. Thank You!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Dear Rose- you are definitely a willow- long and lithe all the way!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Joanne, I’m thinking about you- I’m a bit stumped trying to visualize you in my head- if you want to send me a picture that would be amazingly helpful-
christa@christa-taylor.com
August 19th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hi christa,
I’m not sure what body type I am. Can you pleeease help?
I’m 5′3″, about 115lbs
34″ bust
27″ waist
36″ hips
I have short arms and legs. Most of the clothes that I try on seem way too overwhelming for my body. If you could help that would be great. Thankyou
August 21st, 2008 at 8:26 am
Christa,
I am trying to figure out what body type I am. I am between the hourglass and apple but not sure which one. I have small shoulders and large bust. I don’t have a small waist but it is smaller than my hips. mY hips are more narrow than wide and my legs are average. I am 5′5″ 160#.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:52 am
Greetings Allie and Doris!
Thanks for posting-
Allie: You are a combination of “half-pint” (because of your small frame) and hourglass (your waist is at least 10″ smaller than your hips). The main thing you want to remember is proportion, you don’t want to drown in your clothes. In your clothign choices look for waist emphasis, it will flatter that hourglass.
Doris: With a large bust, you sound more of an apple. Typically with an apple, you also tend to have average to nice legs.
An easy test to confirm whether you’re an hourglass or not:
Is your waist at least 10″ smaller than your hips? If so, yes, you are an hourglass.
Hope that helps!
blessings,
Christa
September 10th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I’am 5′5″ weigh around 240 and have cup size “A” bust but all belly from under my bust to hips belly I look like I’m having a baby but I’m not.I would like to know how to dress to look better while I lose this weight.Thanks
January 14th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hi Christa,
I’m 23yr’s old, my height is 5′4″ I weigh 136lbs. My cup size is 32B” ,my hips are 32″, my waist is 30″ and my shirts are usually size small and pants are 5/6 in misses. My body is pretty well proportioned, but sometimes when I put on clothes it seems a little unbalanced. I’d just really love it if you could help my figure what shapes and types of pants(straight cut boot,etc) and shirts could help flatter my figure type(whatever body type I might be), Please. Thanks
January 14th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Dianna,
I will do a blog -post for you shortly- stay tuned! (and thanks for commenting
March 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I have the hardest time finding dress that look good on me. I am almost 5′4″ my measurements are bust 36″ waist 29″ and hips 37″. I usually wear a size 6 but can’t because my boobs are too big but thats not the only problem most dresses make me look fat and I know it is the cut of the dress but I’m not sure what dresses I should be trying on that would look good on me whether it is a day or evening dress. Please help! Thanks
April 4th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I am 18yrs. old and am not sure whether or not I am busty or hourglass figure. My measurements are:
height: 5′5″ or 5′6″
chest:36
waist:31
hips: 37