Body Silhouettes Body Silhouettes andand

Face ShapesFace Shapes

Fashion StrategiesFashion Strategies

ShapeShape

Connecting lines that enclose spaceConnecting lines that enclose space In fashion we consider 2 factorsIn fashion we consider 2 factors

Figure type = silhouetteFigure type = silhouette Garment shapeGarment shape The two are relatedThe two are related

Body Types - RectangleBody Types - Rectangle

undefined waist undefined waist similar bust, waist, similar bust, waist,

and hip measurementsand hip measurements waist no more than 8 waist no more than 8

inches different from inches different from your hips or bustyour hips or bust

arms and legs that are arms and legs that are slimmer than their slimmer than their body typebody type

usually don’t have usually don’t have thigh bulgesthigh bulges

RectangleRectangle

Do:Do: Wear clothing that falls smoothly and gently over the Wear clothing that falls smoothly and gently over the

midriff midriff Look for styles that lend an illusion of an indented waist or Look for styles that lend an illusion of an indented waist or

flow past it altogether. flow past it altogether. Wear dropped waist styles and adjustable or hip-slung Wear dropped waist styles and adjustable or hip-slung

belts. belts. Keep necklines and shoulder area interesting Keep necklines and shoulder area interesting Reinforce the vertical line in soft fabrics and flowing lines Reinforce the vertical line in soft fabrics and flowing lines Wear knits. Wear knits.

Don’t: Don’t: Wear boxy, stiff shapes that reinforce your straight lines. Wear boxy, stiff shapes that reinforce your straight lines.

RectangleRectangle

Body Type - TriangleBody Type - Triangle

wider hips and thighs than wider hips and thighs than shoulders and bust Wider shoulders and bust Wider hipships

curvy lower hips and rear curvy lower hips and rear are the biggest part of the are the biggest part of the bodybody

bust and shoulders may be bust and shoulders may be on the smaller sideon the smaller side

face and neck are slender face and neck are slender in relation to the overall in relation to the overall body sizebody size

Triangle (Pear)Triangle (Pear) Do:Do: Focus the attention above the waist with color, line, and detail Focus the attention above the waist with color, line, and detail Wear separatesWear separates Wear light, bright colors that attract the eye above the waist. Wear light, bright colors that attract the eye above the waist. wear dark colors below the waist and softly pleated skirts or wear dark colors below the waist and softly pleated skirts or

pants or flat-front pantspants or flat-front pants Use shoulder padsUse shoulder pads

Don’t: Don’t: Wear light, bright colored or print skirts or slacks and dark Wear light, bright colored or print skirts or slacks and dark

tops. tops. Wear skimpy tops. Wear skimpy tops. Wear stiff, thick fabric skirts or pants – all fabrics should be Wear stiff, thick fabric skirts or pants – all fabrics should be

soft and drape well. soft and drape well. Wear short skirts (short skirts can work only if the legs aren’t Wear short skirts (short skirts can work only if the legs aren’t

extra heavy and dark hose are worn)extra heavy and dark hose are worn) Flat shoes (unless having comfortable feet wins out over Flat shoes (unless having comfortable feet wins out over

dressing for your body type). dressing for your body type).

TriangleTriangle

Body Type – Inverted Body Type – Inverted TriangleTriangle

full bust, shoulders, full bust, shoulders, and upper backand upper back

Narrow hipsNarrow hips bust and/or midriff bust and/or midriff

is larger than the is larger than the hips producing a hips producing a natural wedge natural wedge shapeshape

Inverted Triangle (Euro V)Inverted Triangle (Euro V)Do:Do: Dress your body in shapes that work with, not against, your Dress your body in shapes that work with, not against, your

own natural wedge shape. Focus attention either at the own natural wedge shape. Focus attention either at the should/neck/face area, or at your hip and thigh/leg area. should/neck/face area, or at your hip and thigh/leg area. Wear wedge-shaped dresses with shoulder attention and a Wear wedge-shaped dresses with shoulder attention and a narrow hem. narrow hem.

Wear long over lean outfits. (long blouson tops and leggings Wear long over lean outfits. (long blouson tops and leggings or a narrow skirt) or a narrow skirt)

Wear monochromatic outfits. Wear monochromatic outfits. If you wear prints, wear them all over or on the bottom half If you wear prints, wear them all over or on the bottom half

with a long jacket to cover. with a long jacket to cover. Use necklines or scarves to create long, vertical lines, but Use necklines or scarves to create long, vertical lines, but

be sure that they hang against the body and don’t cascade be sure that they hang against the body and don’t cascade over the bosom into empty space.over the bosom into empty space.

Don’t:Don’t: Wear set-in waists and belts Wear set-in waists and belts Wear fitted jackets and tops. Wear fitted jackets and tops.

Inverted TriangleInverted Triangle

Body Type - HourglassBody Type - Hourglass

figure is curvy figure is curvy hips and shoulders hips and shoulders

about the same about the same widthwidth

waist is well waist is well defined -about 9 defined -about 9 inches smaller than inches smaller than bust or hipsbust or hips

HourglassHourglassDo:Do: Call attention to your well-defined waist. Call attention to your well-defined waist. Deemphasize your ample bust line so as to not appear top-Deemphasize your ample bust line so as to not appear top-

heavy. heavy. Wear soft, flowing, or “drape-able” fabrics and lines that Wear soft, flowing, or “drape-able” fabrics and lines that

acknowledge your shape without adding bulk. acknowledge your shape without adding bulk. Wear a slightly narrower skirt to balance your upper and Wear a slightly narrower skirt to balance your upper and

lower torso. lower torso. If you are very curvy, soften the line with long open over If you are very curvy, soften the line with long open over

blouses, cardigans, and soft jackets that flow in a line from blouses, cardigans, and soft jackets that flow in a line from shoulder to thigh. shoulder to thigh.

Don’t:Don’t: Wear overtly sexy outfits with clingy, body-hugging shapes. Wear overtly sexy outfits with clingy, body-hugging shapes. Confine your curves into tailored, boxy clothes that broaden Confine your curves into tailored, boxy clothes that broaden

you. you. Wear very full skirts Wear very full skirts

HourglassHourglass

ReferencesReferences

http://www.idmb.com/http://www.kerrconnections.com/wardrobeplanner/://www.kerrconnections.com/wardrobeplanner/

body_types.htmbody_types.htm

http://www.geocities.com/hourglass_women/http://www.geocities.com/hourglass_women/http://www.handbag.com/hair/styleinspiration/faceshapes/http://www.handbag.com/hair/styleinspiration/faceshapes/

http://www.style.com/http://www.style.com/

http://www.images.google.com/http://www.images.google.com/