Shopping for shape

Don’t you hate it when you find something great to wear on the rack but when you put it on, something’s just not right? It's not the color, no designer flaw, it fits, it just doesn’t work!

We are all made with different shapes and sizes and this is where the problem lies. We need to know how to accentuate our good bits and disguise the jiggly bits and flaws.

How do we do this?  This answer is dressing for our shape and once you know your shape it will make shopping and every day dressing a hell of a lot easier.

The main body shapes are pear, hourglass, boyish, petite, athletic and curvy. You may be one or a mixture. Here are AskBronnys' top tips to use as a guideline in building a workable, wearable wardrobe.  Follow these tips and AskBronny will get you dressing fab whilst accentuating all your best bits!

1. Pear Shape
Beyonce, J-lo, Cynthia Nixon
When choosing an outfit for a pear shape try to select pieces that are tailored whilst figure hugging your upper body. This brings more attention to your top half thus balancing out your shape. Tops that can do this are ones with sparkly or beaded detailing or bright colored tops, these draw attention to your top half and away from your bottom (pear shaped) area.  For your lower half it’s best to stick to dark colors, a-line and flared skirts.  In selecting pants AskBronny suggests you steer away from a narrow legged or extremely fitted pair of pants as these will only accentuate everything! Pin stripes always elongate whilst flattering - just remember to keep pockets to a minimum and steer clear of shiny material!

2. Petite Shape
Kate Hudson, Isla Fisher, Rachel Bilson, Kylie Minogue, Sarah Jessica Parker
Fitted tops work well for petites and any detailing is fine.  Babydoll tops and dresses can create curves (if wanted).  To elongate your legs and body try wearing vertical stripes and patterning. Petites can get away with shorter hemlines and show off toned pins (think Carrie in SATC in all those high heels and short dresses/skirts).  Floor length skirts and three quarter pants will cut you in half, which you may not want where as slightly flared jeans look cute (however we recommend a tailor if the trouser is too long). Petite are one of the shapes that can pull off one color head to toe.  Also petite figures (think Victoria Beckham) can usually get away with most of the fashion trends if they are on the lighter end of the weight range.

3. Hourglass Shape
Salma Hayek, Catherine Zeta Jones, Halle Berry
Never leave the house without a good fitting bra (to hold those gals up!). AskBronny also recommends avoiding wearing baggy or oversized tops, unless you are aiming to accentuate the waist - to do so, add a belt. Semi fitted is the most flattering (and slimming) make the top a scoop or v-neck. You can wear brighter colors as long as you don’t mind attention paid to your top half.  Darker heavier fabrics are the most slimming for the hourglass shape.  On your bottom half wear a wide or boot leg pant to balance out your hips.  Longer skirts can also balance an hourglass figure.

4. Boyish Shape
Portia Di Rossi, Gwyneth Paltrow
The main feature that defines the boyish figure is the lack of curves or in other words straight up and down. To help add curves (if wanted) you need to show off your waist. Stick to jackets and shirts that are clinches at the waist to create the affect of a waist.  Babydoll tops and dresses can also create curves or you may like to try wearing a bias cut dress which helps create the illusion of an hourglass. On the bottom half you can pretty much get away with anything.  AskBronny definitely recommends you invest in a great pair of figure hugging pants to show off that great natural lithe lower half of your body.

5. Curvy Shape
Shakira, Kate Winslet, Brittany Spears
You don’t want to hide under loose clothes, which will only add bulk to your curvaceous body.  Curvy is womanly and sexy and you should dress accordingly, accentuate your curves, enhance your shapely bottom, small waist and balanced figure.  The curvy shape is consistent and usually the hips and shoulders are the same measurement.  When looking for tops and jackets lean towards styles with sleek and simple lines.  Belted tops can help accentuate your small waist whilst wearing boots will give your legs a longer appearance.  AskBronny recommends you wear colors, patterns and shapes that balance your body for example patterns on the lower half will make you look bigger than you are, however reverse the look and you will appear taller without being top heavy.

6. Athletic Shape
Serena & Venus Williams, Madonna, Anna Kournikova
Wanting to look more feminine without feeling uncomfortable? Keep away from tops & bottoms with ruffling or gathers in them, they can make you feel more bulky and less feminine, please don’t attempt shoulder pads, unless you want to look musclier than you already are! Stick to sharp, crisp, no fuss styles to make the most of your figure, monochromatic prints will also flatter your figure. Throw on an A-Line skirt to balance out your muscular frame and help you feel more feminine and flirty.

No matter what shape you are, you are perfect as you are and simply need to dress to enhance your best bits! You are as you were made and this is something to be proud of, we all have something fabulous about our body that we can highlight.  Maybe you have amazing ankles; if you do AskBronny suggests you invest in beautiful footwear that will guide the eye to those amazing ankles. Perhaps you have a tiny waist; you should wear belted outfits, wrap dresses (think Diane Von Furstenberg) and fitted suits.  If you best feature is your boobs, then make sure your puppies look beautiful in a supportive bra that highlights your chest without dividing and conquering. 

Whatever your shape there is the perfect outfit out there waiting for you to discover! 

Take what you need from these tips, a bit from here a bit from there.  AskBronny hopes to help you create a stress free shopping experience (check out Bronny's tips on how to shop successfully) helping you feel fabulous!  No more muffin tops, camel toes or plumbers crack - just compliments about the fabulousness that is you!