What to Wear for the 7 Body Shapes: Your Basic Style Guide

No two bodies are the same. That’s the magic of personal style.

Your body is unique, and understanding how to dress it isn’t about blindly following fashion and trends. For great personal style, I am going to be upfront and honest here… you WILL need to embrace your natural features and enhance them with outfits that work. Because if an outfit doesn’t look stylish and attractive, it’s actually NOT the body at fault, it’s wrong selection of clothing. So I’m saying the starting point is to choose silhouettes and cuts and shaping to suit you and your body type. To harmonise with you.

So here’s a basic style guide of outfit ideas on how you can aim for “style harmony”, based on your body shape. You’ll notice it’s all about the ratios of our bone structure and waist, not about body “variations” like bust size or height.

(Oh and by the way, your body shape can change throughout your lifetime.)

X Shape: The Classic Hourglass

If your shoulders and hips are balanced, and you have a defined waist, you’re working with the classic X shape. The goal here is to highlight your natural curves without overwhelming them.

Styling Tips:

• Fitted Silhouettes: Choose dresses that cinch at the waist, like wrap dresses or belted styles. Tailored jackets and tops that draw in at the waist will also work wonders.
• Avoid Excessive Volume: Stay clear of overly boxy or shapeless garments, which can add non-existent bulk and hide your curves, rather than highlight them.
• Proportion Balance: High-waisted pants and skirts can elongate the legs if you have a longer torso.

Outfit Ideas:

• A fitted wrap dress in a bold colour of your palette. Emphasizes your waist with a distinctive belt.
• High-waisted trousers paired with a tucked-in blouse to elongate your legs.

8 Shape: The Curvy Hourglass

Similar to the X shape, but instead with a high hip or “hip shelf,” the 8 shape is all about that defined waist.

Styling Tips:

• Straight Skirts: Pencil skirts or other straight styles that hug your hips without adding unnecessary volume are the most flattering.
• Avoid A-line and Gathered Skirts: These can actually make the hips appear wider, flaring from your widest point (high hip), which throws off the natural balance of your silhouette. So avoid fit ‘flare styles.
• Highlight the Waist: Choose outfits that draw attention to your waist, like fitted tops or waist-cinching belts. Note the width of the belt that works for you depends on your body proportions between bust and hip.

Outfit Ideas:

• A straight-cut or pencil skirt paired with a fitted blouse.
• A tailored sheath dress that skims your curves without adding bulk.

A Shape: The Triangle

What to wear with narrower shoulders and wider hips? The A shape benefits from drawing attention upward to balance out proportions.

Styling Tips:

• A-Line Skirts: These work well to balance wider hips and create a flattering silhouette. Avoid bias cut.
• Structured Blazers: Tailored clothing is your friend. Add volume to your upper body with structured shoulders and detailed tops, then straight (not tapered) trousers for the elongating line.
• Top-Focused Outfits: Use patterns, brighter colours, or embellishments on your upper half (especially shoulders) to draw the eye upwards.

Outfit Ideas:

• A tailored blazer with shoulder pads with blouse over an A-line skirt.
• A bright or light coloured top in your palette with a simple, dark-coloured skirt or full-length pants with slight flare.

O Shape: The Curvy Midsection

For those with weight around the midsection, the trick is to create smooth lines that bypass and don’t cling to the middle. Think about how to draw vertical lines from shoulder to upper thigh via items such as longline cardigans or jackets. Be aware that fabric types also make a huge difference to the fall of clothing, so be careful with stiffer weaves, heavier yarns or fabrics like taffeta, linen, and brocade.

Styling Tips:

• Flowing Tops: Go for tops and dresses that drape smoothly from the shoulders without hugging the waist. Tunic tops are an excellent go-to.
• Highlight Limbs: Shift the focus to your legs and arms with outfits that highlight these features. Jewellery and accessories are ideal for this purpose.
• Avoid Waist Definition: Steer clear of waist-cinching styles, which draws attention to the midsection.

Outfit Ideas:

• A trapeze dress that skims over the midsection and highlights your legs.
• An empire-waist top paired with slim-fitting pants to elongate your figure. Draw those vertical lines with your outfit!

H Shape: The Balanced Frame

With a straighter silhouette and little waist definition, the H shape benefits from avoiding styles that overemphasize the waist.

Styling Tips:

• Avoid Waist-Cinching: Skip the belts at the natural waist; drop them lower on the hips if you wear them at all.
• Add Volume: Use ruffles, peplums, or layered fabrics to add curves where you want them.
• Focus on Proportions: Balance your look with a mix of fitted and loose garments.

Outfit Ideas:

• A drop-waist dress with ruffle detailing to draw attention and create curves at the low hip or upper thigh.
• A semi-fitted jacket mid-hip in length, paired with slim-fitting pants.

I Shape: The Super Slim

Often found on models, the I shape is very slim with little natural waist definition. The goal here is to create the illusion of curves.

Styling Tips:

• Add Shape: Go for outfits that add volume and shape around the chest, hips, and thighs e.g., bias cut skirts
• Avoid Tailored Fits: Steer clear of overly tailored or tight clothing, which emphasises slimness and the straight shape.
• Play with Texture: Choose fabrics with body or stiffness to create a fuller silhouette.

Outfit Ideas:

• A voluminous skirt paired with a cinched and waisted top to add curves.
• A dress with ruching or gathering strategically placed around the hips and/or chest to create the illusion of a fuller figure.

V Shape: The Inverted Triangle

With shoulders broader than hips, the V shape benefits from balancing the upper body with interest and detailing around the thighs and below.

Styling Tips:

• Soften the Shoulders: Raglan or halter necklines are excellent styles to soften the shoulder line.
• Add Volume Below: Use skirts with pleats, pockets, or patterns to draw attention downwards.
• Avoid Horizontal Lines: Steer clear of horizontal lines at the shoulders, which can broaden the upper body further.

Outfit Ideas:

• A halter-neck top with a pleated skirt to balance your proportions.
• A cowl-neck blouse with wide leg trousers that cinch at the waist and flares at the hips down to feet to create a balanced silhouette.

Next Steps

Knowing your body shape is just the beginning. Real power comes when you understand how to dress it in a way that enhances your natural features.

There is sooooo much more to dressing for your Personal Style. Body shape is one of about 20 important factors when putting together great style (not even including colour). In fact, my consultations include your own reference manual.

And please remember, style is about celebrating your unique body and expressing its features with confidence. If you’re ready to take your style to the next level and achieve style harmony, book a Personal Style Consultation here where we can dive deep into understanding how to tailor your wardrobe to suit your body, lifestyle, and personal goals. Or book a free web call to discuss the online options available.

The point of these simple tips and outfit ideas is for you to tailor your clothing stye to YOUR specific shape, so you can confidently curate a wardrobe that not only looks good but also feels incredible every time you step out (or stay in)!

Feel free to bookmark this page and come back when you need some basic style guidance.