The Complete Guide to Dressing for Your Body Type

You generally know what looks best on you—perhaps there’s a wrap dress that consistently makes you feel confident or you always gravitate toward wide-leg pants—but we figured a more in-depth look at dressing for your body type is never a bad idea. Since there are so many shapes and silhouettes on the market and trends are ever-changing, how is one supposed to successfully navigate through shopping for your specific body type?
In fact, are you even sure of what your body type is? In case you aren’t (or simply want a refresher), we have broken down a few of the most common body shapes by definition, which areas to accentuate for each, and which pieces to shop for that will help you do exactly that. It might sound daunting, but trust us: With our foolproof guide, dressing for your body type is now easier than ever. Check it all out below.

If you're curvy with a tiny waist…

Try highlight your curves—not hiding them—by emphasizing your waist. Styles that are cinched or belted are always a great way to do this.
Outerwear: Try a belted jacket

Eloquii Soft Trench With Belt ($140)

A belted jacket is the easiest way to play up your petite waist.

Available in sizes 14 to 24.

2/20

Tops: Try a crop top.

& Other Stories Belted Wrap Blouse ($59)

There’s a reason Kim Kardashian West has adopted a crop top–and–pencil skirt uniform—it’s incredibly flattering on an hourglass shape.

Available in sizes 0 to 10.

3/20

Dresses: Try a wrap dress.

Vince Rope-Trimmed Cotton-Poplin Midi Dress ($375)

The V-neck is ultra flattering to your bust, and the wrap detail highlights the curve between your waist and hips.

Available in sizes XS to L.

4/20

Pants: Try wide-leg pants with a belted waist.

Habitual High Waist Wide Leg Stripe Pants ($168)

The upside of belted pants? You can be sure they’ll fit perfectly at the waist.

Available in size 6.

5/20

Skirts: Try a pencil skirt.

Cushnie et Ochs Dahlia Skirt ~~( $795)~~ $318

A pencil skirt accentuates your curves and lies flatteringly over your thighs.

Available in sizes 0 to 10.

If you have a slim lower body and carry weight around your middle…

Try highlighting your shoulders and legs, while choosing clothes that don’t add extra material or volume around the midsection.

6/20

Outerwear: Try a kimono coat.

Dima Ayad Open Tunic Overlay ($498)

A long, floaty coat will be incredibly flattering on you.

Available in sizes 16 to 22.

7/20

Tops: Try a flowy top.

Ganni Ruffled Top ~~( $360)~~ $216

A flowy top is the best way to de-emphasize your midsection.

Available in sizes DK36 to DK42.

8/20

Skirts: Try a high-waisted flounce skirt.

Forever 21 Flounce Skirt ($95)

The waistband will hit at the smallest part of the torso and flare out over the stomach.

Available in sizes 1X to 3X.

9/20

Dresses: Try a shift dress.

Christian Siriano Flounce Dress ($1200)

A shift dress lies just far enough away from the body to prevent you from feeling boxed in. Tailoring tip: Many women with apple figures have shapely legs, so get your dress hemmed to show them off!

Available in sizes 10 to 20.

10/20

Pants: Try low-waisted straight-leg pants.

Maggie Marilyn Houndstooth Pants ~~( $520)~~ $156

Pants that sit low on the hips will help avoid any stomach bulge.

Available in sizes UK 6 to 14.

If you're not very curvy and your hips are around the same size as your waist…

Try highlighting the thinnest part of your waist so your hips and bust appear larger and more proportional.

11/20

Tops: Try a ruffled piece.

Brave Soul Polka Blouse With Ruffle Yoke ~~( $57)~~ $32

Shirts with ruffles around the bust make your top half look larger, which makes your waist look smaller and shapelier in comparison.

Available in sizes 12 to 18.

12/20

Outerwear: Try a slightly cropped jacket with a banded bottom.

By Malene Birger Banu Velvet Bomber Jacket ~~( $775)~~ $310

Jackets that cinch in at the bottom are ideal for your shape.

Available in sizes DK32 to DK44.

13/20

Dresses: Try a side-cutout dress.

Nanushka Bhumi Cutout Satin Midi Dress ($595)

The small side cutout on this dress works to make your figure appear curvier. The inward-pointing lines will make your waist look smaller in proportion to your bust and hips. Voilà: curves!

Available in sizes XS to XL.

14/20

Pants: Try tapered pants.

Kaarem Sam High-Waisted Pocket Pant ($180)

Tapered pants will help balance your lower half.

Available in sizes XS to M.

15/20

Skirts: Try a miniskirt.

Eloquii x Katie Sturino Mini Skater ~~( $80)~~ $45

A form-fitting skirt will emphasize the curves you have, and the short hemline will show off your legs.

Available in sizes 12 to 28.

If you're curvier on the bottom and narrower on top…

Try elongating and balance your figure by accentuating your top, less curvy, half.

16/20

Dresses: Try a fit-and-flare dress.

Violeta by Mango Floral Print Dress ~~( $120)~~ $60

The skirt shape is ideal for highlighting the smallest part of your waist and then generously flaring out over wider hips.

Available in sizes 10 to 18.

17/20

Skirts: Try an A-line skirt.

Apiece Apart Rosehip Wrap-Effect Striped Linen and Silk-Blend Skirt ($355)

The thin tie is a subtle way to draw attention to your waist.

Available in sizes 0 to 12.

18/20

Tops: Try an embellished top.

Rixo London Pandora Embellished Embroidered Georgette Top ~~( $285)~~ $143

Embellished or embroidered tops are great for centering the focus on your slim upper body. Underscore the effect by keeping your skirt or pants simple and unadorned.

Available in sizes XS to XL.

19/20

Pants: Try boot-cut pants.

NYDJ Barbara Stretch Bootcut Jeans ($109)

Boot-cut styles provide a one-two punch: They draw eyes away from the hips, and the volume at the hem balances out your hips, evening out their appeared proportions. We like a slim flare for the most modern feel.

Available in sizes 14 to 28.

20/20

Outerwear: Try a structured jacket.

ASOS Tailored Power Blazer in Dogstooth ~~( $83)~~ $50

Interesting details or prints direct attention to the top half of your body and give a bit of structure to the shoulder area, which makes your bottom half appear smaller in comparison.

Available in sizes 12 to 24.