You mean there’s an actual science behind your body and what you wear? Of course. Unfortunately we have lycra and jersey to blame for half the misconceptions.
Ever looked in the mirror and couldn’t quite put your finger on why that dress didn’t look right? We live in a world full of weird and wonderful body shapes – skinny, short, plump, tall, voluptuous and of course every Skool Girls dream ->‘The Coca Cola bottle figure’…But in reality, you don’t need ‘The Coca Cola bottle figure’to look good, you can work with got you right now, all it takes is an understanding of the ‘cornerstone of dressing’, which is your body shape.
Okay, so I’m no expert in the field of identifying body shapes and certainly not an image consultant, so when desperate measures call I turn over to the experts – who else better than ‘Trinny and Susannah’?
The experts of ‘The Body Shape Bible’speak…
1. Skittle
Characterised by: Smaller bottom, no saddlebags, longer frame with weight around their thighs.
- Anything for your top half that has some colour or detail to draw the eye upwards.
- Fitted dresses with flared skirts.
- Shorter fitted jumpers.
- High heeled shoes to make those legs longer and slimmer.
- Short cut jackets that emphasise your bum.
- Cropped trousers.
- Pencil skirts.
- Stretch trousers.
Want to know more? – *Click*
2. Goblet
Characterised by: Broad shoulders and no defined waist
- Wide and low-necked tops.
- Tight skirts.
- Fitted jackets that end at the waist.
- Low cut slim jeans.
- Feminine but robust heels.
- Any kind of baggy trousers
- Chunky shapeless knitwear.
- Double breasted jackets.
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3. Hourglass
Characterised by:Feminine curves abound with generous bosom and hips and a small waist.
- Cardigans with plunging necks
- Fitted dresses that stretch the waist
- Double button jackets
- Pencil skirts
- Baggy sleeves
- Flouncy blouses
- Smocks or anything very lose fitting
- Chunky boots
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4. Cornet
Characterised by: Boyish and athletic build, smaller breasts, broad shoulders and longer legs.
Do wear:- Wrapped knitwear and tops that nip the waist.
- Flared and fluted skirts.
- Fitted blouses.
- Slim jeans.
- Anything shapeless that will just hang from your shoulders.
- Tops that are bulky around the shoulders.
- Three quarter sleeves.
- Shoulder pads.
Want to know more? - *Click*
5. Cello
Characterised by: Broad shoulders with a curvy waist.
- Wide tops.
- Coats with flared cut and strong lapels.
- Simple wide trousers.
- Pleated or panelled skirts.
- Platform wedge shoes.
- Short skirts.
- Pencil skirts.
- Tight jeans.
- Boots that add bulk to your ankles.
Want to know more? - *Click*
6. Apple
Characterised by: The tummy being the largest part and a generally rounded and soft shape.
Do wear:
- Tops that are tight under the breasts.
- Side fastening pleated skirts.
- Tops with gathered fabric around the stomach that emphasise the bust line.
- Straight cut coats.
- Tight T shirts, particularly large shapeless ones.
- High wasted trousers.
- Anything that adds bulk to you (padded jackets etc).
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7. Column
Characterised by: Generally taller, have shoulders the same size as hips, slim waists and long legs.
- Round neck pullovers.
- Belted coats with hip pockets.
- Cropped trousers.
- A-line skirts.
- Flared trousers (but don’t overdo it!)
- Big accessories to add shape.
- Anything shapeless, particularly long coats and dresses.
- Straight dresses.
- Crop tops.
Want to know more? - *Click*
8. Bell
Characterised by: Small shoulders and small, short waist with a large bottom and thighs.
- Cowl neck jumpers.
- Flowing trousers.
- A-line dresses.
- Funnel coats.
- Eye catching necklaces.
- Wide V-neck clothes.
- Skimpy vests.
- Large foppish sleeves.
- Anything elaborate or fussy on your lower half.
Want to know more? - *Click*
9. Vase
Characterised by: The same curves as Hourglasses, but on a taller frame.
- Pencil skirts with well-tailored waists.
- Supportive high glam dresses.
- Straight jeans.
- Fitted shirts with puffy three quarter length sleeves.
- Sassy shoes.
- Sleeveless tops.
- Fussy necklines.
- Polo neck jumpers.
- Clumpy shoes.
Want to know more? - *Click*
10. Brick
Characterised by: A squareness and lack of curves
- Anything that creates a waist, such as tightly belted jackets.
- Empire line coats.
- Loose but not too big trousers.
- Gently draping jersey tops.
- Asymmetrical skirts that drape nicely over your hips.
- Tops with a pattern to break up the larger body area.
- Bulky, broad shouldered jackets that make you look even bigger.
- Anything that emphasises the width of your upper body (double breasted jackets etc.).
- Very short skirts.
- Trousers that do not hang naturally.
- Clumpy, unfeminine shoes.
Want to know more? - *Click*
11. Lollipop
Characterised by: Generous bosom, long legs, slim waist and hips are the hallmarks of Lollipop ladies.
- Skirts with details on the hip.
- Fluted skirts.
- Flared trousers.
- Full length coats that button under the bust.
- Gathered dresses.
- Slim high heels.
- Polo neck sweaters.
- Chunky knitwear.
- Anything that simply hangs loosely from the bust.
- High waist trousers.
Want to know more? - *Click*
12. Pear
Characterised by: Larger thighs and calves
- Anything that enhances your shoulders.
- Strapless dresses with generous skirts.
- A-line skirts (long ones only).
- Coats with belts.
- Flat fronted wide leg trousers.
- Pencil skirts.
- Tight cut jeans.
Want to know more? - *Click*
Source: The Body Shape Bible by Trinny and Susannah
(Cover image via tumblr / Featured images via trinnyandsusannah.com)
