Today I want to tell you a little bit about my life philosophy when it comes to styling, and also share som tips when it comes to dress according to your body type. We often hear the advice that we should dress according to our body type, but how do we really know what body type we are? I have put together a quick guide on how you can find your body type and how to dress accordingly to it.
Not sure what body type you have? Our body shape quiz is easy and fun to complete, and it only takes a few minutes. Once you’re done, you’ll find out your body shape and receive tips regarding styling. Unsure about your size? Click here and check out.
When it comes to clothes I am convinced that the best recipe for a successful outfit, is to wear clothes that makes you happy and boosts your confidence. Apart from that, it can be a good idea to look at what shape your body is, to make sure you enhance your favourite assets.
We have identified four body shapes. This does not mean that there aren’t any other shapes (many of us are a mix between several shapes), but these are the most common.
I myself have a curvy hourglass figure. When I gain weight, I do so quite evenly all over my body and my bust is mid-sized. I like to enhance my curves by wearing styles that hug by bust and loosely touches the waist. As I am a size XL, I have a bit of a belly (I love good food and refuse to restrict myself from the good things in life!). Wrap dresses suit me well, as long as they aren’t too tight in the waist. I also love a good A-lined style, as long as my chest is enhanced, the style can be a little looser in the waist, and still enhance it.
I am a mother, grandmother, 59 years old and happy over my wrinkles and life-marks! I don’t want to dress boring just because I am getting close to 60! I want to wear flowers and colors and be a splash of color that brightens ups someones day, regardless of my size.
Apple
Are you wonderfully curvy without a marked waist and with skinny legs? Perfect! You have what is most closely described as an apple shaped body.
Good tip! You fit well in longer tunics that make your body line longer in combination with narrow stretch pants that show off your beautiful legs.
Pear
Do you have narrow shoulders? And a deliciously plump buttocks and thighs? Excellent! You have a pear shaped body type.
Good tip! To create a nice balance, dress dark at the bottom and focus on the upper part of your body with stretchy tops, tunics and dresses in lovely colors and patterns.
Hourglass
Do you have lovely feminine forms with a well-marked waist? Congratulation! You are like taken from a movie from the 60’s and have a body type we call hourglass.
Good tip! Enjoy your curves and focus on your waist! Wrap dresses in a flexible stretch suit you perfectly. A-shaped skirts as well.
Rectangle
Do you have a nice straight body shape? With more or less the same dimensions around your waist, hips and bust? Excellent! Your body shape is most closely to be described as rectangle shaped.
Good tip! You can easily create beautiful shapes and conjure up a waist with the help of dresses and tunics in exciting cuts and patterns.
Strawberry
Do you have either a small or a generous bust, beautifully defined shoulders, and slim, lovely hips and legs? Is your hip narrower than your upper body? Perfect! Then you have the body shape that we call “strawberry”.
Good tip! Embrace your slim legs and highlight them! Longer A-line garments also suit you perfectly as they effortlessly balance out your body proportions.
”Do not come to me and say what I should do and what I should look like”. This is what I think. I have my double chins and 15 kg overweight. I do my make-up the way I want, enjoy good food and enjoy ice cream when I’m hungry. For me, no one should paus life while waiting to lose some weight to reach a certain size or achieving another goal that will probably make no one happy in the long run. More important, in my opinion, is laughter and that you live every day in the moment.
Most people who step into my store think they have parts of their body that are ugly and want to hide them. They may think their butt is too big, their thighs too rough or their hair is too striped – often the truth is far from there. They are much more beautiful than they think.
The first thing I notice in my clients are things to highlight; large, beautiful breasts, beautiful full buttocks, a narrow waist, and a pretty face. You must remember that no one bends down ant talks to your stomach. Bring out your personality with clothes!
I have always done that and that is also my philosophy behind “Dress like Marie”. I’ve always like hippie romance. The more colorful and the messier the pattern is, the better! In my world there has never been anything wrong with that. And many were impressed by what I was wearing, the fact that I dared. And that was what led the way for starting my own clothing store. Who’s really deciding what’s in and what’s not? Or what a curvy or slender person may or may not wear? The answer is: no one but you!
My best styling tips for you that have a…
APPLE SHAPED BODY TYPE
Are your shoulders, waist and hips equally wide and your legs narrow and fine? Make sure that your clothes do not go under your stomach or buttocks. Conjure up a longer line with straight and A-shaped models and dresses instead. The V-neck is a nice shape for you with a nice, large piece of jewelry that focuses on your fully breast and gives the body balance. Cardigans are great to use if you want to divide your silhouette and emphasize a little waist.
Wide trousers look good on you who have narrow legs, while an apple-shaped person with strong legs is also nice in wide trousers such as ‘Bodil’ or ‘Frida’. The idea that is good to keep in mind is to create proportions between the upper and lower part of the body.
TRY OUT THESE GARMENTS FOR AN APPLE SHAPED BODY TYPE
HOURGLASS SHAPED BODY TYPE
As an hourglass shaped person, you have shoulders as wide as your hips and a narrow waist. The bust can be both large and small. The best thing for you is to emphasize your waist with a wrap dress. We have so called princess models such as ‘Beata’ where the waist goes inwards and the skirts out which suits you very well.
If you feel that the clothes just hang on like a tent, the best tip is to put a belt around your waist. You can also tie your cardigans at the waist. Regarding patterns and colors, you should completely go for taste and what ever you like. You fit in most things.
TRY OUT THESE GARMENTS FOR AN HOURGASS SHAPED BODY TYPE
PEAR SHAPED BODY TYPE
Fuller buttocks and thighs as well as narrow shoulders are what characterize a pear shaped body type. Even for you, it’s nice to bring out the waist with wrap dresses. The princess model on dresses suits you, such as our model ‘Beata’.
You can advantageously have some puff sleeves, large shawls, and larger necklaces to draw attention to the upper part of the body and to add a little mass to the shoulder area. And if for some reason you want to tone down the thighs and buttocks, it can be good to wear a solid dark piece on the lower parts and more patterns and color over the bust and upper body.
TRY OUT THESE GARMENTS FOR A PEAR SHAPED BODY TYPE
RECTANGLE SHAPED BODY SHAPE
A straight or rectangular body type has a straight body with either a plump butt or a slightly smaller one. Straight dresses with stretch that follow the body are excellent as long as they do not go under either the butt or the breasts. If you want a curvier body, the princess model dress is perfect as well as flattering round or angular necklines.
You can also play with cardigans to create silhouettes. Preferably they should end at the waist and you can also tie them up. Balloon shaped clothes with a round cut create volume and curves. Don’t forget to create proportions and balance between different parts of your body. This rule also applies to all body types.
TRY OUT THESE GARMENTS FOR A STRAIGHT BODY TYPE
STRAWBERRY SHAPED BODY TYPE
The strawberry-shaped body type can have either broad or rounded shoulders and a large or sometimes slightly smaller bust. The upper body is generally larger than the lower body, and the waist is often less defined. The legs are often slim, and in many cases, the buttocks are also flat. Your goal should be to balance the broad shoulder area and bust with the narrower lower part of your body.
Focus on the lower part of your body. For example, patterned and light-colored bottoms are a great choice for you, as well as longer A-line garments. You can confidently go for V-necklines, deeper necklines, and 3/4 sleeves or sleeveless options. Focus on finding garments that fit perfectly around your bust and shoulder area – avoid models that are too tight.
TRY OUT THESE GARMENTS FOR A STRAWBERRY SHAPED BODY TYPE
Need some styling and more inspiration? We are here to help you find awesome outfits that will fit you perfectly, for any occasion. Contact our Online styling team or come by our shop. Styling is always free!