All About Fashion

Petite:

You are small boned and under 160cm. To identify if you are petite, your wrist measurement should be 13cm or less. Besides being petite you would usually fit under one of the body shapes below. Therefore follow the recommendations to your body type, however, keep prints smaller/finer and other proportions (such as flounces, pockets, beading and any other detail) smaller. In terms of jewellery and accessories keep them proportional to your silhouette unless the size contrast of large and small is desired.

Celebrities who are petite Halle Berry, Clair Danes, Kylie Minogue

Column:

Your bust and your hips are well balanced and you have little or no waist. The best way to describe your body shape is straight, you can get away with looking good in most styles. Many models are column body shape. Your aim is to create a well defined waist while still maintaining balance between your upper and lower half. You generally look great in tight fitting clothing as you are slim. Adding a wide dark coloured belt to your waist would be an easy way to create a shapely look. To create more curves add volume evenly to your upper and lower body. Styles with structured shoulders and wide collars, cinched in at the waist and have a slight flare at the bottom will give you an hourglass appearance.

Choose jackets that finish just below the waist and pants that are flared or boot cut. Choose styles that have detail around the bust and hip. For example pleats, gathers and large feature pockets. Avoid any straight cut clothing as it will just make you look boxy and give you no shape.

Celebrities in this category Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Therman

Brick:

Your body shape is a wider version of the column. You have wide shoulders, an undefined waist and your hip line is similar to your bust. Style tip: Try wearing soft or drapy fabrics. Fluting or fullness around the hemline (without fullness at the waist) would suit you.
To give yourself a waist, wear details around your shoulder line preferably with a rounded or curvy edge as this will draw the eye up and out. Avoid strapless if you are short waisted and a brick. Scarves worn lose and long are an easy way to soften your rectangular look as long as you neck is not thick.

Celebrities in this category Kim Catral, Jennifer Hudson, Rachel Hunter

Neat Hourglass:

You have the most flattering body shape. Your bust and hip measurements are reasonably well balanced and you have a defined waist. Your shoulders balance out your hip measurement and you generally have round buttocks. You have great shapely legs.

Style Tip: To maintain your ideal figure; keep your upper and lower half proportional. To do this; wear belts to cinch you in at the waist, ensure your garment/s detail/volume is balanced on top and bottom (if you're wearing a detailed top balance it with a gathered/pleated skirt). Jackets that end at the bottom of your hip bone work best. Avoid anything boxy that finishes around your lower hip line as it will hide your waist and give you no curves.

Celebrities who are a neat hourglass Jessica Alba, Megan Fox, Jessica Biel

Full Hourglass:

You a similar to the neat hourglass however have larger proportions and may have a swayed back. You have a full bust, defined waist and round and full bottom. Style Tip: Elongate your neckline by wearing deep V's or square necks. As for other features on garments, try looking for style lines with sharp or angular edges to balance your curves. For example geometrical or zebra prints.

Celebrities in this category Marylin Monroe, Salma Hayek, Jessica Simpson, Scarlett Johansson

Pear:

You are the most common female body shape. Your upper body is smaller than your bottom and thighs (commonly known as a triangle) and your hip is smaller than your thighs. You have a defined waist and usually narrow shoulders and a small bust with a rounded bum and thighs. Your tiny waist is your best asset. Your aim is to add volume to your upper body while still showing off your waist to balance your bottom half and give an illusion of an hourglass figure.

Style tip: Wear styles with necklines that are high V's, wide/boat, wide and rounded or large collars. In the areas around the shoulder try to find styles with voluminous detail. For example sleeves with pleats or gathers, layers of frills or trims/detailing such as flowers studs, buttons and large beads. The bust line should also incorporate details that would give impact such as ruffles and interesting pockets. Wear styles that have a defined waist to show off your best asset and add a thick high waisted belt for a more curvaceous look. Do not wear bottoms or jackets that have pockets or detail on your hip or thigh. Look for bottoms that skim or fall (a relaxed fit) over you buttocks and thighs and wear darker shades if you are wearing separates. They may be gathered at the waist (as long as the gathered point is slightly higher than your actual waist level).

Celebrities who are pear shape: Beyonce, Jenifer Hewitt, Kristin Davies, Shakira, Rhianna.

Inverted Triangle:

You have a much larger upper body than lower body. You have the appearance of a V. You have large shoulders, generally a wide back, your bust can be small or large and an undefined waist. You tend to have a square bottom and have fantastic legs. As an inverted triangle you gain weight in your upper body and belly first. Your aim is to try and give your lower body more volume to balance your upper body or vice verse.

Style Tip:Wear clothing that has a low deep neckline such as a V or a narrow scoop neckline as this will guide the eye to look vertical instead of horizontal. Choose styles that have a flare or flounces at the hip line as this will soften your upper half. Jackets that finish around the hip line (preferably with lower pocket detailing) with slight shaping at the waist is your ideal shape. Any garments with a peplum at the waist will be flattering on you. Full skirts will work wonders and balance your body. Try wearing colours and large prints in the lower half for a dramatic effect. Avoid styles that are loose on top or have over sized sleeves such as raglan and bat wing styles.

Celebrities with an inverted triangle Alyssa Milano, Teri Hatcher, Demi Moore.

Apple:

You have a rounded mid section and an undefined waist which is the largest area of your body. You may have a large bust and generally have a flat square bottom. You have great shapely legs which is your best asset. You may have a short neck and a round full face. As an apple you gain weight in your upper body first. Your aim is to hide your tummy while creating some definition around your waist and balance your upper and lower body.

Style Tip:Wear clothing that has a round wide neckline and styles that are nipped in at the waist in soft drapy fabrics which will disguise your tummy. A wrap dress that sits on your waist line with a deep neckline and flared skirt will add curves and give you an hourglass appearance. For bottoms choose a flared jean or wide leg pants with large front and back pocket detail to give you a round bottom and a fuller lower half. Try A line or pleated skirts as this will fill out your hips and create balance between your upper and lower body. Choose jackets that have a deep neckline, nip in at the waist and are flared at the bottom finishing at your hip bone. Avoid tight fitting tops as this will emphasise your tummy and do not wear miniskirts as this will make your upper half look bigger.

Celebrities who are an apple Catherine Zeta Jones, Jennifer Hudson, Liz Hurley .