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.

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.

Your goal is to highlight your curves—not hide them—by emphasizing your waist. A belted jacket is the easiest way to play up your petite waist. There’s a reason Kim Kardashian West has adopted a crop top–and–pencil skirt uniform—it’s incredibly flattering on curvy girls. The V-neck is ultra-flattering to your bust, and the wrap detail highlights the curve between your waist and hips. The upside of belted pants? You can be sure they’ll fit perfectly at the waist. A pencil skirt accentuates your curves and smoothes out your thighs. Your goal is to minimize your midsection by highlighting your shoulders and legs. A swing coat will be incredibly flattering on you. A flowy top is the best way to de-emphasize your midsection. The waistband will hit at the smallest part of the torso and flare out over the stomach. A shift dress lies just far enough away from the body to conceal any problem areas. Tailoring tip: Most women with apple figures have shapely legs, so get your dress hemmed to show them off! Pants that sit low on the hips will help avoid any stomach bulge.  Your goal is to highlight the thinnest part of your waist so your hips and bust appear larger and more proportional. Shirts with ruffles around the bust make your top half look larger, which makes your waist look smaller and shapelier in comparison. Jackets that cinch in at the bottom are ideal for your shape. The small side cutout on this striped dress works to make your look curvier. The inward-pointing lines whittle your waist, making it look smaller in proportion to your bust and hips. Voila: curves! Tapered pants will create the illusion of more proportionate hips. A form-fitting skirt will emphasize any curves you have, and the short hemline will show off your slim legs. Your goal is to elongate and balance your figure by accentuating your top half. Your bare shoulders will take the attention off your lower body, and the skirt shape is ideal for highlighting the smallest part of your waist and then generously flaring out to conceal wider hips. An A-line skirt highlights the smallest part of your waist and flares out over hips. Love this product? Check out our sweepstakes here for a the chance to win a prize from Luisa Via Roma! 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. 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, making them seem perfectly proportioned. We like a slim flare for the most modern feel. 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.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

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

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

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