A large number of fashion brands are now finally catching up with the idea of inclusivity when it comes to sizing clothes. There is a market now that is designing and manufacturing creative silhouettes for plus-size women. Any full-figured woman would understand that it is not always easy to embrace your curves, and with so many varieties and designs available in the market, shopping for your body type can be pretty overwhelming.

You might search all you want at the best online store for plus size dresses, but if you are not fully aware of your body type and dimensions, it is going to be quite challenging to find something that accentuates your figure and fits appropriately. Here we have put together a guide that will assist you in determining your body type and finding apparel that compliments your style.

Apple Body Shape

Women with an apple body shape tend to carry most of their weight in the midsection of their bodies. The breast and upper body are fuller compared to the hips and limbs, which are usually slimmer. These proportions create a roundish apple-like appearance.

Women with an apple body shape often feel conscious and insecure about their heavier waist and midsection. The key is to find cut lines and designs that take the spotlight away from the midsection.

What to Look for When Shopping

  • When buying tops or dresses, go for necklines that are V-shaped as these make the torso appear longer than it is and create an illusion of a slender waist.
  • Look for vertical seams and an A-line shape when buying jackets and dresses. These styles create an elongating illusion and drive the focus away from your waist.
  • When it comes to pants, go for straight or boot-cut designs as these will balance out the weight that you carry in the midsection.
  • Look for solid colors and geometric designs as they tend to create an elongating effect and will help to camouflage the heavier sections of the body.

Pear Body Shape

Women with pear body type have narrow shoulders and a thicker bottom. These women tend to carry most of their weight in their lower bottoms, hips, and thighs, whereas the upper body is relatively slimmer, which all together creates a pear shape. In this case, the waist is generally more defined.

To accentuate a pear-shaped body, you need to pick out the styles that compliment your figure and highlight your curves.  You want to go for items that balance out your body’s proportions and highlight the waistline.

What to Look for When Shopping

  • To create the illusion of a balanced figure, go for structured coats and jackets, especially ones that come with slight padding on the shoulders.
  • Look for short length jackets that come down to the smallest part of your waist, creating a slender appearance.
  • Some other designs and cut lines to look for are A-line skirts, empire waistlines, and boot-cut or straight jeans, and pants.

Hourglass Body Shape

Hourglass is one of the most talked-about and desirable body shapes for women. Women with an hourglass body shape have fuller breasts, well-structured shoulders, thicker hips and thighs, and a slim waist. With this shape, it is all about wearing clothes that accentuate the curvy figure and highlight the flattering parts of the body.

What to Look for When Shopping

  • As the hourglass figure already appears to have a well-balanced and even proportions with equal weight distribution in the upper and lower sections of the body, you do not want to overdo the designs. Go for streamlined outlines that flatter your natural shape.
  • Pick cut lines that accentuate the natural arch of your body. For instance, things like peplums, wrap-around styles, pencil skirts, and body cones go well with an hourglass figure. For pants and jeans, go for straight-leg designs and slim-cuts to accentuate your shape.

Inverted Pyramid Shape

Women with an inverted pyramid or triangle shape have substantially broad, wide-structured shoulders and a fuller breast. The heavy upper section tends to taper off down the body as these women have a relatively slimmer waist, hips, thighs, and legs.

When styling these women, it is all about creating a balancing illusion by driving the focus away from the upper section of the body.

What to Look for When Shopping

  • Go for designs with a V-neckline as it creates an elongating effect and will drive the attention downwards.
  • A-line designs go perfectly with an inverted pyramid shape as it creates a balance in the proportions.
  • When it comes to bottoms, look for something that is flary, like wide-leg pants, long flare-dresses, and even skirts, to fill the space in the lower section.
  • Also, you have to play with patterns and colors. By wearing bold-colored pants with a solid dark top, you will dive the attention to the bottom, which again creates a balancing effect.

Straight / Rectangle Body Shape

Women with a straight body type have linear proportions, much like straight lines outlining the body. The weight distribution between the upper and lower body is relatively even. The waist is less defined and is roughly the same width as shoulders and hips. The goal here is to use designs and cut lines that create curves in the right places.

What to Look for When Shopping

  • Tops with V-necklines, deep necks, and wrap tops are all great options that assist in elongating the figure and creating dimensions that give the illusion of a waistline.
  • Invest in some flare dresses, boot-cut jeans and pants, A-line dresses and skirts, and high-waisted pants.

Having an awareness of your body shape is the key to understanding plus-size fashion and styling that will be flattering for your figure. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to styling yourself and always remember to put comfort first as you do not want to compromise on that. We hope that this guide helps you in figuring out your body shape and experimenting with styles to put together outfits that complement you perfectly.