I am so excited for my first blog post about our new fashion component! Here at Head to Toe Wellness, we believe that part of being healthy and feeling good is about feeling confident in how you look. We hope that a recurrent fashion piece will be helpful to everyone and their overall ability to feel well and be well.
There are four body shapes most women commonly describe themselves as: apple, hourglass, athletic, and petite. Though these are not the only shapes women can or should categorize themselves under, they are very common. Here are some suggestions on how to dress better for your shape.
Apple- Women with this type of body have a waist that is larger than her hips and chest. She will, probably, have large breasts and strong, shapely legs. The goal here girls, is to create a more defined waist and angled structure throughout your body, giving yourself a silhouette. Here are some simple tricks to keep in mind.
– A structured jacket, think blazers that come in at your waist.
– Wrap dresses that aren’t super clingy or A-line skirts create angles and make your hips look curvier. Thus, creating the illusion of a narrower waist and an hourglass shape.
– Cowl necklines, V-necks and empire waist tops are all your best options because they bring attention upwards to your chest and help hide your tummy.
– A slim or straight-leg pant will show off your awesome legs, making them look longer and leaner. My suggestion is to go for the darker hues, as the darker the color the slimmer your legs look.
– Try boot cut jeans with a heel. This type of pants will hug your legs and flare at the bottom, creating a proportionate effect. Likewise, the weight of a heel will help keep proportion and balance you out.
– To avoid “muffin tops” try on mid-rise and high-rise jeans/pants.
– Try to avoid wide-leg jeans that flare. As they will make you look wider on your bottom and, make you appear top and bottom heavy.
– Collared shirts will not do you justice. You want to bring attention up towards your chest, not hiding or constraining anything.
Hourglass- With the abundant chest, a small waist and full rounded hips, you are one lucky woman. Your natural curves are what everyone is trying to replicate. The goal is to find clothes that move with your shape, not against it.
– High-waisted pants and cropped jackets that hit you at your natural waistline draw the eye to the slimmest part of your body. Effectively making you look smaller.
– Like the apple shape, wrap dresses are very useful; however you are going to use them for a different purpose, since you already have the curves the apple is trying to create. Because this type of dress plays on your angles, it will successfully show off your natural shape.
– Pencil skirts emphasize your narrow waist and hug your curvaceous hips as well as, displaying your authentic silhouette in a classic manner.
– For tops, V-necks and sweetheart necklines flatter your bust without exaggerating them.
– Anything shapeless such as oversized cardigans, boxy tops or baby doll dresses is something you want to avoid. While clothing that hides your figure may seem tempting at times, by doing this you may are making yourself look bigger than you really are.
– Likewise, wearing anything too tight may cause the fabric to pull and fight your body in awkward ways.
– Remember, you have the shape every woman is trying to create- so work it!
Athletic- Also known as the inverted triangle shape, this woman has a toned upper body; broad shoulders and a wider back. Her body, generally, is proportionate and may have a smaller bust and a waist without a curve. This woman can work with many styles, but the key is to avoid pieces that make her appear masculine.
– Wrap dresses and structured blazers- are we seeing a pattern? These pieces create the illusion of shape (by cinching at the waist), and also create a feminine look.
– V-neck shirts draw attention to your chest. Any tops with a center focus that can bring the eyes in and away from your broad shoulders is something you should look for.
– Wear bottoms that sit an inch or two below your waist.
– Skirts that flare can add dimension to your lower half. Wearing bright colors and bold prints on your bottom can help balance out your upper body.
– Polo neck tops, wide jackets, high-necked dresses and heavy sweaters are all pieces that will make your shoulders look wider; making you look top heavy and add bulk where you don’t necessarily want it.
– A major thing to be aware of are your tank top straps! Spaghetti straps and halters are not flattering for your athletic shape simply because they cannot hold their own against your shoulders and back. Wearing them may even exaggerate the width of your upper body and can make you look very masculine.
Petite/Short- The average height of a woman who is considered petite or short is less than 5’4”. In a world where long legs and torso’s surround us, it can become frustrating trying to figure out what looks good on your short frame. Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Sarah Jessica Parker are less than 5’4”; if they can look fabulous, so can you! There are three main goals you should try to achieve: appear longer, avoid boxiness and create a flattering silhouette.
– Monochromatic outfits will stretch your body shape. Also, wearing the same color belt, as your skirt/pants is an easy trick to use.
– Dresses instantly display your silhouette, the slimmer the dress the taller your body looks.
– Never buy pants because they are “too long”, if you like how they fit, buy them! They can always be hemmed.
– High waisted pants (with a short top) will make your legs look longer. Bottoms with vertical patterns will do the same.
– Blazers are a great way to make you look taller by creating a vertical line going down your body.
– Be aware of bold, oversized accessories as they might overwhelm your frame.
– Tops are important to keep in mind. Aim for V necklines and fitted shirts that stop at your hips.
– Stay away from wide tops and oversized clothes- even if they are trendy, they can make you look bigger. Anything too long on top will make your bottom half look stumpy, and layering may add extra weight and contrast with your small frame.
– Lastly, and I think this is the most important: find a good tailor! Fit is everything when you are not working with great height. Ill-fitting clothes can be detrimental to how you look. Tailors. I’m telling you, it is so worth it and will make all the difference.
There are four body shapes most women commonly describe themselves as: apple, hourglass, athletic, and petite. Though these are not the only shapes women can or should categorize themselves under, they are very common. Here are some suggestions on how to dress better for your shape.
Apple- Women with this type of body have a waist that is larger than her hips and chest. She will, probably, have large breasts and strong, shapely legs. The goal here girls, is to create a more defined waist and angled structure throughout your body, giving yourself a silhouette. Here are some simple tricks to keep in mind.
– A structured jacket, think blazers that come in at your waist.
– Wrap dresses that aren’t super clingy or A-line skirts create angles and make your hips look curvier. Thus, creating the illusion of a narrower waist and an hourglass shape.
– Cowl necklines, V-necks and empire waist tops are all your best options because they bring attention upwards to your chest and help hide your tummy.
– A slim or straight-leg pant will show off your awesome legs, making them look longer and leaner. My suggestion is to go for the darker hues, as the darker the color the slimmer your legs look.
– Try boot cut jeans with a heel. This type of pants will hug your legs and flare at the bottom, creating a proportionate effect. Likewise, the weight of a heel will help keep proportion and balance you out.
– To avoid “muffin tops” try on mid-rise and high-rise jeans/pants.
– Try to avoid wide-leg jeans that flare. As they will make you look wider on your bottom and, make you appear top and bottom heavy.
– Collared shirts will not do you justice. You want to bring attention up towards your chest, not hiding or constraining anything.
Hourglass- With the abundant chest, a small waist and full rounded hips, you are one lucky woman. Your natural curves are what everyone is trying to replicate. The goal is to find clothes that move with your shape, not against it.
– High-waisted pants and cropped jackets that hit you at your natural waistline draw the eye to the slimmest part of your body. Effectively making you look smaller.
– Like the apple shape, wrap dresses are very useful; however you are going to use them for a different purpose, since you already have the curves the apple is trying to create. Because this type of dress plays on your angles, it will successfully show off your natural shape.
– Pencil skirts emphasize your narrow waist and hug your curvaceous hips as well as, displaying your authentic silhouette in a classic manner.
– For tops, V-necks and sweetheart necklines flatter your bust without exaggerating them.
– Anything shapeless such as oversized cardigans, boxy tops or baby doll dresses is something you want to avoid. While clothing that hides your figure may seem tempting at times, by doing this you may are making yourself look bigger than you really are.
– Likewise, wearing anything too tight may cause the fabric to pull and fight your body in awkward ways.
– Remember, you have the shape every woman is trying to create- so work it!
Athletic- Also known as the inverted triangle shape, this woman has a toned upper body; broad shoulders and a wider back. Her body, generally, is proportionate and may have a smaller bust and a waist without a curve. This woman can work with many styles, but the key is to avoid pieces that make her appear masculine.
– Wrap dresses and structured blazers- are we seeing a pattern? These pieces create the illusion of shape (by cinching at the waist), and also create a feminine look.
– V-neck shirts draw attention to your chest. Any tops with a center focus that can bring the eyes in and away from your broad shoulders is something you should look for.
– Wear bottoms that sit an inch or two below your waist.
– Skirts that flare can add dimension to your lower half. Wearing bright colors and bold prints on your bottom can help balance out your upper body.
– Polo neck tops, wide jackets, high-necked dresses and heavy sweaters are all pieces that will make your shoulders look wider; making you look top heavy and add bulk where you don’t necessarily want it.
– A major thing to be aware of are your tank top straps! Spaghetti straps and halters are not flattering for your athletic shape simply because they cannot hold their own against your shoulders and back. Wearing them may even exaggerate the width of your upper body and can make you look very masculine.
Petite/Short- The average height of a woman who is considered petite or short is less than 5’4”. In a world where long legs and torso’s surround us, it can become frustrating trying to figure out what looks good on your short frame. Celebrities like Eva Longoria and Sarah Jessica Parker are less than 5’4”; if they can look fabulous, so can you! There are three main goals you should try to achieve: appear longer, avoid boxiness and create a flattering silhouette.
– Monochromatic outfits will stretch your body shape. Also, wearing the same color belt, as your skirt/pants is an easy trick to use.
– Dresses instantly display your silhouette, the slimmer the dress the taller your body looks.
– Never buy pants because they are “too long”, if you like how they fit, buy them! They can always be hemmed.
– High waisted pants (with a short top) will make your legs look longer. Bottoms with vertical patterns will do the same.
– Blazers are a great way to make you look taller by creating a vertical line going down your body.
– Be aware of bold, oversized accessories as they might overwhelm your frame.
– Tops are important to keep in mind. Aim for V necklines and fitted shirts that stop at your hips.
– Stay away from wide tops and oversized clothes- even if they are trendy, they can make you look bigger. Anything too long on top will make your bottom half look stumpy, and layering may add extra weight and contrast with your small frame.
– Lastly, and I think this is the most important: find a good tailor! Fit is everything when you are not working with great height. Ill-fitting clothes can be detrimental to how you look. Tailors. I’m telling you, it is so worth it and will make all the difference.