How to dress for your body shape

The key to making the latest fashions work for you is to understand your body shape, and here style and beauty expert, Nicky Hambleton-Jones, shares her know-how to help you identify your shape and the styles that will work best for you.

Nicky says...

A is for apple
Apple-shaped bodies are larger on top and smaller below.  Women with this shape tend to have broad shoulders and full breasts and are likely to carry weight around the tummy, but have smaller hips and bum and slim legs.

Flatter your shape with fitted tops that fall just below your belt-line, or V- or deep scoop-neck tops, which will make the most of your cleavage, lengthen your neckline and draw attention up to your face. Opt for wide leg trousers to balance your frame. Avoid pockets which can be unflattering and attract unwanted attention to the upper body. Go for long-length dresses that hang loosely from underneath the breasts.

Avoid wearing busy patterns on your top half, or opting for pieces that have lots of detail on the upper body, such as wide collars, buttons, frills, lapels and puff sleeves – these will only accentuate any extra inches. Never choose a dress that is figure hugging, as this will only draw attention to your waist. Polo necks will make you look top-heavy and square off your shape- so steer clear!

[See also: Tips for dressing a big bust]

Celebrities with an apple shape
Fern Britton
Beth Ditto

Positively pear
A pear-shaped body is slender in the torso, but has full hips, thighs and bum. Your best assets are your tiny waistline, delicate upper body, shoulders and arms.

Keep attention focused on your upper body by choosing patterned tops or ones with interesting details to draw the eye upwards. Wear wide, slash-neck tops to play up your shoulders and balance the width of your hips. Wear three-quarter-length coats and jackets that skim over your hips and thighs, or cropped jackets that are nipped in at the waist. The jacket should sit above or below your thighs but not on them. Choose A-line skirts and empire-line dresses that skim over wide hips, and wear a dark colour on your lower half.

Avoid wearing  bright colours,bold patterns, lurex or tight satin on your bottom half.  Bias cut skirts will cling in all the wrong places and emphasise the width of your hips, so give those the red card along with trousers with gathered waistbands – which will make your hips look even bulkier.

Celebrities with a pear shape
Beyoncé
Jennifer Lopez
Cheryl Cole

Heavenly hourglass
This figure is curvy (but proportionate) with full breasts, rounded hips and bottom, and a small waist. Your legs may tend to be heavier.

Wear V-neck tops or dresses for a hint of cleavage. Choose fabrics that mould your curves rather than swamp them. Balance your breasts and hips by adding texture below the waist. Try sheath-style dresses that will emphasise your curves. Go for fitted, cropped jackets that nip in at the waist. Wear contrasting colours to show off your shape. Use vertical stripes to give an appearance of length, and wear heels to elongate your legs and lift your bottom.

If you have a full bust, avoid empire-line or drop-waist dresses, which will make you appear either top or bottom heavy. Shun pieces made with bulky, heavy fabrics, and never hide your gorgeous curves under baggy layers.  Waisted belts will help to emphasise your waist and feminine curves.

Celebrities with an hourglass shape
Kate Winslet
Scarlett Johansson
Kelly Brooke

Rhubarb rocks
A rhubarb shape is a typical boyish, skinny figure, quite tall, straight and narrow, lacking a full bust or bottom, with a small waist.

Wear high-necked tops, such as crew or polo necks. Wear waisted belts to create the illusion of a waist. Choose fitted or tailored jackets and coats that hug the waist and flare over your hips to give the illusion of a waist. If your legs are super-slim, opt for mid-calf-length pencil skirts – the tighter the better. Vest tops and sleeveless jumpers are great choices, especially layered over shirts. Choose designs that have horizontal lines, adding dimension to your shape.

Really full skirts will drown you, unless you have the height to pull them off. Steer clear of high or wide waistbands, block colours, and baggy trousers which will draw attention to your lack of curves. Plunging necklines are likely to emphasise your lack of cleavage, so direct the focus to your slim arms instead.  Clothes with volume such as balloon sleeves or tulip skirts will all help to create curves. 

Celebrities with rhubarb shape
Nicole Kidman
Keira Knightley
Victoria Beckham

Need help working out your body shape? Try Nicky’s Body Shape Calculator.

Find out more about Nicky at www.themakeoverqueen.co.uk and www.nhjstyle.com.