How you dress is an individual choice. The colours and design of your clothing is an expression of who you are. There is no right or wrong way to dress when it comes to your personal expression and no one can tell you how to do it.
Clothing is also a form of communication in terms of how you are perceived. If you want to relax or work you dress accordingly. You can take a passive position to how you dress, dress in whatever feels right and allow people to read you as they wish. Or you can control the conversation by choosing clothing to fit the message you want to send.
Whether you are interested in coming across as organised, in control, successful, creative or relaxed, whether you’re a man or a woman, the clothes you choose and how you wear them matter. The first step in understanding how to use clothing in this way is to understand your body shape.
Know your body type
This isn’t about whether you are slim, overweight, tall or short. There is no perfect shape or size and body shapes do not conform perfectly to any category or template. If you want to understand your body type you need to accept the generalisations even if you perhaps have larger or smaller hips, bust or waist than those described below.
The hourglass figure
This one’s just for women. If you have an hourglass figure you might be described as curvaceous. Ideally clothing that shows off your curves, such as fitted dresses and skirts can be flattering. You are also likely to have a small waist. If this is the case you can wear slim-fit trousers and tops that highlight your waist.
If you’re intention is to dress smart/casual try to avoid baggy clothing that could come across as a little dishevelled and would make your hips and bust look bigger.
The pear shape
The pear shaped body is characterised by a smaller bust or chest and larger hips and bottom. Clothes that balance out your shape, such as tops that draw attention to your bust/chest and skirts or trousers that are gently fitted at the waist would suit this body type. The idea here is to draw attention to the upper part of your body and away from you hips, bottom and possibly legs. Bright coloured or patterned tops and dark coloured and plane bottoms would help create a more balance look. A scarf is also a helpful accessory for this body type.
Try to avoid skinny, tight fitting skirts and trousers that excentuate your hips and bottom if you are going for a smart look.
The rectangle shape
If you have a rectangle body shape, you have relatively straight hips and shoulders, and a flat stomach. Your bust/chest and hips are roughly the same size and you have little or no defined waist.
Tailored clothing will suit this body shape. Look for outfits that add volume to your shoulders and hips. You may want to define your waist through the cut or shape of clothing. Perhaps choose clothing with a high waist or, for women, that draws in around the rib cage under the beasts. A fitted shift dress also works well for women with this body type.
Avoid baggy, shapeless clothing which can look messy and ill fitted if you’re trying for a professional look.
The Apple Shape
Apple shaped bodies are characterised by a larger bust/chest and tummy and a smaller bottom. If you want to balance out your look you should wear clothes that camouflage your tummy and draw attention to the shoulders and below the hips. For women this might be a wrap dresses, flared or pleated skirts. Men should avoid tight fitting trousers.
Use colours and patterns around the shoulders and below the hips. In other words keep clothing plane from your bust/chest to your hips. Scarves are a useful accessory.
The triangle shape
If you have a triangle shape you have broad shoulders and a smaller bust or chest and bottom. You should wear clothing that brings volume to your bottom and hips, such as A-line skirts and dresses. Bright coloured skirts and trousers would suit this body type and narrow neck lines would draw attention away from your broad shoulders.
Use dark colours around the top half of your body, particularly your shoulders and avoid tight trousers and skirts that emphasis the triangle shape if you want a smart look.
And finally…
Understanding your body shape is not about conforming to how others believe you should look, particularly not in a work situation. Its about enabling you to build your wardrobe according to how you might choose to present yourself. Your body shape is just the first stage in the process. Just as you choose your words when writing an email, your clothes communicate a message. The more you understand how to wear clothes the closer you will be in a position to be in command of that message.