When you make your clothes, you can tailor them according to your body measurement.
It is however, important to choose patterns according to your body shape. When I started making my clothes, I had no idea about body shapes.
After several years of trial and error, I must say it is easier to make clothes according to your body shape.
Knowing your body shape will help you when buying your sewing patterns. There are certain styles that fit certain body shapes. This blog post will help you identify your body shape. This will subsequently help you find the best look for your shape
In this blog post, I will be talking about six different types of body shapes. A 2004 study categorised women into different body shapes. Or female body types. These include
TOP HEAVY TRIANGLE OR UPSIDEDOWN TRIANGLE SHAPE
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This is your shape if you have wide shoulders and narrow hips.Particularly with little or no waist definition.
When choosing a pattern style, try to avoid puffy and cap sleeves. Keep sleeve designs simple. Avoid high-waisted styles as well as fries and gathers at the waist. Choose styles with a simple collar and neckline.
Use plain fabrics or fabrics with small prints or light textured fabric.
These tips will definitely flatter your shape and help you dress accordingly.
Here you can find best clothing styles for an inverted triangular shape
THE CIRCLE OR APPLE BODY SHAPE
If there is not much difference between your shoulders, waist, and hip measurements. And you are a little bit on the plump side. That means you have an apple or round shape.
Apple-shaped individuals have a heavier midsection with a wide waist and wide shoulders. They have an average-sized bust and an undefined waist. Also, these women have thin arms and legs with a flatter bottom and hips that are narrower than the bust area.
With this kind of shape, you need tops, dresses, and jackets with pretty necklines.
Let the fabrics you choose for your tops be soft. And let them layer a little bit over the waist.
You also need to use eye-catching scarves, jewelry, and shoes.
All these will serve to draw people’s eyes away from your waist.
Avoid cropped tops and dresses that tend to cling to your body.
Try not to draw attention to your waist with styles that are waist-focused. Completely avoid bright-colored belts.
Check out Elysha Lenkins blog post on what to wear when you have a circle or apple-shaped body. Most times, finding what to wear can be a challenge with an apple body shape.
But not to worry.Here is a link to where you can find cloths for your apple body shape.Including slimming cloths for an apple body shape.
OVAL BODY SHAPES
You may be wondering, What is an oval body shape?How does an oval body shape look? You have an oval body shape if your chest and abdomen seem larger than your shoulders and hips.
And most times your waist might not be well defined.
Or sometimes it might be a little bit wider than the hips
.If you have identified yourself as belonging to this group, that is great. Now all you need are the tips and tricks on how to dress to suit your figure.
The best pattern styles that suites your figure are styles that draw attention away from your waist. Especially styles that require a belt.
Try adding fany necklaces and earrings to your dressing.This will definitely draw attention away from your waist.
Never turk in your shirts or bouse in your trouser or skirt.And completly avoid figure hugging T shirts.
Wearing skirts and trousers with longer tops will look good on you.
With these tips in mind,you will know the exact patterns to draft for your self with your pattern tools
NARROW RECTANGLE BODY SHAPE.
When your shoulders chest, and hips measurements are almost the same,than you have a narrow
rectangular body shape.In addition to this, you have long legs with no waist definition.
Sometimes the rectangular body shape can be confused with the pear or oval body shape. That is because both shapes do not have proper waist definition.
The major difference is what happens when you gain weight. If your weight gain is concentrated around your Tommy area, then you have an oval body shape. If however, you tend to become a fuller rectangle when you gain weight, then you belong to the rectangular body shape group.
The rectangular body shape is sometimes similar to a dress form.This makes it quite easy to get patterns that fit. That not withstanding, some of the best patterns to go for,are styles that draw attention from the center of the body.
Choose styles with details at the burst and hips.This is to create an illusion of shape.When choosing your fabrics, go for fine wool, silk, and satin.
Completely avoid tight-fitting t-shirts and skirts.
These will not look flattering on you.
It will only serve to emphasise your long and narrow figure.
HOUR GLASS BODY SHAPE
The most asked question is: How do you know if you have an hourglass figure or body type?
If you have a burst and hip measurement that is almost equal and a well-defined waist, then you definitely have an hourglass figure. Most hourglass-shaped women have rounded shoulders and well-molded buttocks.
Hourglass body shape is one of the most sought-after body shapes.
According to a new study published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, this body shape was identified as the best sort after body shape.
If you are blessed with this shape, it is better to go for styles that drape over your body.
Focus on pattern styles that emphasize your waist.
Stay away from straight, shapeless dresses and big jackets. This will do nothing to flatter your figure
Here are some other usefull tips on how to dress according to your hourglass body shape.
Bottom heavy triangle or pearl body shape.
My hip measurements are wider than my burst and shoulder measurements. I also have a defined waist.These characteristics make me part of this group. You also have a pear shape if you have these characteristics.Knowing my body type greatly improved my dressing mode.In addition, I am able to know the kind of pattern to buy and sew for myself.
To dress well as a pear shaped woman,choose tops and jackets with details. Wear blouses with frills and embroidery. This will draw the eye away from the hip area.
When cutting your materials to sew, pay particular attention to the lines on the material. Horizontal lines should not cut across the hips.
This will only make your hips look wider.
Avoid tight tuttle-neck tops or dresses. This tends to emphasise your narrow shoulders and small burst.Better to go for off-shoulder styles.
If you want to wear turtleneck tops, stick to sleeveless ones.
Leggings with baggy tops that end at your hips tend to look unflattering for the pear shape.
Here you can find some more useful tips on what to wear if you have a pear-shaped body.
I also discovered that I look good in pleated or flayed skirts with a belt.Wearing tight, narrow skirts made my hips look larger than they were.
Best to avoid those kinds of skirts.
HERE IS A FREE PATTERN DRAFTING E-BOOK JUST FOR YOU
CONCLUSION
That’s my take on how to identify and dress according to your body shape.
What do I want you to take from this?
Just know that no matter your type of shape, there is always a way to dress and look beautiful. Again, knowing your body type makes your sewing easier. I hope this blog post has helped you to know your body shape.And how to dress accordingly.
Let me know what your body type is.
Do you have dressing tips for other body types?.Do not hesitate to drop your comments. You could save somebody from a dressing disaster!.
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