How to dress for your body shape

  Before you stride into the nearest clothes shop or department store, you should take a few minutes to work out exactly what your body shape is. There are a number of tools online to help you do this. Here are a couple to try: Find Out Your Body Shape Determine Your Body Shape One thing to remember is that few people are a perfectly round apple or absolutely balanced hour-glass. Our bodies really are unique, so take the advice below and modify it for yourself!   Apple  Do wear: square/scoop neck tops. Empire line and longer tops. Wide belts. Tailored jackets and skirts. Wrap tops and wrap dresses. Flowing skirts. Mid-rise, wide-leg jeans. Wide-leg dress pants with pockets. Belted dress. Simple, monochromatic colours. Don't wear: Short jackets. Pleated skirts. Tops with ruffles and lots of detail. Dress to emphasise your legs and slim your waist.Pear  Do wear: Bold, bright tops. Large lapels and sleeves. Wide necklines with princess sleeves. Shirts with a fitted waist. Jackets that end mid-hip. Off the shoulder shirts and dresses. A-Line skirts. Mid-rise straight leg dress pants and boot-leg jeans. Don't wear: Flares or tapered trousers. Tube or pencil skirts. Avoid bright colours for trousers and skirts. Dress to emphasis your shoulders and bust but slim your hips.   Inverted Triangle / Strawberry  Do wear: Full skirts. Wide leg trousers. Bright colours. Scoop or V necked tops. Wrap tops. Jackets with a deep neckline that flare around the hips. Full/Ballerina skirts. Pockets on your hips. A-line skirts. Cargo pants. Dresses with a deep neck and structured bust. Safari style dresses. Don't wear: Shoulder-pads. Tapering trousers. Puff-sleeves. Dress to emphasise your waist and hips but slim your shoulders.   Hourglass  Do wear: Belts. Wrap dresses. Waist-cinching tops. Fitted shirts/jackets with darted waists. Pencil skirts with a flare. Boot-cut mid-rise jeans. Full-skirts. Sleeveless dresses. Wide-fitted waist and full skirt dress. Don't wear: Baggy jumpers. Boxy jackets. The key is to balance your top and bottom half. If you have volume at the top, go for volume at the bottom too.   Rectangle / Straight  Do wear: Structured coats with belted waist. High neck tops. Shirts with structured shoulders. Ruffled/detailed tops. Off the shoulder tops. Draped tops with a defined waist. A-Line skirts. Short skirts. Skirts with pockets. Low-rise boot-cut jeans. Full-sleeved dresses. Shift-dresses. Don't wear: Sheath or straight dresses. Crop-tops. The key is to give yourself curves and emphasise your long legs and slim frame.  Remember - the way you dress should make you feel comfortable, beautiful and confident. Try on everything - sometimes an outfit that looks boring on a hanger can look stunning when worn by the right person. Express your personality through colour and accessories. Look for people who dress well and ask them for advice. Avoid copying the latest fashion trends, and stick to classic clothes that always look good.