Many women think that their body type determines how attractive they are to men. But most guys like all body types if they’re healthy and strong.
For example, Jessica Biel isn’t underweight or skinny — but she looks really beautiful! And she’s got a strong body. In fact, research shows that back broadness trumps waist-to-hip ratio in attractiveness.
Round or Oval
Women who have a round or oval body shape are usually more well-proportioned than other female shapes. People with this body type have broader shoulders and bigger bust lines, but the waistline is narrower than the hips or torso. This shape is often referred to as “top-heavy” because more weight gathers around the chest and midriff than the lower body.
If you have a round or oval body shape, you should wear dresses with full skirts and high-waisted tops. These tops will help accentuate your slim waistline and balance out your curvy upper body. Avoid pencil skirts and form-fitting midi dresses, as they can cling to your middle and make you look unbalanced. Instead, opt for A-line and skater styles that skim over your tummy area.
Women with this body shape also have beautiful legs, so be sure to show them off in dresses that have sleeveless or strappy detailing. Look for dresses with a plunging neckline to help draw attention to your face and frame your neck. You should also choose tops with waist-cinching tailoring, like a scoop or boat neck.
Lastly, you can wear wrap dresses, boyfriend button-ups, and flowy tunics to draw attention to your slim legs and define your waistline. You can also try high-waisted bottoms and waist-defining belts.
Pear-shaped women have larger hips and thighs than their upper bodies (shoulders and bust). This figure is also known as a pear or apple shape because of its visual appearance. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Angelina Jolie have this body shape. If you have a pear-shaped body, you should avoid clothing with wide-leg trousers or flared pants because they may overwhelm your curves. You should also avoid boat-neck and Bardot necklines, as they will widen your shoulders and hips, and big shawl collars, which will elongate your neck and make your upper body appear larger. Opt for V-neck or scoop-neck tops that will cinch your waist and highlight your slender upper half.
Inverted Triangle
If you have an inverted triangle body shape, your shoulders and bust will be broader than your waistline and hips. This can be a subtle difference or dramatic, depending on your unique proportions. Your goal should be to balance out your top and bottom half, creating curves in your middle section while minimizing your shoulder lines. This can be done with clothing that adds volume to your lower half and cinches in your waistline.
Dresses that draw attention downward to your legs and hips are ideal for this body type. A-line dresses that flare at the bottom and have patterns or pleats are great options. These dresses will add volume to your lower body and create an hourglass silhouette while hiding any horizontal line from your shoulders.
You should also avoid tops with wide necklines that will further broaden your shoulder’s horizontal line. Try wearing asymmetrical tops or fitted short sleeves that can break up the block of fabric across your shoulders. If you choose to wear long sleeves, keep them a bit tighter than normal. Also, avoid broad cuffs or oversized long-sleeved shirts that can make your arms look wide and bulky.
Women with this body type should also pay close attention to the color and texture of their pants. Pants that are dark and textured will add width to your lower body, while pants in lighter colors or with patterns can help you look slimmer. Also, if you have wide hips or thighs, consider pants that are a little bit flared in the leg. This will create the illusion of a narrower waist and more defined hips.
Rebel Wilson is an actress with this body shape, known for her roles in “Pitch Perfect” and “Bridesmaids.” She embraces her curves and shows that even plus-size women can look fabulous. You can achieve the same style effect by wearing a wrap dress with a belt or waist-cinching blazer and pairing it with a pair of high-waisted jeans or pants. Flowy palazzo pants are another option to consider for this body type.
Hourglass
Women with this body shape have proportional width in their hips and shoulders but a very narrow waistline. This figure has a very feminine silhouette and is the most recognizable female body shape. It is often the least common body type as women with this body shape are stereotyped in their roles and can be perceived as a walking caricature of Jessica Rabbit, but it is actually quite healthy to have a full bust and a slim waist (although it may thin out over time due to pregnancy, menopause or childbirth).
Hourglass figures can wear most any style of trousers and skirts but will benefit from high-waisted pants as these help define the waist. They should also avoid any details around the hips that will add volume, such as pockets, darts or ruffles, as these would hide their waistline’s natural slimness. Instead, a skirt that is fitted at the hips and has a slight A-line hem will look best as this will lengthen the legs without adding any extra bulk.
Dresses for hourglass shapes should also draw the spotlight to their narrow waistline and be nipped in at the waist, so look for dresses with a belt or a tie that will highlight this feature. Lightweight fabrics and fine knits are also good for this body shape, as they will keep the overall silhouette streamlined.
Sleeves should be kept simple and fitted to ensure they don’t unbalance the natural curves of the body, so cap sleeves are ideal. However, hourglass shapes can also wear long sleeves as well as shawls or single-breasted jackets.
When it comes to shoes and bags, strappy sandals, stilettos and pumps will be flattering for hourglass shapes as they will highlight the narrow heel and add height. Bags that are structured and close to the body in terms of shape will also be flattering. Avoid boxy or clingy styles that will make the waist look bigger and avoid chunky heels which will draw attention to the feet. As for footwear, pumps with a thin heel and a strap over the toes will be most flattering as these will create the illusion of longer legs.
