There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about how to dress up well when we are not familiar with our own body type. But how can a person not be familiar with his or her own body?
By familiarity, I am talking about love and acceptance. Only when a woman cultivates these two attributes, will she get familiar with her own body. If this physical structure we’re born with, which we call body, is not fully loved and accepted, our inner and outer self will always be in a struggle.
When we love and accept who we are, life becomes so different, so positive and so great. Love your body instead of fighting against it. That’s one of many strong principles in the art of styling.
In the previous weeks, we introduced the concept of the 5 main body types, now it’s time to get to know them better. This week, we will explore the best clothing options for the Lovely Apple.
Knowledge is power, remember? When you feel empowered, there’s no fear. No fear of clothes, malls, salespeople or colors. (Yes, fashion is insightful!)
The Apple body type is known to have the larger proportion of its form carried around the tummy area and not to have a defined waistline. But is that true?
What is a waistline, after all? Isn’t it at the belly button area? Not always. The thinnest area of the torso of an Apple-shaped woman is a little bit below the bust line, then making this area her waistline. Because of that, garments that are fitted at this particular area are the best bets for our lovely Apples.
Ready to explore more details?
Belts should be positioned with calm and patience. It will take you some minutes to find your sweet waistline spot at first, but once you find it, you’ll feel so happy about your new discovery. You will see belts as great friends instead of outer space objects that until then could only be of use of other women.
Another way to make a good use of your waistline is through the Empire Waist silhouette dresses. The Empire Waist is fitted until below the bust line, falling loose from there to the bottom hem. This silhouette elongates the body at the same time that it disguises the tummy curves.
That’s important information. Most Apple-shaped women wear fitted garments that define too much the curves of her stomach. By falling loose from the waistline down, the empire silhouette will take all attention off this area.
If you would like to elongate your body, use plenty of V or U necklines. In case you keep the tziniut dress code, you can create an optical illusion by using a V or U necklace, a fake collar or just a scarf beautifully adjusted in these shapes. The effect takes on an even nicer appearance if a mirrored V is made, meaning, a V-necklace on top of a V-neckline. Besides elongating the neck and body, the V shape on your top will take away attention from your midsection.
Use and abuse of drapes: placed in the right position, drapes take away all the attention given to your mid-section curves and create a flattering look. Another reminder: when wearing knits, give preferences to prints. Why? Because the eyes crave shapes, shades and colors. When using a jersey knit in solid color, the eye would go after all body curves and traces of shades it can find. Solid color knits are revealing, so it can cause a lot of… “situations,” as I would put it. By using printed knits, the eyes will be distracted by the prints and will not pay attention to the body forms. It’s easy!
Why not look for a printed wrap dress that creates drapes at the waistline area? If you prefer woven fabrics, go with textured ones.
For jackets and sweaters, choose the ones whose hems finish a bit lower than your hipbone. If the jackets are fitted (tailored or structured), bingo! A fitted jacket does the entire job: it shapes the body beautifully and gives a wonderful waist definition.
Leave your tailored or structured jackets open, it will give you a slimmer figure.
Another important hint is to bring attention to your bottom half with the help of A-line and flared skirts: they will create an “hourglass” illusion. Flared skirts also look great on you.