• Create vertical lines with vertical stripes
• Wear open necklines and collars, like halter necks, v-necks and scoop necks
• Wear soft feminine textures to soften the shoulder line
• Avoid extra width and wear single breasted tailored jackets
• Wear jackets open to create a vertical line
• Wear jackets that are well structured at the shoulder
• Look for tops that accentuate the waist, like tops with banding or nipping at the waist or wrap styles
• Wear tops that accentuate a vertical line, so go for V-necks and keep your shirts unbuttoned
• Also find tops that balance the bust with your hips (if you have a large bust)
• Wear tops just below the hip bone
• Wear a darker color on top
• Wear strapless gowns and tops
• Use belts to define your waist even more

• Create more width and overall balance below with A-line or full skirts.
• Use bold textures to create more bulk.
• Horizontal stripes will make the lower body wider.
• Fuller leg width in trousers, full or bootleg pants. Culottes will work for you too.
• If trousers don’t fit your waist or bum, get them altered at the tailor.
• Have pockets or embellishments on your trousers or skirts.
• Wear bold and eye-catching shoes.
• If you like to emphasize your lean legs, skinnies will work too when combined with tighter fitting tops or tailored jackets

• Avoid shoulder pads or anything that accentuates the shoulders
• Boat necks
• Horizontal lines on top
• Oversized collars or lapels on jackets
• Very chunky knits (if you want to wear these, choose a dark color)
• Big bold pattern and graphics on top as these can have a widening effect
• Tapered skirts

• Characteristics Of A Rectangle Shape Body

• You have no defined waist
• The hips tend to have a similar width as the shoulders
• You do not have a lot of curves
• Your bust tends to be small or average
• Your bottom tends to be flat
• This is one of the easier body types for dressing.

As a rectangle, you will want to create more curves and a pleasing silhouette. You can do this by defining the waist and creating curves on the bottom or top.

• Use strong blocks of color to help define your body. 
• As for most body types, be sure to wear a good bra to define what bust you have.
• Wear tops and jackets that emphasize the waist.
• You can use some shoulder padding (don’t overdo it though LOL)
• Medium to high necklines usually work well, especially if you have a small bust and long neck
• If you like to create the illusion of bigger breasts, choose tops with pockets, rushes, pleating and other front details
• Halter necks will also give the appearance of a bigger bust and show off your back and shoulders.
• Accessorize with belts around the waist. Heavy belts can be really good if you’re also long-waisted
• If you have no waist at all, then a belt is best avoided
• 3/4 sleeves usually work really well for a rectangle
• Blouses can look really good if they are tucked in
  
  

• You can wear a tight skirt or pants to highlight the curves that you DO have or you can choose a looser style.
• You can wear almost any shape trousers but slightly flared trousers will look great on you as it will add more shape to your body. Low to mid waisted pants are usually best.
• Shift dresses and empire line dresses work well, but I also like to break the rule with dropped waist dresses!
• You can create a waist with a belt.
• Or you can skim over your waist completely, disguising the fact your waist isn’t much slimmer than your bust and hips.
• As well as dresses, jumpsuits will look great on you. Try a halterneck style to show off your shoulders.
• You can wear shorter shirt dresses over jeans or skinny pants.
• A-line skirts also work really well for this shape.
• A knee-length pencil skirt that tapers in at the side will also add some curves and look good.
• If you like the waistless look, you can opt for straight skirts and shirt dresses.
  
  
• What To Stay Away From:
• Avoid totally shapeless clothes
• If you want to add curves then avoid straight dresses, but you can also opt for the waistless look!

• Characteristics Of A Apple Shape Body
• You have no defined waist
• Weight tends to form on the stomach
• You have an average to large bust size

This is a body shape that often develops after 40 when you start to experience symptoms of (peri)menopause and may gain weight around your waist.

To be honest this is not the easiest body shape to dress as many women with this shape will be well aware of.

Some women tend to cover it all up with loose garments which, in most cases, is not the right thing to do as this can simply make you look larger than you really are.

Winter and fall can be the easiest seasons to dress the apple shape because you can play with layers to create long, lean lines and skim over your belly.

However, thankfully, you can still add lovely layers in spring and summer too. 

• How to Dress A Apple Shape Body

 Upper Body

• Draw attention away from your tummy.  

  You can do this in two ways. Either you can skim over your tummy area completely.

  Or you can redefine where your mid-section is. You don’t have to tie your belt at your widest point, for example. You can just belt a little further up where you are slimmer.  
  
  You can wear a flattering V-neck and belts your pants at the slimmest point of her waist. Creates a column effect by wearing a blazer open over your outfit.

• Emphasize Your Cleavage
  

  Okay, you don’t have to emphasize your cleavage if you don’t want to. But my general point is you should draw attention somewhere else other than your tummy.

  If you are happy with your cleavage, you could draw attention upwards. A V-neck top will be super-flattering on you.

• Emphasize Your Legs
  If you prefer your legs – and lots of apple shape women have great legs – you could draw the attention downwards instead.  
  
  That doesn’t necessarily mean wearing a mini skirt, but you could go above the knee with your hem length. 
  
  Or you can wear a longer plain top, but choose patterned jeans or pants.
  
  
• Choose The Right Material
  

  Don’t opt for clingy materials which will just draw attention to any lumps and bumps.

  Instead, opt for textured materials or draping and ruching.

• First of all, since a lot of attention is going to be drawn to the top part of your body, get yourself a well fitted bra. You don’t want your bust and your tummy meeting each other!
• Tops that highlight your body at the slimmest point, which is often just underneath your bust are often very flattering. They should have enough space for your belly but not be too wide.
• Buy t-shirts that are ruched in the middle. This will confuse the eye and you can’t tell that there’s a tummy underneath.
• Get tops with a V-neck to break up the size of your chest and create a vertical line.
• Look for tops with a thicker texture that don’t cling so much. Woven tops can be great.
• The best hem-length for tops is just below your hipbone (when worn with pants)
• Patterns tend to look very good on an apple shape body as they flatter and camouflage.
• Tops that draw attention to your arms with e.g. flares, a slit or embroidery will draw attention from your belly
• Asymmetry in your tops helps to create vertical and slimming lines.

• What To Stay Away From:
• Big puffa jackets – these will only make your midriff look wider.
• Big shapeless garments that don’t show any waist. You can, however, use tunic dresses as a base to create long, lean lines with layers.
• Bulky trousers with lots of pockets and zippers at the front.
• High necklines. A V-neck will be more flattering.
• Tight, clingy T-shirts that show every lump and bump.
• Avoid wearing everything in one solid color. Better to mix color with a texture or to use several layers in different colors to create vertical lines.

Avoid Buying Fabrics That Look Cheap (OR Are Cheap And Poorly Made) As They Are Usually Not Flattering OR Will Not Last

As a young woman, you may have looked cute in a flimsy, poorly made t-shirt but as a woman over 40, you need something with a bit more substance.