by TakeItUpANotch | May 25, 2022 | Fashion
Body Type Series Part 3: The Hourglass
Last week we tackled the apple body shape and I mentioned in that post that I would be discussing the hourglass shape next. If you happen to have this body shape you are very lucky! Curves are still in, so if you naturally have a curvy shape then you pretty much have the pick of litter when it comes to your fashion selections.
In my other posts regarding the different body shapes I have shared tips on how to create the illusion of an hourglasss body shape. This is mostly because hourglass shapes tend to be the most proportionate, and therefore the most desirable (according to todays beauty standards) shape. If you are already lucky enough to naturally have curves in all the right places then this post will help you figure out what you like and don’t like flaunting on your own body.
What is an Hourglass Shape?
If you have an hourglass silhouette than you have some of the following characteristics.
- You are generally well proportioned
- You have a defined waist
- Your hip and shoulders measure roughly the same
- Hourglass shapes also tend to have larger chests and hips
How to dress this body shape
Avoids
When is comes to pieces you may want to avoid with an hourglass shape, there really isn’t much that you can’t wear. Anything super flowy or baggy may not be your best friend simply for the fact that you have a killer figure. That being said, just add a belt to define that small waistline of yours and you’ll look absolutely fantastic! When in doubt add a belt! You may also want to lean away from anything that has a lot of embellishment near the hips or shoulders as these types of pieces may created an unbalanced look to your figure.
If there is any particular part of your body that you don’t want to flaunt then of course you can wear pieces that camouflage the areas that aren’t your favorite. For example, if you don’t like showing off too much chest then just opt for tops with a higher neckline, but not too high because that can throw everything off balance. High halter neck tops, like ones with bows or embellishments aren’t the best option for an hourglass shape. If you don’t like super form fitting pieces then go for a slim straight cut so you can still see your beautiful curves without fully accentuating them.
How to best dress this body shape
The key to looking your absolute best when you already have an hourglass figure is to make sure you’re maintaining your body’s natural proportions. You don’t want to wear anything that will make you look top or bottom heavy. You want to wear pieces that follow your natural silhouette and really accentuate your waist.
Necklines
slightly rounded or small v-necks are the best options for this silhouette. Oval, deep oval, round, or jewel necklines are great because they keep everything in balance. If you like showing off your chest then scoop or sweetheart necklines are the way to go! It all depends on your personal preference. If you don’t want to how off your bust then a small v-neck or crew neck are really great options.
Sleeves
The absolute best sleeve option for an hourglass figure is a fitted one. The length of that fitted sleeve however is completely up to you and how much of your arms you want to flaunt. Again, the key to dressing this figure is to keep everything in balance so large puff sleeves or bell sleeve that widen the shoulders or upper body are not always the best options.
Tops/Tees
Tops should be fitted for an hourglass shape. You want to really accentuate your natural waist and show off those curves. Some really great options for this body shape are fitted tees, peplum tops, fitted wrap tops, and of course a belted top.
Knitwear should be fitted as well. Aim for lightweight knitwear pieces as these will really compliment your shape.
Try to steer clear of anything boxy, oversized, or that has a lot of embellishment like ruffles and bows that will add volume to your upper body.
Bottoms
Sorry to any Gen Z lady that reads this post but low rise bottoms are not the best option if you have an hourglass shape. High waisted trousers and jeans are the way to go simply because the rise of these bottoms really accentuates your curves and natural waistline.
When it comes to the actual silhouette of bottoms that you should be looking for it is my opinion that is doesn’t truly matter. From skinny, straight cut, and even a flare leg, any silhouette will flatter this body shape. It is all up to your own personal preference.
Dresses
Just like with the tops, you want to accentuate your waistline when selecting a dress to wear. Nipped or belted dresses are amazing, but wrap dresses are a great option as well. Voluminous skirts will make the waist appear even smaller so try to find dresses with a full circle or tulip shape. Just make sure to keep things simple on the bottom half of the dress and don’t wear anything shorter than knee length.
I hope that you found this post helpful and learned more about the hourglass body shape and how to dress it. If you haven’t seen them already make sure to check out my apple and inverted triangle body shape posts! Make sure to subscribe to this blog so you never miss out on new content.
by TakeItUpANotch | May 13, 2022 | Fashion
Body Type Series Part 2: The Apple
Have no fear apples! I have written this post to help you find the perfect silhouettes to match your body shape! Before we dive deep into this body shape and how to style it, I want you to know that inverted triangles and the apple body shape are in some ways synonymous. Both body shapes are known for their strong broad shoulders, but apples tend to carry a little more weight in their midsections. That being said, no matter what you want to flaunt (or conceal) I’ve got you covered. Just keep reading to see learn about the best & worst silhouettes for the apple body shape.
What is an apple body shape?
So what is an apple body shape anyway? See below a list of some key features that define this body shape!
- You are generally well proportioned
- Your shoulders are broader than your hips
- You’re not really all that curvy in your hips
- You have an undefined waistline (If you do then you may be an hourglass shape!)
How to dress this body shape.
Avoids
When it comes to this body shape there are some silhouettes and even fabrics that will be more difficult to work with. Anything super formfitting may not be the best option for you apples. As far as fabrics go, things like jersey or anything super light weight can sometimes be clingy and accentuate the parts of your body that you may not want to flaunt.
You will also want to avoid colors and prints that will draw attention to your midsections. Prints such as horizontal stripes can really accentuate and widen your midsection which is typically something that women with this body shape try to avoid. Super light colors can also make your midsection look bigger, especially if the top you wear is oversized and doesn’t provide any shape or structure.
Also make sure that any details in garments you wear are away from your midsection. Try to keep details on the top and lower third of your body.
Create the illusion of an hourglass figure
Just like my post on inverted triangles, I wanted to include some tips for the apple body shape that will help you create the illusion that you have an hourglass figure.
Much like the inverted triangle, creating a wider silhouette on your lower half is crucial. Bright colors and fun prints can be your best friend if you have this body shape. By bringing the attention to your lower body it can really help balance out your figure. For the top half off your body, accentuating your chest and arms is a really great option. V-necks tend to be an apples best friend, especially if you have a larger chest. As far as sleeve length goes, the sky is the limit! Just wear whatever sleeve length you feel the most comfortable in.
Try creating an outfit with a top that has some fun detailing in the chest area or even a puffy sleeve (if you want to accentuate your shoulders) and pair that with a pair of high waisted wide leg pants to create a super chic outfit that will really create that illusion of an hourglass shape.
Dresses/Skirts
I wanted to finish off this blog post by mentioning the best dress/skirt options for this body shape.
A-line dresses/skirts are the best option for you. Try on an a-line skirt with your favorite v-neck top to create a really great outfit option. You also can’t go wrong with a wrap dress. If the skirt of the wrap dress flares out and it is made with a more structured material such as tweed, garbadine, linen, or raw silk it can be a really flattering option for your shape.
I hope that if you have this body shape you found this post helpful. Make sure to subscribe to this blog so you never miss out on any new content. Next up in this body shape series is the coveted hourglass shape!
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by TakeItUpANotch | Apr 19, 2022 | Fashion
Body Type Series Part 1: The Inverted Triangle
Since my blog is all about leveling up your style game, I wanted to write a series of posts about how to dress each body type. To kick-off this series, I wanted to start with my own body shape, the inverted triangle. In this post, I want to break down what this body type is and the best tips & tricks for dressing this shape.
What is an inverted triangle?
If you are a woman with an inverted triangle body shape you have broader shoulders that are wider than your waistline or your hips. Your hips tend to be slim but you have some beautiful shapely legs. Your chest may also be large or small.
How to dress this body shape.
Avoids
The trick to dressing this body shape is to downplay the shoulder region. You want to avoid pieces that can accentuate your shoulders such as, blazers with shoulder pads, blouses that have a puff detail on the shoulders, or any knitwear piece that has chunky details by the neckline.
Now if you love your broad shoulders and want to show them off then by all means wear whatever you feel like your absolute best self in! I love dramatic sleeves and you’ll find me rocking pieces that accentuate my shoulders often.
Create the illusion of an hourglass figure
The best way to downplay your shoulders is to accentuate your hips. By wearing pieces that give you the illusion of having wider hips you will create an hourglass effect. Try wearing tops that have larger detail near the hips or wear wide leg bottoms to bring more volume to the lower half of your body.
Finding wide leg bottoms this spring/summer should be quite easy since this silhouette is a major trend this year!
A-line dresses or skirts that flare out from the hip area are also great options. This silhouette can also help make your waist appear smaller as well. The same can be said for peplum tops. These tops are great because that accentuate your waist and can also hide any lower belly insecurities while creating the illusion of wider hips!
Necklines for the Inverted Triangle.
Lastly, I want to talk about the best necklines for inverted triangles. The neckline of a top can have a major affect on how wide our shoulders look.
Long and slim necklines that slim down the entire upper body are ideal for us broad shouldered ladies. Deep and narrow scoop, V, and U necks are a fantastic option. Asymmetric necklines are another great option because they really help break up the chest vertically. If you are small chested like me, Halter necks can also help elongate your silhouette.
I hope if you have an inverted triangle body shape, or just want to expand your knowledge of the body types that you found this post helpful. Make sure you subscribe and keep an eye out for part two of this series. I will be tackling the apple body shape next!
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by TakeItUpANotch | Mar 22, 2022 | Fashion
Pantone Color Of The Year And How To Wear It
2022 is here, which means for us fashion lovers we have a new color of the year that is sure to create a new splash in our closets. I, of course, am talking about Very Peri, Pantones color of the year for 2022. Just the name alone gives it away. This vibrant periwinkle blue with red undertones is stunning and represents fluidity and creative expression. In this post, I want to go over the Pantone color of the year and how to wear it. I also want to share some tips on how to style a color like this so you have all the tools necessary to create some fabulous outfits!
Neutrals
If you’re anything like me then you LOVE neutrals. Nothing screams elegant more than an outfit full of neutral tones. That being said, a little pop of color here and there never hurt anyone. If you are a neutral loving lady such as myself, try to get out of your comfort zone a bit and try on your favorite cream skirt or blue jeans with a periwinkle sweater or blouse. If that is too much pop of color for you, try finding a bag or even a pair of shoes in this color. Adding pops of color to your outfits through accessories is a great way to try new things without it being too over the top!
Bright & Bold
Speaking of over the top, If you are a bright and vibrant soul, then this is my style advice for you! 2022 seems to be a year where color is just taking over! Super bright colors and jewel tones have really ruled the runways this year. Veri Peri is a gorgeous purply blue with hints of red in its undertone so you can really have a lot of fun mixing and matching colors to create some absolutely amazing looks. Try to mix your periwinkle pieces with bright orchid pinks or canary yellows to create fun outfits that will also be really on-trend for spring/summer 2022.
Earthy
For those of you who love earthy tones have no fear! I have some tips to share with you as well. If you want to incorporate this periwinkle blue into your wardrobe think of a field of flowers. Yes, that’s right, you read that correctly! If you love earthy tones then you probably own many pieces in various shades of browns or greens. A beautiful forest green would pair very nicely with periwinkle. Pairing greens with soft pastel colors like periwinkle remind me of beautiful spring blossoms. If you love earthy tones and feminine silhouettes then try to find a sundress that has the earthy tones you love, with pops of periwinkle in the print. Periwinkle accessories are also a great option for this color palette as well. I hope you all have fun incorporating this color into your wardrobe. Leave a comment on this post about what you think of this color and how you plan to add it into your outfits.
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