Buying clothes because they’re in fashion is not a good strategy for building a wardrobe. It implies you care more about keeping up with trends than finding pieces that truly suit you and enhance your personal style. While it's fun to experiment with new trends, investing in timeless pieces that flatter your figure and make you feel confident is key to building a wardrobe that you'll love for years to come. Remember, true style comes from expressing your unique self, not from following the latest fads. 

At Solena, we believe that clothes have no other purpose than to bring out your natural beauty and highlight your personality. In this post, we'll help you discover your body shape and give you basic guidelines for dressing to enhance your shape.

Discover Your Basic Body Shape

Understanding your basic body shape is an essential first step in creating a wardrobe that enhances your natural beauty and highlights your best features. There are many different body shapes, and each one has its own unique attributes that can be celebrated with the right clothing choices.

In this section, we'll define the main categories of body shape, so you can identify which one you lean towards. Remember, these categories are general and not set-in-stone rules, but they can be a helpful starting point in finding clothing that flatters your figure.

Rectangle 

If your hips, waistline, and shoulders have about identical widths, you have a rectangle body shape. This body shape tends to have an athletic build.. Rectangles accumulate weight evenly, but may accumulate  more through the upper body, arms, or neck. Arms and legs are often proportionately slimmer in people with this body shape.

• Straight figure with minimal curves
• Shoulders and hips are roughly the same width
• Little definition at the waistline

Dressing Basics for Rectangle

Top Tip:

Aim to proportionately dress the top and bottom half, while enhancing the waist

• Enhance your silhouette with a well-fitted bra 
• Choose clothing with clean lines and structure to create a polished look
• Mix and match separates to create contrast
• Add interest to your outfits with patterns, textures, and details that reflect your personality
• Choose vibrant colours to flatter your skin tone
• Use darker colours to create a slimming effect around the waist, such as a dark belt.
• Opt for tailored, fitted clothing to avoid looking bulky or shapeless
• Cinch your waist with a belt to create an hourglass silhouette

 

Inverted Triangle

If your shoulders are broader than your hips, and you have a defined waistline, you have an inverted triangle body shape. This body shape tends to have a fuller bustline, with hips that may be narrower than your shoulders, and legs that may be slender. Hips are normally slim and the waist is subtle, with a tendency to gain weight in the upper body.

• Narrow hips
• Wide  shoulders
• Small waist

Dressing Basics for Inverted Triangle

Top Tip:

Balance broad shoulders with a narrow body by adding volume to the lower half and keeping slimmer clothing on top. Inverted triangles often have naturally long, athletic legs that can be highlighted.

• Opt for V-neck or scoop neck tops to create the illusion of a narrower upper body
• Choose tops with ruffles, embellishments, or patterns on the lower half to draw attention away from broad shoulders
• Emphasise your waist by wearing belts or cinching tops to create an hourglass shape
• Select bottoms that add volume or structure to the lower half, such as A-line skirts, wide-leg pants, or flared jeans
• Avoid shoulder pads or overly puffy sleeves, as they can further emphasise broad shoulders
• Experiment with accessories like statement earrings or scarves to draw attention upward and balance the overall look

 

Hourglass

If your hips and shoulders are roughly the same width, and you have a defined waistline, you have an hourglass body shape. This body shape can tend towards  a full bustline, with a narrower waist than hips and bust, and rounded buttocks. 

• Curvy figure with a well-defined waistline
• Shoulders and hips are roughly the same width
• Fuller bust and hips

Dressing Basics for Hourglass

Top Tip:

Highlight your curves with fitted clothing that cinches at the waist, and opt for styles that accentuate your natural shape.

• Avoid oversized garments that add bulk to your silhouette
• Clothing that adds the illusion of volume to your shoulders and hips, like puffed sleeves or flared pants, should be added evenly to both areas to maintain balance
• Opt for fitted tops that flatter your natural curves and create a streamlined silhouette
• High-waisted trousers are your friend
• Avoid high necklines, drop waists, and anything shapeless

 

Triangle

If your hips are wider than your shoulders, and you have a defined waistline, you have a triangle body shape. This body shape tends to have an enviably small waist, elegant neck, and proportionately slim arms and shoulders compared to the bottom half. 

• Narrow shoulders
• Wider hips and thighs
• Smaller bust and waist

Dressing Basics for Triangle

Top Tip:

Add volume to the upper body to emphasise your small waist. Draw attention away from the lower body

• Go for strapless, off-the-shoulder, tied, or cross-front dresses that draw the eye upward
• Choose dresses with bows or decorations on top and a straight cut or flare on the bottom half 
• Dresses that define the waist and have an A-line shape or flow from the hip work well to flatter the triangle figure
• Avoid tight dresses that cling to your hips, and stay away from mermaid skirts, ruffles, or anything that adds bulk to the lower half
• Look for well-structured A-line skirts
• Choose accessories like necklaces that draw attention to the upper body

Oval

If your shoulders and hips are roughly the same width, and you have a less-defined waistline, you have an oval body shape. This body shape tends to have a fuller midsection, with wide hips, love handles, and full upper thighs.

• Rounded figure with a fuller midsection
• Broad shoulders
• Wide hips and full upper thighs

Dressing Basics for Oval

Top Tip:

Make the silhouette longer with earrings and necklaces that draw the eye up to the shoulder and face.

• Opt for tops and dresses with V-necklines to elongate your torso and draw attention upward
• Emphasise your cleavage with a v-neck or bright necklace
• Look for A-line fits that flow away from your midsection and create a balanced silhouette.
• Avoid halter-necks and shoulder-baring tops
• Choose flattering, floaty tunics that flow away from your midsection and balance your upper and lower body
• Avoid clingy materials that may highlight your midsection, and instead opt for relaxed fits that flatter your natural curves
• Choose tops and bottoms of the same colour, so that they flow through the waistline

 

Knowing your body shape can help you choose clothes that enhance your natural beauty and make you feel confident and comfortable in your skin.

We said it at the start, and we’ll say it again: body shape guidelines are not hard-and-fast rules. They are helpful tips to help you make the most of your unique figure. Ultimately, the most important thing is to dress in a way that makes you feel happy!