There are a great many lists available on the styles, garments or shapes and silhouettes to wear that would best suit your body shape. For the most part, these lists are great but they all tend to start off on a negative; what’s the best way to hide a part of yourself that you’re not happy with. Find out what your body shape is here
So let’s flip that negative on its head and start off on a positive note; what’s the best way accentuate your best or favourite feature. And yes, you absolutely have a best feature. We will not question that. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought well I’m not really a fan of this or that bit but this other bit is kinda okay, that’s the bit we’re going with. Mine’s my legs, which is why shorts are my best friend from spring to mid-autumn. Don’t be shy about acknowledging your best features, you’re not being vain you’re being honest with yourself.
While there are a great many styles, garments and silhouettes to accentuate a great many features, for the purposes of this article we’re going to focus on the styles of dresses and silhouettes. To prevent this article from turning into a book, we’ll also focus on five key body areas to accentuate.
1. Arms and Shoulders
If you’re looking to showcase a great pair of arms à la Michelle Obama, the sleeveless dress is the style you’re looking for. This style lets you feature the full length of your arm and puts them perfectly on display. If it’s a little too chilly outside to be going completely sleeveless, layer a fitted top, especially one in a contrast colour, underneath your sleeveless dress.
2. The Bust
A surefire way to emphasize a bust-line or cleavage is with a V-neck. Depending on how much skin and cleavage you’d like to put on display, you can choose from V-necks that range from relatively conservative all the way to plunging. To maximise the effectiveness of the V-neck and make sure it’s the focal point of your look, the lower the V plunges the more covered everything else should be. A deeply plunging V-neck should preferable be paired with longish sleeves and a hemline that extends to at least the knee. A wrap front, especially in a jersey fabric, is also the friend of a very ample bust.
3. The Waist
For many body shapes the waist is the narrowest part of the body and a great feature to draw attention to. For those with a curvaceous hourglass figure, a dress that’s cinched at the waist (whether belted or through the cut of the dress) but also has a fitted bodice and skirt is an ideal way to both emphasize your waist and your general curviness.
4. The Booty
For those lucky enough to be able to channel their inner J-Lo or Nicki, a dress with a fitted skirt is a great option to emphasis an enviable behind. A V shaped back will also draw the eye down to your rear. Quick tip: a great pair of heels, especially stilettos, will give your behind an extra little lift.
