by Katie Hinderer

Created on: February 19, 2009

Hands down the most important lessons to be learned when it comes to fashion is how to dress according to your shape. Every woman is different. And since no two bodies are exactly the same clothing is never going to look exactly the same from one woman to the next. Some have a little hip action going on, others boast broad shoulders, some have tummies, and others have a large back side. Women are pear shaped, hourglasses, heart shaped and boxy.

There are two important thing to keep when dressing for your particular shape. One: you want to create a streamlined, balanced silhouette. Two: Humbly admit there are just some things that you can never wear. It's not the end of the world.

But how do we achieve these two fashion mantras? Let's break it down based on the four basic body shapes.

For the pear, that's the woman who is smaller on the top and bigger on the bottom. You might have large hips, a protruding backside or big thighs. To balance your silhouette to give the appearance of an hourglass figure you want to stick to wearing darker, non-pattered clothing on the bottom. Wear all the bright colors, patterns and textures that you love on the top. The dark colored skirt or pants is going to work to minimize your lower half, while the color and texture on the top will make that portion seem slightly larger and more in proportion to the rest of you.
Styles to stay away from: Bubble skirts and skirts with a lot of flare! These are going to make you seem bigger down below and unbalance your proportions. Skinny leg jeans can also be tricky.
Styles to go with: Try a straight pencil or A-line skirt. Pants should be straight legged or with a little flare.

For the heart, that's the woman who has a larger top and more tapered lower half. Maybe you have wide shoulders or a big bust. For the balanced look, go with the opposite of what the pear does. Solid, non-pattered pieces on the top to play down the size; with patterned, colored, and textured things on bottom.
Styles to stay away from: blousy tops and anything that has the currently popular ruffles and embellishments on top. Skinny leg pants can also be tricky for you as it may make you look like a large blob on top of tooth-pick legs.
Styles to go with: Fitted tops that don't add bulk in the material. Flared skirts, bubble skirts, trouser pants are all possible.

For the box, that's the woman who happens to be nearly the same size in the bust, waist and hip area. Balancing this is tricky as you need to work with both the top and bottom to achieve the look. Go with items that seem to create an imaginary waist line. Belts, high-waisted pants or skirts that visually draw a line across your body and cause a division to occur will help. Also try colors and patterns on either the top of bottom to create a contrast for the eye to catch.
Styles to stay away from: Anything already boxy in shape. Monotone colors on both top and bottom.
Styles to go with: The high waisted bottom, belts cinched a little higher than your natural waist, and empire-waist tops and dresses will all help give the needed fake' waistline.

The hourglass, that's the woman who is already proportionate on the top and bottom with a smaller waist in the middle. You don't need help balancing the silhouette, but make sure you dress in a way that shows this off naturally. Again a boxy shirt or dress that gives no idea of shape will give the appearance of a box instead of hourglass.
Styles to stay away from: Anything lacking shape and definition, especially in the waist area.
Styles to go with: Nearly everything else is possible.

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