Fashion for Moms: Dressing for Your Shape

Unlike Garanimals (am I the only one old enough to remember those?), most people's top halves and bottom halves don't match. The key to dressing well is to create balance between your top and bottom. Once you've assessed your body type, you can scroll down and find the best looks for your natural shape, and tricks for highlighting the best parts of YOU. Of course, everyone talks about the hourglass figure. But if a piece of juicy fruit also describes you, as the words curvy, voluptuous or round, then there are ways to dress to highlight your biggest assets. Here are tips for dressing your figure if you're pear, apple, or hour-glass shaped:

Pear shape

• Wide hips
• Small bust
• Thick legs
• Slender stomach
• Really nice waist

Dressing for your shape:

• Your best bet: Find yourself a good tailor. You'll probably have to buy all your pants and skirts one or two sizes larger and have the waists taken in.
  
  
• Your best-balanced look: Don't be afraid of showing some skin. You want to draw attention to your shoulders to balance out your lower body. You could even bare your tummy if you dare. Wear wrap-front blouses that show off your waistline. This is the only body shape where shoulder pads make sense (but not too thick, no matter how narrow your shoulders may be!)
  
  
• Your best cut: Anything asymmetrical, like halter dresses or tops is money on you. Empire waists work well on you too. Wear wrap-front blouses that show off your waistline. On the bottom, A-line is superfine, as are wrap skirts and sarongs. For pants, always a flat front (no pleats, and be careful of side pockets!)
  
  
• Your best fabric: The more fluid the better, like flowy silks and rayon. Fitted tops in stretch cotton or stretchy knits, but nothing too clingy on the bottom.

Apple shape

• Generous bust
• Thick waist
• Narrow hips
• Usually strong, shapely legs

How to dress for your shape:

• Your best bet: You want to draw attention away from from the middle. And if you got a great pair of gams, by all means, mama, show those legs off!
  
  
• Your best-balanced look: Tunic tops with leggings is a fab style for you. You can also have fun with capris and cigarette pants (and funky prints too!)
  
  
• Your best fabric: Draping, flowing fabrics for your long-waisted blouses and tunics. Avoid cropped and fitted tops, and make sure that button-down shirts fit well (no popping buttons!) On the bottom, you can get away with most fabrics, provided they don't bind at the waist.
  
  
• Your best cut: Straight above-the-knee skirts (again, prints are great!) paired with a long men's style oxford. (Stand the collar up!). Jackets should also be straight cut, with narrow lapels. For pants, a boot cut with a slim leg is a good look for you, or even skinny jeans (just make sure they actually fit. No muffin tops, mamas!)

Bonus pointers for apple shape:

• Pick shoulder bags that hit right at or below your hip to draw attention down.

Hourglass shape

• Shapely breasts
• Defined waist
• Shapely hips
• Rounded rear
• Nice legs

How to dress for your shape:

• Your best bet: Call attention to your lovely waist. Even if you're plus-sized, don't cover up your curviness; it'll only make you look bigger! If you feel self-conscious about showing off your curves, then layer a loose but fitted tunic top over fitted jeans.
  
  
• Your best-balanced look: A lacy camisole underneath a shawl-collared jacket paired with an above-the-knee skirt. Stay away from anything too tight. Better to go up a size or two than call attention to your, ahem, curvier areas.
  
  
• Your best fabric: Fluid, draping fabrics and stretchy knits. Avoid stiff fabrics that have no give, like linen, corduroy and lined wool. Also, a monochromatic look wins over a busy print.(small-scale prints are OK).
  
  
• Your best cut: Wrap dresses and wrap skirts are your best friends (look for a bias cut because it drapes over your curves, giving you extra room where you need it most. On top, boat or scoop necks or deep V sheaths drape beautifully around your curves without pulling at them.
  

Bonus pointers for hourglass figures:

• Stay away from chunky jewelry near your bust or neckline.
  
  
• If you're concerned about bosom fall-out with cross-front tops and dresses, wear a body-hugging camisole underneath.
  

Since you can't change your body shape, knowing how to dress for it can only make you look and feel better. Snug or ill-fitting clothes just make you look heavier. Plus, what mom can stand being uncomfortable while chasing after her kids In other words, work with what your mama gave you!

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