I haven’t discussed the seven body shapes, the guidelines and principles surrounding them for several years now. While there’s much emphasis and focus on body shapes in the world of fashion, I believe, as a stylist there are other important factors.
Firstly, personality should always rule in terms of what we wear – wear what makes you happy!
”A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” Coco Chanel
Secondly, proportions are a very important factor to looking fabulous in your outfits – where your garments end makes a huge visual difference to your overall appearance.
”Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.” Coco Chanel
And thirdly, when correct colour is applied you add even more ‘wow factor’ to your clothes and outfits!
”The best colour in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.” Coco Chanel
With that said, over the coming fortnights I’m going to explain the body shapes in detail and share what clothes are correct and lovely for each.
The ‘X’ body shape is one of two hourglass shapes or silhouette (the outline of the body) with relatively equal horizontal proportions between the bone structure of the hips and shoulders. The widest point of the body for an ‘X’ shape is the upper thighs (not bottom) when viewed from the front. The waist of an ‘X’ is always defined and generally 9 or more inches smaller than the hip and shoulder width when also viewed from the front. To be the true ‘X’ shape you not only have to own the measurements of an ‘X’ but visually look like an ‘X’ with a significantly defined waist. You will also notice the long outward slope from the defined waist of an ‘X’ down to her widest point. The ‘X’ shape is also often quite long between the rib cage and the hip bone.
The the goal for the ‘X’ shape is to elongate your figure, show off your lovely waist, and reveal your beautiful curves without over-emphasizing them.
Clothes that suit the X body shape are pieces that fall smoothly over the curves with clean lines. Garments that reveal some skin at the top, and pieces that elongate your figure with vertical design lines and detailing.
Garments that best emphasis the gorgeous ‘X’ shape are: fitted and belted items, the trench coat, anything single breasted, flat fronted straight leg trousers, bootleg or flared pants that sit on your natural waist, subtle tapered skirts with an off-center slit, A-lines, easy wraps, sheath and shirt dresses, diagonal hemlines and crossover dresses.
