What Styles of Tops Suit Your Shape?
Depending on your shape there are some differences in the styles of tops that you should look for when shopping (or sewing) for them.
I've collected a variety of styles for each of the body shapes on these shoppable boards so that you can easily find some great new tops this season. Many come in multiple colours or patterns so click through to discover more.
Waisted Body Shapes - A Shape, 8 Shape and X Shape
These need a top that comes in at the waist as it highlights your narrowest point and creates beautiful harmony with your figure.
Here are some examples in these shoppable boards (just click on the board to find out about each top, some come in different colours and patterns from what is shown here).
If you want to wear more voluminous styles, they need to be tucked in so that your narrower waist is highlighted rather than covered over.
Apart from having a waist, there are other things you may want to consider as far as the shape of tops that go with your body.
A Shapes (or your Pear shape)
Look for puffed sleeves or gathering at teh top of the sleeve, or some sort of sleeve detail that helps to broaden your shoulders which will balance your hips.
8 Shapes (high hip hourglass shape)
Peplum styles are made from your shape.
Depending on your shoulder width if you have narrower shoulders also look for puffed or gathered sleeves, or with sleeveless a shoulder line that extends a little past your natural shoulder line.
X Shapes (low hip hourglass shape)
If you have square shoulders avoid puffed and gathered sleeves, instead opt for a more streamlined sleeve.
Undefined Waisted Shapes - H and O and V
You want tops that skim over your waist and don't draw attention to the fact that your waist is not your narrowest point (H and O shapes find that their narrowest point is often just under their bust, rather than at the natural waist, which sits between the end of the rib cage and above the hip bone).
H Shape (rectangle shape)
Look for tops that have some breathing room at the waist.
A tie at the waist or feature that brings the volume in just below the waist can work well to give you the illusion of a more defined waist without drawing attention to your lack of waist.
The style of sleeves you go for may depend on shoulders and arms.
O Shape
Loose styles that flow over your tummy in fabrics that don't cling are best.
If you have larger upper arms opt for a flutter sleeve or sleeve that flows easily over your arms rather than anything that's too tight or that ends at around your waist area.
V Shapes
V shapes have broader shoulders than hips and often want to soften and de-emphasise them, so look for tops with raglan sleeves, or halternecks which draw the eye inwards at the shoulder rather than outwards.
Some V shapes have a more defined waist, others are less defined, so you will need to take your own shape into account when making the decision about whether or not you want to highlight your waist. Don't need curved hems like most other shapes because you can afford to add width to your hips as this low horizontal will balance your shoulders.
Where Your Top Ends
Tuck in tops that are voluminous and too long and if you have a shorter waist, make sure that you then blouse the top over your waistband.
If it's a top that is supposed to be worn out, not tucked, it should end either at your waist or just below, avoid ending at the widest point of your hips.
Look for curved hems, these help to elongate your legs and avoid adding a horizontal line to your hip area (unless you are a V shape).
Not Sure of Your Shape?
Take my free body shape calculator quiz here and then download your body shape bible with more tips to flatter your figure, or if you'd like my professional opinion on all aspects of your style (body shape, colouring and more) then head over to my 7 Steps to Style program which will give you the complete education in colour and style and what to wear that you've been looking for all your life!
