Team LBD's SS13 guide to dressing for your shape
It's always exciting to discover the new trends in fashion, the coming colours, prints and shapes, but passing styles were not built to suit us all (or rather we were not all built to suit them). With the massively varying body-types amongst womankind sometimes we have to overlook fads and make sure we're dressing to suit our figures. So, while moments in vogue are fun, Team LBD are here to tell you how you can work current styles to suit your body shape.
DRESSING AN APPLE SHAPE
Left to right: Silence Beyond Syllables Digital Print Dress, £145, Moda In Pelle Instinct Patent Peep-Toe Shoes, £69.95, Lipstick Boutique Mia Dress in Red, £60, Clare Hynes Meizhen Necklace, £165.
With an apple body-type you are prone to putting on weight around your middle BUT have been blessed with lovely, lithe limbs — make the most of them! This digital print shift dress is a seriously stylish nod to the work of SS13 design greats like Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto and it will flaunt your toned arms and pins while disguising a less defined waist — see, there are dresses for apple shapes out there! To accentuate your legs even further team this dress with a pair of vertiginous heels to make your legs go on forever.
If you want to create a bit more shape, this red Mia dress nips you in at the waist with a belt (the apple shaped girl's best friend) while fashion world's favourite peplum detail and capped sleeves give the artifice of curves. Not looking to invest in a new dress? To draw the eye up and away from your middle, simply wear a statement necklace a la Gucci this season.
DRESSING A PEAR SHAPE
Left to right: Ruby Ray Blue Maxi Dress, £230 (available for pre-order), Clare Hynes Bao Earrings, £45, Scarlett Black London November Dress in Navy, £170, Scarlett Black London Lips Print Scarf in Blue, £25.
Ladies with junk in the trunk pay attention. As a pear you carry your weight on the bottom and thighs, so the trick is to show off your delicate top half and take emphasis away from the lower quadrant. Do so with SS13's sexiest pool-side look, the strapless maxi dress which will flaunt your narrow shoulders and cover up wider hips. To further pull focus to your best features wear an extravagant pair of earrings.
Another advantage you have as a pear is the ability to pull off an ornate neckline as it balances you out — try this navy November dress — which draw attention to your slender upper half and features the hugely popular scallop detailing as seen at Mulberry. The same is true of long, look-at-me earrings or a statement scarf which is great for daytime chic. Team LBD can't get enough of this lips print design.
HOURGLASS
Left to right: The Pretty Dress Company Charlotte Dress in Forest, £95, Lagom Carina Clutch in Pewter, £49, Body Frock Lisa Dress in Black, £170, Zoe & Morgan Sassy Silver Earrings, £116.
Look at Marilyn Monroe, Christina Hendricks, Betty Page — you and your hourglass body are the holy grail of femininity that all women aspire to, lucky you! With this in mind exploit the Mad Men craze for dressing with this figure hugging Charlotte dress. The pencil skirt will flatter your curves and the waist belt will exaggerate your shape even further. Make sure you work that 1950's look to the full with a cute, kitsch clutch.
The main issue for your shape is being over-sexualised. The pin-up girl tag has begun to wear thin and so at this year's fashion shows the design elite were combatting the stereotype with ladylike looks including high necklines, which will do wonders as your sexy silhouette is maintained but your cleavage is concealed. Before your look becomes too ‘dress-up', pick out a pair of contemporary earrings, we love these art deco look designs from Zoe & Morgan.
CURVY
Often referred to as a ‘real woman' you should make the most of this and celebrate your curves. A maxi dress will look great on your frame giving the impression of height and will smooth over any unwanted lumps and bumps. This Arketta gown has the slimming effects of black and yet the embellishment escapes matronly and makes it an exciting party look. Because girls with shape can sparkle too!
Sleeves will also have an elongating effect, showing off elegant arms and are great for those of you who are a little bingo wing-conscious. The black Jo dress is perfect for this. The ruched detail and built in lining will embrace a fuller figure and the cinched 50's style really suits you. To add a splash of colour to this chic look a printed clutch will do the job, while a pointed toe in a nude shoe works well to give your leg definition.
BOYISH
Left to right: Reiss Alexie Stripe Black Lace Dress, £149, Clare Hynes Yuehai Bracelet £65, Scarlett Black London, £200, BlingDeenie Naomi Shirt Dress, £65.
Team LBD are always interested to see the androgynous look in action on a night out and since your small frame is suited to this edgy style we recommend indulging in this season's love affair with shirt dresses and rock chick leather. Rock a buttoned up collar in this Naomi shirt print dress — it will hang perfectly and the sharp tailoring will stop it swamping your slender frame. Gain full high fashion marks by adding a boxy jacket to your simple Saturday night LBD as your shape is one of the few that actually suits this masculine look.
However, if you would rather embrace your womanhood this sexy body-con Alexie dress will give the illusion of curves with its waist cinching bandage detail. For added girly detail this oriental-inspired bracelet is a fabulous addition and will look great on a delicate wrist.
PETITE
Left to right: Lipstick Boutique Ilaria Dress, £85, L.2.Mae London Lona Bias Evening Dress, £420, Aftershock London Arban Cocktail Dress in Gold, £69, Moda In Pelle Snakeskin Peep-Toe, £69.95.
The title ‘petite' relates to the entirety of your body, so while you are slighter around the hips and waist you also have shorter limbs. Firstly, avoid ankle straps, ruffles and general horizontal details as all these will all work to cut you off and make you seem even smaller. However, with a little frame you are given a great freedom with statement dresses such as this sparkly cocktail dress — its fitted shape will look great on your frame and you can easily pull off all that glitter! The same is true of this Ilaria dress and its longer straps will give a sense of height.
Block colours are another string to your bow — this maxi evening dress will elongate your diminutive frame while the shade of wine is totally on trend. And of course, a petite girl can never be without a good pair of heels!
Shop all new season dresses here.
Or read our body shapes special for a more in-depth look at what you should be wearing to flatter your figure.
Left to right: Silence Beyond Syllables Digital Print Dress, £145, Moda In Pelle Instinct Patent Peep-Toe Shoes, £69.95, Lipstick Boutique Mia Dress in Red, £60, Clare Hynes Meizhen Necklace, £165.
With an apple body-type you are prone to putting on weight around your middle BUT have been blessed with lovely, lithe limbs — make the most of them! This digital print shift dress is a seriously stylish nod to the work of SS13 design greats like Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto and it will flaunt your toned arms and pins while disguising a less defined waist — see, there are dresses for apple shapes out there! To accentuate your legs even further team this dress with a pair of vertiginous heels to make your legs go on forever.
If you want to create a bit more shape, this red Mia dress nips you in at the waist with a belt (the apple shaped girl's best friend) while fashion world's favourite peplum detail and capped sleeves give the artifice of curves. Not looking to invest in a new dress? To draw the eye up and away from your middle, simply wear a statement necklace a la Gucci this season.
DRESSING A PEAR SHAPE
Left to right: Ruby Ray Blue Maxi Dress, £230 (available for pre-order), Clare Hynes Bao Earrings, £45, Scarlett Black London November Dress in Navy, £170, Scarlett Black London Lips Print Scarf in Blue, £25.
Ladies with junk in the trunk pay attention. As a pear you carry your weight on the bottom and thighs, so the trick is to show off your delicate top half and take emphasis away from the lower quadrant. Do so with SS13's sexiest pool-side look, the strapless maxi dress which will flaunt your narrow shoulders and cover up wider hips. To further pull focus to your best features wear an extravagant pair of earrings.
Another advantage you have as a pear is the ability to pull off an ornate neckline as it balances you out — try this navy November dress — which draw attention to your slender upper half and features the hugely popular scallop detailing as seen at Mulberry. The same is true of long, look-at-me earrings or a statement scarf which is great for daytime chic. Team LBD can't get enough of this lips print design.
HOURGLASS
Left to right: The Pretty Dress Company Charlotte Dress in Forest, £95, Lagom Carina Clutch in Pewter, £49, Body Frock Lisa Dress in Black, £170, Zoe & Morgan Sassy Silver Earrings, £116.
Look at Marilyn Monroe, Christina Hendricks, Betty Page — you and your hourglass body are the holy grail of femininity that all women aspire to, lucky you! With this in mind exploit the Mad Men craze for dressing with this figure hugging Charlotte dress. The pencil skirt will flatter your curves and the waist belt will exaggerate your shape even further. Make sure you work that 1950's look to the full with a cute, kitsch clutch.
The main issue for your shape is being over-sexualised. The pin-up girl tag has begun to wear thin and so at this year's fashion shows the design elite were combatting the stereotype with ladylike looks including high necklines, which will do wonders as your sexy silhouette is maintained but your cleavage is concealed. Before your look becomes too ‘dress-up', pick out a pair of contemporary earrings, we love these art deco look designs from Zoe & Morgan.
CURVY
Often referred to as a ‘real woman' you should make the most of this and celebrate your curves. A maxi dress will look great on your frame giving the impression of height and will smooth over any unwanted lumps and bumps. This Arketta gown has the slimming effects of black and yet the embellishment escapes matronly and makes it an exciting party look. Because girls with shape can sparkle too!
Sleeves will also have an elongating effect, showing off elegant arms and are great for those of you who are a little bingo wing-conscious. The black Jo dress is perfect for this. The ruched detail and built in lining will embrace a fuller figure and the cinched 50's style really suits you. To add a splash of colour to this chic look a printed clutch will do the job, while a pointed toe in a nude shoe works well to give your leg definition.
BOYISH
Left to right: Reiss Alexie Stripe Black Lace Dress, £149, Clare Hynes Yuehai Bracelet £65, Scarlett Black London, £200, BlingDeenie Naomi Shirt Dress, £65.
Team LBD are always interested to see the androgynous look in action on a night out and since your small frame is suited to this edgy style we recommend indulging in this season's love affair with shirt dresses and rock chick leather. Rock a buttoned up collar in this Naomi shirt print dress — it will hang perfectly and the sharp tailoring will stop it swamping your slender frame. Gain full high fashion marks by adding a boxy jacket to your simple Saturday night LBD as your shape is one of the few that actually suits this masculine look.
However, if you would rather embrace your womanhood this sexy body-con Alexie dress will give the illusion of curves with its waist cinching bandage detail. For added girly detail this oriental-inspired bracelet is a fabulous addition and will look great on a delicate wrist.
PETITE
Left to right: Lipstick Boutique Ilaria Dress, £85, L.2.Mae London Lona Bias Evening Dress, £420, Aftershock London Arban Cocktail Dress in Gold, £69, Moda In Pelle Snakeskin Peep-Toe, £69.95.
The title ‘petite' relates to the entirety of your body, so while you are slighter around the hips and waist you also have shorter limbs. Firstly, avoid ankle straps, ruffles and general horizontal details as all these will all work to cut you off and make you seem even smaller. However, with a little frame you are given a great freedom with statement dresses such as this sparkly cocktail dress — its fitted shape will look great on your frame and you can easily pull off all that glitter! The same is true of this Ilaria dress and its longer straps will give a sense of height.
Block colours are another string to your bow — this maxi evening dress will elongate your diminutive frame while the shade of wine is totally on trend. And of course, a petite girl can never be without a good pair of heels!
Shop all new season dresses here.
Or read our body shapes special for a more in-depth look at what you should be wearing to flatter your figure.
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