How to Dress an Upside-Down Triangle

Defination Upside-Down Triangle: top is bigger than bottom.
Your shoulders shoulders are wider than your waist and hips.

Upside-down triangles (or pears), I believe, have the hardest time shopping for eveningwear because they usually have no hips. (Curves are good ladies!) Stay away from clothing that can broaden the look of your shoulders - boat necks, halter tops, even small spagetti straps can enhance your already-broad-shoulders. Try and bring attention to your waist or hips, and give your shoulders some balance.

• Fuller skirts and dresses will help even out your shoulders and hips.
• Wrap dresses will break up the visual space between your shoulders making them look smaller.
• Dress "heavier" on the bottom - wide-leg or bootcut jeans with a wide (or even bright) colored belt.
• Stay away from cropped jackets and puff sleeves: they will only make your shoulders look wider.

How to Dress an Oval Body

Defination Oval: top and bottom are even while middle is bigger.
Your waist is wider than your shoulders and hips.

Some think that oval shapes may be the hardest to dress, but here's some tips: use broadening and slimming techniques, just like every other figure! Broaden your shoulders and hips (my goodness) and slim down the waist area. Use tips from other body types to learn how to enhance your own!

• Wrap dresses with a fuller skirt and a puff sleeve will give the illusion of an hourglass figure.
• Jackets with some support (a small shoulderpad) and some darts for fitting will give the look of slimming down your waist.
• Look for princess seams (seams that go over the bust line, dividing your body into three parts) in dress shirts and dresses. Your eye will see the line and concentrate on the middle part (the largest area) and skim over the side parts, creating a slimming effect.

How to Dress a Rectangle Body

Defination Rectangle: top, middle, and bottom are all even.
Shoulders, waist, and hips are same width.

I think rectangular/square bodies are great but I have found that those who have them think otherwise. So the trick with this shape is to make others think you have an hourglass figure. This body type is probably one of the best to pull off skinny jeans.

• Accessories, like belts, that draw attention to the middle are great to create the illusion your waist is smaller than your hips and shoulders.
• Play with volumes: smaller on top (fitted shirt), and bigger on bottom (wide leg pants), or vice versa.
• Break up your body with layers - tanktop underneath a cropped jacket with some jeans and high heels - creating lines where your layers end will create shape on your body.
• Don't be intimidated by "no curves" - use it to your advantage and create whatever shape and curves you want!

How to Dress an Hourglass Body

Defination Hourglass: Even on top and bottom, smaller in the middle.
Your hips and shoulders are even, while your waist is smaller than both.

The nice thing about an hourglass shape: most people want one. You can wear boxy, curvy, fitted, or loose and still look good.

• Wrap dresses are slenderizing to any body type, and give an hourglass shape.
• Using accessories to draw attention to your middle also gives you an hourglass look. Try putting a small belt at your waist over a longer shirt. Not enough? Layer it with another small belt and mix colors; or simply, use a wider belt.
• Make sure that shirts don't stop at the widest point of your hips. It will take away from your hourglass shape and draw attention to your hips.

How to Dress a Triangle Body

Defination Triangle: Smaller on the top and bigger on the bottom.
Your hips are wider than your chest or shoulders.

The easiest way to dress a triangular figure is to not bring attention to your hips. That's an obvious. So, skinny/pencil jeans are out. The best way to take attention away from your hips is to even them out with something that broadens the look on top.

• A puff sleeve will widen the look of your shoulders balancing your shoulders with your hips.
• A boat-neck will elongate the look of your shoulders, bringing attention to your neck, and not your hips.
• A blouson top works well for keeping your body a nice even shape.
• Try to broaden the look on top, instead of on bottom - wide leg pants are also out for most who have triangular shapes. (Avoiding extremes is always a good idea)

America's Next Top Model

America's Next Top Model is doing a casting call in Salt Lake City!
This Saturday, July 19, from 12:00 - 3:00
they are having an open casting call at Layers Clothing
(same company sponsoring the Miss American Fork Pageant
Swimwear contest, more on that later).
Their address is 79 West, 4500 South, Suite 23, in Murray. It's hard to find, toward the back of the business/warehouse complex. Get there early, I have a feeling parking will be miserable. And no, I'm not planning on applying, but I am curious on what kind of people will be there and would love to go watch!!

For those interested you can look up the application online, and requirements are to be at least 5'7" and 18-27.

How to Dress Your Body Type

I'm about to kick off a whole week on how to dress your body type!

Starting next Monday check back daily for tips and tricks on how to dress your figure for your most flattering look!

Monday: Triangle

Tuesday: Hourglass

Wednesday: Rectangle

Thursday: Oval

Friday: Upside-down Triangle

Fashion Sewing 2

Thanks to Kaci for bringing this to my attention - Heather Bailey is another in the textile design area. She has her own fabric line sold at select stores and also offers some free pattern downloads. She's fun and funky and has something called "Trash Ties" and I am so amazed by them!! Maybe when I get my hair a little longer I'll have to try them. Check her out!

Heather Bailey Design

Word to the Wise

I was at South Towne Mall in Sandy, Utah last weekend where I saw a fashion show (not sure who it was put on by or what it was for), but they featured swimwear from Pearl. They are a new twist on modest swimsuits, but beware of that low-leg cut - it can be unflattering on most and shortens your leg.