Thanksgiving is closer than you think. Don’t let the ridiculously warm weather fool you, turkey day is just around the corner. I thought the best way to contribute (without cooking a thing) was to help all of you ladies dress fashionably for your body type. Thanksgiving style is about showing your family you still got it AND eating as much as you can. This requires certain style tips that only a pro can offer. Here goes!

 

 

Thanks to my fabulously talented friend Brooke Ahrendsen, I now have my very own body type illustrations to showcase awesome style for all of you! I will continue to refer to the 5 basic body types in upcoming posts. They include hourglass, rectangle, inverted triangle, apple and pear. One very important note, you are typically not ONE body type. Most times people are a combination, the key is to listen to my definitions of each body type and apply it yourself. You can do it!

 

Sweater Dress, Boots, Tights , Necklace

 

The first body type we will chat about is the hourglass shape. This is defined by having a small waist with a bigger bust and curvier derriere. An hourglass can be any size, from a 00 on up, the defining factor is your proportions. The most flattering styles for the hourglass shape are those that hug your curves. Do not be afraid of silhouette conscious items. This sweater dress will keep you cozy and warm all day while showing off what God gave you. The key to masking your over-eating is the knotted mid-section. It will keep your growing tummy camouflaged all day. Eat away my hourglass shaped friends.

 

Leather leggings, Blanket shawl,T-shirt, OTK Boots

 

The next body type is the ruler shape. This is characterized by having less curves and being fairly straight from head to toe. Less boobs and less butt with skinnier limbs. This allows you to love everything oversized!!! Ironically, the curvier you are, the more you look like you are wearing a garbage bag with oversized pieces. Go crazy ruler, rock the garbage bag style! On turkey day this is a primo option because it leaves you open to eat away. A blanket scarf shawl is VERY in right now. Pair it with funky leggings and a long T to be comfy and stylish all day long.

 

Denim, Scarf, Boots, Blazer

Inverted triangle here I come. Don’t hate your broad shoulders, embrace them!!! They make your waist look that much smaller. The key is to focus more on your tinier waist and legs. Embrace your shape by giving structure to your top half and being sure to crop your blazer at your waist. This accentuates your smaller mid-section. Adding a cozy long scarf will draw the eye to the center of your body which will elongate you. What girl doesn’t want that? Be sure to pair your blazer and scarf with a skinny pair of jeans to show off your gams.

 

Slouch Boots, Dress, Necklace

 

Next up is the beautiful apple shape. This body type is rounder in the middle typically with no defined waist and skinner limbs. This actually allows for pretty easy styling (trust me). The key is to wear a-line pieces such as the dress above. This literally means items that are shaped like the letter A. It masks your mid-section while showing off your skinny arms and legs. By adding a longer necklace you are drawing the eye to the center of your body creating the illusion of a waist.

 

 

Leggings, Vest, Blouse, Necklace 

Finally we have the amazing and talented pear shape. This lovely lady is bit rounder in the hips and bum area with smaller shoulders. Love thyself, I hear a curvier derriere is very en vogue right now:) The best styling tip for this body type is to add length to your torso. This can be done in a number of ways, one of which is wearing a longer sweater as shown above. I know you all might not be keen on the furry pockets (they are dope), so just choose a more basic option. You need to make sure this sweater is worn open, closing it will only cling to your hips accentuating your “pear”.

 

 

 

The hourglass shape is curvy and fabulous. It’s the va va va voom of all the body types because of its more defined feminine features. This body type is meant to be loved and to be coveted by showing off your curves rather than trying to camouflage them.  The hourglass shape is best presented by owning and loving the fact that you have an hourglass shape.

 

 

 

The hourglass shape is defined by having a larger bust and hips with a smaller waist. Your bum is also typically rounder and more feminine. An hourglass figure can be any size, from Selma Hayek to model Ashley Graham, it’s the proportions of your body that define this figure. A female with this shape also has her weight more evening distributed through her entire body.

Skinny Belt

A skinny belt can be a friend to most body types, but the hourglass shape will thrive with just this one accessory. Specifically on an hourglass shape where your waist is your smallest part, you want to almost over-define this point by continually highlighting it. The skinny belt is ONLY meant to be worn at your waist, not through your belt loops unless the pants are high-waisted (therefore being at your natural waist).  Adding the 80’s trend with a pop of neon is a fantastic way to show off your figure and your trendy knowledge of fashion.

 

 

 

Wrap Coat 

 

The wool wrap coat is extremely on trend this season and is fabulous because it typically has enough room to layer underneath. This means that if you get a medium weight coat it can last from the fall well into winter by adding more layers underneath. No, this will not make you look fat. Why? Because (as I have already proclaimed), you are highlighting your waist with the wrap feature. Cinch through the middle always Miss Hourglass!!!

 

Sheath Dress

 

The final and most valuable piece in any hourglass wardrobe is the sheath dress. This piece will hug all of your lovely curves just right AND is a timeless. To really accentuate the beauty of your figure, choose a dress that has an obviously defined waist just like the option above. Utilizing the trend of leopard in this manner keeps it classy while properly showcasing all that your fantastic hourglass shape has to offer!

As a stylist I come across lots of beautiful silhouettes one of the most feminine being the pear shape. I joke with people that I am more of a shrink than a stylist because convincing women of their ultimate and unbelievable beauty is sometimes more of a mental challenge. Women are incredibly hard on themselves and are convinced they do not have of an “ideal shape” (thank you filters and media). There is no such thing, hell, even I filter my photos. Being comfortable in your own skin will always be a challenge, but dressing correctly for your shape will not (now that I’m here to help!). 

 

The pear shape is defined by having smaller shoulders and curvier hips often times with a more voluptuous bum and thighs. This is a fairly common body type as women genetically tend to get curvier around the hips and thighs as they mature. It’s just science people. Dressing for this body type is often times not as complicated as one would think, you just need to highlight your luck in having such a fabulously small waist!

 

 

Cinch Waist Blouse

A cinched longer blouse is definitely a friend to the pear shape. It allows you to highlight your smallest feature (your waist) and add length to elongate your torso. This not only creates a longer and leaner you, but it camouflages your hips. As I’ve mentioned in past posts, styling is truly just smoke and mirrors. Make sure that the bottom part of the top is not clinging to your hips and has enough width to be “silhouette conscious”, but not skin tight.

Structured Bag

 

A structured bag might not necessarily be the perfect trend for a pear shape, but it certainly does make any lady look more fabulous! I didn’t want to forget about the accessories when chatting about upcoming trends for the season. I’m obsessed with this fall trend even though it truly isn’t as functional as I would like it to be. It is hard to shove  your life in a bag when it is super structured. I would stick to a smaller evening bag if you love this trend for both function and price point.

 

 

A-Line Skirt

A structured aline skirt is the BEST and most flattering style for a pear shape hands down. I’m featuring it in a leopard print because I’ve gone totally nuts over this trend, I can’t get enough. This skirt is your new best friend because it cinches your small waist while concealing your curvier hips. Be sure the skirt style is more structured and tuck in your top to truly highlight your waist. Choosing a completely different color top and bottom will only enhance the effect!

 

 

Next up on our tour de force of the best trends for your shape is the round body type. There are significant benefits to this body type if styled correctly because you have the ability to look good AND be comfy. The key is to showing off your fabulous arms and legs while camouflaging your torso. This does not mean getting into your best hunting gear, it merely means you should not have on anything super fitted through the middle.

 

The round body type is defined by having a circular middle with more slender legs and arms. You typically do not have a defined waist so either foregoing a cinched style or actually creating a waist through styling are your two best options. Read on to learn my expert tips….

 

 

Single Breasted Blazer

 

The first trend that we are working into your fall look is plaid menswear. A lot of what is in the stores tends to lean towards oversized, but this is NOT your friend. I would strongly suggest a structured, single-breasted blazer that is a little longer then your hips. As with the example above, look for a one-button option to create a waist for your body type. You are quite literally giving the illusion of an hourglass shape. The structured blazer actually creates a differing silhouette that what your body type truly is. Styling is all just smoke and mirrors….

 

 

Tweed Dress

The tweed dress above is the perfect “one and done” piece for any round body type. Dress on, outfit complete. A great silhouette is the fit and flare. This is defined by cinching at the waist and having the skirt flare into an A-line (smaller at the top, wider at the bottom). The example above even has gold buttons at the waist drawing the eye to the center and defining your waist even more. It should be slightly shorter in length to show off your great gams.

 

 

 

Leather Leggings

The final trend I’m obsessed with is the 80’s. Yes, Dynasty and big hair bands are back. Even though I know you are dying to go all out, brining in just an ode to the 80’s will suffice. These black leather leggings are the perfect tip of the hat to 1987. Pair an oversized top (NOT a dress) with your new, awesome leggings and get ready for a rockin’ night. You are showing off your slender, sexy legs while keeping it loose and easy in your mid-section. This is the second option for styling a round body type, leaving it unstructured in the torso and NOT cinching at the waist. 

Every season new and fabulous trends hit the fashion runways and every season I get the same question, “But what works for ME???”. Finding the perfect trend for your body type can be tough. Not to mention that some trends are just flat out crazy and no one, no matter what body type, should be trying them. Let me be your “what the hell is my body type and which of these crazy trends do I choose” guide.

The first step is knowing what body type you are (which is difficult enough). Know this, none of us fit into one body type, we are typically a mixture of a few. Don’t let this overwhelm you, just go with the basics of your body type and utilize the general rules of those body types. I will be doing a series focusing on 5 body types, rectangle, apple, pear, hourglass and upside down triangle. I will be sure to explain the criteria for each so you can finally figure out what body type you are! 

  

First up is the rectangle body type. This body type is defined by being very straight with narrow shoulders and hips. You typically have no super definable parts, smaller bust, smaller bum, straighter and less curvy.  Your weight is evenly distributed throughout your entire body.

 

 

Double Breasted Blazer

 

The first trend that will be huge this year is plaid suiting, it is going to be everywhere. There are a lot of ways to rock this look, but as a ruler body type, go big or go home. You have the amazing luxury of wearing things oversized without having it make you look bigger. A double breasted blazer is insanely difficult for most body types to wear (you can’t really have boobs), but you can do it! Go super over-sized and long (this allows you to pair it with leggings too). You even have the option to pair it with slender or wide pants, the world is your oyster. Less curve= the ability to wear over-sized pieces.

 

Puff Sleeves

The next trend that is making a strong comeback is the puff sleeve. The rectangle body type is very straight and even allowing you to add volume in unexpected areas. You will not look big as long as you pair this puff blouse with a slender bottom half, think skinny jeans, ankle pants or a pencil skirt.

Slouch Boots

And the final trend I strongly suggest for the rectangle body type is slouchy boots. You may not think of shoes as being good for a specific body type, but slouchy boots can be difficult. On a wider leg they will only add more width and be very heavy looking. On a rectangle body type, you typically have a more slender, straight leg allowing you to add slouchy volume to your foot.

So my rectangle body type readers, now you have the beginnings of your fall shopping list! These trends are perfect for your straight, rectangular shape and will add that extra pizazz without looking like your poured on every trend of 2018!