Now to get the most out of any wardrobe or any shopping experience you need to know what body shape you fall under and understand some very simple rules. Following on from my DIY Style Capsule Wardrobe from last week here are the key elements of shape for the 5 main body types and how you can dress to enhance, conceal and fake the perfect silhouette.

Their are 5 basic shapes the Pear, Inverted triangle, Rectangle, Hourglass and Apple with the Hourglass being the most desired. Or the most balanced shape that every stylist will tell you is the shape you need to aim for or fake if you can.

The Pear has a tiny top half with a heavier bottom and thicker legs. Loose fluid trousers and long maxi skirts should be sort after, an empire line dress works wonders for the pear and dive into the belt section to really accentuate that tiny waist. Avoid puff selves and skinny jeans at all costs. You will just be adding on the pounds and not realising it. Skirt lengths need to kept below the calf too. If you are searching for the perfect shape then you need to be careful that the hem falls around the thinnest part of the leg, or just where it starts to become thicker. Hems that stop at the thickest part of the thigh or calf are a huge No No! For any shape for that matter!!

The Inverted Triangle has a larger torso and arms with slim legs. Stay away from the puff selves ladies. You will be bigger busted too so it’s a good idea to avoid polo necks. This will just make your bobbies look 10 times bigger. V necks are perfect for you. Long necklaces to draw the eyes down in nice lines. Slightly fitted crisp shirts over pale coloured jeans with darker colours always on the top to balance the figure out. Avoid at all costs the dreaded large patterned tops and pale jackets. You will need to find fab tailored jackets with no shoulder pads, or take them out! Then wear skinny jeans and flat pumps to create your chic silhouette.

I’m a Rectangle i.e. the Banana and that basically means I am straight up and down with a slightly thicker middle. Now this shape is harder to dress than you would think. We need to be very careful we don’t accentuate our middles too much as we could look a little lumpy!  We have slim arms and slim legs so skirts that fall around the midi calf length will make our legs look like they go on forever and a day. We can wear minis in abundance but not too short! When thrift store shopping we need to look out for dresses that can be shortened and have a slightly gathered waist to create the impression of curves. Flared skirts, jeans and trousers will make the waist look slimmer but avoid thick waist belts. This will only enhance the bigger waist. Darker colours should be worn near the mid section and large statement necklaces to bring the eyes away from the waist. This in turn will also give the impression of a larger bust, thus balancing out the shape.

Now the Hourglass has a tiny waist, perfect curves in all the right places. Some hate their larger bottom but all you need to do is find Aline skirts, or fuller 50s style items. Little cropped jackets that nip in at the waist. Belts of all descriptions are perfect for you. Master the are of the dart on your sewing machine and you will be able to create an abundance of stunning outfits. Avoid the tube mini skirts and baggy unfitted jackets as all this will do is make you look disproportioned.

The Apple body shape has slim arms and legs with a more rounded tummy. Slim trousers with no pleating is needed here and stay away from the double breasted jackets. Opt for clean long lines down the centre of the torso avoiding belts around the middle as this will enhance what should be concealed. With the Apple it’s important not to try too hard to fake the hourglass figure as all you will do is bring attention to your larger waist. Pay more attention you your lovely slim legs and arms. Wear long necklaces that draw the eye downwards. Just think nice long lines. Keep jackets longer and always keep them open to create the illusion of a slim figure. Long line Waistcoats are a must so search for single breasted jackets that the arms can be removed.

Fashion is fun and sometimes the rules are there to be broken so if you see something you like just try it. If it works then that’s amazing, if not think about adapting it. If you can’t do the DIY Styling yourself then find a seamstress that can. Most dry cleaners offer an alteration service, but just keep in mind things can fairly easily be made smaller. Not so easily made bigger.