Frugal Mom Blog

Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category

Announcement: Enter TODAY (11/18 – 11/19) to win a delicious variety pack! And don’t worry – it will open in a new window.  You won’t lose your place here.

---

I don’t have to tell you that clothes are expensive. So when living a frugal life, it is important you make smart purchases, and not waste money on clothes that aren’t right for you. We all have enough clothes that never get worn, so let’s not add to the collection.

To get the most for your clothes spending dollars, buy clothes that are a good fit, the right size, and flatter your body type. Today I am going to share with you how to determine your body type, and how to dress your body type.

As you can see in the following diagram, there are 4 basic body types.

If you know your body type, jump to it by clicking its name: Banana | Apple | Pear | Hourglass

Banana Body Description:

• You generally have an athletic body with toned arms.
• Rectangular shaped body.
• Your waist is less than 9 inches smaller than either your hip or bust measurements.
• Your upper body is proportionate to your lower body.
• Smaller bust size.
• Not much curve at your waist.
• Usually have great legs.

How to dress a banana shape: The goal of dressing the banana shape is to use clothing to give your body curves.

Do:

• Wear knee length a-line skirts.
• Chose jeans, pants, and skirts that sit below your waist.
• Look for tops with ruffles, large prints, or detailing.
• Wear a padded bra to add a cup size.
• Add fun necklaces and scarves to your outfit.
• Jackets with a cinched waist will give you more of an hour glass shape.
• Wrap dresses look wonderful on you.

Do Not:

• Don’t wear tight clothing that will accentuate your lack of curves.
• Stay away from vertical lines.
• Do not wear high waisted pants or skirts – these do not help create curves. Quite the opposite on you.
• Avoid wearing loose fitting tops and dresses. Remember the goal is to create shapes, not hide them.
• Jackets that end at your waist are not a good choice since they do not help to define your waist.

Celebrity Banana Shapes: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Bosworth, Kate Hudson, and Keira Knightley.

---

Apple Body Description

• Inverted triangular shaped body
• The bust measurement is larger than the hip measurement.
• Large chest and bust for your frame.
• You carry most of your weight around your midsection.
• Usually have slim legs, hips, and bottom.

How to dress an apple shape: The goal of dressing an apple shape is to elongate your upper body, and define your waist .

Do:

• Pants and skirts with a flare will help draw attention to your lower body, balancing out your upper body.
• To elongate your body, wear longer tops that end over your hips. Pair this with pants that taper out.
• Wear darker colors on top, brighter clothes on your lower body.
• Chose wrap shirts and wrap dresses.
• V necked tops draw the eye in and away from your shoulders.
• Get fitted for a good bra that will let you look your best and show off your best assets.
• Belted jackets, dresses, and tops help your waist to look smaller.
• High heels help to elongate your body.

Don’t:

• Avoid tops with puffy sleeves.
• Pleated pants will only add inches to your waist.
• Pants that taper in towards your ankle should be avoided as they only make your top half look larger.
• Tops that are busy with a lot of detailing, or too tight should not be worn.

Celebrity Apple Shapes: Tyra Banks, and Dolly Parton.

---

Pear Body Description

• Triangular shaped body
• Hip measurement is larger than the bust.
• Wide hips and bottom.
• You carry most of your weight on your hips, thighs, and
  bottom.
• Usually have slender neck and shoulders
• Often have a flat tummy

How to Dress a Pear Shape: The goal of dressing a pear shape is to draw attention away from your hips and bottom, and emphasize your top half. This will help create balance.

Do:

• Wear brighter colors on top, and darker colors on bottom.
• Pants should be a straight leg.
• Chose tops that have ruffles, or interesting details to draw attention away from your lower body.
• Empire waist dresses are a good choice for accentuating your smaller top half, and hiding your wider lower body.
• A-line skirts are your best choice.
• Wrap dresses work well with your figure.

Don’t:

• Do not wear pants that taper in at the ankles. This will make your hips look even larger.
• Jackets that end at the widest part of your hips.
• Tuck in your shirts – this creates a boxy look with your shape.
• Pencil skirts should not be worn.

Celebrity Pear Shapes: Jennifer Lopez, Mischa Barton, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Kelly Clarkson

---

Hour Glass Body Description

• Classic Hourglass Shape
• The bust measurement is roughly the same as the hip
  measurement
• Your waist is about 10 inches smaller than your bust and
  hips.
• Your body looks proportionately curvy.

How to dress an Hour Glass Shape: With your well proportioned body, you need to find clothes that don’t add extra weight to your frame, and clothes that elongate.

Do:

• Pencil skirts.
• Wear a good support bra.
• V-neck tops (but not too low cut) will draw attention to your face.
• Wrap dresses will accentuate your beautiful curves.
• Short fitted jackets.
• Tailored pants with slight flare at bottom.

Don’t:

• Wide belts
• Shapeless tops – they do not accentuate your waist, and add weight to your body.
• Empire dresses & tops.
• Short skirts will visually cut your body into small pieces.
• Baggy pants will only add extra weight.

Celebrity Hour Glass Shapes include Jessica Simpson, Kate Winslet, and Salma Hayek.

---

I am a classic pear shape. What shape are you, and do you have more tips to add for dressing your body?