How to look your best this spring by knowing your body type (Part 6)

How to look your best this spring by knowing your body type (Part 6) — Dressing the Oval

Posted 21 Mar 2010

The Oval Shape

This body shape is defined by the waist/torso area being larger than the hips and shoulders. Admittedly, this is the hardest body type for me to dress. There is no emulating the hourglass or else you would have to make the hips and shoulders substantially broader and who wants to look significantly bigger? So my goal is to minimize the waist and keep other items in proportion.

How to DON’T and DO it?

Don’t wear tight tops. It will only empashize the torso area and a muffin top if you tuck the top in.
Don’t put a belt on top of it. This one actually drives me crazy. So many women think because this is a trend they should do it but the belt just draws attention to an area that they are trying to de-emphasize.
Don’t wear tight skinny pants or short mini skirts IF your legs are small. You will look like you are walking on stilts.
Do make the shoulders a little broader by choosing tops with wide lapels to add broadness to the upper body. It will keep the torso/waist area from looking as it is protruding out.
Do choose full pants to keep from having the stilt affect (bullet #3).
Do consider shape wear. The control could help to pull you in and give you waist definition.
Do choose tops and dresses that skim the torso area like drop waisted and empire waisted styles.

Your Style Icon: Queen Latifah

Okay, maybe. If you like her style. But she definitely knows how to dress her shape. She does a wonderful job with formal wear and with more casual looks like the one below. So make sure you try a drop waist top or too.