Dress for your body shape: Styling advice and tips

We all come in different shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find clothes that are flattering for our specific body type.

And it's especially difficult to find the right dress, which can so often be a tad too fitted in one place, and too loose in another.

So it's no wonder that over 10,000 of us search online for tips on this subject this each month. 

 

VIEW GALLERY

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR FULL GALLERY OF BODY SHAPES AND TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS

High street retailer Marks & Spencers is now offering women tailored advice in the hope that women will gain the confidence to make an informed decision when choosing dresses.

The Body Shapes Advice Hub has a video and styling tips page, offering clear information on how to identify the five main body shapes – Strawberry, Rectangle, Pear, Apple and Hourglass – see the gallery for full definitions and tips.

Five fashion bloggers, all of different shapes and sizes, will be on hand to offer their personal styling expertise and can be seen self-modelling the dresses.

One of the bloggers – curvy, hour-glass shaped Kate, said it’s all about the right amount of cleavage: "I can’t really avoid it, but I tend to show my cleavage area – but I don't like to show too much off, just enough!".

But rectangle-shaped Miureann says: "For me, it’s all about the optical illusion of creating a bit of waist. I tend to go for classic shift dresses but if there's gathering in that area it always helps."

A free ‘buyer’s guide’ will also be available to download, with tips from assistant dresses buyer Barbara Bobadilla, which customers can print and take to store with them to assist in the purchasing. 

What shape are you? 


Rectangle — slender/slight body frame, similar width for bust, hips and waist

Pear — wider hips and bottom, narrow bust

Strawberry — wider bust, top-heavy, narrower hips and waist

Apple — rounded tummy and bigger bust, slim hips 

Hourglass — wider bust and hips, narrower waist

View the 'How To Dress For My Body Shape' advice hub online within the dresses section of marksandspencer.com.