One of the main things to look at when choosing clothing is for it to complement the body as a whole.  In previous blogs I have covered the various body shapes that are around, but the shape of your face can also determine what type of clothing is flattering for you.  The facial shape doesn’t always affect
what you are wearing, but it is good to keep it in mind when choosing your hairstyle, hats, glasses and jewellery.  As humans, we tend to like a softer face on a woman, but a stronger, harsher, more defined face on a man.  This can all be achieved with the right accessories, which help to tone the face.

There are 3 main facial types - squared, angular/heart shaped and rounded.  There are many ways for  you to determine the shape of your face and the easiest of them all is to stand in front of a mirror and draw the outline of your face on the mirror with a lipstick.  A more accurate method is to measure your face - this involves quite a few measurements.  You should measure - across the top of your cheekbones,  across the jaw line, across your forehead, and from the tip of the hairline down to the bottom of your chin.  All of these measurements should be made at the widest point.   Make sure you write down all your measurements and look out for upcoming blogs about each individual shape.

The apple shape figure consists of the middle part of the body being fairly round, with no definition to the waist line.  Most of the body’s weight is carried above the waist in the form of big breasts and generally quite a noticeable tummy.  The tummy can be the most frustrating part of the apple figure when trying to buy clothes.

You are best to stay away from any clothing that clings, as this will only draw attention to the larger areas of your body.  Simple, tailored clothing in dark colours and flowing fabrics is ideal for this figure.  This helps to lengthen the body and prevent it from looking short and squashed.  The aim is to draw attention away from the apple-like figure, which can be achieved with short skirts and dresses, to emphasise great legs.  Try to avoid anything that gathers in at the waist and choose something more straight and flat.

An ideal dress for this figure would be an empire line dress, as they aren’t tight on a big waist.  A dress that has a v neck top to show off a full cleavage with a skirt that flares out can also be very flattering, as long as it has nothing tight around the waist to cut the body in half.  Here is a fabulous dress to suit this figure from the Zeleb collection:

The hourglass figure is commonly known for the defined waist, large hips and voluptuous bust, creating the silhouette of an old fashioned hourglass.  This body shape is meant to be the perfect feminine shape of beauty and you should definitely show off your curves at every given opportunity.
Hourglass figures have often been used in works of art and a lot of women have actually starred in burlesque performances.  During the 1800s there was many a woman that desired this figure and use to go to all sorts of extremes to achieve it (mainly wearing a corset).

This figure is all about the curves and how to show them off - not hide them!  Make sure you stay away from anything that is straight, as this will miss your waist, which you need to define to show off the rest of your curves.  However if needs must, you can always team a straight dress with a belt to bring out your curves.  Your best type of clothing is fitted styles.  A wrap around dress is the perfect style, as you can pull it in tight around your waist to accentuate your curves.  Try to avoid anything that has puffy sleeves, ruffles or pleats as these are made to create the illusions of curves, which you already have.  You don’t want to spoil your curves by going over the top.  Even if you do feel large, it is a lot better for you to wear fitted clothes than hide behind baggy clothing, which makes you look shapeless.  This is a perfect dress to show off your curves, as it is figure hugging and will help to show off that perfect waist:

Athletic figures are known for their body straightness, due to long toned limbs, an undefined waist and very few curves.  These are the women that can fit into damn well anything, the Miss Perfections of society.  From skinny jeans to stylish dresses to halter neck tops, you can wear them all, as they go perfect with your toned shoulders and limbs.  However, like most women who want what they don’t have, athletic figures always miss not having curves, but with the right style of dress, the illusion of curves can be acheived.

Floaty fabrics are brilliant for this figure, as it flows with your movements and doesn’t cling to you, which prevents you from appearing flat.  A tulip shaped skirt/dress always looks good too, providing the top half of your body is kitted out in fitted clothing.  This helps to define the hips and create the impression of curves.

When it comes to dresses, always avoid wrap style dresses (as they tend to cling) and go for something that is fitted fairly tight around your top half, but with a flared (A line) skirt to it.  Strapless dresses with a sixties flared skirt are always a good choice, because you get to show off your well defined shoulders, as well as giving yourself some luscious curves.

The colour dress you choose can be fairly flexible (as anything looks good on the athletic figure), it just depends on how noticeable you wish to be!!!  Here is a prime example of the perfect dress for an athletic figure off of Zeleb:

The typical pear shaped figure involves the body being slender and slim up top, while the bottom half is more rounded with big calves and a curvy bottom. the best way to dress a pear shaped figure is to accentuate the smaller parts, while making the bigger parts of the body invisible. To achieve this you need to balance out the body shape with the right type of clothing.  It is better to wear subtle, dark colours and patterns below the waist, with bright, powerful colours on top to draw the eye away from those ‘danger points’ below the waist.  Dark colours help to make an area of the body look smaller (no wonder the little black dress is so popular!).  You also need to stay away from anything too clingy, as it can highlight the larger parts of the body and hide the areas you want to make more visible.  However, ruffles on the top part of the body (not below the waist!) help to make you balance out.  The best type of dress to wear is a wrap dress, which is the perfect solution for different sized body parts.

This is an ideal dress (featured on Zeleb) for Pear shaped figures, as the top of the dress helps to draw the eye from the lower part of the body, with a low cut neckline and a wrap round belt.  The bottom half of the dress is long and flowing, which helps to hide all the lumps and bumps that you don’t want to be seen.  On top of this the colour is perfect!

The shape and size of your body can determine which style of clothing looks good on you or just plain hideous.  This is a case of having to be brutally honest with yourself (cruel to be kind) to be able to dress like an awe inspiring model or star.

The four most common body shapes for women are:

From the above pictures you can get a general idea of which body shape best represents your figure.

If you are Pear shape you tend to be smaller up top, but have quite a big bottom with wide hips.  With the right type of clothing, you can draw attention to all the right areas and have a very sexy behind.

If you have long, toned limbs, no waist and very few curves, your body shape is known as boyish and athletic.  You are the women all of us other body shapes are jealous of, because you can fit in to all the latest fashions.

Hourglass figures tend to have quite a voluptuous shape with a big bust and big bottom, which are in proportion to each other.  These are highlighted by the tiny, narrow waist.

Lastly, to be classed as an apple figure, you will be fairly round in the middle section of your body, quite broad across the shoulders, but narrowing towards your feet.  Your bust will be the envy of all women!!

Next week learn about what style of clothing suits a pear shaped figure.

The female body, in some scientific studies, has been shown to be revealed increasingly over the years by fashion and designers. The current uncovered flesh percentage stands at 59%, amongst A-List celebrities, and according to trends by 2010, that will increase to 79% (Global warming included.)

A major contribution has been to the ever increasing designs revealing the “female back” which has been hidden and ignored in the fashion world for a long time. With the current summer heat wave, the open back dress is both cool and sexy, and is the favourite amongst the fashionables.

Every girl must have one in her wardrobe, and if you are still are an open back dress virgin, here are some tips on how to wear an open back dress.

1. Choose the right bra.

You’ll be forgiven to feel a little nervous wondering what is covering your breasts. A well designed dress will be non-transparent, and if your confident with your breasts, it is suggested not to wear a bra, which is one main reason for the sexy nature of the open back dress sexy. For added assurance, double sided sticky to secure the sides is common on the catwalks.

Alternatively use invisible bras which stick on and give shape without straps.

2. Tattoos make it more interesting

Butterfly, thorned roses or similar give a personal wild statement to your back. Obviously you need not endure tattoo torture just to wear your beloved dress, for stick on/painted on tattoos is the temporary fix.

3. Choosing the right style of open back dress.

If you are beautifully voluptuous, it is not advisable to have any crossing ties at the back (think oven roast.) Leave your back to show naturally.

It is not difficult to wear an open back dress, and we have only one final advice. Unless you are in a nightclub or receiving your Oscars, the opening should not fall below the waistline which is also more practical for most occasions.

Sometimes, choosing the right evening dress that fits the occasion is difficult. You want something a little special that stands out from the crowd, yet are afraid that you may choose something a little over the top and look silly on the night.

If you are the one who is always following the latest trends, then take a look at some of the current celebrity and designer styles. Always be aware of your own body shape and skin tone and choose a dress that emphasises your most attractive features, while hiding away what you don’t want them to see.

Colour is the first consideration you need to give and then the shape of the dress. For formal occasions, it is always safe to stick with the most classical evening dresses, which tend to be sleeveless and full length.

If your still unsure and have no confidence in your fashion sense, then here are some very useful tips for choosing the right evening dresses appropriate for the occasion.

1- When you are in doubt, wear black. It is always a safe colour. Black lace is especially feminine and sophisticated and with a front split, you can discretely show off your sexy legs and allow easy movement.

2- A little sparkle with sequins or jewel embellishments is attractive and eye catching and do not also wear too much jewellery but keep it simple. In the classical style as well, tie your hair high neatly at the back.

3- A deep V-neck is very elegant and flattering if you are confident of your bust.

4- Blue and purple are a good alternative to black, and are elegant as well as vibrant.

5- Strapless long evening dresses are particular eye catching.

6- With ruffled textures around the mid area, the fuller figures can be hidden.

7- Flowery laces are the current trend, used by many leading designers in their latest 2009 collections.

8- Single strap dresses as always are very chic and elegant.

9- For annual events such as Christmas parties, dark red and gold are a good choice giving a warm look, fitting for the occasion.