How to dress for your body type: Styling tips for a perfect fit

Ever wondered why clothes look amazing online, but – when they show up – they don’t sit right on your body? It’s not you, it’s the clothes. Off-the-rack styles are made to fit a size chart, not your unique shape. While there are no hard rules around what you can and can’t wear, we understand that some people find it helpful to have guidance helping them find clothes to bring out their best features. This guide is here to help you dress in a way that helps you look stylish so you feel your best. We’re sharing tips for different body types, smart tailoring ideas, and simple ways to make your clothes work better for your shape.

Styling tips for your body type

Finding the right fit doesn’t mean following strict rules. It’s about identifying the cuts, fabrics, and small tweaks that work with your shape instead of against it. In this section, we’ve broken down the most common body types and shared what to look for, what might feel uncomfortable for your body, and how small tailoring changes can make your clothes feel like they were made for you. Note: These are simply suggestions. You know your body best, so if you love something—wear it!

Rectangle

If your shoulders, waist, and hips are a similar width, you likely have a rectangle body shape. You might feel like your clothes don’t give you as much shape as you’d like. The goal here is to create definitions. What to look for: Try wrap dresses that tie at the waist or blouses with a little gathering or ruching. Peplum tops work well, too, as they flare out just enough to give you more shape. High-rise jeans or pants that sit above your hip bones can also help define your middle. You could also try fitted blazers or cropped jackets that stop right at the waist. Styles to avoid: Loose t-shirts, drop-waist dresses, or shapeless tunics that fall straight down. These tend to hide your shape instead of giving it structure. Tailoring tips: Take in the waist of looser tops or dresses, or ask a tailor to add darts to create more shape. Hem wide-leg pants to suit your height so you’re not drowning in fabric. WWD [1]

Hourglass

You likely have an hourglass shape if you have a defined waist and a wider bust and hips that are roughly the same width. You may struggle with clothes that fit in some places, like your waist, but not your hips or bust. What to look for: Fitted tops that end at your natural waist tend to feel the best. Wrap styles, V-necks, and sweetheart necklines all help show your shape without adding bulk. Try high-waisted jeans, pencil skirts, or dresses that have a clear waist seam or built-in belt. What to avoid: Anything that hides your waist or adds bulk through the middle. Boxy tops that sit too low or oversized pieces that completely hide your waist can make you look shapeless. Tailoring tips: If your clothes fit your hips but feel loose at the waist, take them in slightly. Bust darts or side seam adjustments can make your tops sit better without pulling across the chest. Pinterest [2]

Triangle

If your hips are wider than your shoulders, and most of your weight sits in your lower half, you’re probably a triangle shape. You might find pants annoying to shop for or feel like outfits often look too bottom-heavy. What to look for: Try tops that bring the focus upwards, like puff sleeves, square necklines, or anything with a bit of detail around the shoulder. Prints or lighter colours on top can also help balance out your shoulders. On the bottom, wide-leg pants, A-line skirts, and soft denim with a bit of stretch can help clothes sit better on your hips without clinging. What to avoid: Super skinny jeans in stiff fabric, or bodycon skirts that ride up or squeeze. If the top half of your outfit is too plain, it can make your bottom half look wider than it is. Tailoring tips: If your pants fit through the hips but feel loose at the waist, a tailor can bring them in easily. For skirts or dresses that feel tight through the bottom, adding a small panel at the side seam can give you more room without changing the look. Business Insider [3]

Inverted triangle

If your shoulders or chest are broader than your hips, and tops usually feel tighter than bottoms, you might relate to an inverted triangle shape. You probably have a strong upper half, and your clothes sometimes feel off balance. What to look for: V-neck tops, wrap styles, and anything with a bit of drape can sit better across the chest and soften your shape. Relaxed-fit blouses or open collars help avoid that boxed-in feeling. On the bottom, try wide-leg pants, relaxed jeans, or midi skirts with a bit of movement. A little colour or print on your lower half can also help things feel more balanced. What to avoid: High necklines in stiff fabrics, or tops with built-in shoulder structure that add bulk. Boxy jackets or button-ups that pull across the chest won’t help you look your best. Tailoring tips: If your tops fit your arms but pull across the chest, a tailor can add room through the bust or let out the seams. If your bottoms fit your legs but gape at the waist, that’s also a quick fix. Even small changes can help things sit properly and help you feel more polished. Harper’s Bazaar [4]

Round

If you carry more weight around your stomach and your waist is your widest point, you might relate to a round or what’s sometimes called an “apple” shape. A round shape often comes with a fuller bust and great legs, and the focus is usually on finding pieces that feel comfortable through the middle without losing shape elsewhere. What to look for: Go for styles that feel easy through the middle and don’t cling too much. Wrap tops, empire waist dresses, or anything with ruching can help add shape without feeling tight. V-necks or scoop necks are also great if you want to open things up a bit at the top. For bottoms, soft fabrics with a bit of stretch and a comfy high-rise will usually sit better and feel more secure. What to avoid: Tight waistbands that dig in or overly clingy fabrics that make you feel self-conscious. Low-rise jeans can also feel uncomfortable and might sit awkwardly under the stomach. Tailoring tips: If something feels too tight in the waist but fits everywhere else, a tailor can let out the waistband or add side panels to give you more room. You can also add darts or reshape seams to get a better fit through the bust or hips without losing the flow through the middle. Redbook Magazine [5]

How tailoring can transform your wardrobe

Simple tailoring doesn’t need to be dramatic. Tailors can transform the way your clothes fit with small adjustments. A better fit at the waist or sleeves can transform a piece you haven’t worn in years into something you are excited to wear again. The problem with relying on clothes off the rack without any tailoring is that they aren’t made for your shape – they’re made to fit a size chart. So: If a piece almost fits but not quite, it’s not your body that’s wrong, the clothes just aren’t made for you – yet. At LookSmart, our experienced tailors can help you get more life out of the clothes you already own. Whether you need the waistband taken in, the hem fixed, or the shape adjusted, we can help you make the sustainable choice by improving the clothes you already have. We also offer restyling to help your wardrobe fit your life better. This could mean turning a dress into a pleated skirt or cutting your jeans into shorts. One great example of restyling is taking a floor-length formal dress you love but don’t wear much and turning it into a midi dress for everyday wear. The Cut [6]

A great fit never goes out of fashion

Yves Saint Laurent once said that “fashions fade, style is eternal”. You don’t need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe to look stylish. Focus on cultivating a closet with clothes that sit right on your body. When your clothes fit well, you feel more comfortable, more confident, and more like yourself. The fabric simply falls better, the proportions work with your shape, and everything looks a little more polished. You can also move with ease. Think about giving a big presentation in a blazer that doesn’t fit properly. It knocks your confidence and physically holds you back from doing your best. Tailoring lets you keep the pieces you love and keep wearing them. At LookSmart, we believe tailoring isn’t just for special occasions. It’s for everyday style that lasts. Fit is what will make your wardrobe timeless.

Own your look with LookSmart Alterations

Now that you’ve got a better understanding of what works for your body, it’s a great time to review the pieces in your wardrobe you already love. At LookSmart, we offer high-quality alterations, repairs, tailoring, and styling advice to help your clothes fit better, last longer, and reflect your style. Alterations are also the more sustainable way to update your wardrobe, helping you invest in fewer, better things. All our stores are staffed by skilled experts, and our teams at Woden, Belconnen, Westlake, and Pacific Fair include some of our most experienced dressmakers and advanced seamstresses. You can find your local store here: https://www.looksmartalterations.com.au/locations/.

FAQs

How do I know what body type I have?

You can start understanding your body type (rectangle, hourglass shapes, apple body shape, triangle body shape, round or oval body shape, etc.) by grabbing a tape measure. Check the measurement of your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips. Compare the measurements to one another. For example, if your hips are the widest point, your waist is smaller, and your shoulders are wider but not as wide as your hips, you will be a triangle. Once you understand your body type, you can start dressing for your shape.

What should I wear if I have an apple-shaped body?

If you have an apple body shape, your waist might be your widest part, and you probably carry more weight in the middle. Wrap dresses, empire waist styles, or swing tees that fall softly over the stomach can feel a lot more comfortable, and they won’t cling where you don’t want them to.

Can I wear skinny jeans with a round body shape?

You can wear whatever you feel good in, but if you have a round or oval body shape and want to feel more balanced, try pairing skinny jeans with a longer top or a swing tee that drapes over your midsection. When it comes to dressing your round-shaped body, it’s all about proportion.

What styles work best for people with broad shoulders?

If your shoulders are the first thing you notice in the mirror, the goal is just to soften them a little, not hide them. Go for tops with soft draping or open necklines, like scoop or cowl necks. Raglan sleeves or dropped shoulders also work well, because they don’t add structure where you don’t need it.

How do you dress when you hold your weight in your lower half?

Holding most of your weight in your lower body is common for triangle or pear-shaped bodies. It’s also generally common for women to hold weight like this, especially if you’ve had children. Look for wide-leg pants, A-line skirts, or midi dresses that skim your hips without clinging. On top, you can draw attention upwards with bold necklines, statement sleeves, or lighter colours.

Sources

[1] WWD: Cameron Diaz on the red carpet in a silver mini dress. Sourced 2008. Edited March 2025. [2] Pinterest: Image of Kate Winslet. Sourced from Pinterest, 2023. Edited March 2025. [3] Business Insider: Beyoncé’s Best Style Moments. Sourced September 2021. Image edited March 2025. [4] Harper’s Bazaar: Angelina Jolie Style File. Sourced 2021. Image edited March 2025. [5] Redbook Magazine: Drew Barrymore’s Best Red Carpet Looks. Sourced 2023. Image edited March 2025. [6] The Cut: The Secret Weapon of Perfect Wardrobes. Sourced January 2015.

Any Questions?