by fashion designer Marique Yssel
Fashion is about feeling confident and comfortable in the looks you love.
With trends constantly changing, it’s not always easy to know how to adapt them to your body type.
By following these few simple guidelines below from South African designer, Marique Yssel, you can save time shopping by knowing what will flatter your figure before stepping into the changing room.
Apple: Broad shoulders, bigger bust, fullness waist and slimmer legs.
Highlighting the top part of your figure with v-necklines will focus the attention on your face – away from the fullness around your waist.
An empire silhouette highlights your slimmest point, just under your bust, with full skirts adding volume to narrow hips. You can also focus on showing off your slimmer legs with a shorter skirt or dress.
Our pick: The Empire shape Ella dress by Marique Yssel, R699.00
Pear: Fuller hips, smaller bust and narrow shoulders.
Try to elongate and balance your figure by highlighting your top half. Find tops and dresses that create volume on the bust with gathered details or pleats. To soften fuller hips choose gently flowing material in a wider skirt silhouette, and draw attention to your waist by adding a belt or tie. Layered skirts that end below the calf worn with heels will elongate your legs.
Our pick: The mock wrap frill dress by Marique Yssel, R1 399.00,
Rectangle: Shoulder, waist, and hips are more or less aligned.
For a rectangular figure, you need to create curves. Create extra volume on the top and bottom with ruffles, texture or gathers, and cinch the waist to create the illusion that your hips and bust are larger in comparison to your waist.
Our pick: the 2 piece shirt dress by Marique Yssel, R899.00
Hourglass: Shoulders and hips are about the same size, smaller, more defined waist.
Balance your top and bottom with form-fitting silhouettes, and keep all eyes on the most flattering area of your figure; your narrow waist.
Look for belted dresses, wrap dresses and tops, a body-con fit, all with cinched waist detail. Dresses and tops with v-necklines are also slimming for a fuller bust.
Our pick: The mock wrap belted dress by Marique Yssel, R1 099
