Stripes for your Body Type

Hi! Sorry for the long silence, life has been crazy busy, but I have a lot of posts lined up!

It seems like you can buy just about any article of clothing in a stripe pattern these days. Especially in the spring and summer, the preppy, nautical style really eminates this look. And while they look A-MAZ-ING on that J.Crew model, sometimes it can be difficult to decide if stripes are for you.

Today I want to encourage you that, no matter your body type, you can wear stripes. It might not be the classic horizontal stripes but that’s ok!

Let’s get started.

First identify your body type. I found this chart very helpful (I did not create this, the author is named at the bottom of the chart). I have identified my body shape as a pear because my chest is 4.25 inches smaller than my hips.

So let’s start left to right and see what type of stripe you are 🙂

Pear:

Since the weight you carry is in your hips, we typically want to avoid horizontal lines across this area. I don’t always do this, but it’s a better idea to do horizontal on your top half, to balance out your proportions. Tuck your top in or wear a straight skirt or straight pants with it:

Try vertical stripes or diagonal stripes in a skirt for the bottom. A-line, vertically striped dresses are your slimming friend!

Rectangle:

If people have described you as straight up and down or having no shape you are a rectangle. But have no fear! Stripes can be your friend and give you shape if you wear them right!! Look for diagonal and merging stripes. notice below how the mix and match of the stripes angles gives curves to her rectangle shape.

Inverted Triangle:

If your shoulders are wider than your hips you are an inverted triangle, also known as heart shaped. The best stripes for you are vertical stripes up top to lengthen your torso. You can also rock horizontal stripes on the bottom to even out your proportions.

Hourglass:

If you are evenly proportioned on top and on bottom, lucky you! You can rock all stripes 😉 Even wide stripes on your lower half which is difficult to pull off!

Apple:

If you carry your weight in your mid section, the key with stripes is to keep them thin to medium width and use them to create your waist. Try a solid top and thin striped a-line skirt 🙂

Here is how I styled stripes on my pear shaped build.

So, how do you feel about styling stripes now?

I’d love to hear what type you are and how you like to style stripes!

keep on keeping on,