Pear is the most popular body shape - you're in good company with more than half of the female population!

Beside curvy lower halves, you might have slimmer upper torso, defined waists & smaller busts. Instead of covering up your lower half, highlight the upper body and elongate from the waist down to balance your figure. 

Dresses

Fit and flare dresses that are fancy on the top include frills, shoulder-baring and V-neck styles, cinched at the waist and flare on the bottom. Dresses that fit this shape should emphasise the shoulders, torso and waist. Try an A-line or wrap dresses. Any volume should be at the top.

Tops & Bottoms

Look for tops and jackets that will show off your slender upper body while creating a fuller illusion at the right places to achieve that balance with the larger hips.

For pants and skirts, go for darker colours and clean, straighter lines that give slimming or elongation effects.

Do...

• Large V or U-necks
• Cowl or Boat necks
• Halters style tops
• Sweetheart necklines
• Prints, Frills and Ruffles up top
• Larger lapels
• Padding or embellishments on shoulders
• Wide-leg or straight-leg pants and jeans
• A-line skirts that are fitted at the hips
• Darker colours on the bottom

Don't...

• Tops and jackets with decorative patterns that cut off at the bottom
• Tops that are shapeless or too tight
• Pencil skirts which cling at the hips
• Bottoms made of stiffer materials
• Capri-style pants

Apples are the next popular shape, after Pears. You tend to have slimmer legs and thighs, and generally fuller through the middle, with little waist definition, narrow hips & a fuller bust.

The best styles are all about creating a little definition in the waist & flattering tummy. The trick here is to draw attention to your legs and minimise your midsection. Avoid figure hugging dresses or tops with skinny jeans.

Dresses

A-line or empire lines are ideal for you. Wear printed dresses or patterned jackets that add a layer to shift the focus. By creating symmetry all over your body with dresses that don't accentuate your waist, you can bring the attention to your arms and legs with full or 3/4th sleeves, even bare shoulders. Shorter hemlines or classic shift dresses with some structure would work.

Tops & Bottoms

Go for V or deep V necklines that created an elongated illusion of the torso. Find tops that enhance the volume to your bust and shoulders while also emphasising and defining your waistline. 

For bottoms, stick to those that would enhance your natural curves and shape without adding extra bulkiness. You could also wear flared bottoms; palazzos etc. to create a balance.

Do...

• Deeper V-necklines or wider necklines
• Nipped in waists
• Semi fitted or loose and drapey
• Shirts and jackets that end at the hip
• Pocketed cargo pants
• Straight or slightly flared skirts
• Bottoms that have a bit of a stretch

Don't...

• Tight fitted tops
• Small prints
• Embellishments or ruffles around waistline and bust
• Tucking in tops
• Extremely short bottoms
• Tight clinging or bulky skirts
• Overly tapered trousers

While hourglass isn't a fruit, it is the most sort after figure of the golden era with the likes of Marilyn Monroe & Elizabeth Taylor lighting the way. Embrace your curves by wearing feminine, figure-defining styles!

If you’ve been blessed with an hourglass figure, you’ll be curvy in all the right places (boobs and butt) with a smaller waist. Your hips & shoulder measuring about the same.

Dresses

Since you have a well-balanced figure, your dress should follow the outline of these curves. Dresses that cinch at the waist will be your best fit - go with a belt at your natural waistline or below the belly button to showcase your waistline.

A-line dresses or similar cuts work well. V or plunge V and sweetheart necklines help you flaunt your upper body. If body hugging dresses are your thing, make the most of it, because not everybody has this!

Tops & Bottoms

With a feminine and curvy figure, ladies of the hourglass shape will just need to find the right tops to accentuate this while not appearing heavy.

Just about all women's bottoms can look great on you, when paired with the right top to show off your silhouette.

Do...

• Scooped and V-necklines
• Sweetheart necklines
• Tops that sit at the waist
• Clean lined jackets and coats which are well cut and fitted
• Pencil skirts and A-line skirts
• Jeans that are fitted around the hips and backside

Don't...

• Higher necklines
• Shapeless cuts
• Baggy or over-sized garments
• Babydoll tops or empire line 
• Embellishments around the hips and bust
• Baggy and shapeless bottoms
• Overly short skirts
• Skirts that end at the thickest part of your leg

Strawberries tend to have a fuller bust and wider shoulders combined with a slender waist and narrow hips.

The strawberry body shape is the opposite of a pear body shape. Go for outfits that emphasise the lower part of the body. The key is bust support and accentuating your slender hips - in fact, if your butt / hips look bigger, it’s the right style for you!

Dresses

V-neck lines work well and create an illusion of narrow shoulders, so this should be your go-to neckline. Look for styles that are plain on the top and fancier on the bottom. The goal is to soften the shoulders by drawing the attention below the waist. Examples include A-line dresses, peplum dresses and swing dresses.

Tops & Bottoms

Since your hips are much narrower than your shoulders, pencil cut skirt, skinny jeans, etc. with any tops will look great. But, do make sure that there is not much layering or definition to your upper body because it needs no extra attention. 

Go for items that lighten or slim down your upper half and minimise your broad shoulders, but without erasing your curves and bust. Aim to create more curves and fullness to achieve the perfect balance to your more rounded upper half.

Do...

• V-necks and other open necklines
• Strapless or asymmetric tops
• Empire-waist tops
• Large belts
• Relax-fit pants with heavy pockets and embellishments
• A-line skirt or skirts that flare out
• Boot cut jeans
• Straight-cut jeans 

Don't...

• Frills or ruffles on top
• Shoulder pads or capped sleeves
• Small prints and horizontal stripes
• Embellishment around shoulders and bust
• Skinny jeans

Bananas are straight up and down - characterised by being evenly balanced from the shoulders to the hips with little to no waist.

You tend to have naturally flatter bellies, smaller busts & flat bottoms. Creating curves is the key - you want to trick the eye and create an illusion of curves with your clothing choices to avoid looking too column-like.

Dresses

Emphasising or enhancing curves with dresses that appears cinch in at the waist. Prints & patterns will be more flattering then block colours. Feminine styles that are frilled, collared or embellished will work in your favour. Dresses that add definition to your bottom and necklines that add volume to the upper body.

Tops & Bottoms

With a relatively straight shape and smaller bust, you want tops that create more curves and a more feminine silhouette by defining the waist. Sleeveless, strapless and sweetheart lines are your thing. Ruffled and layered tops, blazers, long jackets and capes add the much-needed drama here.

Aim to add curves to your bottom and legs while retaining the proportional balance between the upper and lower body.

Do...

• Fitted blazers with shoulder pads to define your waist
• Embellishments or pockets around the bust and shoulders
• Tops that are flowy around the bust
• Large back pockets
• Figure hugging and low rise jeans
• Pencil and A line skirts with cinched waists

Don't...

• Vertical patterns as they emphasise your straight lines
• Square neck tops
• Fitted tops
• Straight skirts
• Baggy or shapeless styles
• Too wide flares

Of course, everybody is different...

There are certainly more than 5 body shapes (Trinny & Susannah counted 12, no less). I've covered the 5 most common to keep it simple - and remember, this is just a guide.

So if you see a style you love and just have to make it… go for it!

The key is to know yourself, be kind and don't be afraid to have some fun. Find a few features you LOVE in yourself, make a garment to highlight them, then wear your me-made creation with pride. You deserve it :-)