Shop Your Shape: The best skirt for your body type revealed
mis à jour le 6 October 2015 à 23:02
Are you a mini, midi or maxi? Whatever your body shape, there's the right skirt for you out there.
Midi skirts, maxi skirts, mini skirts - whatever the shape or design, there's no denying the allure of one of the most basic staples of the female wardrobe. Whether you dress them up with heels or just pair them with a casual blouse and jacket, it's impossible to go wrong with these versatile garments. While they're easy to wear, summer's hottest wardrobe must have is by no means a one-size-fits-all piece of clothing
Just like any other garment, it's essential to choose one that best suits your body shape. If you don't know where to start, the tips below will help you style this closet staple so you can get your twirl on, without a hitch.
A SHAPE
With the A shape, the lower half of the body is more accentuated.
Tip: Broader but not less attractive - the goal is to restore balance by erasing the lower body.
Do: Your generous shape is a non-negotiable asset. Go for cuts and slimming vertical stripes to lengthen the silhouette. Try also monochrome colours to unify your form. Your best bets are close-cut pieces like the pencil skirt or flared skirt.
Do not: Say goodbye to skirts that add volume to your hips. Forget embossed fabrics and heavy materials like tweed and velvet or those embroidered with sequins and beads.
V SHAPE
This figure corresponds to a woman with broader shoulders than hips, and a rear-end that's more voluptuous.
Tip: To balance it out, create volume in the lower body.
Do: Wear skirts with prints, colors and shiny materials. Your best friends: skater and A-line skirts.
Do not: Unfortunately, you can forget about wearing figure hugging attires, such as pencil skirts or curved tubes.
X SHAPE
Considered the ultimate silhouette, the hourglass figure has defined waists and a perfect balance between the upper and lower body.
Tip: With your enviable shape, almost any skirt will do although it's best to wear something that emphasizes your slim waist.
Do: You're granted permission to get creative with your skirts. In keeping with the summer trends, opt for bright coloured skirts, printed and fringed.
Do not: Stay away from flared or loose skirts which only drowns your figure. Avoid excessively short skirts.
H SHAPE
With this shape, the hips are equal in size to the shoulders.
Tip: Remove the square shape of this too straight silhouette to create the illusion of a defined waist.
Do: Wear skirts that emphasize your waist like trapezoids skirts - ruffled or pleated.
Do not: Avoid skirts that don't cinch at the waist.
8 SHAPE
The 8 shape carries weight at the hip, just under the waist and is accompanied by a fuller figure.
Tip: Match up the pace and put your best foot forward.
Do: The choices available to you: tube skirt, tall, slinky, curved or trapezoid shapes.
Do not: Try to avoid skirts that are too loose and broad. Stay away from printed skirts with horizontal stripes or oversized flowers. Mini skirts are also a no no.
O SHAPE
Chest, hips and shoulders are rounded and accentuated.
Tip: The goal is to mitigate the distribution of flesh evenly so you don't look pudgy.
Do: Have fun with the details to create illusions. Make use of small pockets, zippers, or slimming color schemes. Your best bets are midi skirts, trapeze, straight and pencil. For the length and shape, it all depends on your belly and legs.
Do not: Mini skirts are prohibited. You can also forget about wearing large prints, stripes and horizontal patterns.
Ophelia Hippocrate & Karen George
