The Curated Wardrobe: Autumn
Warm, Deep, Muted & Rich
Body shape rules
-
For those with a circle body shape, where the waist is wider than the bust and hips, the primary goal when dressing is to elongate the torso and draw attention away from the midsection.
Here are a few tips on how to achieve this.
- V-necklines are especially flattering as they draw the eye downward and elongate the neck.
- Dresses and tops with empire waistlines sit just below the bust, drawing attention to the narrowest part of your body. A-line skirts and dresses can also be flattering as they skim over the waist and flare out, creating a balanced look.
-Wearing a structured jacket or cardigan left open can create vertical lines, further elongating the figure. Ensure the hem of the outerwear hits below the hips for the best effect.
- Steer clear of overly tight or clingy materials around the waist. Instead, opt for flowy and breathable fabrics that drape well without adding bulk.
- Use accessories like necklaces, scarves, or earrings to draw attention to the face and neck. This can divert focus from the midsection and highlight your favourite features.
-
The hourglass body shape is distinguished by a well-defined waist with the bust and hip measurements being nearly the same, creating a naturally balanced and curvaceous silhouette.
For those with an hourglass body shape:
- Accentuate the waist, the narrow waist is a hallmark of the hourglass figure. Emphasize it with belts, high-waisted skirts, and wrap dresses to showcase this natural curve.
- Opt for clothing that follows the natural contours of the body and is fitted. Tailored jackets, bodycon dresses, and fitted blouses highlight the balanced proportions of bust, waist, and hips.
- Opt for v-necks and wrap styled tops and dresses as they compliment the hourglass shape by drawing attention to the décolletage and emphasising the waist.
-Since the bust and hips are proportionate, it's essential to maintain this balance. Avoid adding excessive volume to either half and choose outfits that highlight both areas equally.
- Loose or boxy clothing can hide the hourglass's natural curves, so avoid this type of clothing. Instead, opt for pieces that skim the body without being overly tight.
By adhering to these guidelines, individuals with an hourglass shape can celebrate and accentuate their natural curves, ensuring a flattering and harmonious appearance.
-
When dressing an Inverted triangle, your primary objective should be to balance your broader shoulders and bust with your narrower hips and waist.
Achieving this balance can be accomplished with several straightforward strategies:
- Direct attention to the bottom half of your frame. Opt for trousers and skirts with details, patterns, or embellishments that add visual interest to your hips and thighs.
- Choose tops in solid, darker, muted shades and avoid excessive details around the shoulder and bust area. This helps to downplay the width of the top half.
- Add width to your hips with A-line skirts, peplum tops, and pants with pockets on the sides can give the illusion of wider hips, balancing out the broader shoulders.
- Opt for V-necklines which can elongate the upper body and draw attention downwards, creating a more balanced look.
- Wear Shoes with details, embellishments, bright colours, or unique designs can draw the eye downward, further balancing the figure.
-
The rectangle body shape is characterised by a balanced bust, waist, and hip measurements with a less defined waist.
For those with a rectangle body shape:
- Introduce curves and break up the straight silhouette using belts, ruching, or side panels in dresses to create the illusion of a defined waist.
- Use high-waisted pants, skirts, or belts to cinch in and emphasise the waist area and create a more hourglass appearance.
- Play with Patterns and Colours, think horizontal stripes, bold patterns, and colour blocks can add width and create the illusion of curves. Mixing different patterns and colours can help define various body areas.
- Layered outfits, like a jacket over a contrasting top, add dimension and depth, breaking up the uniformity of the rectangle shape.
- Statement necklaces, bold earrings, and scarves can draw attention to the upper body, while detailed shoes or boots balance it out by drawing the eye downward.ption
-
When dressing YOUR TRIANGLE SHAPE your main goal should be to draw attention to the top half of your body, balancing your wider hips with your small waist.
This can be done in so many simple ways:
- Focus on structure and detail towards the top of your body.
- Use bright colours and pattern on your top half to draw your eyes up, contrasted with darker colours on your lower half.
- Use accessories to highlight your neck and shoulder area.
- Wear chunky footwear to balance out your hips.Item description
Please note: The Curated Wardrobe contains affiliate links meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you.
Trousers & skirts
Jumpers & Tops
Whistles
Fat Face
& other stories
Arket
Kettlewell
Fat Face
Fat Face
Kettlewell
Fat Face
Whistles
& other stories
& other stories
Damson Madder
Seasalt Conrwall
H&M
Fat Face
Monsoon
New Look
COS
& other stories
Seasalt Cornwall
Fat Face
H&M
New Look
H&M
H&M
M&S
George at Asda
M&S
ASDA
H&M
White Stuff
Seasalt Cornwall
La Redoute
H&M
Joanie Clothing
H&M
Orwell & Austen
La Redoute
Fat Face
H&M
& other stories
H&M
Fat Face
Monsoon
White Stuff
Next
Oliver Bonas
Kettlewell Colours
Fat Face
Whistles
Next
& other stories
Dresses
Coats
H&M
ASOS
H&M
Mint Velvet
J Williams
Mint Velvet
M&S
Zara
George at ASDA
River Island
Next
M&S
River Island
River Island
River Island
River Island
Regatta
Mango
Marks and Spencer
Nobodys Child
Marks and Spencer
Simply Be
Yours
Phase Eight
Monsoon
Nasty Girl
Marks and Spencer
Mango
Monsoon
New Look
Barneys Original
New Look
New Look
Oasis
Benetton
Next
Monsoon
River Island
Monsoon
Footwear
Office
Next

Jones the Bookmaker
Zara

M&S
Gabor
Zara
Adidas
Zara
Adidas
Charles Keith
M&S
Adidas
M&S
Puma
Nike
Converse
New Balance
Gola
Office
Office
Next
Mango
Office
River Island
Next
New Look
Boden
Boden
Boden
Boden
New Look
Phase Eight
Next
Tu Clothing
Office
Boden
Zara
Office
Monsoon
Adidas
Next
Vans
M&S
Oliver Bonas
Oliver Bonas
M&S
Adidas
Urban Outfitters
Parfois
Next
M&S
Amazon
Next
Next
Next
White Stuff
Boden
Boden
Steve Madden
Boden
Accessories
Accessorize
Etsy
White Stuff
Joules
Accessorize
Monsoon
Etsy
Toolally
Toolally
Sezane
Accessorise
Boden
Accessorise
Accessorise
Accessorize
White Stuff
Accessorize
Boden
White Stuff
White Stuff
Accessorize
Accessorize
Accessorize
White Stuff
White Stuff
M&S
M&S
White Stuff
M&S
Accessorise
Boden
M&S
Orelia
Orelia
Oliver Bonas
Phase Eight
Phase Eight
Phase Eight
M&S
M&S
Ottoman Hands
Oliver Bonas
M&S
Zara
Oliver Bonas
Next
Boden
John Lewis
M&S
Lisa Angel
Next
Next
Oliver Bonas
Oliver Bonas
M&S
Benetton
Crew Clothing company
Yumi
John Lewis
Bloom & Bay
Hobbs
Accessorize
Wolf & Badger
Accessorize
River Island
River Island
White Stuff
Zara
M&S
M&S
M&S
M&S
M&S
Nobody's Child
George
George
Oliver Bonas
Accessorize
Accessorize
Outside In
Oliver Bonas
Oliver Bonas
Bags
Accessorise
Leah Ward
Monsoon
Zatchels
Accessorise
Accessorise
Accessorise
Accessorise
Accessorise
Accessorize
Monsoon
Fenella Smith
Monsoon
Monsoon
All Saints
Whistles
Accessorise
& Other Stories
Next
Oliver Bonas
Silk Fred
Fenella Smith
All Saints
Accessorize
New Look
Accessorize
Monki
Monki
M&S
George at ASDA
M&S
River Island
River Island
River Island
Monsoon
River Island
Monsoon
Accessorize
Next
Accessorize
Oliver Bonas
Anthropology
Roberta M
New Look
Wolf and Badger
Next
Radley
Accessorize
Monsoon
Swimwear
Mint Velvet
Reiss
ReissNext
NextBoden
Boden
Next
NextM&S
Next
M&S
Mint Velvet
Phase Eight
Pour Moi
John Lewis
Cup She
Next
M&S
M&S
M&S
M&S
M&S
Boden
M&S
M&S
Monsoon
Free People
Next
M&S
Cup She
Next
M&S
M&S
M&S
Ted Baker
M&S
Next
M&S
Pour Moi
Next
Accessorise
John Lewis
White Stuff
Joanie Clothing
John Lewis
John Lewis
John Lewis
John Lewis
John Lewis
Karen Millen
John Lewis
Sea Spray
Hollister
Cup She
Phase Eight
Phase Eight
Mint Velvet
Karen Millen
River Island