Are you an Apple Or A Pear? A Carrot Or A Peanut? Perhaps A Stringbean? Dress For Your Body Shape -The Modest Way

Buying clothes, is fashion...knowing how to wear them, is style.

As Givenchy puts it: "The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress."

We come in all different shapes and sizes, each with our own individual, quirky traits. Some big, some small, some short, some tall. Somehow, in all of our imperfectness, we are perfect. However, with all of that said and done, we can't roam around the street like innocent Moglies and have to decide what to wear each morning!

While Mrs Smith and the girl next door try to figure out whether to pair their low-cut T-shirt with shorts or a skirt...Fatima, Sumaya, and Mariam have got bigger fish to fry; 'What colour long-sleeve top can I wear with this?', ' Will it match my scarf?',  'Will my scarf match my trousers?',  'Are my trousers too tight?' 'Is my top too short?' 'Is this see-through?!' And just when they thought they had it all sorted : 'I can't find a hijab pin!'. Then, finally, when all of these dilemmas have been addressed, only then can they can move on to the same dilemma as Mrs Smith:'... does this even suite my body-shape?.'

So a Muslima's wardrobe decisions are slightly more complicated and take a little more thought BUT that isn't a barrier to style, it's merely a stepping ladder. 

Although no-body is the same (pardon the pun, couldn't resist!) there are general categories to which we can be ascribed based on shoulder, waiste and hip ratios. 

Here is a run-through of different body-types and tips on how to dress for your shape...the modest way! Because the last thing we needs is another article about how "the little black dress" is the way forward when we're still wondering whether your trousers are loose enough. 

The following are just pointers and general suggestions and are by no means strict rules. You can experiment with different styles and still look fabulous. Just keep these in mind as general guidelines. Because every-body (I did it again) is different. 

The String-bean a.k.a The Rectangle

Rectangle-shaped celebs: Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Hilary Swank

Your hips and shoulders are pretty much the same width (you can measure them if you’d like to check), but your waist measurement is less than 9″ smaller than your hip/shoulder measurements.  With little definition at the waist, this straight-up-and-down figure is often considered boyish. Opt for styles that fit snugly at your middle but flare out at the bottom (whether it’s a skirt or pants) to create curves. 

Dos & Don'ts

DO wear long jackets to create a lean look.

DO wear tops with collars, ruffles and details to flatter your chest.

DO layer to add more dimensions.

DO wear dresses with ruching. Cinches on sides are ideal.

DO have fun with colorful bottoms... feel free to experiment.

DON'T wear overwhelming styles.

With a few ruffles and flares you can easily create the illusion of curves. Peplum tops are your best friend. They hug your waist at it's tiniest and then flare out giving the illusion of curvy hips. Boot-cut or slightly flared trousers give the illusion of shapely legs and soften your athletic/boyish frame. 

The Apple a.k.a The Circle:

Apple-shaped celebs: Oprah Winfrey, Catherine Zeta Jones, Drew Barrymore, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson.

If you tend to gain weight around the middle (or you simply want to hide a few post- pregnancy pounds), clothes should fit loosely around the midsection (to conceal a full stomach) and more snugly elsewhere (to play up thin limbs).

                                

Dos & Don'ts

• DO go for monochromatic looks.
• DO go for v-neck tops to create the illusion of a longer torso.
• DO wear a bra that offers good lift and support.
• DO wear belts at the smallest part of your waist.
• DO conceal tummy bulge by wearing empire tops and dresses.
• DO wear boot cut and flared jeans to create an even line from the 
• shoulders down.
•   Don't wear tight tops
•   Don't tuck your top into your trousers

Tunics are brilliant at disguising a belly bulge. They give a sleek look and a bit of detail on the neckline takes attention away from your midriff. Coupled with a pair of medium heeled boots to elongate your thin legs and you've instantly shed a few pounds and look leaner. 

The Pear / The Triangle

Pear-shaped celebrities: Kim Kardashian, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Katherine Heigl.

Curvy hips, thick thighs, and a full rear are the key characteristics of the pear-shaped woman. Many pear shapes also have a small bust, narrow shoulders, and defined waist. Keep your proportions in check by drawing the eye to your upper body while de-emphasizing your lower half. You'll look smashing with just a few stylish tricks!

Dos & Don'ts

• DON'T wear clothing that draws attention to hips and thighs, such as cargo trousers.
• DO try a-line skirts, which camouflage wider hips.
• DO keep hems of pants, skirts and dresses wide to balance the hips.
• DO experiment with light-colored tops and dark-colored bottoms for contrast.
• DO look for boat neck tops, square and cowl necklines.
• DO wear strapless dresses to show off arms and even out proportions.
• DO try styles with ruffles on top.
• DO wear jackets that hit right above the waist.
• DO opt for pointy-toed shoes to elongate your legs.

One of the best features of a Pear-shaped woman is her tiny waist. Tuck a boldly coloured top into a pair of wide leg trousers. The vibrant top along with a fashionable chain will distract attention away from your bottom half and even out your slender shoulders; the wide-leg trousers creates a balanced, even line from your hips down and won't accentuate your them like a skinny fit will. 

The Peanut a.k.a The Hourglass

Hourglass-shaped celebs: Marilyn Monroe, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, Vanessa Minnillo

Did you know that only 8.4% of women have the hourglass figure? Considered as the dream figure, the subject of many paintings and sculptures, the hourglass is probably the most envied of all the shapes we have discussed. Contrary to the body shapes of most supermodels, the hourglass figure is round and curvy, with a well-defined waistline, fuller hips and bust and generous thighs. 

Dos & Don'ts

• DO wear fitted dresses.
• DO wear a belt at the waist to enhance your hourglass shape.
• DO try wrap dresses.
• DO go for high-waisted skirts to show off your hips.
• DO pick thin, lightweight styles and fabrics.
• DO wear skinny or straight leg jeans.

While, with an hour-glass figure to die for, you could probably get away with almost anything, we keep modesty in mind, as there is a fine line between flattering and flaunting. Soft materials that fall on to the body sit nicely and the use of dark belts around your midriff gives a nice definition. Boyfriend-jeans (that's husband, to you) are not only trendy, and in, but also give just the right amount of definition to your curves. Not every body shape can pull off the relaxed, urban-chic, but the hour-glass sure can.

The Carrot a.k.a The Inverted Triangle

Wedge-shaped celebs: Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore, Renee Zellweger, Teri Hatcher.

This body shape features a broad chest and wide shoulders which are large in proportion to a narrow waist and hips.Your best asset are your legs and your fashion goals is to accentuate your lower body while softening your shoulders and upper body.

Dos & Don'ts

• DO wear bright colors on bottom.
• DO wear wide-leg pants.
• DO wear full skirts.
• DON'T wear spaghetti-strap tops.
• DON'T wear boat neckline tops.
• DO wear tops that call attention to your waistline.
• DO experiment with high-waisted styles.
• DO look for clothes that create the illusion of a waist.

A waist belt is an easy way to highlight your tiny waste. Although the skirt is a dark colour, it's still demands attention thanks to it's subtle shine. The carrot shape has small hips so wearing a flowy skirt camouflages this and gives the impression that your hips are wider and curvier.