By Catherine Morgan, Personal Styling and Image Consultant. If you have ever wondered about how best to flatter your body shape, then this article is for you! We invited personal styling expert Catherine Morgan from Before Meets After to share her top tips for dressing your body shape. First things first… you need to identify what your body shape is. The three most common body shapes are often described as Pear, Apple and Banana.

Pear Shape

You have a Pear Shape if you carry more of your curves around your tummy and hips. You have a Pear shape if you carry more of your curves around your tummy and hips. When you gain and lose weight, this generally occurs around your hips and bottom. Top 3 Tips for Pear Shapes: 1. Wear lighter fabrics such as linen and chiffon on the bottom half of your body. On the top half, try structured jackets and tops with sharp angles like angular lapels and V necks. A structured jacket is one that is fitted and shaped to your body with details such as shape defining darts. A structured jacket holds its shape well and is made of a stiffer fabric. 2. Wear tops that are longer or shorter than the widest part of your hips and thighs, avoid the bottom of your top sitting right on your hips. 3. Wear darker colours on the bottom to help even out your appearance.

Apple Shape

[caption id="attachment_791" align="alignright" width="300"] You are an Apple Shape if you carry more of your weight around your bust, arms and tummy and you have straight, narrow hips.[/caption] You are an Apple shape if you carry more of your weight around your bust, arms and tummy and you have straight narrow hips. Any weight gain or loss goes to your upper arms, bust and tummy. Top 3 Tips for Apple Shapes: 1. Wear darker colours on top and if you have a good bust then don’t be afraid to flaunt it. Emphasise your legs by adding heels with trousers, or use skirts and dresses to elongate your body and legs. 2.Wear a bright pair of shoes to draw the attention away from your middle and emphasise your legs. 3. Cotton is not your best friend as this clings to your tummy. Wear more forgiving fabrics on top such as linen and chiffon.

Banana Shape

[caption id="attachment_792" align="alignright" width="300"] You are a Banana Shape if you have narrow hips and little waist definition (supermodel shape!)[/caption] You are a banana shape if you have narrow hips and little waist definition (WOW you are the supermodel shape!) Top 3 Tips for Banana Shapes: 1. Wear different coloured tops to bottoms. This will create more definition and shape. (NB. If you are petite, try a different tactic: wear all one colour to elongate the body and create shape with belts and structured jackets to cinch in your waist.) 2. To give yourself greater width, try horizontal stripes or wear a dress or blouse to create a hanging frill. 3. Use peplums (which are a short strip of fabric attached at the waist of a jacket) with jeans with pockets on the sides to add width and shape.  

Do you have a question for our stylist? Submit it to Catherine Morgan at catherine@beforemeetsafter.co.uk before 1^st September and you could win a place on a Before Meets After Styling Workshop, worth £25!  

Author’s note: Catherine Morgan is a personal styling and image consultant. To find out more about Before Meets After Workshops, email Catherine@beforemeetsafter.co.uk or visit www.beforemeetsafter.co.uk.