The Ultimate Body Type Checklist - Nada Manley

It pays to play to your strengths, or so that’s what I heard. I think this has something to do with sports but let’s just use it for flattery instead. I’m so excited to be diving into body types with you this week because I believe this is where it all begins.

But what does flattery mean, exactly? It can mean different things to different women, but the way I see it, flattery means creating a sense of balance and proportion in your body so that the focus is on you and not on one specific feature. Sure, flattering clothes may make you look taller or slimmer but the main goal is to keep the emphasis on you.

I’m going to share some guidelines and principles based on math and science (I’m using a little of that high school Geometry after all) that can help you choose clothes that keep the emphasis on you.

I go into these principles in more detail in my brand new Body Type Video Series.

Once you understand these guidelines, you can choose when to follow them and when to bend or break them. It’s up to you. This knowledge gives you the power to decide how you want the world to see you.

Here are a few questions to consider:

4:08 “Where is fit a challenge?”

4:42: “What do I want to highlight?”

5:07 “What do I want to downplay?”

5:37 “Where am I short or long?”

For the purposes of this video and post, I break body types down into 3 broad categories: Strong Upper Body, Strong Lower Body, and Proportional.

In each of these categories, we are referring to SHAPE, not SIZE. Your shape is your shape, regardless of your weight and size, and it doesn’t change as you gain weight.

That’s why there’s never been a better time to learn to understand and flatter your shape.

Let’s take a closer look.

Strong Upper Body

You supermodel, you. You may have a strong upper body if most of the following apply to you:

Tend to put on weight in the upper half of your body (arms, bust, tummy, back).
Have broader shoulders
Tend to be slim through the hips, bum and legs
May have a straight waist and flat bum

If this is you, here are some guidelines for flattering your beautiful shape.

Vertical necklines are most flattering
Look for ruching to define the waist
Keep tops simple and bottoms interesting
Choose flowy silhouettes over fitted

Over 40 celebs that share your body type include: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson. Angelina Jolie, most models

Celeb before & afters using these principles:

This tight dress emphasizes Catherine’s strong shoulders

This fitted dress with strong horizontal elements amplifies Angelina’s shoulders

Strong Lower Body

Your body type is feminine and having a moment in pop culture right now, so enjoy it! You may have a strong lower body if these apply to you:

Narrow shoulders in proportion to your hips. Shoulders may be sloped
Put on shape in lower half of your body
Strong shape through your hips, bum, and/or thighs
Wear a larger size in bottoms than you do in tops

If you have a Strong Lower Body, consider the following styles:

Horizontal neckline
Interesting Tops
Simple Bottoms
Tailored, Not Tight
Straight Over Skinny
Define Your Waist

Over 40 celebs that share your body type include: Jennifer Lopez. Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Mindy Kaling

Celeb before & afters using these principles:

This outfit purs the emphasis on Jennifer Lopez’ curves

Proportional Body Type

Although you’re often called an hourglass, you may or may not be curvy. You are, however, proportional, which means that your shoulders and hips are roughly the same width. This may be you if:

You find it easy to find dresses that fit you the same throughout the length of your body
You wear the same size in your top and bottom
Your hips and shoulders are balanced
You tend to put on weight evenly all over

If you have a Proportional Body, consider the following styles: