5 Cute Night Out Looks for Any Body Shape
When it comes to getting dressed for casual occasions, most of us slip into whatever is both cute and comfortable. We don’t tend to worry so much about what will flatter our hips or waist the best because, for the most part, no one really scrutinizes that sort of thing during 8am calculus. But come time for a dinner out or a party, every college girl wants to look her best.
One of the key elements of looking fun and fierce for a night on the town is to keep your body type in mind. Just because a dress looks amazing on your roommate doesn’t mean it will look so hot on you. So, I’ve pulled together some basic going out looks sure to flatter five basic body shapes. Keep in mind that these rules apply whether you’re a size 2 or a size 12 – it’s all about flattering your body’s proportions, no matter your measurements.
Shape #1: Pear
The “pear” or “inverted triangle” body shape is generally smaller on top and wide at the hips. The most flattering look for this body shape is a high waisted a-line skirt that accentuates a small waist and slightly flares out from the hips. A form-fitting top with an interesting neckline or ruffle helps bring the eye up and balance the body’s proportions. Finish off the look with a classic pair of pointed toe pumps that lengthen the look of the entire lower body.
Product Information: Top- Splendid, Skirt- Arden B., Heels- Nine West, Earrings- Chico’s, Bracelet- Forever 21
Shape #2: Apple
Whether you were born with a fuller mid-section or you’ve just developed one thanks to late night snacking in college, you’re an apple shape if you carry weight around your middle. While some might say this body type is difficult to dress, figure-flattery is easy thanks to this season’s cornucopia of flowy tunics. Steer clear of any tunics with an elastic banding at the bottom, though, as this can create an odd bubble effect. Make sure to pair loose tops with a pair of skinny jeans, to play up your fabulous legs and balance out the volume up-top.
Product Information: Top- BB Dakota, Jeans- American Eagle, Heels- Michael Antonio, Earrings- ASOS, Bangles- Buckle
Shape #3: Ruler
If you’re built like a supermodel with few curves to speak of, you can pretty much pull off anything. That said, if you want to create more of an hourglass shape, that’s possible with a bit of strategic dressing. One of the best ways to show off a straight figure and long legs is with a tight tank dress, capitalizing on this season’s bandage dress trend. Make your look pop with brightly colored high heels and trendy accessories.
Product Information: Dress- FULL TILT, Heels- KG by Kurt Geiger, Necklace- Betsey Johnson, Purse- Forever 21
Shape #4: Busty
If you are blessed with plenty of natural cleavage, you’re probably used to walking the fine line between looking matronly and falling out of your shirt. A moderately low-cut top that is neither too tight nor too loose is your best bet for a flattering night out look. You’ll look balanced and chic, and your body won’t appear to have been swallowed up by your upper half. A pair of slightly flared jeans with simple heels keeps your look balanced.
Product Information: Top- Arden B., Jeans- Big Star, Heels- Chinese Laundry, Earrings- Fantasy Jewelry Box, Purse- Miss Selfridge
Shape #5: Hourglass
Like the ruler straight girls, you hourglass shaped ladies can get away with wearing almost anything. However, with such a feminine figure, you don’t want to go overly sexy with your wardrobe choices. Choosing a dress that is both soft and structured is a great way to go. A bright clutch, sky high heels, and a trendy oversized cocktail ring can help take some of the focus off your figure without detracting from your overall look.
Product Information: Dress- Arden B., Heels- Michael Antonio, Clutch- Juicy Couture, Ring- Topshop
What’s your take?
Do you think about your body shape when getting dressed for a night out? Are you more likely to accentuate your features or try to tone them down? Are you somewhere in between the five body types I mentioned? If so, how do you dress for that? Leave a comment and tell me.
Posted on on February 27, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Body Shape, Featured, figure-flattering, Going Out, Night Out, Outfits, Party, shape conscious style
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Shannon
The hourglass shape outfit is actually so adorable! I’m planning on wearing lots of highwaisted shorts & skirts this spring (maybe trying out my first pair of high waisted jeans?). xx
Renn
I think I have a ruler type of body but I think the pear-shaped body outfit was my favorite! Except for the shoes, I can’t bring myself to like that type… Also, the hourglass outfit was cute, but not for a night out in my opinion.
Mailee
I feel left out! No inverted triangles?
The pear and ruler outfits are so cute!!
mairead
Keep in mind that these rules apply whether you’re a size 2 or a size 12
What about those of us who are bigger than a 12?
Us girls who are size 14 or 20 or bigger want to look good too. While I love your website and try to read it everyday I would love if you started showing more outfits that bigger girls can wear and even start featuring clothes from shops that make clothes bigger than a size 14.
Another issue I have with a lot of the posts on this website is with the dresses featured. It seems to be rare for dresses to be longer than mid-thigh and I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who feels uncomfortable wering short dresses even with leggeings or thights.
I’m not trying to be pickey or judgmental about collegefashion because I do think it’s a brilliant website that often serves as inspiration for me and has encouraged me to start making more of an effort for college each day. These are just some issues which I would love to see addressed.
trohled
I always feel left out when “dress for your body” articles show up, because no one seems to include an athletic body shape in their outfits!
I think that people usually just assume that when you look fit and lean you can wear anything, but I often find that I get self-contious about looking too muscly or boyish sometimes.
Any suggestions?
Zephyr - CF Editor
Mailee – Sorry about that! Will try to be more inclusive next time. Of course, no one will fit perfectly into any category, so the tips should be mixed and matched, depending on your look. In general, inverted triangles can use the Busty tips, but for more tips on balancing out your body while still looking fab, check out our article on fashion for your body shape -http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/fashion-for-your-body-shape-the-basics/. Should help! xo
mairead – The phrase about being a size two or twelve was not to be taken literally – we didn’t mention size 00, 0, 4, 6, 8, or 10 either, but that doesn’t mean the article isn’t for people who wear those sizes. And as we always say, anyone at ANY size can wear any of the outfits we feature! If a store we link to doesn’t carry larger sizes, then we do apologize for that, but saying that the outfits we show can’t be worn by anyone at any size is just not true. Any girl at any size can wear anything she wants – I’m not a fan of telling plus sized ladies they have to wear different clothes from everyone else just because they’re larger. Why can’t a plus sized girl rock the outfits we feature here? Who says?
As for the dresses, sorry if the things we feature aren’t your taste – we try to make sure to offer a variety of options but that’s not always possible given the current trends. We always try to stay relevant to fashion, and unfortunately knee and calf length skirts aren’t really what stores are carrying right now. Will keep it mind though! xo
Trohled – Sorry you felt left out! One way to balance out an athletic frame is to dress girlier than usual – flowy dresses, florals, and ruffles can add curves and balance out a more boyish look. Also, a great pair of heels can really work wonders!
Hannah
I have broad shoulders and curvy hips but a small chest and a small waist – sort of a mix between an hourglass and a pear. I keep my body shape in mind when I shop, and I think that’s definitely shaped my style. I have such a hard time finding jeans that fit well, so I’ve pretty much stopped wearing jeans altogether – high-waisted skirts like the ones featured in Outfit #1 now make the up the majority of my closet because they de-emphasize the areas of my body I don’t like while playing the areas I do like.
Mairead – The most important thing to keep in mind when you’re getting dressed (no matter what size you are) is confidence! If you are confident in what you’re wearing, you can pull off any style you want. I’ve seen some bigger girls rock incredible outfits just like the ones shown above! I do agree – CF should definitely write a post on plus-size fashion, a topic that is rarely covered on fashion websites. You should definitely check out Ashley Falcon’s column in Marie Claire – she’s a plus-size girl with incredible style! http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/trends/articles/ashley-falcon-plus-size-stylist)
megan
thanks!
great ideas for when I go to nyc!
Kayla
What about for short girls? I’m only 4 foot 11 and it’s so hard to find something cute to wear every morning. I think an article or some tips about dressing cute when you’re petite would be a good idea. Keep me posted. I love this site!
Rebecca
@Kayla: we’re the same height! I agree, I’d love to see an article for petite sizes.
Although, at 24, I’m not sure I want to be “cute” anymore, so how about a few other options too? :P
kels
Im a pear, and while i love the look, i have a few adjustments. first, the asymmetrical top is unbalanced, which will cause you to look unbalanced, and its really really important for pear shapes to be balanced and proportional everywhere else since their butts arent either of these things. and second, us pears need to watch out, short skirts can be bad news since our booties tend to droop a bit lower than normal. however, i love the high waisted skirt, and the idea of a simple black top with it!
Denise
Love the outfits. Not too keen on the outfit option for a busty figure. I dunno… it reminds me of J-wow from Jersey Shore… but not in a good way.
Kate
As yet another member of the petite community (I’m 5′ on a good day) I have to agree with Kayla and Rebecca. It seems like there are a million and one webpages out there with suggestions on how to dress if you’re taller than average, with not nearly as many addressing petite fashion. Not to mention that finding clothing that fits correctly is always a pain…
aish
love this post
im a ruler shape nut in 5’1ft…..but i love the outrfit
also love the pear n hourglass looks
loving high waisted skirts n shorts now
Nina
I love all of the outfits! I’m your typical hourglass type, but I have to agree with other petite girls – height is always an issue for me too when shopping!
I also second mairead – It would be cool if there was, for example, a post with outfits who pay special attention to girls who are above size 12 and what makes them feel more comfortable, but can be also worn by smaller girls as well.
And by the way, not to sound too cliche, but big can be SO beautiful. Just the other day i saw a girl who was very large but was wearing skinny jeans and looked AWESOME. Which is so cool, considering all the people nowadays who are saying that you “must” or “can’t” wear this or that. That is one of the reasons i like CF – because you don’t do that :)
Nina
Oh and also – It makes me really sad to see what fashion designers and magazines label “plus-size” today. I recently saw a magazine spread about “plus-sized” girls and they almost made it look like not being size 00 is a problem to be dealth with. For one, i didn’t think that any of the girls in the pictures were anywhere near being plus-sized. That is just a shame.
Tamara
One thing about this shape stuff is that you have to be realistic and have a somehow accurate image of yourself; I tend to be overcritical about myself, so while I think my breasts are small and my hips are huge, my friends say I’m more of a mix between a ruler and and hour glass. So, if you happen to be insecure like me, you better get good friends!
Julie
I think I’m between busty and hour glass.
I agree with others, I didn’t like the busty outfit, besides it looking very JWOW, putting the massive cleavage on display and adding ruffles on top of your brests will make you look like all boobs.
I generally try to avoid placing ruffles and other voluminous stylings over my breasts because its just makes them look that much bigger.
Mailee
Thanks Zephyr! The only reason I bring it up is because everyone assumes that inverted triangle means busty, when really I just have big shoulders. I have a small chest and small waist with narrow hips, so the “busty” tips aren’t really relevant.
Regardless, it’s fun to read these posts. And frankly I’m a firm believer in wearing whatever makes you feel great, so you can bet I’m going to be stealing that pear outfit. ;)
Caroline
Mailee: You have the body shape I’ve always dreamed of! You’re so lucky. I’m exactly the opposite; narrow shoulders, big bust and broad hips. It looks ridiculous.. So, you’re a very lucky girl! :)
Kelly
I disagree, I love the busty outfit. Everything I own is so different from that yellow top but I think I need it. I went to the Arden B website where the skirt is shown on a model… it is NOT as low cut as as JWOWW as it looks here! I’m, 5’3″, size 0 and a 32dd, and I think it will be super flattering and can’t wait to get it in the mall :)
Kelly
oops! I meant to say “and as JWOWW”
Heyheyhey
Hey, so for the pear shape, I just saw a mistake on the post lol. Pears are not “inverted triangles” because they are SMALLER on top, and BIGGER on the bottom. Inverted triangle means an upside down triangle, so that would mean BIGGER on top, and SMALLER on bottom. Just a “regular triangle” would be more pear-like. Just wanted to point that out haha. Great post btw!
Zephyr - CF Editor
Thanks Heyheyhey, will update it to fix the typo! xo
ellie
Listen. There is something that you writers, who obviously live in the lost city of amazonia, don’t seem to realize. Most women are short. Most do not go on for miles like these gargantuan clothes do.
I have the body type of a ruler but I’m also tiny up and down. And every time i read anything about my body type, I fail to find anything that might give me any advice on how to look taller or to at LEAST put myself into some kind of adult proportions. You all just assume “oh you’re a ruler, duh, you can wear anything” You all just assume that because i’m lean and skinny, i MUST be some kind of 6 foot tall freak (no offense to the freaks out there….) Women are NOT, by nature, giants. So really.. Who the hell is your audience?? The 2% of women who ARE giants? Come on…
Skinny + short = 12 year old girl. I would really like to see more styles geared towards making overall tiny women look like WOMEN. I realize being skinny might put me in a minority. But being short lands me square in the lap of the majority. And believe it or not, we little folk don’t gallivant naked through forests like lost pixies. We wear clothing too.
All you’re doing is telling people how to look skinnier. That doesn’t help the majority of us who want to appear TALLER.
… which is too bad because this post is otherwise engaging and well thought out. Just, you know, stop assuming the average woman is gigantic and can pull off ANY of the tall styles you’re suggesting. We ALL know what the media is trying to achieve by doing that. This is done in hopes that regular people of regular height will become so distraught with their own bodies that they will spend like morons trying to change something that can’t be changed and will keep spending until it changes. Stop perpetuating this. You’re better than that, right?
ellie
..for example, the outfit you suggested for your ruler type. If i wore that, I’d look like jail bait who just got back from an excursion in mommy’s closet. When what I’d LIKE to achieve is a look that doesn’t make me look like jail bait who just got back from an excursion in mommy’s closet. See what i mean?
kels
ellie –
as a ruler shape, you have the freedom to wear a few more styles than me ( a pear) but, you totally do end up looking like a 12 year old. idk about the editor of this blog, but i would suggest heels w/ pointed toes, whihc elongate the leg. flow styles will give the illusion of curves on a tiny frame, as will ruffles. if you dress like a 12 year old, you will look like one. your body shape requires you to take more risks to get noticed as a fashionable adult.
tess
I TOTALLY agree with ellie; I’m 5’3 and just over 100 Ibs and it is SO HARD to dress in a way that is more grown up without looking like a 12 year old playing dress-up. I’m also quite muscular as opposed to just skinny so I sometimes feel too manly if I wear more revealing clothes.
I often find that I almost look younger if I try to dress more sophisticated, which is often just because clothing aimed at older people is not sized as small so even the smaller sizes are a bit big, which makes your frame look even smaller.
It would also be great if in some of your posts you included more stores that carry smaller sizes (American Apparel is a great one).
Maxine
I guess I am an hourglass shape. A lot of girls say I should be a model because I am tall and can fit into an outfit with ease. ha ha that is true. i dont like wearing tight clothing though. i love flowy clothes.
ariel
Can someone make like an actual page on style and many clothing for heavy overweight girls because i definately need a new style and really want it as well please and thx…..=D
Locket
I love what Nina said in number 16, I have seen these articals and it’s rediculas! size 12 is not plus size, id say size 16+ is! I think it’s really sad that these magazines are written by women, we should be sticking together saying that if you dont like us as we are, lump it! Not making women feel small (or seperating them out to make them feel massive) I personally would watch a catwalk as if I was looking at art, I WOULDN’T look at the clothes and think I want to wear that because quite frankly I cant relate to these size 0 women, therefore it is nothing more than watching a circus act.