Real Women, Real Shapes: How to Dress for Your Body Shape

Ever wondered, "What shape am I?" Not sure whether you're a strawberry or a pear (or maybe a rectangle)?

Fear not! M&S Assistant Dresses Buyer Barbara Bobadilla met with five fashion bloggers to put together some fail-safe tips on how to recognise and dress for your body shape. Here, the group pick the perfect style to flatter every figure...

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Strawberry

Wider bust, top-heavy, narrower hips and waist

I can’t really avoid it, but [I tend to show] my cleavage area - but I don’t like to show too much off, just enough! I would tend to wear a maxi dress in the day, something free-flowing and comfortable. In the evening, something more fitted, probably a bit sexier and just below the knee

- Kate Sutton of blog Wit Wit Woo

Kate Sutton

Rectangle

Slender/slight body frame, similar width for bust, hips and waist

I am basically a rectangle, but a fifty-year-old one, with a fifty-plus roll of fat around the middle – which we all get! To have a bit of structure around my waist is really lovely and reassuring. This dress is beautifully made inside; fully lined and cotton rich. For us picky older women where quality is important, this hits the mark.

- Amanda Carr of blog The Womens Room

Amanda Carr

Pear

Wider hips and bottom, narrow bust

Fitted and flare styles are always really flattering for pear shapes. Drawing attention to the waist is key; bring the eye inwards.

- Gemma Cartwright of blog Big Girls Browse

Gemma Cartwright

Athletic

Slender/slight body frame, similar width for bust, hips and waist

I loved the purple peplum dress the second I saw it. It's very 'me'. I love bold colours and I like to show off my arms, so I love that it's sleeveless. The peplum detail is perfect for my rectangular shape, as it attracts attention to the waist. It's a nice length, too.

- Muireann Carey-Campbell of blog Bangs and A Bun

Muireann Carey-Campbell

Hourglass

Wider bust and hips, narrower waist

I'm an hourglass, so generally larger hips, waist and bust. I went for a knee-length dress, fitted around the waist and not too high a neckline – so as not to draw too much emphasis to the hips and bust.

- Harriet Thorne of blog Where Is Harriet

Harriet Thorne