Rule # 10: Know your body type.

It's important to know and understand what looks good on your body. This implies knowing your body and what pieces can enhance or hide certain things. There are 6 primary body types: Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Hourglass, Diamond, and Oval. These types are defined by your body's fat deposits above, below, and around the waist. 

The Diamond and Oval body shape can both be referred to as the apple body shape. If you have the apple body shape, your waist is undefined and you carry most of your weight around your midsection. The difference between the two is that the diamond body shape is defined by a high stomach and the Oval body type can have a full bottom and thighs. Creating the illusion of a longer, leaner torso by drawing attention upwards is the key for this body type (draw attention away from the midsection).  

The Rectangle body shape has been referred to as a relatively boyish build, but not all women have trademark flat chest that goes with it. The Rectangle shape visually displays a balanced width between shoulders and hips, both of which can be full. However, your waist may be slightly defined, if there is any definition at all. This body shape can look shorter and heavier than you actually are. Arms and legs are typically slender. You'll want to wear pieces that cinch in at the waist and add more curves to your figure. 

The Triangle body type has a larger a lower body with a smaller upper body. Shoulders are generally narrower than the waist, hips and thighs. It's all about drawing attention away from your problem areas. Therefore we need to draw the eyes up. Use bright tops, larger collars, lapels, and sleeves. 

The Inverted Triangle is the exact opposite to the Triangle. A full bust line with a defined waist and narrow hips. This build is characterized by broad shoulders and is often associated with athletes. These are the people we refer to as "top heavy". To balance this out, try bright coloured or patterned fabrics. Full skirts will add more body below the waist. Keep the top simple and focus on the bottom. 

The Hourglass is the ideal figure. It's associated with a perfectly proportionate bust line and hips and a well-defined waist with fat deposits in equal proportions above and below your waist. This is considered ideal because it is recognized as the sexiest of all body types. You don’t want to drown this in baggy clothing. A lot of women lose weight and attain this figure but they still wear the same clothes they had before the weight loss. Ladies, if you are an hourglass, please show it off!! Wear belts to emphasize your waist and wide-legged jeans to balance out your breasts and V-neck or cowl neck tees to show some cleavage - not necessarily all at once!