Ask Danielle: What to Wear for My Body Type

The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Heidi writes in asking “I weigh 160 pounds and am 5’4. My weight is distributed pretty evenly except for the fact that I wear an A cup bra. I wear a size 12 in pants. I have a hard time finding dresses because my boobs are so small in comparison to the rest of my body. Most people say that means I’m a pear shape. but I’m not. My top half is very proportionate to the bottom half except for the fact that my boobies are tiny. How can I dress for my figure? Also, lately I’ve been really into the “street chic” look. Could I pull that off? Or is it wrong for my body? Usually I dress pretty classy, in blouses and skirts etc. but I’m really looking to change it up, and be a bit more fashion forward. What do you think?”

After asking Heidi a couple of questions and seeing a few pics to determine her body type, we figured out Heidi is more of an hourglass shape (shoulder and hip width are about the same with a defined waist). With an hourglass shape, you want to keep the emphasis on the waist (it’s trim and fabulous, after all!). The best way to do this is either with a belt, a jacket fitted to the waist, or a horizontal band or design on a skirt or pants. Heidi, since you have a hard time finding dresses because of the size of your bust, look for dresses made with fabrics that have some stretch where the emphasis is on the waist that also have either ruffles, curvy designs, or pocket details at the bust to give the illusion of a bigger chest. Wrap dresses also work well on your body type. The dresses shown below (available at Express) all fit your body type and will help give the illusion of a bigger chest:

1. CAP-SLEEVE BELTED SHIRT DRESS; 2. BELTED SHIRT DRESS; 3. SLEEVELESS RUFFLE-FRONT SHIRT DRESS – DOT; 4. SEXY STRETCH WRAP DRESS.

Follow the same idea when looking for blouses, and other articles of clothing to fit your frame: emphasis on the waist, create the illusion of a bigger chest. For the times when you need some extra oomph, check out Victoria’s Secret Intimissimi Gel Inserts.

You can definitely pull of the Street Chic look! The best way to transition from one style to the other is to add pieces of the new style that will mesh well with your existing wardrobe. First start out with accessories and makeup like studded bracelets and belts and smudged black eyeliner. Then add in blazers and jeans. Look for unconventional basics–sounds like an oxymoron–but an unconventional basic is really just a basic item like a v-neck tee that has a little something extra (i.e. an asymmetrical hemline or neckline, bright color, extra detailing). Check out some of these street chic suggestions available at Urban Outfitters:

Silence & Noise Open Shoulder Blazer; UO Shredded Jersey Necklace; Silence & Noise Faux Leather Max Jacket; Silence & Noise Faux Leather Maxine Vest (I’m suggesting just the vest, not the entire outfit…lol); BDG Denim Moto Vest; Urban Renewal Chain Necklace; Silence & Noise Ripped Twig Jean; Skull and Crossbones Studs.

Any of the items above can be worn with items already in your closet to give you a more street chic look. Check out Jessica Alba rocking a ruffled leather jacket over a dress: