
Choosing the right clothes for your body type can make all the difference in how you look. Do you know what your body type is? Most people fall into one of three categories: Ectomorphs, mesomorphs and endomorphs. Once you define your body type, you can make smart fashion choices that show off your best assets. Let’s take a look at the three different body types for Men and for Women:
Men’s Clothing by Body Type
If you’re an ectomorph (skinny with long limbs and a fast metabolism), slim fit suits, jackets and shirts are made just for you. Look for wider collars to emphasize your shoulders and choose slim cut pants. Don’t fall into the trap of buying loose-fitting clothing to look larger, but choose clothes that neatly skim your body.
As a mesomorph (a natural athlete with wide shoulders and a slim waist), you want to emphasize your body’s natural V-shape. Make sure the shoulders on your jackets fit correctly, then have the waist taken in if needed. Small prints work well on you, and straight leg pants balance out your large shoulders.
Endomorphs (softer, curvier and often shorter than the other types) look best in solid colors that help you look slimmer and taller. Go for narrow-collared shirts, and look for a good fit through the shoulder when choosing jackets. Often men’s pants are too long for endomorphs, so make sure you get the hems tailored perfectly for your height.
Women’s Clothing by Body Type
If you’re an ectomorph woman, you have the body type of many models, so you should have no problem finding stylish outfits. Many ectomorphs prefer not to emphasize their thin lines, yet, choose clothes that are a little bulky to fill out their frame. Pay special attention to the length of your jacket sleeves, since they may be too short off the rack, throwing your proportions off.
Mesomorph women sometimes have an hourglass shape that can be hard to fit. Take pants and jackets to the tailor and have waistlines taken in to show off your shape, and avoid baggy clothes that hide your well-defined figure. Horizontal lines and cuts with broad shoulders tend to be less than flattering on mesomorphs.
As an endomorph woman, the key to a great look lies in the waistline. Don’t buy pants, dresses or skirts that are too tight around the waist, yet go for a design that flows with your shape. Avoid clothing with belts or pockets, and instead stick with the classics and opt for darker colors that streamline your shape.