wardrobe essentials for your body type
May 4, 2009 
6 Comments
Since I am asked frequently what the best top styles and jeans are to stock up on for each body type, I decided to do a post to share with you some of the best. If you have read my Recipe Box, then you’re familiar with some of these styles and probably have some sitting in your closet. Your core wardrobe is based on your core neutrals so that you can easily mix and match. Add a favorite color or two to round it out and you have an effortless wardrobe.
The best tee styles for your body type:
- Three Dots Supima Cowl Neck
– the fabric is the perfect weight and with a soft draped neckline, this style looks perfect under a blazer for work or alone on the weekend. The cowl neck comes in various sleeve styles: 3/4 sleeves, short sleeves and sleeveless. Every hourglass, rectangle and inverted triangle should have one of these.
- Three Dots bateau neck tee
– for triangles and gals who have smaller busts, the bateau neck tee is the essential tee you should have in your wardrobe. Again, I think Three Dots is best because they last — the quality is great.
- Ella Moss Ellassentials v-neck
The best jean styles for every body type:
- AG Adriano Goldschmied Clubs
- 7 For All Mankind Gingers – this style rocks and looks good on everyone. Cut fuller through the thigh and in a beautiful, lightweight dark denim, they feel wonderful on. The rise is 9″ which covers well and is non-frumpy.
- Joe’s Muse jean
– great for all body types, this style is a slight bootcut – not as flared as the AG Club. With a bit higher rise, it comes in various washes. Joe’s also does petite jeans which I think are the best in premium denim industry. Also at chickdowntown.com.
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These tops are all so cute! Thanks for posting things that would work for anyone. I was wondering, though what’s a good rule of thumb for shirt length on a short torsoed person? I often think tops that are this long make my legs looks short — which could be a personal problem
Hi Angela – actually, longer tops on shorter torso gals create more of a balance because it makes you look like you are a bit longer on top. Tops should hit 2 inches above the crotch. Typically when you’re short waisted, your legs are longer so feeling like your legs look short could be mirror problem.
I have the three dots bateau neck t-shirt that I wear while working at home. I’m glad to see you have it for the triangle body type, because as an hourglass that particular t-shirt makes my bustline seem huge (the t-shirt is pale pink).
And I feel such confirmation as my go-to jeans are the Clubs and Muse, having a couple of pairs of each. But I’m thinking of trying some new cuts. AG has a higher rise boot-cut and Joe’s came out with a cut like the Muse but with a slimmer thigh. Can you tell the names are eluding me right now?
Thank you for both the encouragement and direction Teresa! And I tell everyone I can about wardrobe911.
yes, the bateau is a no-no for most hourglasses and especially inverted triangles! some rectangles can rock it but not all because this top is form-fitting. It’s always nice to try some new styles and the ones you mentioned I am having some success with in fitting my clients. I think you’re talking about AG’s Elite. It has a 9″ rise and a slight flare leg – it’s cut a little slimmer through the thigh than the club. The Visionaire is the Joe’s jean you were thinking of. More of a bootcut than the Muse and a 1/2″ lower – most clients I’ve fit still like the Muse over this but it could soon become a favorite. Time will tell.
Sorry, I mistyped in my comment…I mean long torso. So the reverse is true, my legs look short. Which is why I’m squeamish about the longer-fitting tops.
The best thing to do then is to belt them (this creates a line that visually shortens your torso) or to wear them ruched up a bit with a cropped jacket or cardi. This breaks the line. You also want your pants to barely skim the ground — your hem should be 1″ from the floor in whatever shoes you wear. Wearing all one color also helps make you look tall and long. If you try it, let me know how it goes!