Lily Girls Magazine

By Kerri Porter

I am an avid card shopper, I love going into stores (especially Target) and scanning through the card selection. Recently, I went into Target and found a card that I bought to send to my Nana. Now, in order to preface this, I will say that my Nana has always struggled with her weight, but has often joked and just accepted it. So, I knew the card I found that day would be perfect for her. On the front it had a bunny with some carrots on his lunch tray and he said, “You know you are what you eat.” To his right was his squirrel friend who was carrying a lunch tray with a cheeseburger on it. And his reply was “If you are what you eat, then I need to eat a skinny person.” Laughing to myself in the aisle, no doubt looking semi-ridiculous, I picked out a colorful envelope and a couple minutes later purchased the chosen card.

After looking over the card before sending it, I realized that while I still thought it was funny…unfortunately many girls have this mindset about their own bodies. Body image is a HUGE loophole that Satan uses in order to get us down on ourselves. However, I think one of the things that God tries to show us each day is that we are precious in his sight. Psalms 139:14 says, “I will praise thee for I am wonderfully and fearfully made; marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well.” He created each of us with unique body types and different features that are special JUST to US. How cool is that? No one in the world looks exactly like you. Even if you have an identical twin, you still have certain things that set you apart.

I’m going to be honest here…people simply don’t know how to dress for their body type.

It doesn’t mean you have a bad shape or strange body type, it simply means that there are ways to compliment your shape. And just so you know, this advice is coming straight from experience. I am 5”1 and have gone up and down in my weight over the years. Needless to say, I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to stand in the fitting room and throw pair after pair of shorts on only to leave the store frustrated and empty-handed. So before frustration and disappointment set in, next time your in the store think of these tips I’m about to give out. They’ll save you time, frustration and help to feel your best and appreciate the body God has given you!

ROUND – A woman with a round-shaped figure has a generous bust, wider rib cage, a fuller back, generous middle, narrow hips, and slender legs. You have the legs that the pear and diamond shaped women would kill for so show them off with styles that accentuate your narrow hips and legs!

DO WEAR:

• accessories around your face (earrings, scarves, etc.) to draw eyes upward.
• tops and dresses that flow through the midline
• straight, flat front jeans without pockets on the rear.

DON’T WEAR:

• clingy fabrics
• high necklines
• tucked-in tops

INVERTED TRIANGLE – Broad shoulders, a medium bust, an average waist, narrow hips, and shapely and long legs characterize the inverted triangle figure. With your great legs and narrow hips, you are one of those lucky women who can wear hip-hugging jeans…so show off your curves!

DO WEAR:

• flowing fabrics
• three-quarter length sleeves
• A-line skirts

DON’T WEAR:

• stiff, bulky fabrics
• big collars
• high necklines

HOURGLASS – You can tell a woman has an hourglass figure when she has a bust, small bone structure, defined waist, curved hips, shapely legs, and sometimes a protruding bottom. You definitely have curves, so why not accentuate what you have?

DO WEAR:

• fitted/semi-fitted clothing
• straight and gently flared pants
• dresses with a defined waistline

DON’T WEAR:

• baggy styles
• high necklines

PEAR – Pear-shaped body types have a slender neck, narrow shoulders, small bust, as well as a shapely waist, generous lower hips and full thighs. With your waistline being small and feminine, you should embrace styles that accentuate your middle.

DO WEAR:

• short sleeved tops
• boot leg and straight pants
• garments that emphasize your waist

DON’T WEAR:

• baggy clothes
• open pleats on pants
• designs at waist line

STRAIGHT- The straight body type is distinguished by an upper and lower torso that are equal in width, an average bust, large rib cage, undefined waist, flat bottom, and slender legs.
DO WEAR:

• dresses that wrap or flow
• semi-fitted clothes
• A-line skirts

DON’T WEAR:

• low necklines
• baggy clothing
• narrow skirts

Girls: Please know that these tips are just simply that, tips. It does not mean you have to follow them or not be true to yourself and your style. These are tips for helping you to compliment your body type and be comfortable with who you are. They also help when you are shopping and need to know what to look for! The central point we cannot forget is…God loves us no matter what body type. He created us IN HIS IMAGE so therefore rejoice for you are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are made with the fingerprints of God…and to me that is enough to celebrate over!

For more info on dressing for your body type, check out the links below:

http://www.style-makeover-hq.com/body-shape.html

http://www.happygrrls.com/fashion/howtodressforbodytype.html