Understanding Your Body Type: How to Choose the Perfect Outfit

You know those moments when certain outfits look great on others but the exact same items do not suit you at all? In this case, it’s not the clothing that disappoints but the way we wear it and how it looks on us. With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to categorize your body type, learn what to wear and what to avoid, and find clothing that looks perfect on you in the future. Whether you’re big or thin, narrow or wide, this guide is exactly what you need.

With the right adjustments, your outfit can make you look taller, slimmer, or even more muscular than you are. To make the most of these effects, you first need to categorize your body shape. Everyone can be assigned to one of the following five body types:

1. H Type (Rectangular)
2. I Type
3. V Type
4. A Type
5. O Type

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H Type (Rectangular)

Characteristics: Shoulders, hips, and pelvis have a similar width, resembling the letter H.

Suit Tips:

• Choose a suit that fits your body as accurately as possible without being too tight.
• Opt for a jacket without shoulder pads to avoid looking boxy.
• Have the jacket adjusted at the waist.
• Choose a jacket with one or two buttons and a normal-width lapel.
• Ensure the jacket length is not longer than your arm with a closed fist.
• Shirts should be regular or slightly fitted.
• Pants should have a normal rise and be either straight or slim fit.
• Avoid high-waisted pants with pleats as they make the midsection look wider.
• Trousers should end right on the shoe to make legs look longer.

Casual Tips:

• Wear figure-hugging clothes that are not too loose.
• A V-neck sweater works well to visually open up the neck and chest.
• Jeans should be regular or slightly slim fit.
• Short coats help visually lengthen the body.
• Chunky boots fit proportionately with a strong upper body.

Best Looks:

• Figure-hugging cuts
• Vertical stripes
• Dark tops
• Thin, smooth materials

Avoid:

• Coarse knit materials
• Horizontal stripes
• Embroidery on the shoulders
• Wide cuts

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I Type

Characteristics: Similar to H Type but significantly taller and narrower, resembling the letter I.

Suit Tips:

• Wear figure-hugging clothes to avoid looking flabby.
• Use shoulder pads to add volume to the chest and shoulders.
• Layering helps add volume to the upper body.
• Ensure the jacket fits well at the shoulders and chest, and choose longer sizes (e.g., 38L).
• Wider lapels help enlarge the chest.
• Shirts should be tailored or slim fit.
• Both high and low rise pants work, but avoid pants that are too short.
• Slim fit trousers are best to avoid looking too skinny or too wide.

Casual Tips:

• Coarse materials with more volume work well.
• Avoid super tight sportswear.
• Coarse knitwear is preferable for sweaters.
• Coats should fit well at the shoulders and not be too short.
• Slim fit jeans, slightly washed out, look good.
• Slim boots like Chelsea boots suit the silhouette.

Best Looks:

• Patterns or vertical stripes
• Different materials on jackets and trousers
• Color highlights, accessories, and rolled-up sleeves

Avoid:

• Overly tight cuts
• Thin, smooth materials
• Oversized clothing
• Wide belts and boot cut jeans

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V Type (Inverted Triangle)

Characteristics: Wide shoulders and a pronounced chest with a narrow waist, often seen in bodybuilders or swimmers.

Suit Tips:

• Avoid showing off muscles excessively in a suit.
• Choose a mix-and-match suit or a made-to-measure option for the best fit.
• No shoulder pads to avoid overemphasizing shoulders.
• Ensure the shoulder seam ends at the end of the shoulder.
• Use a wider lapel for better proportions.
• Straight cut trousers that sit on top of the shoe are best.
• High-waisted trousers help disguise narrow hips.

Casual Tips:

• Balance the weight visually to avoid looking too top-heavy.
• Straight or slightly narrow pants are ideal.
• Chunky shoes counterbalance the upper body mass.
• Layering is good, but avoid thick knit fabrics.
• Coats should be slightly larger to allow for layering.
• Sweaters should fit nicely on the arms and shoulders but drape loosely at the hips.

Best Looks:

• Polo shirts
• Soft, flowy fabrics
• Dark, subtle shades
• Turtlenecks and long-sleeve polo shirts

Avoid:

• Baggy tops
• Shoulder-hugging jackets
• Coarse knitwear
• Large, loud patterns and bright colors

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A Type (Triangle)

Characteristics: Shoulders are narrower than the waist, often due to being overweight.

Suit Tips:

• Shoulder pads help create a rectangular body shape.
• Use accessories like pocket squares or shirts with larger collars to emphasize the chest.
• High-waisted trousers shift the visual break upwards.
• Avoid trousers that sit on the hips as they highlight the belly.
• Straight cut trousers with no pleats are ideal.
• Subtle finishes and lace-up shoes work best.

Casual Tips:

• Use chunkier materials for sweaters to build up the shoulders.
• Larger collars on shirts draw attention to the upper body.
• Structured coats tailored around the waist create a better silhouette.
• Straight cut jeans help achieve a streamlined shape.
• Lace-up boots add attention and balance.

Best Looks:

• Patterned tops
• Vertical stripes
• Lighter tops with darker pants

Avoid:

• Tight polos and turtlenecks
• Eye-catching belts
• Large, eye-catching patterns
• Tight pants

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O Type

Characteristics: Rounded body shape with the largest circumference in the waist area.

Suit Tips:

• Use shoulder pads to build up the shoulder area.
• Dark suits visually reduce volume.
• Choose high-quality fabrics that create fewer folds.
• Ensure the jacket has enough room in the chest but not too much fabric at the back.
• Longer jackets help avoid emphasizing the belly.
• Larger collars and lapels improve proportions.
• Wider ties and tie knots are preferable.
• Regular or comfort fit suits with minimal excess fabric around the arms.
• High-waisted trousers with suspenders work best.
• Straight cut trousers that fall slightly onto the shoe create a harmonious look.

Casual Tips:

• Crew neck sweaters give space while concealing the belly.
• Shirts should have larger collars.
• Avoid too much layering to prevent looking bulkier.
• Avoid slim fit jeans, opting for wider pairs that create a more natural proportion.

Best Looks:

• Dark colors
• High-quality fabrics
• Well-proportioned accessories

Avoid:

• Slim fit jeans
• Excessive layering
• Thin, tight materials

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Remember, working with an alteration shop can help you achieve a perfect fit, making small adjustments that significantly improve your overall look. Each body shape can be accentuated to your advantage with the right choices in clothing.