Buying a Sweater to Fit Your Body Type

Is it sweater weather already?

As temperatures drop, you can still stay warm and toasty - and feel hot and sexy - with the perfect sweater that fits.

Depending on your body type, some sweater styles can enhance your shape while others definitely don't. Before you go shopping, find out which styles may be just right for you with our guide to the perfect sweater weather look...

Apple Shape
For apple shapes, avoid bulky knits and look for a smoother vertical knit cardigan or pullover, just long enough to end just below your buttocks. A flare at the hip is also extra slimming. If opting for a pullover, avoid tight fitting crew necks and opt for a scoop or v-neck to emphasize your neck and your bust and further enhance the elongated look.

Pear Shape
Small waste and wide hips? Choose a sweater that ends just at the waist to balance your upper and lower body. A square neck or boat neckline (one that opens wide and ends at the collarbone) will also draw the eye to your face and neck. A-line sweaters are also perfect and a great look for pear shapes.

Banana Shape
Women with straight banana or ruler shapes always look for clothing styles to make them appear curvier, and there's no easier way in autumn and winter than by opting for a bulky sweater and pencil jeans. More great looks include wrap sweaters or belted cardigans tied tightly at the waist to help break up the vertical lines of a banana shape.

Hourglass
Enhance your look with belts and low buttons that prevent tugging across your bust. Avoid turtlenecks and crew neck sweaters and opt for adjustable wrap sweaters that are always very flattering to the hourglass figure.


More about choosing the best sweater for your body shape around the Web:


Associated Content: Choosing the Right Sweater for your Body Shape - A good overview of the best body shapes for turtlenecks, cardigans, wrap arounds, cowl necks and vertical stitch sweaters.

Helium.com: Flattering sweater styles for pear shaped women - Suggestions for stripes, empire waists and scoop neck sweaters.





also see in the Fashion Blog:

How to Buy A Swimsuit to Flatter Your Body Shape

Miniskirts, Bright Colors at New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week kicked off this week in a dynamic run down catwalk in Bryant Park.

The most obvious prediction evident in the batch of new looks - by Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Catherine Malandrino, Marc Jacobs, Georges Chakra, Narciso Rodriguez and Calvin Klein - predicts lots of bright colors for Spring 2010.

To give truth to the old adage "the lower the economy, the higher the skirts," miniskirts will be the hot new look. Also on hand to help dispel the economic gloom, a rainbow of hues in violet, yellow, turquoise, coral and red will be the main colors incorporated into everything from dresses and suits to casual wear and T-shirts this spring.

The Spring 2010 edition of New York Fashion Week continues until September 17, 2009. If the crowds at the Bryant Park tents are too much, take the virtual tour via YouTube videos:

More about New York Fashion Week around the Web:

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Videos

New York Magazine Runway Photos & Videos

Dressing for Your Body Type

There's the popular fantasy that there are some women now walking the planet who are blessed with ideal proportions.

That may be "true" in airbrushed fashion shoots or classical paintings, but the fact is nobody in the real world meets the criteria to win the title of "Miss Perfect Body".

However, there are lots of tips and tricks for making it appear that way. All you have to do is accentuate the positive and let the eye of your adoring public do the rest.

Long torso - Tall women's fashions look best well-fitted and with classical Greek goddess lines. If you're tall and slim you can easily create those desireable S-curves by simply adding a belt to whatever dress you're wearing. Not only will it bring attention to your waist, it will create the illusion of a fuller, curvier figure.

Oval or pear shaped - Slim down your silhouette with a top or dress in a dark or muted color featuring a deep V neck to create a vertical slimming effect. Earrings, necklaces and other accessories will also help bring attention up to your head and shoulders. The addition of subtle shoulder pads also helps transform your figure from oval to V shape.

Petite - Tired of other people challenging your stature? In addition to adding a high heel, a classic trick for appearing taller is simply by dressing yourself head to toe in a single color (i.e., tops and jeans) to aquire that long and lean look. Be sure to choose straight legged pants or jeans to accentuate the vertical illusion. When choosing skirts, show off your legs! - and avoid calf-length or ankle-length skirts that make you look shorter than you are.

Also see:

How to buy a swimsuit that flatters your body shape

Best sunglasses to fit your face shape

More tips about dressing for your body type around the Web:

Body Shapes & Goals

Identify Your Body Type