The Art of Wearing Hijab Part 4: Evening Wear and Style Augmentation. What Body Shape Are You?

As February prepares to take off, tips roving around Hijab clothing etiquetes prolong on the bases of: “Last but Not Least” and “Keep best to the End”.

Ladies let’s talk about GOWNS!

One may think that wearing a gown or evening dress with Hijab can be an easy “peasy” task: “Throw that bolero/shawl around your torso girl and you will be fine”. I really wish it is that easy, but alas it is NOT!
The first thing to know when talking fashion in general yet evening wears in specific is that not all clothing’s are fit for every one. Talking abaya and casual style was easier because the only concern was explaining mix-and-match bases, but things are heavier for evening wears. It is not only how to mix your attire with a jacket or how to match your accessories. When it comes to evening wear, each and every female needs to be able to read her body specifically. In other words, now we are in a position where we need to talk: Body Shapes.

shape body

 

 

The “science” of categorizing and dressing body shapes is based on breaking down the elements and curves of each body. This means taking into consideration horizontal and vertical measurements. Horizontal analysis is mainly body ratios of that of the bust, the waist and the hips relatively. Where as visual analysis is simply the look at the body in the mirror.
In simpler words: Horizontal body analysis is the study of the body using body numbers for reference while Vertical body analysis is the study of the body merely by the “logic of the eye”.
Upon these measurements, the studies lead to multiple body shapes but really 5 basic shapes: Apple or Circle, Hourglass or Balanced, Pear or Triangle, Banana or Rectangular, Strawberry or Inverted Triangle and .
And the art of dressing any body type comes in two points: Emphasizing the waist and balancing body proportions between upper and lower ratios.

body

Apple body type is generally well proportioned, but carries weight around the tummy area and is therefore without a defined waistline. You have relatively slim limbs and can either be small or full chested. Your slim arms and legs are an asset, but you do need to think about how to balance them with the rest of your body. You don’t have to have a very large belly to be apple shaped — it just means that your center of gravity, or your extra weight, resides in your belly area.

Hourglass body type is categorized by hip and bust that are almost of equal size along with a narrow waist. Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, chest, hips, and rear before other parts, such as the waist and upper abdomen.

Pear body type is one of the most common body types for women where the body is proportionally wider at the bottom than the top. The women of this body type tend to have a comparatively larger rear, thicker thighs, and a small(er) bosom .If there is weight gain, this usually accumulates at the thigh area. Not all pear shaped women come in the same size and “proportion” so some have wider hips than others.

Banana body type is recognized by a waist measurement that is less by 7-9 inches than that of the hips and bust measurement. Body fat is distributed predominantly in the abdomen, buttocks, chest, and face. This overall fat distribution creates the typical ruler (straight) shape. As the upper and lower body measurements are similar, a rectangle body type lady should try to create proportion by lengthening her upper body in proportion to her long legs. Most rectangles have short upper bodies and long legs. If one puts on weight, the type may resemble a Diamond.

Strawberry or Reversed Triangle body shape is wider on top and narrower at the hip. This body type should try to create proportion with a strong hip line to balance with the top. If the latter gains weight, then the body type may resemble an oval.

While hourglass is considered as the ideal body type and to which all designers design clothes, yet to the irony of it, skinny rectangle body shaped models are the ones to run them on runways. On the other hand, apple and pear body types are the most common between females especially around Middle East, North Africa and South America.

In other words, no matter what your body type is, grasp it, understand it and love it because this beautiful variety is at the end a bless from Allah (SWT) to meet the variety of tastes.

Hint: Year 2007, Lee’s Paper proposed the following formula to be used to identify an individual’s body type:

  • Hourglass: – If (bust − hips) ≤ 1″ AND (hips − bust) < 3.6″ AND ( (bust − waist) ≥ 9″ OR (hips − waist) ≥ 10″ )
  • Bottom hourglass: – If (hips − bust) ≥ 3.6″ AND (hips − bust) < 10″ AND (hips − waist) ≥ 9″ AND (high hip/waist) < 1.193
  • Top hourglass: – If (bust − hips) > 1″ AND (bust − hips) < 10″ AND (bust − waist) ≥ 9″
  • Spoon: – If (hips − bust) > 2″ AND (hips − waist) ≥ 7″ AND (high hip/waist) ≥ 1.193
  • Pear: – If (hips − bust) ≥ 3.6″ AND (hips − waist) < 9″
  • Inverted triangle: If (bust − hips) ≥ 3.6″ AND (bust − waist) < 9″

Rectangle: – If (hips − bust) < 3.6″ AND (bust − hips) < 3.6″ AND (bust − waist) < 9″ AND (hips − waist) < 10″

Also check http://www.styled247.com/body-shape-calculator/ for an online body shape calculator.

Yet, how would knowing a body type really help enhance our sense of style and set us effortlessly on the right track of fashion? See my next article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scroll to Top