How to Choose Jackets, According to Your Body Shape
The variety of styles and forms sometimes makes it difficult to choose clothes that look perfect with your body shape. Jackets need special attention because it’s impossible to hide them with additional layers of clothes.
5-Minute Crafts has prepared a quick guide to explain how to choose jackets for the most widespread body shapes.
Note: We prepared an awesome guide to body shapes, and it will help you identify yours in case you have doubts. Click here to find out what yours is.
Hourglass body shape
Choose:
- Jackets that follow the natural body line and don’t hide a small waist
- Belted and form-fitting jackets
- Short jackets that end at the hips if you’re petite
- Single-breasted jackets since they don’t add extra volume
Avoid:
- Boxy and straight styles that may make you look heavier
- Too much detailing and embellishments
Inverted triangle body shape
Choose jackets that emphasize the waistline and make the shoulders less noticeable. Also pay attention to the following:
- A deconstructed jacket with smooth waterfall-like lines
- A classic strait-cut silhouette
- Pockets below the waistline as well as other details that can add some volume to the hips
- Styles with a defined waist that flare out at the bottom
- Jacket styles that extend beyond the hips to help balance out wide shoulders
- Darker colors for a slimming effect on the top half of the body
Avoid:
- Double-breasted buttons
- Details and embellishments that draw attention to the shoulders: big collars, epaulets, shoulder pads, etc.
- Tailored or structured jacket styles
- Cropped jackets with a slim-fitted bottom half
Rectangle body shape
The crucial priority here is to define the waist. In order to create the desired shape, the outwear should be nipped or belted at the waistline.
Choose:
- Jacket styles with detailing and embellishments on the top half, like double-breasted buttons, belt carriers, pockets, button-downs, hoods, and flaps — they’re great for making the shoulder line broader.
- Jackets that define the waistline and create a balanced silhouette
- Nipped, belted clothes and jackets flaring toward the hips
- Structured jackets
- Straight-cut jackets that follow the natural lines of the rectangle body shape
- Jackets ending below the waist to help hide an undefined waistline
- Jackets that slightly flare toward the hips in order to create volume here
Avoid:
- Short jackets ending above the waistline and boxy variants
- Embellishments on the waistline
Pear body shape
Choose jackets that add extra volume to the top part of the body without enlarging the hips, like, for example, cropped jackets. Also, pay attention to:
- Cropped jackets that can show a slim waist and add volume to the bust and shoulders
- Long jackets that reach the mid-thigh to make the silhouette slimmer and elongate the body at the same time while hiding a wider hip area
- Jackets with embellishments on the shoulder and neckline area
- Darker colors for longer jackets to slim the silhouette
- Brighter colors for cropped jackets to draw attention to the upper half of the body
Avoid:
- Jackets that end right at the hip
- Embellishments on the hip area
Apple body shape
Jackets skimming over a wide midsection can do wonders. If they have structured fabrics and lines, they will do a great deal to conceal the problem area.
Choose:
- Straight single-breasted jackets
- Fitted single-breasted jackets with buttons below the bust line
- Cardigans and other styles of jackets to wear open
- Structured jackets that are snug at the shoulders
- Jacket styles that reach the hip bone to balance the silhouette
- Tailored and wrap-style jackets
Avoid:
- Double-breasted and belted jackets
- Jacket styles with a variety of embellishments
Save the pictures from this guide to make your shopping enjoyable and less time-consuming!