At Whispers & Anarchy, we make pieces that are easy to wear, comfortable and flattering for every body shape. When curating and designing the pieces for our collection, we ensured that the pieces would flatter everyone, regardless of body shape and type. Considering this, we know that every body type and shape needs special attention to ensure that the beautiful person wearing the clothes shines through and feels gorgeous, confident and comfortable in their skin.
This is why we’ve curated this article to share with you some guidelines, styling tips and ways to dress your body type to help make sure you are happy and feel confident in whatever you wear. Read on to find out more.
We’re going to be exploring various body shapes and types including: Athletic, Inverted Triangle, Hourglass and Triangle. If you are confused about which body shape you are, read on as we will be explaining how to find out.
Firstly, we would just like to say that at Whispers & Anarchy, women empowerment is at the core of our brand as something that drives us and everything we do. We believe that every body type and shape is beautiful and unique which is why we are exploring guidelines that are customised for each body shape. Exploring the best ways to highlight your features and flatter your body will allow your inner happiness, confidence and aura to shine through, and we believe this is a form of empowerment.
Women with an athletic body shape, also known as straight or rectangle body shape generally have smaller bones but more muscle mass. Athletic body types are less curvy with their hip and shoulder measurements being very similar. Their body weight is evenly proportioned throughout their body and there is less definition around the waist area.
Quick test to check if you have an athletic body shape:
- Are your shoulders and hips the same width?
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Is your waist around the same width as your hips and bust?
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If you answered yes to both these questions, your body shape most likely falls within the athletic category.
If you are blessed with an athletic body shape you can actually play up and highlight any feature you wish to as your body is well proportioned and balanced naturally. You have many options as most silhouettes would flatter your body shape. In order to highlight your favourite feature, use pieces that will focus and draw attention to this area. Using patterns and stripes or lines will have the same attention grabbing effect.
Since your body is well balanced naturally, create contrast and emphasis on either your upper or lower body through layering and volume. When sporting a bodycon or figure hugging top, opt for a more loose fitting piece for the bottom half to create contrast and shape. Contrastingly, when wearing a piece that is more figure hugging on your bottom half, go for something more baggy or oversized on your top section. This will offset the balance and help you create looks that allow you to highlight certain features.
You have beautiful muscular arms that we suggest you should highlight as much as you can using sleeveless, strapless and off shoulder styles. Here's some styles we believe you should invest more in: sleeveless, halter, scoop necklines, strapless, flowy silhouettes and tapered waist.
Top picks from collection
Puffed Sleeve Tiered Dress
This relaxed fit mid-length dress with short puffed sleeves is perfect for the athletic body shape. The top section of the dress is more figure hugging and form fitting which contrasts well with the flowy and breezy bottom half. The multi-tiered body of this dress creates a dynamic shape that brings attention to your waist and legs. The panels of this dress have been cut from crisp cotton twill combining a wide round neck at front with a square open back. It's designed with an asymmetric hem to create movement when you walk. Opt for this dress for a relaxed midi silhouette or dress it up with heels to create a show stopping evening look. Available in white, tan and blush. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Halter Neck Maxi Dress
This dress is sophisticated yet imbued with an everyday simplicity, making it a great choice for women with an athletic body shape. The form fitting halter style top shows off your beautiful arms and shoulders while the tapered waist and flowy hem creates contrast and movement. The panels of the halter neck maxi dress are constructed from delicate cotton voile that adds a luxurious tactility to its flowing volume. Classic day-to-night dress featuring an elegant open back tied at the back of your neck with a gentle drawstring. Opt for this dress to elongate your frame and focus attention to your gorgeous arms and shoulders. Available in blue ice melt, indigo and navy. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Ruffles Midi Dress
This romantic and feminine yet modern and ultra-wearable dress is bound to be your favourite dress if you’re blessed with an athletic body shape. Adjustable shoulder straps draw the eye to your beautiful collarbones, shoulders and arms while the ruffles create movement and dynamic shape. This beautiful strappy midi dress has been designed in a soft lightweight rayon voile revealing an understated volume. Ruffle hem detailing, lightly grazing at the ankles. Opt for this dress for a summer brunch or dress it up with red heels for a night out. Available in blood red and white with blood red seams. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Women with an inverted triangle or apple body shape generally have equally proportioned bodies with their shoulders being slightly wider and broader than hips. Their upper section including shoulders and busy tend to be more well defined in comparison to their waist.
Quick test to check if you have an inverted triangle body shape:
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Are your shoulders wider and broader than your hips?
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Is your upper half more curvy and well defined in comparison to your lower half?
If you answered yes to both these questions, your body shape most likely falls within the inverted triangle category.
If you are blessed with an inverted triangle body shape you can play up and highlight your naturally beautiful and well-defined features. Highlight and bring focus to your shoulders, bust and arms. Draw attention to your legs and create a dynamic shape using colours, lines and various silhouettes.
To highlight your figure, opt for a bodycon or form fitting style and silhouette. This will bring focus to your naturally beautiful shape and curvy figure. To create more balance and movement, opt for fit and flare or A line styles that create contrast and definition at your waistline and lower section. If you have an inverted triangle body type, you will pull off strapless styles like the style was especially made for you.
Show off your amazing features and experiment with various silhouettes and dress lengths. Here's some styles we believe you should invest more in: strapless, V-neck, button up styles, flowy silhouettes, fit and flare silhouettes and A line style silhouettes.
Top picks from collection
Exposed Back Bell Sleeve Dress
Combining utterly chic bell sleeves and a delicate open-back pattern of tie detailing, this dress makes a superb update to your LBD style dress, especially for the inverted triangle body shape. Expressive and ethereal and featuring a knee length hemline, this will play up and highlight your beautiful legs. The flowy tunic style will create movement and bring balance to your lovely curves. Perfect from day to night, it's been designed in soft rayon voile for a fluid fabrication. Opt for this to show off your amazing legs and accentuate your shoulders, collarbones and neckline. Available in jet black, white, buttercream and blue ice melt. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
This ultra-elegant and minimalist trapeze silhouette dress is cut from cool crisp cotton twill. It is a perfect choice for the inverted triangle body shape as it features a subtle V-neck, high-neck bow tie strap and a double panelled skirt. It elongates your frame and accentuates your curvy figure, creating movement through the A-line style silhouette. A juxtaposition between a lightweight hand and a sculptural, voluminous body. Opt for this for an evening or night out to showcase your wonderful figure.
Available in blue ice melt, indigo and blood red. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
This sweet cold-shoulder above-the-knee dress features a subtle exposed back with a string of back tie details, an awesome choice for anyone with the inverted triangle body shape. Shapeless and oversized silhouette with a super relaxed fit draws attention to your shoulders and arms. The flowy, kaftan style silhouette plays up your beautiful legs and elongates your frame. It's made of soft and flowy rayon voile. Opt for this for a relaxed everyday look or dress it up with a belt and accessories to create a sophisticated look.
Available in jet black, powder pink and buttercream. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Women with an hourglass body shape, also known as curvy body type generally have a well defined waistline. Their bustline and hip measurements are equally or similarly proportioned and evenly balanced. The hourglass figure tends to have a more prominent hip area and bust area as well.
Quick test to check if you have an hourglass body shape:
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Is your bust area and hip area around the same width?
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Do you have a defined waistline?
If you are blessed with an hourglass body shape, you can highlight your wonderful curves and features that you would like to draw attention to. Silhouettes with defined or tapered waistlines will bring more focus and attention to accentuate your well defined waist. Bodycon, form fitting and figure hugging pieces are those you can pull off without much effort.
These shapes emphasise your gorgeous curvy figure and showcase your naturally balanced shape. To create an interesting or more dynamic look, pair form fitted top or bottoms with oversized bottoms or tops. Either way, this will create a contrasting silhouette that will give off a more relaxed vibe. Here's some styles we believe you should invest more in: strapless, blouse style tops, scoop neck, boat neck, V-neck, bodycon silhouettes, and fit and flare silhouettes.
Top picks from collection
Halter Neck Maxi Dress
This dress is sophisticated yet imbued with an everyday simplicity. The subtle form fitted silhouette is relaxed, yet figure hugging in just the right places. The panels of the halter neck maxi dress are constructed from delicate cotton voile that adds a luxurious tactility to its flowing volume. This will elongate your figure and highlight your hourglass figure. Classic day-to-night dress featuring an elegant open back tied at the back of your neck with a gentle drawstring. Opt for this to showcase your lovely figure and elongate your frame. Available in blue ice melt, indigo and navy. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Exposed Back Bell Sleeve Dress
This is a trendy update to the classic little short dress, combining utterly chic bell sleeves and a delicate open-back pattern of tie detailing. Perfect for our hourglass ladies who want to show off their lovely legs and elongate their frame. This dress is expressive and ethereal and features a knee length hemline, it's been designed in soft rayon voile for a fluid fabrication. Available in jet black, white, buttercream and blue ice melt. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Cold Shoulder Kaftan
This sweet cold-shoulder above-the-knee dress features a subtle exposed back with a string of back tie details. It is a lovely option for hourglass body shapes as it creates movement, balances the curvy body shape and can be styled with a belt to draw attention to the waistline. The shapeless and oversized silhouette with a super relaxed fit is made of soft and flowy rayon voile. Opt for this when you’re in the mood for a change of silhouettes and would like to draw attention away from your curves. Available in jet black, powder pink and buttercream. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Women with a triangle body shape, also known as pear body type generally have a broader hip area in comparison to their shoulders area. Their waistline is wider than their bust area, it is well defined and well proportioned. The triangle figure tends to have a more prominent thigh and hip area in comparison to their bust and shoulders.
Quick test to check if you have an triangle body shape:
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Is your waist wider than your bust?
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Are your shoulders narrower than your hip area?
If you are blessed with a triangular body shape, you can highlight your lovely features and choose to play up your shoulders, bust, waist and hips. You can choose from various silhouettes and styles to accentuate your beautiful features and highlight your assets. Bring focus to your waist and gorgeous hips and thighs by opting for form fitting and bodycon styles in this section.
Contrast this to create a balanced look by sporting an oversized or loose fitting piece for your top. Play with pairing structured pieces with flowy and loose styles to create dynamic looks. Here's some styles we believe you should invest more in: scoop neck, V-neck, bell sleeves, bodycon silhouettes, and A line silhouettes.
Top picks from collection
Trapeze Midi Dress
This ultra-elegant and minimalist, trapeze silhouette dress is cut from cool crisp cotton twill. Perfect for women with a triangle body type as it features a V neck style, high-neck bow tie strap and a double panelled skirt. The contrast and juxtaposition between a lightweight hand and a sculptural, voluminous body. Opt for this if you would like to elongate your figure and draw attention to your arms and shoulders area. Available in blue ice melt, indigo and blood red. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Exposed Back Bell Sleeve Dress
Combining utterly chic bell sleeves and a delicate open-back pattern of tie detailing, this dress makes for a romantic yet wearable piece. This is a wonderful choice for women with a triangle body shape as it helps you show off your stunning legs, hips and thighs. Expressive and ethereal and featuring a knee length hemline, it's been designed in soft coloured rayon voile for a fluid fabrication. Opt for this to show off your gorgeous legs and create interesting shapes around your arms. Available in jet black, white, buttercream and blue ice melt. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
Puffed Sleeve Tiered Dress
This relaxed fit mid-length dress with short puffed sleeves is perfect for women with triangle body types to highlight their gorgeous features. The panels of this dress create a dynamic shape while providing movement and balance between the top and bottom half of the body. These panels have been cut from crisp cotton twill combining a wide round neck at front with a square open back. It's designed with an asymmetric hem to create movement when you walk. Opt for this to create a look with balance and movement. Available in white, tan and blush. Available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.