Real Women Are Fashionable: Styling For Your Body Shape

Although shopping is high on our list of fun activities, it can prove a headache when you're not happy with anything you see. There's nothing fun about trying on dress after dress, and nothing looks right. Equally as annoying is ordering something online, only to realise the fit is completely wrong. With this in mind, we have put together an edit of five dresses from Littlewoods Ireland that cater for different body types. Tubular Tubular usually means a slim slight shape, generally referring to a boyish figure with a small chest and bottom. Most shapes work well on this type of figure, busy patterns and loud shades are great for creating the illusion of curves. The nipped-in waist on this Love Label printed shirtdress €49, creates shape with the abstract print ensuring a modern look. Pear Pear-shaped women tend to put on weight around the bum and legs. Skater skirts and dresses are ideal as they skim over problem areas while drawing attention to tiny waists. This Definitions dress €50, is practical due to the grey and black shades but chic too. Pair it with a blazer and court shoes to go from office to out in minutes. Apple If you’re an apple shape, then your tummy might be where you put on weight. A peplum design is ideal for masking the stomach while long sleeves disguise upper arms if your conscious of this area. This Holly Willoughby dress is a striking shade, and the pencil skirt length will complement the great legs that apple shapes are renowned for. Hourglass Hourglass figures tend to be curvy with shapely bottoms and waists. Opt for tailored pieces rather than flowy fabrics and try to avoid extra details such as ruffles which add unnecessary volume. The clever cut of this Definitions dress €50 skims the figure while the colour blocking creates essential structure. We love this dress: the shades and styles used make for an elegant yet modern piece. Petite Petite women can encounter pitfalls while shopping, something that looks great on the hanger doesn’t always translate when you put it on. Opting for tailored pieces that hug the figure are advisable, this ensures you wear the clothes rather than the clothes wearing you. This South Ponte close-fitting collar tunic style dress  €25 is perfect for petite sizes, ensuring your figure isn’t swamped by excess material.