Getting dressed is a whole lot easier when you know what pieces work best for your shape. Most women fall into one of four categories: circle (thick around the middle), triangle (larger at the bottom), hourglass (curvy but evenly proportioned), and rectangle (straight up and down). Here, three seasoned fashion experts―Simon Kneen, executive vice president of design for Banana Republic; Isaac Mizrahi, creative director of Liz Claiborne; and Bridgette Raes, author of Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want―identify the four styles that fit each figure best.
The Circle
If you tend to gain weight around the middle (or you simply want to hide a few post-pregnancy pounds), clothes should fit loosely around the midsection (to conceal a full stomach) and more snugly elsewhere (to play up thin limbs).
Styles to avoid: Anything that draws attention to the middle―like high-rise pants, belts, and waist-cinching tops.