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Dressing to suit your body type isn't that tough -- it's just a matter of playing the angles and working your assets. If you're top-heavy, aka an inverted triangle body shape, that means you've got a bigger chest and shoulders and smaller hips and legs. For you, the key to looking fab lies in balance, mixed with a dash of visual trickery.
Color and Style
If you're wearing separates, choose darker-colored pieces up top and lighter colors below the waist. A dark top with a light bottom will give you a little camouflage magic to help minimize a top-heavy appearance. Also, keep things more simple up top. No giant ruffles or crazy, busy patterns -- it'll just make your top half stand out even more. Go with a simpler top and save the drama for down below with patterns, pleated skirts or flared bottoms to create balance with your top half.
Dresses
If you're sporting a bountiful bod up top, pick a dress with a draped top and a more fitted skirt. The draping will soften your top half, and a skirt that hugs your hips will balance you out by accentuating your curves down below. Avoid skinny spaghetti straps, which will make your shoulders look bigger; stick with larger straps if you want to go sleeveless.
Tricks
The secret to dressing for a top-heavy figure is to wear clothes that elongate your torso and create a lengthening vertical eye line. Make friends with low belts, long necklaces and unwrapped scarves -- these accessories will trick the eye into seeing a leaner top half. A drop waist or a tasteful V neck can also trick the eye. Take note of the word tasteful -- don't wear a V neck that's spilling over with boobage.
Dos and Don'ts
Shop smart for a top-heavy frame. Since you're larger on top and smaller on the bottom, buy separates in different sizes to accommodate your figure. And by all means, have fun with footwear. Boots, glitzy heels, strappy wedges -- whatever floats your boat. Since you're fuller up top, an eye-catching pair of shoes will actually help balance you out. What should you avoid? Shoulder pads, puffy sleeves and corset tops won't do you any favors. Neither will high-waisted pants.
