How to Dress Your Body Type + A Monroe and Main Giveaway!

181 Replies

This is a Fashionista Event Opportunity hosted by Still Blonde after all these YEARS and Modly Chic.

Monroe and Main Zelda Dress

There are a few keys to making your wardrobe the best it can be and at the top of the list is choosing the right clothing for your body shape. The right clothes can accentuate your assets, balance your shape and flatter your figure.
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The  tricky part to utilizing this key strategy is figuring out your body shape. Monroe and Main is here to help! They have created a fun infographic series on How to Dress Your Body Type. This informative series will guide you through taking your measurements, help you identify your shape, explain shape wear, and teach you to dress for your shape with colors and prints.

Shapewear

No matter your size or body shape, shape wear can make your dresses look better. We all have little lumps and bumps that can make a sleek dress less flattering. It is amazing the difference a piece of shape wear can make in your completed look.

I followed the Monroe and Main infographic series on How to Dress Your Body Type, took my measurements and determined I am a hybrid rectangle/triangle. With that in mind, I headed to Monroe and Main to pick out some new items for my closet.

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I started with the base for my outfit and chose the Fit For Love Control Slip. This is definitely PRETTY shapewear! It has romantic lace on the sides and front and back panels that gently shape. It’s just perfect for clingy dresses.

Then it was on to the dresses! With warm summer weather on its way, I love easy, breezy dresses that I can slip on for everyday wear. The Zelda dress is perfect for that. It is lightweight in rayon and super comfortable. It’s also easy to dress up for wearing beyond my daily errands. (I will of course steam out the wrinkles before then!)

Zelda Dress Monroe and Main

Monroe Main Distant

I also like to keep some special occasion dresses in my closet – especially new dresses that haven’t already been seen in a dozen Facebook photos! Next time I have an event, I will be ready with this Bejeweled Sheath Dress. I love the bright jewel tone and the accent of jewels on the band at the waist. It’s another dress that is still comfortable, but ready for a night out or an upscale brunch.

Bejeweled Sheath Dress

For more information about dressing for your body type, check out this handy Pinterest board.

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Reader Giveaway: One lucky Jinxy Beauty reader will win a “How to Dress Your Body Type Kit” which will include the Monroe and Main measuring tape and a $185 Monroe and Main shopping spree for shapewear and an outfit! To enter, just complete the entry form by 11:59pm ET on 5/31/14.

After you enter here, be sure to visit all the other blogs linked up below. Each one will be giving away a prize pack – 25 prize packs in total!

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181 thoughts on “How to Dress Your Body Type + A Monroe and Main Giveaway!”

  8. Alona Y

    I love the Paisley Flutter Dress, the cut and style look like they’d be really flattering on me.

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  9. Soha Molina

    I learned: Triangle
    If your hip measurement is considerably larger than your waist and bust measurements, and your shoulders appear more narrow than your hips, your body type is considered a triangle. Highlight your narrow upper body with colorful or printed blouses that draw the eye upward and downplay wider hips with straight-cut or wide-leg pants.

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  17. Kayte CookWatts

    This is kind of neat! Without measuring- I think I am an inverted triangle. I have very broad shoulders and a small waist and love sheath dresses as it suggests for that shape.

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  19. Sharon Rooney

    I learned that I have a rectangle body shape. I also learned not to over match by pairing prints and solid to break up the outfit.

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  24. Cristy Ridey

    I learned what measurements to take to determine my body type, I discovered I have an hourglass figure.

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  28. sandra davis

    If you have an oval shape then you can add some definition to your body by wearing structured and belted tops or jackets and dresses that help you emphasize a natural waist

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  32. Cynthia C

    I found out that triangle body types hip measurement is considerably larger than your waist and bust measurements

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  36. Tari Lawson

    I learned that the best way to preserve the look of jeans, especially dark wash, is not to put them in the dryer.

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  39. Ashley C

    I learned that you should re-measure yourself every few months because your body is constantly changing. While I realized that weight fluctuated, I never thought about that your actual body shape could change and it might mean changing the type of clothes you wear

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  45. Julie

    I learned from the infographic that you can determine your body shape from your measurements. It’s a pretty intuitive idea, but I always thought of body shape as something you just eyeball. I also learned that there are 5 basic body shapes.

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  46. Sharon Kaminski

    I learned that knowing your body’s shape is the perfect foundation for dressing well and choosing clothes that flatter.

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  49. Jeanna

    I learned that I am more of a rectangle shape. I also learned that once you know your shape, it’s easy to understand which areas to highlight and which you might not want to!

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  60. [email protected]

    I learned that when your a triangle, your hips and bust and larger than your waist. I always thought I had an hourglass shape. I’m now confused, however this information was extremely helpful.

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  61. Debra S

    Well I am an inverted Triangle, and I do not really like it. You try buying a dress that goes over your bust, and the clothing makers assume that if your bust is 44, then your hips are 42, YIKE. So dresses are like bags on me. I have given up, basically. Maybe Monroe and Main could help?

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  62. Debra S

    I’m a hippie at heart, an old hippie, and I sure would get their “Flatterille” Top… such nice boho colors and the way it’s shaped is fab.

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  64. Emily Endrizzi

    I learned that you need to measure at your waist, chest and hips to determine your body shape. I learned that I am rectangular shaped.

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  68. Wehaf

    There are five basic body types for women, based on the relationships between the bust, waist, and hip measurements.

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  75. courtney b

    I love the synergy shoes by sketchers.

    I really can’t believe they sell sketchers at this store but I’ve been wanting a pair for a while now, so i hope that’s an acceptable answer?

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  76. Lindy Davison

    I learned that women come in many shapes and sizes. We should all celebrate eachother and encourage each others beauty inside and out!

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  80. Debby

    I always thought I should just wear solids to sort of hide, but it would sure seem that I would be better off wearing some fun prints!

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  82. Tish Wilson

    I learned that I have an hourglass shape. I also learned about their way of measuring your waist, as I’ve never seen it demonstrated that way.

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  83. Libby's Library

    As much as I’d like to be an hourglass, I’m a triangle.
    I learned that I should consider wearing dark solid pants or skirts and bright and/or patterned tops, to draw the eye upwards.

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  84. Libby's Library

    There are lots and lots of things that I love, but one of my favorites is the Trumpet Flower Cardigan. I like the length, the color and the fact that it doesn’t have buttons, so it flows nicely.

    Reply ↓
  85. Cynthia Gray

    I am an inverted triangle body shape and have been doing exactly what I need to do to emphasize the best part of my figure. I like that this site gives advise on shapewear etc and everything else I read. Wonderful.

    Reply ↓
  87. Melissa Mazzur

    I learned that once you know your body type, you can then highlight the areas that will make you look great!

    Reply ↓
  89. Chavonne H

    I learned that for my body type which is Oval, that my waist measurement is larger than my bust and hip measurements.

    Reply ↓
  92. Rita Leonard

    I Learned that I have a triangle shape while all this time I thought I was more hourglass. Interesting.

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  97. Dawn Monroe

    I learned that medium control under garments help smooth and strong control transforms shape. I found out that I am a rectangle body shape.

    Reply ↓
  98. greentopiaries

    I learned that tops that highlight the thin area just below your bust will add instant definition for oval shapes. Thanks for the chance!

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  100. Katherine Riley

    I want the Scallop Embroidered Jeans for summer, because they areelegant but casual!!! Perfect for all the occasions happening in the summer.

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  101. amy rouse

    Women with inverted triangle body shapes will have larger bust measurements than their waist and hip numbers, and visually their bodies will appear more narrow at the hips than the shoulders. <<< that's me!

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  104. Rose Reeder

    I like the Paradise top. Relaxed and breezy like a daily vacation you can take with you. Racer-back tank has adjustable straps and bust darts for great fit. Polyester; machine wash. Imported. Available only in Print.
    I have a stomach problem so I want my tops to fall over it.

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  107. Michelle C

    I like the Classique Ankle Strap Pump. Shoes are my favorite thing to shop for, and I don’t have anything like this in my closet.

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  109. Rosanne

    I like the Sharktail tunic because of the color that it covers hips and is light enough for summer wear

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  111. Melinda Stephens

    I learned that if you are an hourglass shape, your waste measurement is smallest and your shoulders are noticeably broader.

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  112. Melinda Stephens

    I love the Convertible Diva Dress. I love the shape and that you can wear it multiple ways. I have limited closet space, so I’d rather have a dress that can be worn multiple ways than have a dozen different dresses.

    Reply ↓
  113. Dawn Keenan

    I loved the tips on how to dress your shape. I’m am oval and found out that I am not wearing the most flattering clothes

    Reply ↓
  114. stacy

    I learned from Infograph #1 that since your body is always changing that you should take your measurements every three months.

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  115. stacy

    I love the Slimming Sassy Dress in Emerald! It would be perfect for me to take on my upcoming British Isles cruise

    Reply ↓
  116. Claire Rheinheimer

    I learned that I apparently don’t know my shape. I thought I could just look at the pics and tell what it was, but I’m going to have to measure instead.

    Reply ↓
  117. Danielle

    Apparently I’m a rectangle — how unglamorous sounding! Interesting that I’ve always found empire waisted dresses to be the most flattering on me but they aren’t even mentioned here for rectangles!

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  118. Danielle

    I love the Lunch with the Girls dress. It looks like it would create the illusion of a defined waist.

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  121. Beth Hill

    I learned that I am probably a rectangle but close to an hourglass. I do believe that garments with belts or a-line dresses do help to define a waist for me.

    Reply ↓
  124. Helena Lemon

    I love your Zelda dress for both the functionality and the fashion! I learned that, while I am still an hourglass shape, the ratio between my waist and hips is ever lessening. One of these days, I will be a rectangle! But when that happens, I will be happy because I’ll know how to dress, thanks to guides like the one at Monroe and Main!

    Reply ↓
  127. Betty Dennis

    I’m an hourglass – it was interesting reading the tips on how to correctly measure yourself

    Reply ↓
  131. Lynne

    I learned that not only must you think about how the clothing is cut to see if it will work with your body type, but you can use color and print to strategically dress yourself also.

    Reply ↓
  132. Raine

    I learned that I’m a rectangle shape and I should wear belted A Line dresses to emphasize my waist.

    Reply ↓
  135. Wendy R.

    I was able to confirm that my shape is hourglass and that to minimize curves, I should wear monochromatics.

    Reply ↓
  138. Paol Trenny

    I learned that they are 5 body types and you can find out what type you are from measuring the bust, hip, and waistline. I learned that I am hourglass but not quite sure because I am 50 pounds overweight. It is hard to find clothes that fits me nevertheless works well with my body shape. But, I like the simplicity that Monroe and Main have done to finding your body shape

    Reply ↓
  139. Paol Trenny

    I like the Convertible Diva Dress because you can wear the dress multiple ways. Each is different from each other so you basically have 5 outfits.

    Reply ↓
  142. Ellen Casper

    I learned that I’m a hourglass shape and should wear bold colors and prints to accentuate my assets.

    Reply ↓
  149. DeAnna Keller

    I took my measurements and learned that I am hourglass figure. I should wear bold colors or prints that highlight my assets.

    Reply ↓
  152. Denise W

    I learned that knowing your body’s shape is the perfect foundation for dressing well and choosing clothes that flatter.

    Reply ↓
  156. Brandi Goolsby

    Ok so that was actually pretty informative. First I learned that I am going to have to get off my butt and measure myself, and that my measuring myself, I can figure out which body type I am. I am going to guess that I am either rectangle or oval though.

    Reply ↓
  157. Michele P

    I love the style of the ruffled top for summer. And the color turquoise that it is offered in would look great on me…

    Reply ↓
  159. Tina W

    “It’s a good idea to take your measurements every few months anyway – our bodies are always changing”.
    Sad but true.

    Reply ↓
  161. C. M.

    I learned Hourglass body shapes are defined by a waist that’s smaller than both the bust and hips.

    Reply ↓
  166. charlene

    I am an oval and I should wear prints on the bottom with a solid color top. I have been doing the opposite

    Reply ↓
  168. Anita k

    I learned that I am an Oval shape and I have been wearing the wrong clothes.the Sheer Bliss top would be perfect.thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply ↓
  178. Laura Emerson

    I love their flannel night shirt. Flannel nigh shirts are my favorite sleepwear as they are always so warm and comfy.

    Reply ↓
  179. Linda Kish

    Your shapewear shouldn’t be restrictive! Make sure you can breathe and move around easily, even in corsets and other strong-control shapewear styles.

    Reply ↓
  180. Linda Kish

    I love the Sexy Tropics Dress. I like the colors and the way that the eye is drawn to the waist by the styling.

    Reply ↓

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