Body shape

The objective is to get a wardrobe that makes you look good and feel great whether you are sitting around at home, going to the mall, meeting your friends or going out. To help you do this you may want to think about your own body shape and how certain types and cuts of clothes will look better on you than others.

Before looking at the different body shapes there is something you really must keep in mind. During a 6-8 year period, from ages 12-18 years, you will experience dramatic changes in height, weight, bone composition and body fat distribution. Storage and deposition of fat occurs at a far greater rate in girls than in boys. In fact, boys usually lose body fat late in adolescence whereas girls store it as a natural part of their development. Each of you will experience these changes at different rates, and it is only at the end of the growth spurt that you can really see how all these changes have altered your overall body shape. Do not adopt unhealthy attitudes and eating patterns to try and change you body shape into something it cannot become. Whilst you can't change your frame-size or body shape you can change your body image by:

• Stop comparing yourself with models or film stars.
• Stop focusing on the body areas you don't like - look at ALL your body.
• Get active - both physically and mentally. Busy, occupied people have less time to worry about body image and shape than those with time on their hands.
• Appreciate the things you have, rather than focusing on the things you don't have.
• Dress appropriately to enhance the bits you like.

So what shape are you? Click on this link to begin to find out.