iv. Rectangle or Yard Stick or Palm Tree —this shape is boyish and straight with minimal curves hence you need to add curves. Arms and legs are proportionally slim and bust is small or medium. 
What to wear:
• Shoulder pads to add volume to the shoulders.  However they need to be invisible to avoid looking like a blast from the ‘80s
• Semi-fitted clothes add just the right amount of volume to your figure
• Short-sleeves and sleeveless tops especially if you have firm upper arms
• Medium to high necklines make the bust appear fuller giving you some curves
• Dresses that wrap or flow through the waist to give the illusion of a waist and the flow creates some curves
• Belts that cinch the waist draw attention towards the waist and define it
• Straight to gently flared trousers that create width in the bottom
• A-line skirts to achieve the same result as above
What not to wear:
• Clingy fabrics or fitted clothes. You do not want to look any more boyish or straighter than you already are
• Low necklines will elongate your top half which is not necessary especially seeing you have a small or medium bust
• Baggy tops and baggy pants. In as much as you need volume you do not want to look frumpy whilst doing it
• Narrow skirts work against you as they only make you look narrower
v. Apple or oval or diamond — carries the bulk of her weight around her abdomen. She looks round and has a waist with no definition. Her hips are wide, upper thighs are full. With the oval shape the stomach is big and hangs low. With the diamond shape she has a large, high stomach. You want to bring attention to shoulders and face.
What to wear:
• Jewellery like earrings and necklaces that draw attention to the face and shoulders
• Shoulder pads to add volume to the shoulders.  However they need to be invisible to avoid looking like a blast from the ‘80s
• Semi-fitted and loose clothes that work their way over and around your body. Be careful not to look frumpy though.
• Good fitting bras and support underwear that hold up, firm and sculpt your body. This minimises the appearance of wobbly parts.
• Tops and bottoms in the same colour as they are slimming and elongating
• Low necklines. Your upper body looks round so low necklines are elongating
• Un-tucked tops because they flow over your abdomen
• Tops and dresses that flow through the waistline
• Straight pants in soft and flowing fabric. No need to add volume to your figure
• Straight and slightly flared skirts.  You don’t want them too straight as they will make you look too narrow and out of proportion.

What not to wear:
• Clingy fabrics and fitted clothes as they tend to highlight every bump and roll on your body. This is not a flattering look at all
• Fabric with large prints and patterns as they make you look bigger than you are
• High necklines will dwarf your torso
• Large lapels make your torso look wider
• Belts on the abdomen as they only draws attention to your biggest parts
• Tucked-in tops seeing they highlight the abdomen
• Pleats because they cause you to appear wider than you are
• Narrow or tapered pants and skirts will make your narrow legs look out of sync with your wide upper body.
I trust this has been enlightening and empowering and there will be more fabulously dressed women on the streets of Zimbabwe!

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