We all have parts of our bodies we love and parts we’d rather hide. That should be the bottom line when shopping. Forget about getting caught up in the hard and fast rules and start looking at the shape of your clothes more closely.

If your figure is pretty much straight up and down, then you’re probably a boyish figure type.

You can introduce some womanly curves through the shape of your clothes. How? Think of it this way; if you’re conscious of your tummy, you won’t want a lot of fuss going on around your middle, so think the opposite where you want to add curve -add bulk where you want those curves. Wearing shirts with ruffles down the front will cleverly create more of a cleavage. Tulip skirts (think same shape as your average lampshade – rounded and full of volume) create curves at your bum and waist without being too fussy. Look for clothes with interesting details like pleats, pockets and horizontal lines. Try layering to add more dept to your outfits. Use scarves, waistcoats over shirts and layer your cardis and t-shirts for a perfect, comfy casual feminine look.

If you have curves in all the right places (defined waist and hips and shoulders and roughly the same width), you’re an hourglass. The most important tip for the hourglass lady is to get to a bra-fitting store to find out if you’re one of the eight out of ten women wearing the wrong size. For the hourglass, your waist is your slimmest part and you always want to cleverly show it off. The first step to this is to wear a correct fitting bra, making sure your assets are sitting where they should. Always think to yourself, am I accentuating my waist? That doesn’t have to mean tight belts if you don’t feel comfortable, but do remember your jackets, shirts, dresses etc all must be cut in at the waist. Empire line dresses are great as they fall from the bust and show of your waist perfectly while still covering your tum. Flatter your cleavage with v-neck tops and choose heavier fabrics which will skim your figure rather than highlight any lumps or bumps.

If you’re a lady with a larger bottom half than top half, you’re a pear; slimmer on top with larger hips and thighs – this is the most common shape of all for Irish women. Give your small boobs a bust with a shapely or padded bra. Adding more bulk on the top half instantly slims your body overall as you are bringing back that eye up by wearing brightly coloured accessories, scarves and jewels all above the waistline. At all costs, avoid anything too fussy on your bottom half. Avoid side pockets on trousers around the hips which will add more width. A wrap style dress will be your best friend – showing off your best bits while skimming your bottom half. Wide leg trousers are a great choice for lengthening the leg and skimming.

If you have a curvy and voluptuous figure, then often your tummy will be a challenge. Fret not, it’s about showing off your shape and not trying to hide it under frumpy and unfeminine clothes.

Shapeless clothes will only make you look bigger. Invest in some good, supportive underwear which will make all the difference under your clothes. Avoid small patterns; large, bright and bold patterns work perfectly on you. Ruched tops and dresses are great for your shape, as it fools the eye into not knowing if it is the ruching or your tummy creating the texture! Tunics with slits at the hips can be a great choice, still creating a waist and the soft delicate fabric is pretty and feminine. When looking for a dress, don’t be afraid to show off your waist. Just look for shapes that give you support in the tummy and perhaps have a wide waist band creating a waist where there may be none. A pencil skirt can be a great choice for work, showing off your curves while still supporting your tummy.

The most important thing is to start really thinking about what you want to show off and what you want to hide ….so start looking for these qualities in your clothes. Be a bit adventurous – when shopping, start trying out different shapes and fabrics. You might be pleasantly surprised at just how many different styles suit you.

stylefish is Ireland’s first dedicated fashion school for women. For more details log onto www.stylefish.ie