By Erin Stafford, Contributing Writer

If you are like most women, you want to look current and up to date. But how do you know when to try out styles that have circus names or to pass on anything having to do with flying through the air while holding on to a metal swing for dear life? The key is knowing your body type, whether the trend is something you even like, and figuring out how to adapt the trend specifically for you. It is important that you interpret the trend so that you feel comfortable and that it is the most flattering to your figure. To help you out, I have broken down this week’s focus of billowy tops and short trapeze dresses for the six major body types. Find your figure type, and then see how you can adapt these trends to suit your needs.

Hourglass
If you are an hourglass, you have an overall curvy shape. Your hips and bust are about the same width and you have a well defined waist. You often have a full bottom and thighs with slim lower legs.

You have the classic women’s body, so accentuating your waist should be part of your daily look. Unfortunately, billowy tops are not going to do much for your silhouette, as they hide all of your beautiful womanly curves. Try pairing a billowy top with a belt to cinch in your waist.

As you normally have a fuller thigh, short trapeze dresses that hit you right at mid thigh are going to draw attention to your full thighs. Look for trapeze dresses that are slightly longer or try pairing a trapeze dress with similar colored leggings or tights to create a less obvious divide at your mid thigh.

Triangle
Your hips and thighs are wider than your shoulders and bustline. You often have a flat tummy and are well proportioned above the waist. Your hip may broaden right under the waist but is usually widest at your lower hip.

Billowy tops are great for you because they help create volume on top and balance out your bottom half. Make sure that your tops do not hit you at the widest part of your hip as this will only draw attention there. Try to find tops that hit you either above or below the widest part of your hip.

Trapeze dresses are great for you, as long as they do not get too tight over your hip. If you find ones that skim over your hips, without being too snug, this will be a great A line look for your body.

Inverted Triangle
You are broadest through the bust, shoulders, and upper back, narrowing into your waist. Your hips and thighs are equal to your waist or slightly narrower all around. You have the classic swimmer’s body.

You are lucky. Most models have this body type, so you can wear almost anything. Billowy tops and trapeze dresses look great on you. Make sure that you do not overemphasize your shoulders with lots of shoulder detail such as: ruffles, epaulettes, or patch pockets.

Rectangle
You are straight up and down, with a somewhat small bust and little or no waist definition. You have a columnar silhouette overall. You may have a fleshy back and slightly short neck, but you tend to have slim arms and legs.

Billowy tops and trapeze dresses will work well on you, as they will both create more volume below the waist. Creating volume below will help camouflage your columnar silhouette and give the illusion of a slight waist. As you tend to have slim legs, the trapeze dress will show them off well.

Oval
You are broader through the middle and upper torso, with no waist indentation, and often have a full bust and sloping shoulders. You have proportionately slim legs and arms, with an overall rounded shape, prominent tummy, and flat bottom.

Be very weary of these two trends. You want to avoid creating more volume around your midsection. Many oval women feel that they need to hide themselves in voluminous clothing. This only goes to make your silhouette look larger.

Find billowy tops that hit you below your widest point for the best look. When wearing dresses, make sure that the hem is even all the way around. If you find that your hem is higher in the back, take your dress to a tailor and have them hem the front of the dress so that it hangs evenly when you wear it.

Diamond
You have narrow shoulders and a small bust and back, with most of your weight distributed through the midriff and waist area. Sometimes the waist is the largest measurement around your body. You have a flat bottom, with a natural overall wedge shape.

These trends are not ideal for you, as they will often create that dreaded maternity look. To avoid this, try tapering your tops from below the bust and tummy so they are narrower at your waist. Tapering your tops and dresses will help create a cleaner, slimmer silhouette.

Once you get a better understanding of your specific body type it is increasingly easier to see if a trend will work for you. The sooner you stop comparing yourself to your friends that are completely different sizes and shapes than you, the better. What looks good on them might look awful on you and vice versa. Not every trend is meant for every body. Embrace the body you have and learn how to showcase it in its best possible light!

Erin Stafford is a style and image consultant for Orange County, CA women. Contact her via erin@erinstafford.com or visit her website www.erinstafford.com