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To help you choose items which flatter your body shape and skin tone, we've included this quick and easy-to-use (and very basic) guide. It should take you just a few minutes to complete and at the end of it you'll know which shapes and colours best suit you as well as some outfit ideas. Then, there'll be no stopping you!
Colours -
You may already be familair with colour analysis and there are different themes out there (we'll be using the seasons) but for those of you who are not, it's about selecting the colours closest to your face which best compliment your skin tone. Getting it right can mean looking bright eyed, vibrant and 'alive', whereas getting it wrong can drain you, making you look washed out and 'peaky!'. So, it's worth getting it right!
As a rule of thumb, it's about complimenting the skin tone rather than the hair colour - hair colour can change quite drastically but the skin tone tends to remain the same. It's worth remembering that whilst most of us can wear most colours, choosing the right shade, with practise, is key.
Click here to see our 1 minute guide to choosing the right colours for you.
Shape
We all come in different shapes and sizes and no two people are the same. Here are some useful suggestions to ensure you get the most out of your fitness wardrobe (or any wardrobe for that matter!)
Simply pick from the body shape choices below for ideas on what to wear as well as what not to wear! There are 4 categories: the apple, the hourglass, the pear and the beanpole.
The Apple
Description: Apple-shaped bodies have an inverted triangle shape - meaning they have broad shoulders. Apple shaped tends to describe women who have wide torsos (full bust, waist and upper back). Such women have relatively slim thighs and upper legs. Apple shaped women often have a 'top-heavy' appearance, with a bust and midriff bigger than their hips, a prominent tummy and a flat bottom.
What to Wear:
~Trousers which are straight or have a subtle verticle line or pattern to elongate the legs.
~Tops should cover the hip area and be worn over tailored trousers that flatter slimmer legs.
~Wear tops with an interesting neckline and sleeve shape to draw attention away from your middle.
~Avoid mixing and matching many different colours.
~Choose monochromatic outfits, as the use of just one colour will create an overall impression of length that will focus away from your width.
What not to wear:
~Avoid skinny pants.
~Don't wear a cropped top or leave a gap between your top and bottoms as a bare midriff will draw attention to your apple body shape.
~Don't wear tight tops as they could show off any lumpy bits!
Apple suggestions:
~Yoga / Pilates: Reversible halter neck in black / stone with black yoga pant or 3/4 black yoga pant. Could also try this range in pink / white
~Cycling: Sleek cycle top in petrol with black cycle pants or Anniluce black spin shorts
~Gym: Black beanie vest with medium waist capri pants in black or black yoga pant for gym. Or how about the Casall tracksuit in black (aka pin tuck jacket and pants - gorgeous!)
~Tennis: Precious shorts, tennis skirt in black or white, zip jacket and halter neck in neu crimson
~ Running: Ronhill powerlite tee in navy / flamingo teamed with the matching powerlite capri pants
The Hourglass
Description: The Hourglass is the most sought after body shape. Lucky Hourglasses have perfectly proportioned upper and lower halves with a well defined waist. Their only flaw? If they gain weight, they have a tendency to gain it all over the body.
What to Wear:
~Choose slim pants and close fitting tops.
~Wear contrasting colours to show off your shape.
~You can also use vertical stripes to give an appearance of length to your silhouette.
What not to wear:
~Stay away from Empire tops, especially if you have a full bust.
~Also steer clear of very wide pants and pieces made with bulky, heavy fabrics.
Hourglass suggestions:
~Yoga / Pilates: a wrap layered over a halter neck or a racer back vest with low rise yoga pant or 3/4 length yoga pant - thre's a great range of colours available.
~Cycling: Sleeveless Maggie top with black cycling pants
~Gym: Cornflower blue sportjock vest or sports bra with black bike shorts or capri pants
~Tennis: White shorts, white jacket with turquoise Sarah top or the tennis dress.
~ Running: Casall capri pants with any of the Casall running tops.
The Pear
Description: Pear shaped generally describes women who are vulnerable to weight gain below the waistline on their hips, thighs, and bottoms, as opposed to their stomachs and mid-sections. Commonly the upper torso is relatively slim in comparison to these lower parts of the body, with shoulders and bust being narrow compared to the hips.
What to Wear:
~Do wear plain or dark coloured bottoms to give the illusion of slimming a bigger behind! ~Wear fitted tops with beautiful necklines, patterns or colours to draw the eye up and away from your lower half.
~If layering, wear a bright inner layer as this draws the attention upwards.
~Choose tops or jackets with a nipped in or shaped waist to give you more definition.
What not to wear:
~Avoid light coloured bottoms and stick to darker blues and browns which absorb the light.
~Tops should not be baggy as these will cover your waist, nor should they be very fitted but instead should finish at the top of your hips so that your waist is emphasised.
Pear suggestions:
~Yoga / Pilates: Racer back vest with skinny fit bootleg - in black or cobalt blue
~Cycling: Colorado top with co-ordinating Colorado navy cycle shorts
~Gym : Sarah top in turquoise or white with cobalt blue or black bootleg yoga pants - any colour combo. Beanie vest with capri pants or Sportjock 5" bike short
~Tennis: Black zip jacket and precious shorts teamed with the reversible halter neck in black /stone. Or the Casall tennis skirt in black with the beanie vest or the Casall logo'd tee in mint green.
~ Running: The loose fitting Ronhill capri pants with the round neck powerlite tee whose colour design broadens the shoulders, helping to balance out the broader hips.
The Beanpole
Description: The Beanpole does not have a great difference between the waist and hips, they are waif-like and slim. If she gains weight, she will probably gain it in the stomach and bottom, while her arms and legs stay thin.
What to wear:
~Wear bright and fun colours as your shape lets you get away with it!
~Chose styles which have detail on the bust and on the hips.
~Choose designs that have horizontal lines, or patterns adding dimension to your shape.
~Pair contrasting colours on the top and bottom.
~Wear wide leg pant and team with heavier tops or jackets in a contrasting style which gives the illusion of more shape.
What not to wear:
~Avoid high or wide waistbands and block colours - this will elongate your shape and emphsise your lack of curves.
~Also steer clear of patterns with vertical stripes.
~Don't wear deep 'v' necks as this will only emphasise your lack of cleavage.
Beanpole suggestions:
~Yoga /Pilates: The skinny racer back vest in cobalt blue or black will be a strong shape teamed with the contrasting (opposite colour) low rise skinny fit bootleg.
~Cycling: Maggie sleeveless cycle top with black cycling shorts or black spin shorts
~Gym : Sportjock power vest in cornflower blue with the black medium waist capri pant
~Tennis: Zip jacket with the halter neck with shorts - any colour combination or the Casall tennis dress.
~ Running : Ronhill powerlite tee in hawaii / black with the co-ordinating loose fitting Ronhill capri pants.
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