Cross Dressing – Choosing the Right Outfit for Your Body Type

There are many different styles of cross dressing – anything from flamboyant drag show dressing to dressing to pass as a woman. The intent of this article is to discuss the latter – how to choose a flattering outfit for your body type to aid in passing as a woman.  For the basics of those new to women’s fashion, there are generally four different styles of body type.  The first is the apple shape – this body type has a generally round shape up top with the chest/breast area being wider than the hips.   In some genetic men you will notice this body shape that is wide at the shoulders going down to a narrow waste – sort of like an inverted triangle – this is the classic apple body type.  The second body type is the pear shape.  This type has smaller shoulders and top, with a larger bottom area – imagine the torso in much the shape of a pear.  The last general body type is the hourglass shape – curving tops and bottoms with a waist that is smaller than both.  Many consider the hourglass shape to be the ideal, but if you spend some time observing genetic females, you will note that not many actually fit this body type.  The last body type is the straight body – generally going in a straight line down from the shoulders to the hip area without any real noticeable curves or bulges.
Someone who has an apple-shaped body will look most flattering wearing fabrics that are stretchy but not tight.  You should definitely avoid baggy or poofy clothing as these types will tend to accentuate your roundness for a very unflattering look.  Never ever wear shoulder pads or anything that makes your shoulders look bulky if you have an apple shape.  A-lines, turtlenecks, shirts with collars, and bottoms that show off your legs are the most flattering styles for someone with an apple type.  Tight skirts will tend to overemphasize the bulk up top, so avoid those.
If your body shape is more like that of a pear, you can use this to your advantage to accentuate your hips by wearing clothing that is strapless or sleeveless.  This may require more you to spend more time achieving the perfect cleavage, but the payoff will be an excellent look that truly shows off your good areas.  You should avoid straight-cut clothing and dresses as these will tend to tighten in around the hip area and make you look fat rather than curvy.  Flowing fabrics and straight skirts – not straight dresses, are wonderful for this body type.  the most flattering tops are those with a cowl or square neckline as these will tend to broaden the appearance of narrow shoulders.  You want to avoid clothing that is either too loose or too tight, and avoid tops, sweaters, or blazers that end at the widest part of your hips.
For those of you who have a more straight body type, the best tactic is to choose clothing that elongates your upper body as this will be the most flattering.  Choose clothing with necklines that will fall below the area of the collarbone.  These will create the appearance of an elongated upper body and neck.  Jackets and tops should have a longer length in order to lengthen the torso.  Prints on skirts and pants are nice and will help create the illusion of a broader lower body.  Avoid pleats or belts along your waistline as these will tend to make you appear thick rather than having a slimming effect.
If you are one of the lucky few with an hourglass shaped body (there really aren’t that many out there!) then as long as you have the confidence to wear it, you can pull off just about any outfit out there and look damn fine in the process.  We envy you!

There are many different styles of cross dressing – anything from flamboyant drag show dressing to dressing to pass as a woman. The intent of this article is to discuss the latter – how to choose a flattering outfit for your body type to aid in passing as a woman.  For the basics of those new to women’s fashion, there are generally four different styles of body type.  The first is the apple shape – this body type has a generally round shape up top with the chest/breast area being wider than the hips.   In some genetic men you will notice this body shape that is wide at the shoulders going down to a narrow waste – sort of like an inverted triangle – this is the classic apple body type.  The second body type is the pear shape.  This type has smaller shoulders and top, with a larger bottom area – imagine the torso in much the shape of a pear.  The last general body type is the hourglass shape – curving tops and bottoms with a waist that is smaller than both.  Many consider the hourglass shape to be the ideal, but if you spend some time observing genetic females, you will note that not many actually fit this body type.  The last body type is the straight body – generally going in a straight line down from the shoulders to the hip area without any real noticeable curves or bulges.

Someone who has an apple-shaped body will look most flattering wearing fabrics that are stretchy but not tight.  You should definitely avoid baggy or poofy clothing as these types will tend to accentuate your roundness for a very unflattering look.  Never ever wear shoulder pads or anything that makes your shoulders look bulky if you have an apple shape.  A-lines, turtlenecks, shirts with collars, and bottoms that show off your legs are the most flattering styles for someone with an apple type.  Tight skirts will tend to overemphasize the bulk up top, so avoid those.

If your body shape is more like that of a pear, you can use this to your advantage to accentuate your hips by wearing clothing that is strapless or sleeveless.  This may require more you to spend more time achieving the perfect cleavage, but the payoff will be an excellent look that truly shows off your good areas.  You should avoid straight-cut clothing and dresses as these will tend to tighten in around the hip area and make you look fat rather than curvy.  Flowing fabrics and straight skirts – not straight dresses, are wonderful for this body type.  the most flattering tops are those with a cowl or square neckline as these will tend to broaden the appearance of narrow shoulders.  You want to avoid clothing that is either too loose or too tight, and avoid tops, sweaters, or blazers that end at the widest part of your hips.

For those of you who have a more straight body type, the best tactic is to choose clothing that elongates your upper body as this will be the most flattering.  Choose clothing with necklines that will fall below the area of the collarbone.  These will create the appearance of an elongated upper body and neck.  Jackets and tops should have a longer length in order to lengthen the torso.  Prints on skirts and pants are nice and will help create the illusion of a broader lower body.  Avoid pleats or belts along your waistline as these will tend to make you appear thick rather than having a slimming effect.

If you are one of the lucky few with an hourglass shaped body (there really aren’t that many out there!) then as long as you have the confidence to wear it, you can pull off just about any outfit out there and look damn fine in the process.  We envy you!

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