Most of the latestfashion trendssuit only specific body types. For instance, skinny jeans on pear-shaped women would just look odd, as would bulky boyfriend jackets on top heavy women. But that's the great thing about ethnic wear - there are styles to suit all body types. Whether you need volume or want to look slimmer, all you have to do is pick the right ethnic wear for your body type. But deciding between different cuts, colours, styles and fits can be difficult at times. Our guide to the right ethnic wear for different shapes - pear, apple, square and hourglass - should help you make the right choice.

Image courtesy: BIBAEthnic Wear for Apple-Shaped WomenIf you have an apple-shaped body ie you are big-bosomed and/ or have a fairly large tummy, it's a good idea not to draw too much attention to your torso.

What to wear:

Kurtas with simple A-line cuts sans gather and pleats. Also, deeper V-necks to take away from your upper body.

Cotton fabrics that tend to fit your body well and make you look slimmer.

Skinny jeans or fitted churidaars under your kurtas that draw attention to your slender legs.

Dark-coloured tops to look slimmer teamed with lighter-coloured bottoms.

Dupattas draped on one shoulder only to distract from your heavy torso.

What not to wear:

Bandh galas or outfits with a lot of detailing on the hem.

Yoked style kurtas that draw attention to your torso.

Patialas and loose salwars.

Tip: Avoid heavy neckaccessoriesas they draw focus to your upper body.

Ethnic Wear for Pear-Shaped WomenA very popular shape among Indian women, the pear shape is characterised by large hips and thighs. The key to ethnic dressing for this body type is to draw attention to your slender waist and upper torso.

What to wear:

Kurtas with collars or ones with lots of detailing around neck and waist will accentuate your leaner upper body.

Fit and flare styles, anarkalis and tunics as well as gleras that are gently flared from the waist down.

Pastel colours with darker-coloured bottoms to streamline your lower body.

Patialas or wide pipe bottoms to camouflage large hips and thighs.

What not to wear:

Body-hugging fabrics.

Tight lowers that emphasise your broader lower half.

Tip: Choose longer kurtas as they add length to your body.

Ethnic Wear for Hourglass-Shaped WomenProbably the most coveted body type, it doesn't take too much to pick out the right ethnic wear for the hourglass figure.

What to wear:

Kurtas that are narrow and defined at the waist to accentuate your curves.

Fit and flare tunics as well as classic kurtis work well.

Dress in colours that suit your skin tone as all colours will go with your body type.

What not to wear:

Loose or ill-fitted suits that make you look big and straight.

Patterned knits as they tend to make you look fat and big on the chest and buttocks.

Tip: Experiment with 40s and 50s retro style ethnic outfits as these look good on your body shape.

Ethnic Wear for Square-Shaped WomenThe square shape is devoid of any curves. So your main goal is to find ethnic wear that creates the illusion of curves in the right places.

What to wear:

Kurtas/ tunics with wide, deep necks and flares that take the emphasis away from the boxy/ square look.

Girly colours and patterns for that younger appearance.

What not to wear:

Tight kurtas that emphasise your body shape.

Very loose clothing that shows no curves at all.

Tip: Avoid outfits with darts at the bust and waist.

Now that you know what's right for your body type, you can pick up ethnic styles that suit you best!

(With inputs from BIBA) TAGS : ethnic wear,

body types,

clothes,

style,

fashion,

Indian outfits,

office wearEthnic Wear For Different Body Types

ByReetaon April 20, 2012

3Most of the current fashion trends, with amultitude of design and styles, are designed to suit specific body types. Nevertheless, ethnic wear available in a riot ofvibrant colours, styles, designs, and textures suit most type of figures.

Just by making the right choice, one can enhance the positive aspects andplay down the negativesof a persons physical appeal. However, with a few helpful tips choosing the right ethnic wear to flatterdifferent body typeswould sure make shopping a pleasurable experience.

Ethnic Wear For Different Body TypesEthnic Wear For Hourglass-Shaped WomenThe most coveted dream shape of every woman is theperfect hourglass figure, where the bust and the hipline are similar with a well-defined waist. A body shape desired by every woman,an hourglass figure looksgood in most type of clothing. Therefore, picking the right ethnic wearwould not be difficult for this type of figure.

Photo Credit: Tabu.ro/haine-care-slabescSuggestionsFit and flared tunics or classic kurtas, in colours to match the skin tones, designed with a narrow waist to accentuate the curves are ideal for a person with anhourglass figure. Also retro styledethnic lookwonderful on an hourglass figure.

AvoidIll fitted or loose suitsand patterned knits have atendency to add volumeon the chest and rear.

Ethnic Wear For Pear-Shaped WomenThecharacteristics ofpear shapewith larger full hips exceeding the shoulder width, a well-defined waist,flat chest and belly the pear shaperequire styles playing down the lower portions of the body and focussing on the upper portion.

Photo Credit: Ttdm.org/2010_08__Hip-thigh-rough-pear-shape-in-the-end-of-the-wear-Sha.htmlSuggestionsFit and flared stylelight coloured anarkalis and tunics thatgently flare from waist downand with lot of details around the collared neck and waist to accentuate theslim upper body. Longer kurtas add length to the body and hide the wider part of the lower half. Dark coloured Patialas orwide pipe bottomshide the large hips and thighs andadd proportion to the figure.

AvoidTight bottoms that lay emphasis on a broader half andwearing body hugging fabricsare a big no no.

Ethnic Wear For Apple-Shaped WomenTheapple shaped womenwith a huge midsection and a rear and are generally full busted. A bulging tummy is the cause of major frustration for women of this shape. Therefore, the idea would be todraw attention away from the large upper half of the body.

Photo Credit: Christina-gregoire.suite101.com/summer-maxi-dresses-for-women-over-4050-2011-sundresses-a345560SuggestionsSimple A line cut kurtas, in preferably dark coloured, cotton fabrics, designed without pleats or gathers with deep V necks help distract the eye from drawing attention to theupper part of the body. Cottons generally impart a slimmer look, as it tends to sit well on the body. Tight churidhars or tight fittingskinny jeans in light colours, worn below the kurta lend a much slimmer look. For an elegant charm and grace,drape a Duppata casually on one part of the shoulder.

AvoidFor people with anapple shape avoid outfitswith a lot of detailing, yoked kurtas, Patialas loose salwars and heavy accessories on the neck that tend to draw thefocus to the large torso.

Ethnic Wear For Square-Shaped WomenDevoid of curves,the main goal would be to create an illusion ofcurves in the right places.

SuggestionsFlared kurtis and tunicswith deep wide neck in feminine colours and patterns, which do not focus on theboxy square look goodon this type of shape.

AvoidLoose clothes that fail to show any curves or tight kurtasthat lay emphasis on the body shape.Therefore, with just a few basic ideas one can pick the rightethnic wear and walk away with great lan.

Ethnic Wear For Different Body Types,5.0out of5based on1ratingAll about Salwar Kameez Styles

Behind thesari, salwar kameezis the next most popular item ofclothingworn byindian women. It consists of 3 key elements -kameez (top), salwar ( bottoms), and a dupatta (scarf like garment). This article provides a brief insight into the many different versions ofsalwar kameezthat exist. While I cover many of the most commonly worn types, there are many versions that inevitably will be left out. Every area, region, religion, and eithnic group will render its own version of the salwar kameez based on how they like it to be. Please let me know if you are aware of variation that I have left out. I would love to know about it.

ANAARKALI

ANAARKALI- The anarkali refers to the kameez (top). The bottoms are usually churidaars (discussed in susequent sections..).

In this outfit, the top is tight from the upper body till the waist at which point it blossoms out like an open umbrella. These types of dresses were worn by dancers in Mughal India. Legend has it that Anarkali was the name of a slave girl in Emperor Akbars court who fell in love with his son. Currently there exist many different renditions of this very pretty outfit.

Pink Churidaar Suit

CHURIDAAR- This word is to describe the bottoms worn with the outfit. Literally translated, it means "with rings". This is how the folds created by the accumulation of cloth look like- rings !. Although the most popular version of this is one with numerous churis (folds), other variations like one with fewer churis, or one with none (straight churidaar) are also worn.

CHURIDAAR

DHOTI SALWAR

DHOTI SALWAR :A Dhoti salwar (Bottom) is as featured in these pictures. It isinspiredfrom a men's lose garment that is traditionally tied around the waist line, the fall of that garment is somewhat akin to the way the Dhoti Salwaar looks. It is another variant of the Patiala Salwar.

DHOTI SALWAR

PATIALA SALWAR KAMEEZ

PATIALA SALWAR KAMEEZ- These are the first of the Punjabi style salwar. It is consrtucted using a large number of pleats and folds to create a voluminous, fanned out look. It is quite heavy to carry but looks very good. This salwar, as the name suggests hails from the Patiala region of Punjab.

PATIALA SALWAR KAMEEZ

MAHARANI PATIALA SALWAR KAMEEZ

MAHARANI PATIALA SALWAR KAMEEZ- This is the second type of Punjabi salwar. It is just like the traditional patiala salwar, however it contains even more folds, and has an almost harem pant look. The only exception being that while harem pants are tightly fitted with cuffs at the ankle, this salwar has a loose, wide fit at the feet.

PARALLEL SALWAR KAMEEZ

PARALLEL SALWAR KAMEEZ- This is an outfit where the bottom (salwar) is in the shape of parallel pants- that run the same length from top to bottom. They are quite wide and create a long sleek look on the wearer. The Kameez ( shirt) can be any type or length. For example - the shirt can be a -line, short, or anarkali type.

PARALLEL SALWAR KAMEEZ

ACHKAN STYLE SALWAR KAMEEZ

ACHKAN STYLE SALWAR KAMEEZ- The Ackhan refers to the style of the Kameez which is inspired form Nehrus hallmark outfit. It is open from the front with a slit at the mid thigh to knee level. It ususally has a high neck, and looks as if two parts of the kameez have been joined together in the middle. It can be worn with churidaar, straight pajami, trouser pants or parallel pants.

ACHKAN STYLE SALWAR KAMEEZ

CAPRI PANT SALWAR KAMEEZ

CAPRI PANT SALWAR KAMEEZ- Capri Pants are the blueprint for the salwar in this outfit. The capris fall anywhere from the knee to mid leg. This version is a fusion of indian and western wear and looks very modern.

CAPRI PANT SALWAR KAMEEZ

KAMEEZ WITH STRAIGHT SALWAR

KAMEEZ WITH STRAIGHT SALWAR- The straight salwar is one where the folds are minimal - usually 3 to 4. This creates a salwar that is lightweight and thus very easy to carry. It can be worn with a short, medium or long kameez. This type is very commonly worn through out India.

TROUSER SALWAR

TROUSER SALWAR- This is another modern rendition of the traditional salwar kameez. The bottoms in this outfit are trousers or pants. They are not short like capris but long - usually to the ankle length. They are not wide like parallel pants are, rather they are more slim fit. They look very chic and formal.

TROUSER SALWAR

A LINE SHIRTS

A LINE SHIRTS- This version of the salwar kameez is another contemporary design and is borrowed from our neghbours directly west of us. These kameez are long and flowy and have a romantic yet chic feeling to them. While the kameez is assymetrical, the bottoms can be churidaar, straight pajami, capris, trousers or parallel pants.

A LINE SHIRTS