Dressing according to your body shape is tricky business. Follow the fashion guide to biggest body shape groups to master the art of dressing for yours.

PETITE
Body type : Small-boned, delicate and under 5 feet 4 inches
Dress Code : Vertical stripes and V-necks help to elongate your bod, and taking hemlines above the knee (and as short as you dare!) will help legs appear longer
Avoid : Horizontal stripes, wide belts and anything that falls around your calf - in short, avoid anything that'll end up cutting your body in half

SLIM
Body type : Slender, and a similar size on top and bottom
Dress Code : You can pull off pretty much any look, but your major concern is looking shapeless. Opt for bright and bold colours for size as they add curves where there might be none and use bold accessories to draw attention to the bits you like.
Avoid : Anything overly loose or baggy

HOURGLASS
Body Type : The perfect egg timer-style figure; a full bust, curvy hips and a small waist
Dress Code : Pencil skirts, fitted jackets, skinny waist-cinching belts and deep V-necks. Clean lines and prom styles paired with heels make the best match for the typical hourglass shape
Avoid : The boyfriend trend, flat shoes and anything with too many ruffles or frills

CURVY
Body Type : Fuller figured, with curves in all the right places
Dress Code : Wide leg trousers, knee length hems, and low necklines and graphic patterns, which break up the shape of the bust. Well-fitting bras and some failsafe LBDs are also essentials
Avoid : Anything with an androgynous cut or that's especially clingy or stretchy. Shapeless tunics and maxi dresses are big no nos, too - you're aiming to celebrate your femininity, not swamp it!

LONG AND LEAN
Body Type : Super-tall and svelte
Dress Code : Dramatic cuts, backless and strapless numbers help you flaunt your slinky shoulders and skinny jeans - your shape is the one fashion designers go ga-ga for. Experiment.
Avoid : Wide-legged trousers that overwhelm the shape underneath; and cuffs, sleeves and trews that are too short - make sure you get them tailored to avoid the ankle skimming look

PEAR-SHAPED
Body Type : Bigger on the bottom than on the top, like a pear
Dress Code : Bootcut trousers, brightly coloured and patterned tops paired with darker, structured skirts or jeans
Avoid : Tops and tunics that end at the hips as they'll only make them look wider and wearing lighter colours on the bottom half of your bod than the top

ATHLETIC
Body Type : You have similar width shoulders, hips and waist
Dress Code : Flared skirts and drawn in waists lend added defintion and longer tunics and tops help achieve a streamlined look
Avoid : Shoulder-baring styles and straight tube tops