The Curated Wardrobe: Autumn

For those with a circle body shape, where the waist is wider than the bust and hips, the primary goal when dressing is to elongate the torso, create gentle shape, and avoid anything that clings uncomfortably around the midsection.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve this in Summer:

• V-necklines, scoop necks and open shirt collars are especially helpful in summer, as they draw the eye down and create length through the upper body. Look for cotton shirts, linen blends, soft tees and easy dresses with an open neckline.

• Choose tops that skim rather than cling. Swing tops, trapeze shapes, soft peplum details and floaty blouses can all work beautifully, especially when they finish around the hip bone rather than cutting across the widest part of the tummy.

• Summer dresses can be a brilliant option. Look for relaxed shirt dresses, tiered dresses, empire-line shapes or dresses with gentle shaping under the bust. You don’t need anything tight at the waist for it to look flattering.

• When it’s too hot for layers, use details to create vertical lines instead. A button-through dress, a long necklace, a column of colour, or a shirt worn open over a vest can all help create that lengthening effect.

• Avoid very clingy jersey fabrics around the tummy, especially in the heat. Instead, look for viscose, linen blends, cotton poplin, cheesecloth or textured fabrics that float away from the body.

• Use summer accessories like earrings, sunglasses, hats, necklaces or a bright lip to draw attention upwards towards your face.

Item For those with an hourglass body shape, where the bust and hips are fairly balanced with a naturally defined waist, the primary goal when dressing is to honour your waist without feeling restricted or overly fitted.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve this in Summer:

• Look for summer pieces that follow your shape rather than swamp it. Wrap dresses, fit-and-flare dresses, belted shirt dresses and softly waisted jumpsuits can all work beautifully.

• High-waisted shorts, skirts and trousers can be very flattering, especially when worn with a tucked-in or semi-tucked top. This helps show your waist without needing anything too tight.

• Softly fitted tops, ribbed vests, wrap tops and tops with gentle shaping through the waist tend to work well. Avoid very boxy tops that hide your waist completely, as they can make you feel wider than you are.

• If you love floaty summer clothes, try adding a little waist definition. This could be a belt, a tie-waist detail, a tucked-in vest, or simply choosing a dress that comes in slightly at the middle.

• Bias-cut skirts, A-line skirts and softly flowing midi skirts can work beautifully for hourglass shapes, especially when balanced with a top that shows the waist.

• Avoid very stiff, shapeless pieces that hang straight from the bust, as they can hide your natural proportions and make dressing feel more frustrating.description

For those with an inverted triangle body shape, where the shoulders or bust are broader than the hips, the primary goal when dressing is to soften the upper body and add interest, movement or volume to the lower half.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve this in Summer:

• V-necklines, scoop necks and soft open collars can be especially flattering, as they break up the upper body and draw the eye down. Halternecks can sometimes emphasise the shoulders, so try them carefully and see how they feel on you.

• Keep your top half fairly simple if you want to create balance. Plain vests, soft tees, relaxed shirts and minimal-detail tops can work well, especially when paired with more interesting bottoms.

• Summer is a great time to play with statement trousers, colourful shorts, printed skirts, wide-leg linen trousers or floaty culottes. These all help add visual interest to the lower half.

• A-line skirts, tiered skirts, cargo-style bottoms, patterned trousers and shorts with pockets or pleats can all help create balance by adding shape around the hips.

• If wearing dresses, look for styles that have a simpler top half and more movement through the skirt. Fit-and-flare dresses, tiered dresses and dresses with fuller skirts can be lovely.

• Avoid lots of volume, frills, puff sleeves or heavy detail around the shoulders if your goal is to soften the upper body. That doesn’t mean you can never wear them, just balance them with something fuller or more eye-catching on the bottom.

For those with a rectangle body shape, where the bust, waist and hips are fairly balanced with less natural waist definition, the primary goal when dressing is to create shape, movement and interest.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve this in Summer:

• Summer is a great season for adding shape through details. Look for tie-waists, wrap styles, ruching, peplums, belts, tiered dresses, pockets, texture and prints.

• If you want to create more waist definition, try high-waisted shorts or trousers with a tucked-in vest, a belted dress, or a shirt tied at the waist.

• Rectangle shapes often suit playful summer pieces well, such as co-ords, jumpsuits, dungarees, shirt dresses, relaxed shorts and bold prints.

• Layering can be harder in summer, so use colour blocking, pattern, accessories and texture to create interest. A patterned skirt with a simple vest, a bright bag, or a statement sandal can make an outfit feel more styled.

• Dresses with shape built in can work really well. Try shirt dresses, wrap dresses, tiered dresses, fit-and-flare styles or dresses with seams, gathers or waist details.

• Avoid very straight, plain outfits from top to bottom if they make you feel flat or unfinished. Adding detail somewhere, neckline, waist, print, texture, jewellery or shoes, can make a big difference.

For those with a triangle body shape, where the hips are wider than the bust and shoulders, the goal is to balance your silhouette by drawing attention upward.

Here are a few Summer-specific styling tips:

• Go for tops in brighter colours, prints, or with interesting details like puff sleeves, square necklines, boat necks, frills or textured fabric — these help visually broaden your shoulders and bring focus to your top half.

• When it’s too warm for layers, use your top half to do the balancing work. Statement earrings, sunglasses, a bright lip, a colourful necklace or a bold hair accessory can all help draw the eye upward.

• On the bottom, look for soft, skimming fabrics like linen, cotton, viscose or lightweight denim in simpler shapes. A-line skirts, wide-leg trousers, floaty shorts and longer tailored shorts can all work well for warm days.

• If you’re wearing dresses, look for styles with detail on the top half and a skirt that skims over the hips — shirt dresses, fit-and-flare dresses, tiered dresses and square-neck styles can all be lovely options.

• Be mindful of adding too much bulk around the hips, such as heavy cargo pockets, stiff pleats or very clingy fabrics, unless you balance them with detail or colour on the top half.

• Lightweight layers, like an open linen shirt, cropped denim jacket or short-sleeved jacket, can still be useful on cooler summer days and help add structure across the shoulders.