Understanding different body types, including the diamond body shape, is the key to unlocking your personal style and feeling confident in any outfit.Â
For those with a diamond body shape, certain styling tips can help you highlight your best features and create a balanced, flattering silhouette.Â
In this guide, we’ll about what defines a diamond body shape, its key characteristics, and essential styling goals to help you dress with confidence.
What is a Diamond Body Shape?
The diamond body shape is characterized by its unique proportions, where the upper body and lower body are narrower compared to the midsection. Women with this body type often have small, narrow shoulders, a smaller bust, a fuller midsection, broader hips, and shapely legs. This shape is sometimes confused with the apple body shape, which is characterized by broad shoulders, narrow hips, and no defined waist, but the only difference is it distinctly features narrower shoulders and broader hips.
Characteristics of the Diamond Body Shape:
Narrower shoulders
Smaller bust
Fuller midsection
Broader hips
Shapely legs
Famous celebrities with a diamond body shape include Adele, Melissa McCarthy, and Rebel Wilson. Watching their fashion choices can provide inspiration for dressing your diamond body shape.
Key Styling Goals
When dressing for a diamond body shape, the main objectives are to highlight shoulders and legs, create curves and waist definition, and balance the silhouette. Unlike the apple body type, which focuses on drawing attention away from the midsection, the diamond body shape emphasizes enhancing the shoulders and legs. Using a measuring tape can help ensure your clothing fits perfectly and enhances your proportions.
Highlight Narrower Shoulders and Legs: Draw attention to narrow shoulders and shapely legs with off-the-shoulder or boat necklines, and shoulder embellishments. Choose slightly flared pants or A-line skirts to accentuate your legs.
Create Curves and Waist Definition: Opt for clothing that cinches at the waist or includes belts, such as wrap dresses, empire waist tops, and high-waisted skirts. Ensure the waist cinches around the belly button area. These styles emphasize a well-defined waist. Similar to the hourglass body type, emphasizing a well-defined waist can enhance the overall silhouette.
Balance the Silhouette: Ensure your upper and lower body appear proportionate by wearing clothes that add volume to these areas while minimizing the midsection. Draping fabrics, structured jackets with shoulder details, and A-line dresses work well. Dark colors can also help to minimize the appearance of a broader waistline. Avoid clothing that clings to the midsection, as it can accentuate the broader waistline.
Tops for Diamond Body Shape
Choosing the right tops for a diamond body shape can make all the difference in creating a balanced silhouette and feeling confident in your clothes. Here’s a guide to the best styles, fabrics, and what to avoid.
Recommended Styles
1. Off-the-Shoulder Tops: Off-the-shoulder tops draw attention to your narrow shoulders, creating a balanced look by visually widening them to match your midsection and hips. Unlike the rectangular body shape, which is more straight, the diamond body shape benefits from styles that add volume to the shoulders.
2. V-Necks and U-Necks: These necklines elongate the neck and draw the eye upwards, helping your torso appear longer and more balanced.
3. Tops with Shoulder Embellishments: Shoulder embellishments like ruffles or beads add volume to your upper body, balancing the proportions by accentuating the shoulders, making them appear wider.
4. Peplum Tops: Peplum tops cinch at the waist and flare gently over the hips, creating the illusion of a defined waist and enhancing curves.
Fabrics to Choose
Soft, Draping Fabrics: Fabrics like georgette, soft cotton, and poly-cotton blends drape elegantly, providing a smooth, flattering fit without adding bulk.
Light and Airy Material:Â Lightweight fabrics such as chiffon and silk flow easily and create a soft, feminine look, enhancing your shape without clinging to the midsection.
Styles to Avoid
Tops with Waist Embellishments: Avoid tops with designs around the waist area as they can draw unwanted attention to the midsection, making it appear wider. Focus on tops that highlight the shoulders or neckline instead.
Button-Down Shirts that Gape at the Waist: Button-down shirts can be tricky if they gape at the waist, creating an unflattering look. Choose styles with a relaxed fit that do not cling to the waist.
Bottoms for Diamond Body Shape
Finding the right bottoms for a diamond body shape can make a significant difference in creating a balanced and proportionate figure. Here’s a guide to the best styles, fabrics, and what to avoid.
Recommended Styles
1. Bootcut Jeans: Bootcut jeans have a slight flare at the bottom, balancing broader hips and a wider midsection, while elongating the legs for a more proportionate look. Measuring around the rib cage and hip bone can help ensure the best fit for bottoms that balance the broader hips and midsection.
2. Flare Jeans: Flare jeans add volume to the lower half, drawing attention away from the midsection and towards the shapely legs.
3. Slightly Flared Pants: These provide a gentle flare that adds balance without overwhelming your figure. They are versatile and can be dressed up or down.
4. Wide-Leg Pants: Wide-leg pants add volume to the lower half, balancing the midsection. They also add sophistication and comfort.
5. Flat-Front Pants: Flat-front pants offer a smooth, streamlined look that avoids adding extra volume to the midsection, making them ideal for casual and formal settings.
Fabrics to Choose
Soft Cotton: Soft cotton is comfortable and drapes naturally, flattering the body without clinging to unwanted areas.
Polyester with Elastane: Polyester blends with elastane provide stretch, ensuring a comfortable fit and a smooth silhouette.
Styles to Avoid
Skinny Jeans: Skinny jeans can accentuate the wider midsection and may not provide a balanced look, as they cling to the legs, making the midsection appear larger in comparison.
Pants with Front Buttons or Elaborate Waist Designs: Pants with front buttons or elaborate waist designs draw attention to the midsection, which can be unflattering for diamond body shapes. Opt for flat-front styles instead.
Dresses and Jumpsuits for Diamond Body Shape
Selecting the right dresses and jumpsuits is key to creating a balanced silhouette for a diamond body shape. Here’s a concise guide to the best styles and fabrics, along with what to avoid.
Recommended Styles
1. A-Line Dresses: A-line dresses fit snugly at the waist and flare out at the hem, adding volume to the lower body and highlighting narrow shoulders, drawing attention away from the midsection.
2. Empire Waist Dresses: These dresses have a high waistline just below the bust, flowing into a loose, A-line or straight silhouette, elongating the body.
3. Wrap Dresses: Wrap dresses cinch at the waist, creating an hourglass figure with a V-neckline that balances the silhouette. Wrap dresses can help create an hourglass shape by cinching at the waist and balancing the silhouette.
4. Straight-Fit Jumpsuits: Straight-fit jumpsuits with a defined waist and straight legs offer a streamlined look. Avoid overly tight jumpsuits that cling to the midsection.
Fabrics to Choose
Georgette: Lightweight and flowing, georgette drapes beautifully without clinging to the midsection.
Chiffon: Chiffon is airy and elegant, adding movement and softness to dresses and jumpsuits.
Styles to Avoid
Dresses with Heavy Embellishments at the Waist: These draw attention to the midsection, which is typically wider in a diamond body shape.
Mermaid-Style Dresses: Tight around the hips and flaring at the knees, these dresses emphasize the wider midsection and hips, creating an unbalanced look.
Skirts for Diamond Body Shape
Choosing the right skirts is also essential for achieving a flattering look for a diamond body shape, especially since those with this shape may gain weight around the midsection. Here are the recommended styles and fabrics, as well as styles to avoid.
Recommended Styles
1. A-Line Skirts: A-line skirts fit at the waist and flare out at the hem, balancing proportions and drawing attention away from the midsection. Knee-length skirts are particularly effective. Unlike the pear body type, diamond shapes benefit from adding volume to the lower body.
2.High-Waisted Skirts: High-waisted skirts can create the illusion of a defined waist and longer legs. They are excellent for adding definition to the waist and balancing the silhouette.
3. Skirts with Asymmetrical Hems: Asymmetrical hem skirts add visual interest and movement, drawing the eye away from the midsection and towards the legs. An uneven hemline can help to create a more balanced look.
Fabrics to Choose
Light, Flowing Fabrics: Light, flowing fabrics like soft cotton and poly-cotton blends are ideal for skirts. These fabrics drape well and provide a flattering fit without adding bulk to the midsection
Styles to Avoid
Low-Waist Skirts: Low-waist skirts can emphasize the midsection and create an unbalanced look for diamond body shapes. It’s better to opt for skirts that sit at or above the natural waistline.
Skirts with Heavy Waist Embellishments: Avoid skirts that have heavy embellishments or designs around the waist area, as these can draw unwanted attention to the midsection.
Jackets and Coats for Diamond Body Shape
When it comes to choosing jackets and coats for a diamond body shape, the goal is to create a balanced and flattering silhouette by adding volume to the shoulders and elongating the body. Here’s a guide to the best styles, fabrics to choose, and styles to avoid.
Recommended Styles
1. Tailored Blazers: Tailored blazers are perfect for diamond body shapes. They add structure to the shoulders, creating a more balanced look. Look for blazers with a slight cinch at the waist to define your midsection and highlight your curves. Unlike the rectangular shape, which has balanced measurements, the diamond body shape benefits from styles that add structure to the shoulders.
2. Jackets with Shoulder Details: Jackets with embellishments or details on the shoulders, such as epaulettes or shoulder pads, help broaden your shoulders, balancing the wider midsection and hips. This style draws attention upwards and creates a more proportional appearance.
3. A-Line Coats: A-line coats, which are fitted at the top and flare out towards the bottom, are ideal for diamond body shapes. They help to create an hourglass silhouette by emphasizing the waist and adding volume to the lower body.
4. Empire Waist Coats: Empire waist coats, which have a high waistline just below the bust, help elongate the body and draw attention away from the midsection. This style is particularly flattering as it creates a smooth, continuous line from the bust down.
Fabrics to Choose
Opt for softer fabrics that add structure without adding bulk. Here are some recommended fabrics:
Wool Blends: Wool blends offer structure and warmth without being too heavy. They drape nicely and provide a clean, polished look.
Soft Cotton: Soft cotton jackets are comfortable and provide enough structure to maintain their shape while being light and breathable.
Styles to Avoid
Certain styles can emphasize the wider midsection and disrupt the balanced look you’re aiming for. Here are styles to avoid:
Short Jackets that End at the Stomach: Short jackets that cut off at the stomach can draw attention to the midsection and make it appear wider. Instead, opt for jackets that end at the hips or mid-thigh.
Overly Bulky Coats: Bulky coats can add unnecessary volume to your frame and make you look larger. Stick to coats that offer structure and shape without being overly padded or heavy.
Swimwear for Diamond Body Shape
Finding the right swimwear for a diamond body shape involves selecting pieces that provide support, create a balanced look, and highlight your best features. Here are some recommendations for styles, fabrics, and styles to avoid.
Recommended Styles
1. Deep V-Neck Swimsuits: Deep V-neck swimsuits are great for drawing attention to your neckline and shoulders, balancing the wider midsection. This style elongates the torso and creates a slimming effect. Unlike the pear shaped body, which benefits from accentuating the shoulders, the diamond body shape benefits from styles that draw attention to the neckline and shoulders.
2. One-Piece Swimsuits with Built-In Shapewear: One-piece swimsuits with built-in shapewear provide support and help to smooth out the midsection. Look for designs with ruching or paneling that can further enhance your shape. Pay attention to how different body parts are accentuated by the swimwear.
3. Two-Piece Swimsuits with Embellished Tops: Two-piece swimsuits with embellished or detailed tops can draw attention to your upper body, balancing the silhouette. High-waisted bottoms can provide additional support and coverage for the midsection. For added flair, consider bright tights to draw attention to your legs.
Fabrics to Choose
Opt for stretchy, supportive materials that offer control and comfort. Here are some recommended fabrics:
Nylon-Spandex Blends: Nylon-spandex blends are stretchy and provide excellent support. They offer a snug fit that smooths out the body and enhances your shape.
Polyester Blends: Polyester blends are durable and resistant to chlorine, making them a great choice for swimwear. They provide good support and maintain their shape well.
Styles to Avoid
Certain swimwear styles can be less flattering for diamond body shapes. Here are styles to avoid:
Low-Rise Bottoms: Low-rise bottoms can draw attention to the midsection and create an unbalanced look. High-waisted or mid-rise bottoms are a better choice as they provide more coverage and support. Ensure the top and bottom are the same size for the best fit.
Swimwear with Minimal Support: Swimwear that lacks support can be unflattering. Opt for pieces with built-in bras, underwire, or firm elastic bands. A supportive bra under clothing enhances your silhouette. Use a tape measure when shopping to ensure the perfect fit.
Shoes and Accessories for Diamond Body Shape
The right shoes and accessories can enhance your natural features and create a balanced silhouette for a diamond body shape. Here’s a concise guide to the best styles and what to avoid.
Recommended Styles
1. Heeled Booties and Ankle Boots: Heeled booties and ankle boots add height and elongate the legs, helping to balance a fuller midsection. Opt for sleek, streamlined styles to make your legs appear longer and leaner.
2. Statement Necklaces and Earrings: Statement necklaces and earrings draw attention upwards, emphasizing shoulders and neckline. Bold, eye-catching pieces add interest and create a balanced silhouette.
3. Belts that Cinch the Waist: Belts that cinch at the waist define your midsection and create an hourglass figure. Choose medium to wide belts that fit snugly at your natural waist to transform a simple dress or top.
Styles to Avoid
Chunky Shoes that Add Bulk: Avoid chunky shoes that add bulk to the lower body, as they can make your legs and feet look larger and disrupt the balance of your silhouette. Opt for sleek, streamlined styles instead.
Overly Intricate Accessories Around the Waist: Avoid overly intricate or bulky accessories around the waist, as they can draw unwanted attention to the midsection. Stick to simpler, elegant pieces that add definition without overwhelming your figure.
Conclusion
Dressing for a diamond body shape means embracing your unique proportions and enhancing your best features. Choose clothes that highlight your shoulders and legs with well-placed belts and tailored fits, and avoid adding bulk to your midsection.
Choose pieces that work with your body’s natural lines to create a balanced, flattering silhouette. With the right wardrobe choices, you can confidently showcase your style and feel fabulous in any outfit. Experiment with these tips and let your diamond body shape shine like the gem it is!
FAQ
What is a diamond shape body?
A diamond shape body features larger thighs, a narrow bust, and a fuller waist. Typically, this body type may have short arm muscles. A flowing sleeveless or boatneck top is recommended.
Is Diamond body shape attractive?
Yes, diamond body shapes are attractive with their narrow shoulders, defined midsection, and shapely legs.
What is the difference between diamond and oval body shape?
Oval shapes have a lower belly, while diamonds have a larger stomach and are prone to love handles. Both aim to elongate the body and emphasize the head and shoulders.
What is a diamond shape in the human body?
A diamond shape body has wider hips than shoulders, a shorter bust, and a larger waist.
