Bharat SainiLast Updated on October 23, 2014 by Bharat Saini
You know the feeling. You slip into that dress or that pair of jeans and you instantly feel sexy. Ladies, some clothing has the ability to bring out our inner wow factor and pajamas are no exception. Whether you are retiring to your room with a partner or not, there is no reason why you can’t feel confident and sexy all night long. That pumped up feeling you get when wearing the right clothes, or having a great hair day, can easily transfer into your bedroom.
Just like your day wear, there are certain styles of pajamas that work better on certain body types. The good news is, every body type has some great options.
Body Types
There are many, many different body types for women, including tall, athletic and petite. However, as a general rule, most body types can be grouped into apple, pear, rectangle or hourglass shapes. Whether you are a tall hourglass or an athletic pear, the following clothing guidelines should work for you. Note that when we talk about weight, we do not mean “excess fat”. Thin or curvy, the body types mentioned simply refer to a shape, not a size.
Apples
Celebrity apples: Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Oprah Winfery
Apples carry the bulk of their weight in their upper body. They typically have larger busts, rounded stomachs and muscular upper arms. Their legs tend to taper towards the ankles. Many apples find their tummies to be their biggest trouble spot.
Apples benefit from deep V-cut or low scooped necklines on sleepwear. Since sleepwear is worn without a bra, a high neckline can give the impression of a low hanging bust. Sleepwear tops that end just below, not above, the hips create a longer silhouette and are more comfortable on the apple than crop tops.
Pears
Celebrity Pears: Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce
Pears carry their weight in the lower half of their bodies and are noted for their wide hips and curvy behinds. Although Pears can carry weight in their upper thighs, their legs also tend to taper to the ankles. Fit pears may have flat stomachs, but fit or not, most pears bemoan their hips and buttocks.
Sleepwear for pears is a case of “if you got it, flaunt it!” Those hips are prefect for babydoll nighties and shorts that show off your assets. A high-waisted nightie will drape your hips and make you look like a goddess. Avoid a drop or mid-defined waist styles if you are self-conscious about your lower body proportions.
Rectangle
Celebrity Rectangles: Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman
If you have a rectangle shape, you tend to be long and lean. Nicole Kidman is often held up as the definition of the rectangle. Long arms, long legs, lean all over, small bust, not much definition between the hips and waist and a small rear end characterize this “straight up, straight down” body type. Rectangles usually wish for a larger bust or more definition in their waist and hips.
Play up your long, lean frame with a matching top and bottom pajama. An elegant pajama pantsuit is just as alluring as a low cut nightie – and speaking of low cut, rectangles should aim for higher necklines. If you are a very thin rectangle, a plunging neckline will make your bust look smaller and can show off a bony chest. Higher scooped necklines or tops with details across the bust add definition to the upper body.
Hourglass
Celebrity Hourglasses: Christina Hendricks, Kate Winslet, Dita Von Teese
Ah the hourglass! That classic old Hollywood siren with the big bust, narrow waist and generous hips, all proportioned to give that va-va-voom factor. The truth is, hourglasses have just as many body worries as any other shape; namely, finding clothing that fits the waist as well as the length of the legs.
Like apples, hourglasses should opt for scooped or deep-V tops on their sleepwear. Drawstring or elastic waists on the bottom will solve the waist/leg ratio issue. Hourglasses can really rock the plunging babydoll nightie as it highlights the bust, or a nightie that defines the waist and flows over the hips.
Every woman is beautiful
There is no ideal shape. Every woman is beautiful in her own right, but depending on your shape, certain styles bring out that beauty better than others. Your style should continue from the boardroom to the bedroom. Choose sleepwear for women that works for your body type and makes you feel sexy 24 hours a day.
This article was written by Felishia. L. Oksan, a fashion writer, who believes that pajamas for women in varied prints, can add to their style quotient.
