Best leotards for your body type

 If your dance program does not require a uniform, you probably have a lot of fun wearing different leotard styles.  Because different cuts often fit differently on various body types, sometimes a style will work out much better for one body type than another.  In this guide, I'll go over a few different body types and show some leotard styles that are especially flattering.

1.       Pear shape (curvier bottom, slightly defined waist, smaller bust)--Look for styles with lower-cut leg lines which fully cover your bottom.  Leotards with detail around the bust will balance your shape. 

2.       Apple shape (flatter bottom, rounder tummy without defined waist, medium bust)--Look for styles with details such as a waist seam or belt.  This will cut the tummy and make it appear balanced with the rest of your body.  Leotards with higher-cut leg lines and bust details are also flattering on you.

3.       Hourglass shape (curvier bottom, slim defined waist, larger bust)--Look for styles with lower-cut leg lines and necklines that  go too low.  Square and gentle scoop necklines are most flattering.  Avoid waist seams, belts, high necks/turtlenecks/mandarin collars, and bust details, which may make you look disproportionate.  Go with simple, solid colored front design.  If you want a fancier option, look at leotards with unique backs.  If you need the bust support of a full-back leotard but want something cute and fancy, check out leotards with mesh or printed backs.  Avoid leotards with very high backs (racerback , mock halter, and bolero styles), which tend to have low fronts

4.       Upside-down pear shape (flatter bottom, slightly defined waist, larger bust)--Look for styles with higher-cut leg lines and necklines that don't go too low.  Square and gentle scoop necklines look best.  Avoid high necks, turtlenecks, mandarin collars, and bust details.  Waist details can be flattering, but as with the hourglass example, your best bet for fun detail is a fancy back.

5.       Athletic shape (in-between size bottom and bust, no or slightly defined waist, and defined musculature)--You're in luck, as most leotard styles work for your body shape.  To show off your strong back muscles, try halter and low-back styles.  To create a more feminine look, look for thin camisole straps and lace details.  Basic athletic styles like simple tanks work for you, but I personally find them a little "swimsuit-ish," and with your musculature, they can make you look more like an Olympian than a ballerina (however, there is nothing wrong with this look if you like it). 

6.       Slender shape (flatter bottom, no or slightly defined waist, smaller bust, and overall thin or bony body type)--Many leotard styles are flattering on you, but sometimes you will run into problems with fit.  Leotards with straight across or high backs usually fit better than those with deep V-backs, which can be too open and prone to slipping off sim arms/shoulders.  Similarly, the neck straps on halter leos are sometimes too long and prone to riding down.  Scoop necks can often gap in the front when you lean forward.  Racer backs leotards are very flattering, as are camisoles with straight-across backs.  Pretty much any details (bust, waist, neckline, etc.) work for you, including turtlenecks and mandarin collars.

7.       Inverted triangle or broad shoulders (width of shoulders exceeds width of hips)--Leotards that emphasize broad shoulders can be un-flattering because they often make you look disproportionate.  Cap sleeve leotards and high neck/low back styles tend to be the worst offenders.  If you like tank leotards, choose thin straps and lower scoop or V-necklines.  Avoid all cap and short sleeve styles.  Half and 3/4 sleeve styles are much more flattering.  

8.       Narrow shoulders (width of hips exceeds width of shoulders)--You look great in styles that emphasize your shoulders and de-emphasize your hips.  Cap sleeves are your friend, and wider-strap tanks look better on you than thin-strap camis.

9.       Tall or long torso (girth is greater than or equal to height minus 10 inches.  For example, I am 64" tall, and my girth is 57".  My height minus 10 inches is 54 inches, and my girth of 54 is larger than that number.  This puts me in the long torso category.)--Sometimes leotards that otherwise look great are troublesome for long torsos because they ride up in the hips or down in the bust.  Make sure you try on leotards and move around in them before purchasing when you can.  Long torsos can look elegant, but sometimes your legs can look short in comparison.  To keep this from happening, choose styles that have waist or bust seams, high-cut legs, and V- or scoop necks.  Low-cut legs, princess seams (up-and-down seams), V-necks, and high/turtlenecks can make your torso look longer.

10.   Petite or Short torso (girth is less than height minus 10 inches)--Most leotards fit better on short torsos, and your legs usually look long and lean in comparison.  However, longer torsos can look more elegant and slimmer.  If you want to elongate your torso, princess seams, high necks, low-cut legs,  and V-necks and backs can all do the trick.