Size is just a number!

It's the body shape that matters. So what's yours? Read on to know more...

A woman's body is a work of art, but it still needs some finishing touches to bring out the best in it. So here are some handy tips to help you look great, whatever shape your figure might be. And trust us, you're beautiful!

Hourglass

Considered to be the most feminine and sensuous body shape, an hourglass figure is characterized by a small waist between almost equally sized bust and hip. Only around 8% women can boast of this sexy shape. And if you are one of the lucky few, here's what you can choose from to heighten your curves.

• Snug dresses.
• Cinch dresses that cling to your waist. Go for high-waist Aline skirts that fit at the waist and hug your derriere perfectly.
• Avoid turtlenecks; those will make you look bustier. Go for round or V-necks.
• Avoid dresses with heavy detailing on the top half. These will make your figure look out of shape. Make sure both halves of the dress are in sync.
• Avoid super-skinny jeans. These will make you appear shorter. Go for comfort fits.
• Pour yourself in bodycons, strapless and sheath dresses. If you want to show off your curves, opt for bigger prints in warm colours and if your want to downplay them, go for darker hues.

Katrina Kaif's full bust, cinched waist and perfectly curved derriere give her the flawless hourglass figure!

Voluptuous

If your bust, midsection and hips are full, you have a voluptuous figure. Taming your curves to look beautiful isn't all that difficult if you stick to these rules.

• Good, fitted lingerie. This one's indispensable.
• Dresses and tops in darker hues with V and scoop necks will give you a leaner look.
• Don't go for stripes unless they are vertical and prints, unless they are small.
• Opt for ruched dresses.
• Go for skinny jeans paired with a flowy top. Do not wear body hugging separates.
• It's a myth that oversized clothing will hide the flab. Instead, shapely, well-fitted clothes do the trick. Make sure tops are fitted at the bust and the waist and your jeans are not flared. A sleek belt will make your waist look slim.

She's voluptuous, and she's fabulous! Tollywood darling Swastika Mukherjee makes curves all the more sexy.

Athletic

It's not the last thing you want to hear, but if you have broad shoulders and a straight body without many curves, your figure is athletic. Worried? Fikar not, there are enough styles out there to make you look every bit of the woman you are!

• Add the illusion of curves. Ruffled, frilled, bias-cut and fitted Alines will give you a curvaceous and feminine silhouette. Detailing near the bust line will give an illusion of fuller chest.
• Add definition to the midsection by wearing a belt.
• Stay away from strapless dresses, as they draw attention to your broader shoulders.
• Go androgynous (mildly, of course) in cinched blazers.
• Go cute in shorts with a ruffled top tucked in. Time to show off those toned legs.
• Skinny jeans and high heels. Period.

Draw inspiration from Keira Knightley. Despite her small bust and straight frame, she exudes sexiness with her choice of wardrobe.

Skinny

You are skinny if you have a slender, straight frame. Though it wouldn't be difficult to look great, ill-fitted clothes can make you look awful

• Create curves using ruffles, frills and pleats. Choose peplum, ruffled dresses.
• Opt for thicker fabrics, as clingy fabrics will only make you look skinnier.
• Use layers to create illusions of curves. Voluminous sleeves will hide your thin arms, while maxi dresses will camouflage your skinny legs.
• Crop tops are great! You don't need washboard abs to look good in them; a flat tummy is enough.
• Skinny jeans will look absolutely divine on those never-ending, slender legs.

Hollywood diva Gwyneth Paltrow has that perfect waif-like figure and she manages to keep looking good. And how!

Pear

If your hip is broader than your shoulders, you have a pear-shaped body. All you have to balance the upper and lower body to get close to an hourglass look.

• The upper part of a pear-shaped figure is the slimmest. So, shift your focus there. Fitted collared shirts and tops with embellishment near the neck will draw attention to this part. Layer your tops to look top fuller.
• Boat necks and scoop necks will make your shoulders look wider and in proportion with your hips. Adding layers to the upper part will also make your figure look balanced.
• Shirts with scrunched or voluminous sleeves will add volume to the upper body. Blazers are great too if they go just past the hips.
• Pants that are straight from the waist and flare at the calves are great! But avoid skinny jeans.
• Avoid short skirts, as these will draw attention to the wider sections of your body. A maxi skirt, on the other hand, will look great!
• Make sure you wear a slim belt.

Bollywood fashion icon Sonam Kapoor is bottom heavy and still carries almost everything with elan!

(Compiled by Shreyanka Mazumdar)