Styling the Athletic Shape: Embrace Your Strength and Flaunt Your Style
- By Emma Cattermole

- Jan 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
Styling the Athletic Shape
As someone with an athletic body shape, you’ve worked hard to achieve a toned and slender figure, and I’m here to help you show it off in the most stylish way. My mission is to help you enhance your natural shape, create curves where you want them, and bring out the best in your proportions. Together, we’ll create a wardrobe that celebrates your strong, sleek silhouette.
Here are my go-to styling tips for dressing an athletic body shape.
1. Dresses: Adding Curves and Softness
For athletic shapes, it’s all about creating curves and softness to complement your toned frame.
Floaty dresses are your best friend—they add movement and volume in all the right places.
Look for slim-fit dresses on top that flare out at the bottom, like fit-and-flare or A-line styles, to create a curvier silhouette.
Ruffles and neck details, like neck ties, can soften your upper body and add a touch of elegance.
2. Tops: Flattering and Feminine
Your shoulders and arms are often a standout feature, and the right tops can bring out their best while balancing your overall shape.
Floaty tops with ruffles, gathers, or pleats are fantastic for adding volume and a feminine feel.
Halter necks and slash necks are great options to draw attention to your shoulders and collarbone.
Brighter, lighter colours and patterns on top can create visual balance and enhance curves.
3. Bottoms: Enhancing Your Curves
When it comes to bottoms, the goal is to add volume and shape to your hips and bum while highlighting your waist.
Pockets on trousers or skirts are a secret weapon for creating the illusion of a fuller bum and a smaller waist.
A-line skirts are a great option—they flare out at the hips, enhancing curves and balancing your frame.
Slim, straight or fitted jeans keep things sleek while emphasising your toned legs.
Avoid: Pencil skirts, as they can flatten your silhouette, and bootcut or flared trousers, which don’t offer the streamlined look that suits you best.
4. Jackets: Structure and Shape
Jackets are a great way to add shape and definition to an athletic body.
Jackets with darted waists or peplum details create a nipped-in effect, emphasising your waist and creating curves.
Double-breasted styles add width across the chest, balancing your proportions.
Stick to tailored styles that enhance your waist rather than boxy cuts, which can feel too shapeless for your frame.
5. Accessories and Colours: The Finishing Touches
Details matter when styling an athletic shape. Small changes can make a big impact!
Embrace brighter and lighter colours around your waist and upper body to add softness and draw attention to your shape.
Use belts to highlight your waist, or choose garments that naturally cinch in at the waistline.
Experiment with statement necklaces or earrings to add personality and balance to your look.
When you’re dressing an athletic body shape, it’s all about celebrating your strength while adding touches of softness and curves to your look. Together, we’ll create a wardrobe that enhances your natural beauty and fits your lifestyle.



