Style advice for the Bonnie Top
General advice
- Would you like to conceal your bum or your stomach? In that case, make sure that the hemline of your top doesn’t end at either of those points. Why? The hemline creates a horizontal line on your body, and horizontal lines really catch the eye. For that reason, avoid hemlines that end in wide areas. Tops with a hem that stops under the hips/buttocks make your legs look shorter, which in turn makes you look smaller and heavier. To avoid that, remember the following:
- If you have wide hips ( A-types, X-types and 8-types), the top should end just above the widest part (around your hips).
- If you have narrow hips (I-types, V-types, and O-types), then the top can be worn somewhat longer (around your thighs).
- Do you want to emphasise the waist (e.g. X-types and 8-types and A-types)? Make sure the sleeves aren't any longer than 3/4-length.
- Do you want to emphasise the hips (e.g. I-types, V-types and O-types)? Go for longer sleeves.
- A garment's neckline influences your face, shoulders, and bust. Follow these guidelines for a flattering look:
- Is your face narrow or long? Go for a shallow, broad neckline.
- Do you have a broad or round face? Go for a deep, narrow V-neck. It will make your face look longer.
- Do you have a small bust? Go for a shallow neckline.
- Are you big busted? Go for a deep neckline.
- Are your shoulders narrow? A wide neckline will make them look broader.
- Are your shoulders wide? If so, a narrow, deep neckline will draw the focus away from your shoulders.
Find out how to alter the (sleeve) length of your top here.
The Bonnie Top for O-types
Your goal is to create as many vertical lines as possible and emphasise your face, slender legs, and wrists.
The balloon sleeves with pleats at the sleeve hem are the star of this pattern and distract from your midriff. Make sure that the widest point of the sleeves is far enough away from the widest point of your body.
Chose fabric with a relatively fluid drape, i.e. that’s code for no stiff fabrics. Tip: fabric in a delicate print is ideal. It creates visual ‘chaos’ so that the eye doesn't focus on any one point.
To create the illusion of length, make sure your top and bottom are a similar colour. The Bonnie top looks pretty over straight leg (not too wide) trousers – the Benita or Bertha trousers, for example.
The Bonnie Top for H-types
H-types are interested in maintaining their body's balanced proportions. In a nutshell? If you add volume to the upper body, do the same for the lower.
The Bonnie top's neckline makes the shoulders look broader. Balance that out by pairing the Bonnie with an A-line skirt or flared trousers with pockets or other details. Another way to keep those balanced proportions is to wear trousers or a skirt in an eye-catching print.
The gorgeous sleeve hem pleats are impossible to ignore and draw attention to the lower body.
The perfect combo tip for wide rectangles / H types? Pair the Bonnie top with straight leg or slightly flared trousers (e.g. the Bea, Bertha, or Benita trousers) or a straight or A-line skirt (e.g. Ginny, Arlette, Claudie skirts) in a fabric with a fluid drape.
Subtle prints look great on your body shape.
The Bonnie Top for I-types
I)types hardly have any curves and no waist to speak of. That means your figure is begging for curves and extra volume. The gorgeous, billowy balloon sleeves add volume to your sides. That helps create multiple focal points across your body, breaking up the typical pencil shape.
Choose a stiff fabric, such as cotton, or fabrics that provide plenty of structure. Avoid thin, flimsy fabrics that drape lifelessly over your body. Giving this top plenty of body is a good thing!
Go for a print or something in a striking colour. Play with colours, prints, and textures.
The Bonnie Top for A-types
The hips form the widest point on the A-type's body and the shoulders are comparatively narrower. The A-type's perfect top should go all out highlighting the torso and making the shoulders look wider to restore your silhouette's balance.
The Bonnie top's boat neck makes your shoulders look wider, which is a blessing for your figure; however, the volume at the bottom of the sleeves is not where it should be. Shorten the sleeves and/or the top to shift the volume away from your hips.
Go for a light or striking colour in a textured fabric, eyelet lace, or something with other eye-catching details. Pair a bold or light-coloured Bonnie top with dark trousers or a skirt so that your lower body remains as understated as possible. Keep all the focus on your upper body. Colour contrasts are a fantastic way to balance your figure’s proportions.
Your body shape's best option is a heavy fabric that still has a fluid drape.
Bonus tip: finish the look off with panache by wearing dazzling earrings like the Olga earrings, for example. It’s a clever way to draw attention to the top of your silhouette.
The Bonnie Top for X-types and 8-types
The secret to making your body shape shine? Highlight your feminine curves and accentuate your waist wherever possible.
The Bonnie top doesn’t have a fitted cut, so you'll need to dig into your bag of tricks to find other ways of highlighting your waist:
- Make the top the right length, i.e. it shouldn't extend past the hips.
- Tuck the top into your skirt or trousers to attract attention to your waistline.
- You could also turn the top into a dress and pair it with a thin belt.
Go for a fabric with a fluid drape that follows your natural curves as much as possible. A solid fabric or one with a subtle print would look fantastic.
X-types? Pair the Bonnie top with straight leg or slightly flared trousers (e.g. the Benita or Bertha trousers) or an A-line skirt (think the Ginny or Jutta skirts).
8-types? Pair the Bonnie top with straight leg trousers (e.g. the Benita trousers), slightly tapered trousers (e.g. the Ebony trousers), or a pencil skirt (Pina for the win!).
The Bonnie Top for V-types
V-types have broad shoulders and/or are busty, but their lower body is slender in contrast. Make your silhouette more proportional by softening the upper body and shifting the focus to the lower body.
The volume at the bottom of the sleeves leads the eye towards the lower body and adds volume to the hip area.
Be sure to select the right length for your top. Don’t make the top too short to keep your torso from looking too ‘puffy’ or short. Shifting the centre of gravity down works like a charm.
Pair the Bonnie top with wide leg trousers (jeans) or a skirt. The Bertha and Benita trousers are two good options. Or go for trousers or a skirt that tapers towards the bottom, such as the Billie or Ebony trousers or the Pina skirt.
Make Bonnie in something dark and pair with trousers or a skirt in a lighter shade. Playing with colour contrasts is a fantastic way to even out your figure’s proportions.
