Dressing well doesn't necessarily mean spending an exorbitant amount of money or donning a cocktail dress. It usually just means dressing appropriately for your body type, which can be a challenge for a lot of women since styling rules are far from generic and everyone's fashion taste is unique. The most important thing to remember is that there is no such thing as perfect.

Doria's Boutique in Olympia, which offers a 10 percent military discount as well as a convenient layaway plan, is used to dealing with military spouses - especially when they are looking for that special welcome home outfit.

"We are all hot. We need to remember that!" said Doria's Boutique owner Tami Perman. "Even though everyone's physique is different, there are basic guidelines that can help."

In the words of fashion icon Donna Karan, the goal is to "highlight the positive and delete the negative." Listed below are four of the most common body types and tips for working with what you have.

• Athletic (not many curves, weight is evenly distributed): needs to create curves by using belts, wearing slim fitting jeans and skirts/dresses with flared or mermaid-style hemlines and shirts with prints; should steer clear of any clothing that is too loose and longer, straight dresses/skirts.
  

• Top Heavy (typically large-chested with slender legs, often with a larger mid-section or waist): avoid shirts with patterns or ruffles, anything high-waisted and tops with a boxy cut. Instead wear fitted tanks or tops under cardigans and jackets and pants with flared leg openings to balance the look.
  

• Bottom Heavy (often referred to as pear-shaped): should avoid pleats, tapered pants and clingy skirts/dresses; try to wear pieces that emphasize the waist and draw the eye up, like wrap dresses or belted coats and sweaters.
  

• Curvy (can be referred to as hourglass and be petite or not): since the secret here is to show off curves and not hide them, wear empire waist dresses, scoop neck tops and jackets with a single button closure; try to avoid tight, wide-legged pants and shirts with too many buttons that can pull.
  

"I believe looking good, and therefore feeling good, contributes to our overall health," added Perman. "So why not accomplish that each day when you get dressed?"

For more quick pointers at home and for information on other body types, visit www.dressyourbodytype.com. For free personal shopping help, try www.jcrew.com or www1.macys.com/store/service/mba.jsp.