What Is My Body Shape?

Our relationship with our body is, to say the least, complicated. There are days when we love our bodies and there are…long days when we don’t like anything about them. I know the goal is to make peace with who we are inside and out, but sometimes that's more like a dream than a real possibility.

Women, in particular, can have a complex relationship with their bodies. Critical and often looking for flaws, we tend to compare ourselves with photoshopped celebrities and supermodels who have teams of people to make them look perfect for that ideal shot.

Let’s get one thing straight. There is no ideal body size the same way there is no ideal body. Everybody is different and we believe this is the most wonderful thing about being human. Instead of trying to fit our bodies into a tiny box of so-called perfect body measurements, we should celebrate how different we are and really get to know our bodies.

What are the female body shapes?

Body shapes are usually determined by the silhouette your body has when looking at it from the front. Though weight gain or weight loss can affect the shape of your body, your body shape is primarily defined by your bone structure. So even though your weight may change over time, your overall body shape will likely remain the same. The female body types as defined by image consultants and personal stylists are:

• Hourglass body shape - Shoulders and hips are about the same size, with a well-defined waistline, noticeably smaller than your shoulders and hips.
• Inverted triangle body shape - Also known as V shape – broad shoulders that are wider than your waist, hips, and legs.
• Triangle - The famous pear body shape – characterized by having hips and thighs broader than your shoulders with a relatively narrow waist.
• Rectangle body shape - Also known as the H Shape – shoulders and hips are close to the same width, resulting in a body shape resembling a column or rectangular shape.
• Apple body shape - Defined by an upper body with broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a full midsection.

How can you determine your body shape?

Simple! You just need to get yourself measuring tape and start measuring different parts of your body. Measure your bust by pulling the measuring tape across the fullest part of your bust and around your back. Be gentle when measuring, and don’t squash your breast.

When measuring your waist, keep an eye on the smallest part of your natural waist situated above the belly button. For your hips, measure around the largest part of your behind. If you want to measure your shoulders, you will probably need to ask for help. Get someone to measure your shoulders from the tip of one shoulder all the way around you. Make sure the measuring tape is high up around your shoulders.

Write everything down and determine the proportions. There may be some surprises. Some of you may find that you have more than one body shape. For example, you may reach the conclusion your bust measurement indicates a pear shape while your shoulder measurement clearly states that you have an hourglass shape. And this is perfectly fine! Remember that body types are just guides! The human body expresses its form in a spectrum of beautiful shapes, don't sweat not fitting neatly into an archetype.

Why do you need to know your body shape?

Good question. Your body shape is definitely of no importance when it comes to self-esteem, self-love, and self-confidence. However, it may be helpful to discover your personal style and dress accordingly. Knowing your body shape will help you choose clothes that flatter and compliment your body while camouflaging those areas you want no one to know about.

Dressing in harmony with your body type will create an aesthetic of balance and a visually pleasing look. We have been designed by Mother Nature to constantly look for symmetry, equilibrium, and balance, and this can be successfully applied to the fashion industry and your personal style.

So, why is your body shape important? To help you choose clothes that fit perfectly, balance your outfit, and make you feel at ease, confident, and beautiful. Also, to help you avoid spending a lot of money on trendy clothes that don’t resonate with the lines of your body.

How can you use your body shape to make smart fashion choices?

Before spending a lot of money on clothes recommended for your body type, remember there is no guarantee they will actually fit perfectly. Every body is different, and body types should be used only as a clue in solving the more complex mystery of personal style. Don't forget our bodies are changing over time and weight gain or loss may affect the shape of your body and the way it interacts with clothing.

Your goal is to use your knowledge about body shape categories and your body type to create balance when you choose your clothes. For example, pear-shaped bodies with a small bust and wide hips and shoulders should focus more on adding volume to their bust and shoulders and creating definition to accentuate your waistline.
If you have an inverted triangle shape, you will never go wrong with fitted jackets with a flared bottom that accentuates your waist, adds balance to your shoulders, and creates the illusion of lower-body curves. Rectangle body shapes will always benefit from skirts with details like ruffles or bows that add volume to the hips and balance out the upper body.

Pear-shaped bodies will always look spectacular in fit-and-flare dresses that highlight the delicacy of the bust, highlight well-defined waists, and leave plenty of room for generous hips to undulate attractively. Hourglass figures benefit from similar dresses and anything else that accentuates their larger bust and petite waist.

Apple shapes look their best when clothes focus on balancing out the upper body and adding curves and volume to the lower body. For a slimmer and more defined waist, the trick is to simply pull the waistline in visually, keep the silhouette fitted under the bust or along the waist, and wear darker colors around the waist area.

This article is part of a series on body shapes and how to dress them correctly. Remember that the process of finding your style is supposed to be fun! Don't focus on your body shape and how you'd like to have a different one. Embrace your body shape and know that they can all look beautiful! Stay tuned as we release articles focusing on each body shape for everything you need to know about dressing yours.

Ready for a closet that brings you confidence and simplifies getting dressed each day? Our stylists can help you curate a wardrobe personalized to your body shape and preferences! Check out our services to learn more about working with us, or schedule an intro call to get started today.