Body Shape Guide
NOTE: Before you go through this body shape guide, make sure you have taken your measurements.
Now that we have all your body measurements, we use that information to determine your body shape.
All the measurements are important to have for online shopping, but for your body shape we are going to only focus on four:
Shoulders - measure from the tip of your shoulder to your neck
Bust - measure around your body over the largest part of your bust
Waist - measure around the smallest part of your waist (usually in line with where the bend in your arm is)
Hips - measure around the largest part of your hips (usually right under your hip bones)
This is a cliff notes version of body shapes, but if this is something you really want to dig deep on, I recommend reading The Science of Sexy by Bradley Bayou.
Determine Your Body Shape
The goal of knowing your body shape is to be able to mimic a slight hourglass. When you are getting dressed, you want to visually fill the hourglass in the areas that need it. And avoid overfilling the areas that are already robust. Then, with that information, you are able to visually create the balance and proportion that does not naturally exist.
Please note, you can be more than one body shape. So see what traits of these body shapes feel the most true to you. If you are a hybrid, keep both body shapes on mind when shopping and getting dressed.
How To Determine Your Body Shape
Once you have your personal measurements for shoulders, bust, waist, and hips, you can determine your body shape:
If your shoulders or bust measurements are larger than your hip measurement, you are an INVERTED TRIANGLE
If your shoulders, bust, and hips are all the same size, you are a RECTANGLE
If your hips are wider than your shoulders, you are a TRIANGLE
If your waist measurement is larger or equal to your hip and shoulder measurements, you are a CIRCLE
If your shoulder and hips are around the same size with a defined waistband, you are an HOURGLASS
Inverted Triangle
If your shoulders or bust measurements are larger than your hip measurement, you are an inverted triangle. When you gain weight, it is usually in your upper body. You have broad shoulders and not a ton of waist definition. Your shoulder measurement should be at least 4 inches bigger than your hip measurement to truly be this body shape.
What Looks Fabulous on You:
Sheath Dress with detail at the bottom
Flared Pants
Fitted Jackets
Wrap tops and dresses
Why? Wearing pieces that are wider at the bottom or have interest at the bottom help fill out the bottom of your hourglass. Also, pieces that come in at the waist and are not tight on the bottom help create visual balance between your top and bottom halves.
Rectangle
If your shoulders, bust, and hips are all the same size, you are a rectangle. Your shoulders, bust, and hips all measure pretty much the same. You do not have a very defined waist, nor a lot of curves. If your waist measurement is less than an 8 inch difference from your shoulder and hip measurements you are truly this body shape.
What Looks Fabulous on You:
Pieces with details that create visual volume (for example, ruching, pleating, ruffles)
Waist definition (tucking in shirt or ruching in the middle)
Belts
Why? These fill out the top and bottom of your hourglass figure by creating more of a defined waist. Therefore visually mimicking an hourglass shape.
Triangle
If your hips are wider than your shoulders, you are a triangle. If your hips are wider than your shoulders AND your waist is smaller than your hips, this is your body shape. When you gain weight, it is in your lower body (hips and thighs). Your hip measurement should be at least 2 inches larger than your shoulder measurement to truly be a triangle body shape.
What Looks Fabulous on You:
Fit and flare dresses
Wide leg trousers
Boatneck shirt
Chunky necklaces that hit above the bust
Why? You are able to show off your waist and be a little more forgiving with your bottom half. You are filling up the top half of your hourglass where you naturally have a deficit. This creates visual harmony and balance.
Circle
If your waist measurement is larger or equal to your hip and shoulder measurements, you are a circle. Typically, you have little waist definition and when you gain weight, it is in your middle section. Your waist is at least 2 inches larger than your shoulders, bust, or hips to truly be this body shape.
What Looks Fabulous on You:
V-neck tops
Empire Waists
Longer jackets, blazers, or cardigans
Why? You are drawing attention away from your middle and elongating your body. Creating the illusion of a longer body helps fill your hourglass.
Hourglass
If your shoulder and hips are around the same size with a defined waistband, you are an hourglass. When your shoulder and hips measure a similar size and your waist measures smaller, you are the cultural ideal we are all striving for! Your hourglass is already proportional, lucky lady! Your waist measurement is at least 8 inches smaller than your hip and shoulder measurements, you are truly an hourglass shape.
What Looks Fabulous on You:
Wrap tops and dresses
Jeans and trousers in a curvy shape
V neck tops
Wide leg pants
Why? These all accentuate your pre-existing balance and proportion, and the fact that you have a defined waist.