It’s pretty shocking that a recent study discovered that 91% of women aren’t happy with their bodies, and 40% would even think about getting cosmetic surgery to change how they look (Parker, 2021).
This just goes to show the crazy amount of pressure women are under to fit into society’s idea of beauty. But guess what? There’s no one-size-fits-all perfect body shape for women.
We’re all beautiful in our own ways – some of us have broader shoulders, slimmer hips, or maybe we’re a bit curvier. There’s no “typical” or “average” body out there because every one of us is unique. The key is to love your own body and focus on how you feel about it.
If you’re happy and confident in your own skin, that’s what truly matters. So don’t waste your time comparing yourself to others, but instead embrace your own special beauty!
Just as we humans come in all shapes and sizes, so does clothing. Feeling at ease in your own skin is vital to strut with confidence and grace.
To achieve this, you need to find outfits that accentuate your best features. But figuring that out can be a challenge when you’re unsure of your body type.
That’s where this article comes in handy!
It’s here to guide you in picking the perfect dress that’ll not only look fabulous but feel great, too, adding that extra sparkle to your appearance.
By the time you finish reading this, you’ll have a better understanding of how to elevate your style and embrace your unique qualities.
Before we dive into the various body types and how to dress for each one, let’s first understand why knowing your body shape is so important!
Have you ever been shopping for clothes and left the store empty-handed? That might be because you didn’t take your body shape into account. By understanding your body shape, you can pick out clothes that not only look fantastic on you but also make you feel fabulous wearing them.
Picture this: opening your closet to find it filled with clothes that perfectly complement your figure. No more trying on endless styles of dresses or jeans – you know each piece will flatter you beautifully.
Moreover, It’s even more important to know your body shape when shopping online, as it can help prevent a never-ending cycle of returns.
Whether you’re heading out on a blind date or stepping into a job interview, just imagine the person across from you admiring your stunning eyes and intelligence instead of being distracted by a top that’s too tight around your tummy.
Picture yourself confidently browsing fashion stores or online shops, effortlessly selecting outfits that are guaranteed to look amazing on you.
Fill your closet with pieces you adore rather than items you forgot to return and never wear. Feeling great about what you’re wearing is a significant step towards boosting your self-confidence.
- Rectangle
- Inverted triangle
- Hourglass
- Pear
- Apple
Keep in mind there isn’t a universally agreed-upon list of categories. Some areas use only 4, while others might use up to 8 or 9. Additionally, subtypes may exist within the types mentioned above.
To determine your body shape, stand in front of a mirror without clothes or in your undergarments. For more accuracy, use a tape measure to measure your bust, hips, and shoulders and see which characteristics match your body.
Rectangle Female Body Type:
This body shape can also be known as rectangular, straight, banana, supermodel, or ruler body type.
Women with this shape have similar widths for their bust, hips, and shoulders. Shorter women with this shape may look more concise and heavier than they are.
To determine if you have a rectangle shape, measure your bust, hips, and shoulders widths. If they are all the same, you likely have a rectangular shape.
Rectangle body shape features: –
- Hips, waistline, and shoulders all have similar widths.
- Weight is distributed evenly but may accumulate more in the upper body or neck.
- Shoulders are relatively straight.
- Buttocks may appear flat.
- Athletic build with a small bustline.
Inverted Triangle Female Body Type:
An inverted triangle body shape has larger proportions on top than on the bottom.
It also looks athletic as the legs and waist are smaller than the bust and shoulders’ width.
Measure your hips, bust, and shoulders to determine if you have an inverted triangle body shape.
If your bust width is almost the same as your hip width, you likely have an inverted triangle shape.
Inverted triangle body shape features:
- Wide and straight shoulders are broader than your waistline or hips.
- Athletic physique. – Flat buttocks.
- Bigger chest and fuller back compared to rectangles.
- Gaining weight usually accumulates in the torso and back area.
Hourglass Female Body Type:
The hourglass shape resembles its namesake due to a defined waist and wider hips and bust.
Viewed in a full-size mirror, your curves should resemble a Coke bottle figure.
Measuring your bust, hips, and shoulders can also help identify this shape; unlike the rectangle shape with matching proportions, hourglass figures have a distinct narrow waist.
Hourglass body shape features:
- Hips and shoulders of similar width.
- Rounded, sloping shoulders.
- Defined waistline.
- Fairly rounded buttocks.
- Lower hips wider than upper hips.
- Full thighs, slimmer than lower hips.
- Weight gain usually occurs in the hips and above the waist.
Apple Female Body Shape:
The apple body shape is characterized by a round profile reminiscent of the fruit.
Identifying marks include a circular outline, undefined waist, and comparable body proportions. Measure your bust, hips, and shoulder widths to see if you have an apple shape.
Apple body shape features:
- Hips and shoulders of equal width; waistline is the same or broader.
- Weight gain mainly around the waist compared to other body parts.
- Likely slender lower legs and arms.
- Wider upper hip compared to lower hip.
- Bigger bust and abdomen than hips.
- Likely a shorter waist.
Pear/Triangle Female Body Shape:
The pear-shaped body type has a slimmer upper and wider lower half, similar to a pear.
To determine if you have this body shape, look in a full-length mirror and notice if your shoulders and bust are narrower than your hips.
Pear body shape features:
- Hips wider than shoulders
- Rounded, sloping shoulders
- Defined waistline
- Full, rounded buttocks and thighs
- Tendency to gain weight on thighs
Once you have done your calculations, you will be able to assess, based on your widest measurement, which body type is closest to yours.
There are many different shapes, but the ones generally recognized by the fashion industry are apple, pear, hourglass, and rectangle-shaped body types.
Shout out to curvy women with breath-taking upper bodies whose thinner arms and legs want to be shown.
If this is you, focus on drawing attention to your legs with high heels and short skirts or ultra-high-waisted skinny jeans and accentuating the shape of your breasts with A-line silhouettes and V-necks.
Wrap dresses, boyfriend button-ups, flowy tunics and any other dresses that either define or take attention away from the waist are a great fit.
Strapless and off-the-shoulder styles also look amazing on an apple-shaped body. Choose fabrics that sit close to your body but do not cling, such as silk, linen, tweed, gabardine and cotton.
Hips don’t lie! The pear shape’s waist/hip ratio will turn the heads of every man and woman.
If this is your body type, you could divert the attention away from your hips with full-skirt dresses or embellished necklines. Highlight the waist, back or neckline with fun top shapes, open backs, oversized sleeves and belted styles.
A-line and maxi dresses are very flattering for women with this body type, especially with hemlines falling just below the knee.
Ladies with an hourglass figure have stunning curves and a beautifully defined waist, making it a highly coveted body shape.
Their bust and hips usually measure almost the same, with their waistline being noticeably narrower. There are some variations, too, like the top hourglass, where the bust is larger than the hips – think of an inverted triangle with a noticeable waist.
If you’re blessed to be among the few women with this body type, go ahead and flaunt your waist and emphasize those lovely curves. Opt for wrap dresses, jumpsuits, sheath designs, or fit-and-flare styles that hug your waist to show off your naturally balanced physique.
Almost everything looks fabulous on these ladies!
Also known as a straight or athletic body type, the rectangle figure has fairly even measurements and a not-so-obvious waistline. Women with this shape can decide which features to highlight to achieve their desired look.
Suppose you’d like to draw attention to your lower half. In that case, rectangles can rock almost any statement-making bottom – flowy pleats, eye-catching prints, or funky flares. Instead of focusing on your upper body, go for styles that accentuate your arms and shoulders while drawing attention to your waist.
Curvy rectangles look amazing in crewnecks, cowl necks, or V-neck tops. If you have a smaller bust, try embellished necklines or striking collars to give emphasis where desired.
As this is the most common body type, nearly any dress is designed with a rectangular frame in mind. So explore various sleeve styles, cinched waists, and bold prints as you flaunt your fab rectangular figure!
Ah, the inverted triangle body type!
You’re blessed with excellent shoulders that are wider than your waist and hips, not to mention those gorgeous, shapely legs of yours. So, how do you dress to show off your assets? It’s all about creating a balanced look by focusing on your lower half.
Try wearing dresses that add drama to your hips and legs – think ruffles or pleats below the hips. Not only will this grab people’s attention, but it’ll also create the illusion of a more defined waistline.
And don’t forget about the right neckline! Look for something deep and narrow to complement your shoulders while steering clear of wide, square necklines and off-the-shoulder styles.
Happy styling!
We really hope you’ve had a great time reading this post about body shapes because we’ve absolutely treasured putting it together for you!
By applying the tips and info from this post, you’ll definitely start feeling more confident when picking out your outfits day by day.
Got any questions? Just go ahead and leave a comment -We seriously enjoy answering your questions and chatting with you!
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Don’t forget to explore our other posts, too – they’re packed with amazing advice that’s super easy to incorporate into your life!
Author
Simran Verma
Simran Verma is a dedicated Content Writer specializing in fashion. Armed with a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, she brings a scholarly perspective to her creative work. Through her writing, Simran blends academic insight with current fashion trends, delivering content that is both informative and engaging.
