Work out What Body Shape You Have

No two bodies are exactly the same. While there are a handful of common body shapes which some people fit into (triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, oval, and hourglass), we can also be variations of these shapes. It's helpful to identify your body shape in order to accentuate your best features. Fortunately, identifying your body type only takes a few seconds of looking into a mirror!

Steps

Identifying your Body Type

  1. Examine yourself in the mirror to identify your body type. Clothing may affect your results, so wear as little as possible. Make note of the presence or absence of curves. Is your body top-heavy or bottom-heavy? Would you describe your legs as long or short? What are your favorite bodily features? It may be helpful to record these notes in a journal.
    • There are many different body types, but the most common categories are hourglass, pear, inverted triangle, rectangle, and oval.
  2. Measure your hip-to-waist ratio. Wrap a tape measure around the smallest part of your waist and record your findings. Next, wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your hips and record your findings. Divide the first number by the second number to get your hip-to-waist ratio.
    • If your hip-to-waist ratio is a decimal number smaller than zero, you probably have an hourglass or pear body type.
    • If your ratio is close to one, you probably have a rectangle body type.
    • If your ratio is larger than one, you probably have an oval or inverted triangle body type.
  3. Identify an hourglass body shape. This shape can also be called the figure 8, or "X" frame. A person with an hourglass shape typically has a wide chest or shoulders, a proportionately small waist, and wide hips. Therefore, the hip-to-waist ratio will be a decimal number smaller than zero.[1] This body type tends to be described as curvy. People with this body type tend to prefer tight fitting clothing such as wrap dresses and feel heavy in loose, flowing clothing.
    • A bottom hourglass is an hourglass body with more weight in the lower body. A top hourglass is an hourglass body with more weight in the upper body.
    • This body shape is going to be much more prevalent in women than men.
  4. Identify a pear body shape. Also called an "A" frame, Spoon, or Christmas Tree body shape, if you have this shape then the largest portion of your body lands around your midsection, buttocks, and thighs.[1] With this body type, your upper body is smaller than your lower body; hips will be wider than your shoulders and tend to sit low. Your hip-to-waist ratio will be a decimal number less than zero.
    • This body type is similar to the hourglass body type in that it can be described as curvy. However, this body type is very small on top. People with this body type often see their small chests as a “problem area.”
  5. Identify an inverted triangle body shape. Also called the cone or "V" frame, your hips look narrow and your shoulders are broader than your lower body.[1] Your hip-to-waist ratio will be a number greater than one. This is the most common body type for men.
    • For women, this looks like a large bust, large shoulders, and small waistline with even slimmer hips.
    • For men, this looks like a traditionally-masculine body type with broad shoulders and small hips.
  6. Identify a rectangle body shape. Also called the ruler or "H" frame, the rectangle body shape is almost equal in shoulder and hip width and the waist is not noticeably defined.[1] Your hip-to-waist ratio will be a number very close to one. Women with this body type often feel they aren’t curvy enough while men feel their shoulders aren’t broad enough.
    • This body shape tends to have a slim build and can sometimes be described as “boyish.”
  7. Identify an oval body shape. Also called the apple, diamond, "O" frame, or circle, this body shape usually has slim legs and a larger chest and stomach area.[1] The hips and shoulders tend to be narrower than the midsection, and your hip-to-waist ratio will be greater than one. People with this body type tend to point to their stomach as a “problem area.”

Dressing an Hourglass Body Shape

  1. Flatter your body type by wearing the appropriate undergarments. Choose comfortable bras with good support that aren’t too tight around the chest. If the bra is too tight it will create “lumps” on your back that will be visible through clothing. Similarly, don’t wear underwear that are too tight as that can create the dreaded “muffin top” look. Wear clothes that fit properly to flatter your figure.
  2. Highlight your favorite features. If you love your bust then wear tops that are fitted and low cut. Tops that have a tie, belt, or cinch your waist further accentuate your curves. If you are fond of your hips, again, wear clothes that fit slim around your waist and hug your hips like skinny jeans or yoga pants.[2]
    • Improve your posture. Stand with your back straight and your shoulders back. This will lengthen your waist and make you look slimmer while simultaneously flattering your bust.[3]
  3. Avoid clothing that can make you look bulky. This can include baggy shirts and large sweaters or shirts with frills on the front. Bulky clothing hides the small part of your waist and can make you appear heavier than you are. Instead, wear dresses, shirts, and jackets that cinch in at the waist.[4]
    • Depending on how heavy your lower body is, you may feel that “skinny” pants make you look bulky as well. If that’s the case, consider wearing straight leg or flared pants to balance your legs.
    • Avoid horizontal stripes. This pattern can make a hourglass figure look very bulky and unbalanced.

Dressing a Pear Body Shape

  1. Wear appropriately sized clothing. If people within this body type wear underwear or pants that are too small, it can create a “muffin top” effect. This will make you appear chubby and ungainly. Furthermore, people with this body type often find that too-tight pants sink down their hips and become baggy around the buttocks. Make sure your pants fit properly and buy styles that rest on the middle of your hips to avoid sagging.
  2. Dress to accentuate your upper body. Wearing flowing, bright colored tops will help balance the shape of your body. Patterns, frill, and layers can work well on shirts and tops for women too. For men, stick with balancing the upper body by avoiding tight neck-lines and horizontal stripes.[5] Men should also look for vertical stripes on shirts.
    • Women with this body type look especially good in crop-tops and high-waist shorts, a fashion trend popular with hipster girls.
    • Wearing black is a great option for slimming the figure.
  3. Wear straight-leg pants. This is especially important for men with this body type. Avoid slim-fitting pants which will unbalance your body shape even further.[5] Wide pants can be flattering, but make sure that they aren’t so wide that they add too much bulk to your lower half.

Dressing an Inverted Triangle Body Shape

  1. Dress to accentuate masculine features. Shop in athletic stores to find the correct trim fit that will allow room for your broad chest and shoulders. Otherwise, wear well-fitting graphic tees and sweaters. Men with this body type can wear horizontally striped shirts without looking bulky.[5] Women who want to accentuate feminine features should skip this step.
    • Avoid very skinny pants. Wearing slim pants are alright and straight leg is safest.
  2. Dress to accentuate feminine features. Women typically prefer to give a little more shape to their hips and play down their broad shoulders. Your waist is a great place to accent your body in comparison to your bust, so play with crop tops paired with belted jean shorts, or a fitted top and long skirt.[6] Men who want to accentuate masculine features should skip this step.
    • Wear boot-cut, wide leg, or bell bottom pants to allude to wide hips, or wear short skirts that have layers.
    • Long, flowing shirts are especially flattering on this body type.
  3. Show off your shoulders! This body type, both male and female, is especially flattered by tank tops or shoulder-baring shirts. Avoid hiding your shoulders with scarves or complicated necklines as this will cause you to look bulky and unbalanced.[7]

Dressing a Rectangle Body Shape

  1. Accentuate your favorite features. Women may want to draw attention to their shoulders and legs to give an illusion of a narrower waist. You can wear A line dresses, strapless tops with boot cut pants, or slim fitting pants with a larger, loose top that is gathered at the waist.[8] Men will want to give a balance of upper body bulk by wearing open neck shirts, but also by wearing slim-fitting pants.
    • Pants with wide waist bands or skirts with detail will give a curvier look for your lower body.
    • Men should always look for 'slim fit' suits. Go with suits that have structure and will give the illusion of a slightly broader chest and shoulders.
  2. Show off your legs with heels! In women, this body type tends to be athletic. If that’s the case, wearing heels with shorts and skirts will highlight your legs and flatter your figure. If you’re not comfortable wearing heels, try to practice wearing them a few times a week. Make sure you’re walking with your back straight. When you take a step, “roll” your hips to shift your weight from one leg to another.
  3. Avoid wearing unflattering clothing. Tight shirts that highlight your waist are uncomplimentary on a rectangle body type and can make you appear bulky. Similarly, floor-length dresses and skirts that hang loosely to the floor can be unflattering. Instead, wear A-line dresses or mini-skirts to highlight your legs and add curves to your silhouette.[9]

Dressing an Oval Body Shape

  1. Show off your sexy legs! The best feature for the feminine oval body shape tends to be your legs. Wear mid or knee length skirts that are full and flowing, or straight with a flare at the bottom to draw away from the midsection.[10] Avoid skirts that are too short as they can make your torso look bulky.[9]
    • Men should buy straight leg pants. Tight pants can make your torso look bulky while baggy, wide-cut pants can make your legs look bulky.
  2. Choose tailored tops. When shopping look for wrap tops, v-necks, belted and/or cinched tops, and tops that flare at the bottom.[10] Choose tops that have frills, embroidery, or extra fabric above the bust instead of near the stomach.
    • Tops that are loose at the hem and reach around your buttocks are especially flattering on this figure. It's helpful if there is a cinch or small belt on the top just under your bust line to give a curvy illusion.
    • Men can wear well-fitting sports jackets to help broaden their shoulders. Leave the jacket unbuttoned for a waist-slimming effect.
  3. Wear slimming colors. Dark colors such as black are naturally slimming. Avoid patterns and bright hues. Especially avoid horizontal stripes as they make oval body types appear bulkier than they are. If you want to add a splash of color to your outfit, consider wearing funky jewelry or a brightly colored waist belt. Men can consider wearing a colorful tie.

Tips

  • Learn to love your body! Every body type has clothing styles that are very flattering. Even if you feel like you have an unattractive shape you can improve your confidence by dressing to compliment your figure.
  • Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable. If you read that frilly tops work well on your shape but you feel uncomfortable wearing them, pick something else. You want to feel confident in whatever you wear.
  • Patterns will draw attention to an area while wearing black will slim a figure. And horizontal lines tend to make a figure look wider, while vertical lines look slimming.

Things You'll Need

  • Full length mirror
  • Measuring Tape
  • Notepad and Pencil

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.200.7907&rep=rep1&type=pdf
  2. ↑ http://shopyourshape.com/body-shapes/hourglass-body-shape/
  3. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076817
  4. ↑ http://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/shape-guides/the-full-hourglass.php
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.complex.com/style/2015/04/how-to-dress-for-your-body-type-men/triangle-build
  6. ↑ http://shopyourshape.com/body-shapes/pear-body-shape/
  7. ↑ http://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/shape-guides/the-inverted-triangle.php
  8. ↑ http://shopyourshape.com/body-shapes/straight-body-shape/
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/shape-guides/the-lean-column.php
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 http://shopyourshape.com/body-shapes/oval-body-shape/
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