How to Determine Your Body Shape
Are you embracing your natural silhouette or working against it? Dressing according to your unique body shape offers numerous benefits. Clothes will fit better, your comfort levels will increase, and as a result, your confidence will soar.
Allow me to assist you in determining your specific body shape. There are five primary body types, and I've condensed the key characteristics of each to simplify the process of identifying your shape.
Keep in mind that regardless of your size, you can fall into any of the five body shapes listed below, as it primarily relates to the distribution of your overall weight across your body.
Let's commence!
Begin by standing in front of a full-length mirror, preferably equipped with a tape measure, to record measurements.
Here are some key areas to measure when determining your body shape:
Shoulder Width: Measure from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other.
Bust/Chest: Measure the fullest part of your bust while wearing a bra that fits well.
Waist: Measure the narrowest part of your waist, typically above your belly button and below your rib cage.
Hips: Measure the fullest part of your hips, usually around the hip bone, as well as the top and bottom of hip area
Inseam: Measure from the top of your inner thigh to the bottom of your ankle for pant length
Apple Shape
If you are an apple shape then your shoulders and hips are around the same size, and there is very little difference between the measurements of their chest, waist and hips.. You as an apple-shaped girl have chest and waist measurements that are fairly close, but your hips are about 15cm smaller than your chest.
Apple body shape traits:
Hips and shoulders have the same width and the waistline has the same width or is wider
Any weight gained is predominately around the waist, or at least in proportion to the other parts of the body
Slender lower legs and arms
Top portion of your hip area is wider than your lower hip
Bust and/or midriff are larger than your hips
May be short-waisted
Thighs and hips are likely to be the narrowest part of your body
Celebrity apple shapes: Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Hudson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tyra Banks
Pear Shape
If you are a pear shape your hips are wider than your shoulders, they are also wider than your bust, making them the widest area of your body. In numbers, your hip measurement is more than five percent bigger than your shoulder or bust measurements. With a pear silhouette, one of your best assets is your slim midriff.
Pear body shape traits:
Hips are wider than your shoulders
Round, sloping shoulders
A well-defined waistline
Buttocks and thighs are full and round
Pear body shapes predominately gain weight on their thighs
Celebrity pear shapes: Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Kelly Clarkson
Inverted Triangle Shape
If you are an inverted triangle shape, your shoulders tend to be wider than your hips, they are the widest part of your body. Your shoulders are more than five percent bigger than your hip measurement.
Inverted body shape traits:
Prominent and broad straight shoulders — wider than your waistline or hips.
Athletic build
Flat buttocks
A larger chest and fuller back than rectangles body shapes
When inverted triangles gain weight, they tend to gain it through the torso and back area
Celebrities with inverted triangle body shapes: Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore, Renée Zellweger, Miley Cyrus
Rectangle Shape
Rectangle body shapes tend to have a very athletic frame. Your shoulders, waistline, bust and hips are around the same size. Your shoulder, bust and hip measurements are within five percent of each other. Your waist is less than 25 percent smaller than your shoulder or bust measurements. Waist measures from 2.5cm – 20cm smaller than your bust
Rectangle body shape traits:
Hips, waistline and shoulders have approximately the same width
Rectangle body shapes tend to gain weight evenly, but may gain some more through the upper back or neck.
Straight shoulders
Buttocks are flat
Athletic build and a small bustline
Celebrity rectangles: Anne Hathaway, Queen Latifah, Cameron Diaz
Hourglass Shape
If you are an hourglass then your shoulders and hips are around the same size and your waistline is significantly smaller. The rule of thumb here is about 75 percent. That is, your shoulder and hip measurements are within five percent of each other. Your waist is at least 25 percent smaller than your shoulder, hip and bust measurements. Your waist is 20-30cm smaller than your hip or bust measurement
Hourglass body shape traits:
Hips and shoulders have approximately the same width
Round and sloping shoulders
A well defined waistline
Buttocks are rather round
Lower hip area is wider than the top of your hips
Thighs are full but narrower than the lower portion of your hips
Hourglass body shapes tend to gain weight through the hips and above the waist
Celebrity hourglass shapes: Kim Kardashian, Dita Von Teese, Eva Longoria
Now that you have determined your body shape, allow me to assist you in curating your wardrobe to complement your unique silhouette. I can then help you create your unique capsule wardrobe, one where you can easily mix and match items an make a variety of outfit combinations that highlight your style and showcase your personality.
Mia xx