A comprehensive guide
Hourglass, pear, rectangle, apple or inverted triangle? Which one are you?
We have pulled together a guide to help you identify your body shape and tips on how to dress for success. Keep in mind that no matter what your size is, you can have any of the below four outlines; it’s more about how your weight is distributed.
Would you like to learn more about how to dress according to your body type? With the help of our new e-book series, you can learn the best tips and tricks!
Ultimate Body Shape Wardrobe Guides
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How do you define your body shape?
Determining our body shape is not an easy task. Analyzing ourselves objectively is almost impossible. Our eyes and the mirror do not necessarily show the truth. Therefore, I recommend that you choose the most accurate method possible and use math and grab your tape measure!
I. Measure yourself!
You can do the measurement yourself, but it’s even better if you have help. If you measure yourself alone, stand in front of a full-length mirror in underwear. When measuring, make sure the tape is snugly, but not too tight.
You will need four numbers:
Shoulders: Place the measuring tape at the tip of one shoulder and wrap it all the way around you like a shawl until it meets back at the same shoulder. The tape should skim the top of your shoulders so closely, it almost slips off. This is the widest circumference of your shoulders.
Bust: Gently extend the measuring tape over the fullest area of your bust and around your back. Ensure the tape measure is snug but not overly tight.
Waist: Wrap the measuring tape around your torso, at the smallest part of your natural waist. It should wrap flat around your back without buckling and meet just above your belly button.
Hips: Start at one hip point, just below the hip bone and wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your bottom.
II. Determine your body type!
Note: In this examples, you can find celebrities, models, actresses, and with one exception, they have not undergone drastic plastic surgery. To determine the body shape, I used the chest, waist, hips measurements, because data on shoulder width is mostly not available online.
1. Hourglass Body Type:
Your shoulders and hips are around the same size, with a very defined waistline. Your shoulder and hip measurements are within 5 percent of each other.
Your waist is at least 25 percent smaller than your shoulder, hip and bust measurements.
Let’s look at an example, Margot Robbie‘s data looks like this:
- bust: 86,4cm
- waist: 60 cm
- hips: 86,4 cm
Based on the data, Margot has an hourglass figure. Her waist is 30.6% slimmer than her bust and hip width.
2. Pear Body Type:
Your hips are wider than your shoulders. Your hip measurement is more than 5% bigger than your shoulder or bust measurements.
Let’s look at an example, Beyonce‘s data looks like this:
- bust: 89 cm
- waist: 66 cm
- hips: 99 cm
Based on the data, Beyonce has a pear shape. Her hips are 10% wider than her bust.
For the full Pear Body Style Guide, click here: A Comprehensive Guide to the Pear Body Shape
3. Rectangle (straight, athletic, banana, column) Body Type:
Chest and shoulder width are almost the same – the difference is within 5% – and your waist is less than 25% smaller than your shoulders or bust.
Let’s look at an example, Lily Collins‘ data looks like this:
- bust: 81 cm
- waist: 60 cm
- hips: 84 cm
Based on the data, Lily Collins has a rectangle figure. The difference between her bust and waist is 23.5%.
4. Apple Body Type:
Your bust/shoulders and waist are wider or similar in size to your hips. Your waist is the same or wider than your chest. Your hips are the smallest – up to 5% smaller than your chest/shoulders.
Let’s look at an example, Drew Barrymore‘s data looks like this:
- bust: 94 cm
- waist: 64 cm
- hips: 89 cm
Based on the data, Drew has an apple shape. Her hips are 5% slimmer than her bust.
For the full Apple Body Style Guide, click here: A Comprehensive Guide to the Apple Body Shape
5. Inverted Triangle Body Type:
Your hips are one of the smallest after your waist. Your shoulder or bust measurements are more than 5% bigger than your hip measurement.
Let’s look at an example, Charlotte McKinney‘s data looks like this:
- bust: 97 cm
- waist: 66 cm
- hips: 91 cm
Based on the data, Charlotte has an inverted triangle body type. Her bust is 6.2% larger than her hips.
