How to Decipher Your Body Shape

Most of you would be familiar with the above body shapes, but how many of you know which body shape your body falls into? 

Before you can begin dressing for your body shape you need to be able to understand your body's shape. 

The following characteristics should be able to help:

Hourglass

• shoulders and hips are at equal or similar widths 
• defined (small) waist
• weight is even throughout the body

Celebrity Hourglass: Scarlett Johansson

Apple (also known as oval)

• shoulders, bust and hips are usually similar in measurements 
• little to no waist line
• weight is usually carried in the tummy area
• usually have great, thin legs

Celebrity Apple: Kelly Osbourne

Pear (also known as triangle)

• hips are wider than the shoulders
• usually a small waist
• weight is usually carried in the thigh and bum area

Celebrity Pear: Jennifer Lopez

Inverted Triangle (also known as cone)

• shoulders are wider than hips
• little to no waist line
• bust is usually large
• hips are small

Celebrity Inverted Triangle: Michelle Williams

Lean Column

• shoulder and hips are equal or similar widths
• little to no waist line or curves
• long legs, tall, and lean

Celebrity Column: Nicole Kidman

Rectangle (also known as 'H')

• shoulders and hips are equal or similar widths
• little to no waist line or curves
• similar to the Column shape, but usually not as tall and lean

Celebrity Rectangle: Cameron Diaz


If, after reading through the above body shape characteristics, you're still unsure which body shape you fall into try standing in front of a full length mirror in your underwear to get a good look at your body's proportions.

It is important to remember that you may fall into more than one body shape. If so, this will need to be taken into consideration when dressing for your body shape.

Next blog post coming soon: How to Dress for Your Body Shape

Image source: blog.lacremeboutique.com