Body Type Analysis: Finding Your Shape

Body type analysis is the complementary half of personal styling. While color analysis tells you what colors to wear, body type analysis tells you how to wear them — which cuts, silhouettes, and proportions will look most flattering on your specific frame. And here's what's crucial to understand upfront: body typing has absolutely nothing to do with your size, weight, or fitness level. A size 4 and a size 14 can share the same body type. It's about the relationship between your shoulders, waist, and hips — your natural proportions.

Hourglass: Shoulders and hips are roughly equal in width, with a clearly defined, narrower waist. This is often called the "balanced" shape because the proportions are naturally symmetrical. Key: Emphasize the waist to showcase your natural curves.

Pear (Triangle): Hips are wider than shoulders, with a defined waist. Weight tends to be carried in the hips, thighs, and bottom. Key: Balance by adding visual interest and structure to the upper body.

Inverted Triangle: Shoulders are broader than hips, often with an athletic build. The upper body is the widest point. Key: Balance by adding volume or visual interest to the lower body.

Rectangle: Shoulders, waist, and hips are similar in width, with less waist definition. The body is relatively straight up and down. Key: Create the illusion of curves through strategic styling.

Apple (Round): Weight is carried primarily in the midsection, with slimmer legs and arms. The waist is the widest area. Key: Draw attention to your legs and décolletage while creating a smooth line through the middle.

Athletic: Well-proportioned with a muscular or toned build, broader shoulders, and a less defined waist. Similar to rectangle but with more visible muscle definition. Key: Soften and add femininity or use structured pieces that complement your strong frame.

To determine your body shape, you'll need three measurements: the widest point of your shoulders (or bust), your natural waist (the narrowest point of your torso), and the widest point of your hips. You don't need exact numbers — you're looking for the ratios between these measurements.

If your shoulders and hips are within 5% of each other and your waist is notably smaller — you're likely an Hourglass. If your hips are more than 5% wider than your shoulders — you're likely a Pear. If your shoulders are more than 5% wider than your hips — you're likely an Inverted Triangle. If all three measurements are within a similar range — you're likely a Rectangle or Athletic shape. If your waist is wider than both your shoulders and hips — you're likely an Apple.

Body shape classification has evolved significantly over the decades. In the early 2000s, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine popularized body typing in their TV show What Not to Wear, identifying 12 body types. Their approach was practical and focused on real women's shopping challenges. Around the same time, David Kibbe's system (developed in the 1980s but gaining internet popularity in the 2010s) took a different approach, categorizing body types along a yin-yang spectrum from soft and rounded to sharp and angular, with 13 types in total. The modern six-shape system used here distills these approaches into a practical framework that's easy to understand and apply. It focuses on proportions rather than bone structure or personality, making it accessible while still being genuinely useful for wardrobe decisions.

The core principle of body-type dressing is balance. The goal isn't to "fix" anything — every body shape is beautiful. Instead, it's about creating visual harmony by balancing proportions and directing the eye to your best features. For example, if you're a Pear shape, wearing a boat-neck top adds visual width to your shoulders, which balances your wider hips and creates a more symmetrical silhouette. If you're an Inverted Triangle, A-line skirts add volume at the hip, creating balance with your broader shoulders. The second principle is emphasis. Every body shape has natural strengths — features that are already beautifully proportioned. A Pear often has a gorgeous waist; an Inverted Triangle often has striking shoulders and arms. Good styling emphasizes these strengths rather than trying to hide perceived flaws.