What's Your Body Shape/Type?

 



When getting dressed the first thing that should be considered is -  what is your body type. The human body comes in a variation of five different body types/shapes.

 



 

Various body types/shapes

 

 

However, like finger prints or signatures, no two are exactly alike.  The types/shapes go by many names… a diamond is also referred to as an apple or round. Rectangle is also known as a banana or ruler. I personally don’t compare a body shape to fruit however, now that I think about it… a human body is just like fruit. While an apple is an apple; no two apples are the same size or shape. So with that analogy, yes… the body is like fruit. However, I’m more inclined to compare body types/shapes to geometric shapes… it is more mathematical and scientific and that is what dressing a body type/shape is about. Finding the balance in the human body shape to minimize and maximize the negatives and positives and creating a pleasing balance to a figure, regardless of weight, height, or age.

 

In order to find your body type you take the measurement of your chest, waist and hips and compare them in relationship to each other. However, I think to really get a truly accurate determination of a body's type/shape the shoulder measurement needs to be taken into consideration.

 

 



Now that you have your measurements it will be easier to determine your body type/shape. Again, remember that not everyone will fit into a perfect type/shape... most of us are a mixture or with characteristics of a another body type/shape.

 

 

Triangle Body Shape - Hips are 4” or more larger than waist and waist and bust do not differ significantly.

·        Larger lower body and smaller upper body.

·        Shoulders narrower than hips.

·        Typically a small chest and defined waistline (and might even have killer abs)

·        Buttocks and thighs are full and round.

·        Tend to gain weight below waist, especially in the thighs.

 

Inverted Triangle Body Shape  -  Shoulder measurement is greater by 3” or more than hip.

·        Prominent and broad straight shoulders – wider than waistline or hips.

·        Larger chest and fuller back.

·        Hips and derriere are smaller (tendency to have a rather flat buttocks.)

·        An athletic build.

·        Tend to gain weight through the torso and back area.

 

Rectangle Body Shape -  Waist measures from 1" to 8" smaller than the bust.

·        Shoulders and hips (almost) same size.

·        Very little indentation at waist.

·        An athletic build with a tendency for flat buttocks and a small bust line.

·        Tend to put on weight in stomach and bottom, while maintaining slender arms and legs.

 

Hourglass Body Shape  -  Waist is 8" to 12" smaller than the hip or shoulder measurement

·        Well-proportioned upper and lower body.

·        Shoulders and hips (almost) same size

·        Well defined dramatic indentation at waistline.

·        Buttocks and thighs are round

·        Tend to gain weight all over your body, especially hip and chest area.

 

Diamond Body Shape - Torso larger than the hip or shoulder measurement

·        Waistline is undefined or has little definition and rib cage and back appear somewhat wide.

·        Carry weight around mid-section and chest (eg. big bust, protruding tummy).

·        May have wide or/and fleshy shoulders however, limbs are slim (specifically arms).

·        Hips may be narrow (similar to Inverted Triangle, but midsection is fuller/wider)

·        Tendency to have fabulous legs and boobs (you may be well endowed).

·        Tend to gain weight above the waist or bottom.

 

 

Within the next week or so I will divulge how to make the most of each body type/shape. I will review what the body shapes strengths and weakness are and how to bring the body into proportion... thus having a more balanced shape.

I will start with the Rectangle. That is the shape that I work with on a daily basis… because it is mine! 

 

Thank you for stopping by.

Nan!