How to determine your body shape. So we’ve all heard this before, dress your body right and you’ll always look your best. Okay that seems like a great idea, makes sense to me, but what’s your body type and how exactly do you determine what it is? The general consensus is that there are 4 main body types, each with a number of variations. We’ll go into each one in more detail in later posts including what works best for each shape, but for now, let’s just look at them in general. We’ve got hourglass, rectangular, inverted triangle and triangle. Within those, there are apples, pears, spoons, bells, lollipops, wedges, rulers and even goblets, to name a few. It really doesn’t matter what you want to call yourself, what’s more important is that you recognize where you are widest, where you are narrowest and what your favourite body parts are.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR BODY SHAPE
Now, I know that many of us don’t really want to be honest with ourselves and spending time dissecting your body is not necessarily your favourite past time, but let’s just step out of our comfort zones for a minute.
Weight gain. Go stand in front of the mirror and really examine your body. If you were to gain weight, where would that be? Is it in your stomach, your hips or maybe your thighs?
Highlight your assests. Take a good look at yourself, what are your best features? Be honest, you know you have them. Do you love your elegant shoulders and back or maybe your shapely legs? Some of you might want to highlight your defined midsections.
Camouflage your problem areas. This part isn’t as fun and you don’t get to say that it’s your whole body. What parts are you less comfortable with and don’t want to highlight? This could be your hips and butt or maybe your arms or chest.
Now go grab a tape measure and take this quiz, it’s super simple and remember, no one needs to know the results but you.
Do you have your results? Good. Are you surprised? I was a bit. In the past, I’ve been told so many different things about my body shape from various sales people, that I admit I’ve been confused about it.
Look, you can spend all of your time wishing that you were one shape or another, but in the end it doesn’t really matter. It is what it is and it’s only through knowing yourself that you can truly be happy. The good news is that each body type has its pluses and can be dressed to show them off. Rather than focusing on the negatives it is all about highlighting the good parts. Also, keep in mind that we don’t come out of a mold, so you may fall between shapes. Chances are, however, that you have more characteristics of one than the other. So rather than stressing about your shape, go have fun choosing the most amazing clothing that makes you happy and most importantly, makes you feel fabulous!
Do you consider your body shape when shopping for clothes?
*For more on how to determine your body shape follow me on instagram and pinterest*
*images courtesy of Dollar Photo Club
35 Comments
Haven´t shopped in a while…but I try to remember what looks the best on me when shopping. It´s easier to shop according to your body also 🙂
http://kjandersen.org/
It’s much easier! Problem for me is that people kept telling me different things but now that I know my shape it’s going to make shopping so much easier!
xo
This is great! I’ve always wondered what my body shape is and after reading this, I am a rectangle – ta-da!
– Sarah 🙂
http://www.thecrownbijoux.blogspot.com
Funny post… really interesting!!!!
Keep smiling!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
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This is so interesting!
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
♥♥♥
Thank-you!
xo
interesting post x
http://www.vicariousLA.com
Thanks!
xo
I love this! Thanks for sharing, it is always nice to step back and reassess. It is so easy to get in to a routine of just wearing something comfy and easy even if it isn’t perfect for your body type.
Oh just wait I have more of these coming where I’ll look into each body type in more specifics! I agree with you though, there’s nothing like a pair of sweats especially since I work from home now… urgh!
xo
great article, very interesting
i’m back online with a a new blog and new outfit
i wait you
http://tr3ndygirl.com
kiss
Thanks! I’ll definitely drop by.
xo
Thanks for sharing! I’ve never really known what my body shape is!
ohmystyle.co.uk
I never really did either. It was a fun quiz to take.
xo
I got pear shaped. I think I have a hourglass shape as well. My bust and my hips are wide, while my waist is smaller.
I think most people have bits and pieces of a few. I’m straight with a bit of an hourglass…. but you’ll definitely lean more toward one than the other. Come back next week though ’cause I’ll have great tips on how to dress each body type.
xo
I’m pretty good at knowing what will look good on my body shape but sometimes when shopping I try something that is not right in the hope that I could maybe pull it off, it usually gets put back on the rail.
Lx
http://www.blogbehindthelook.com
I admit that I’m pretty bad at pulling clothes off the rack. I admit that there’s always a lot of wishful thinking going on in my brain!
xo
The quiz says I don’t fall into any of the body types…crap I have no body
I’m sorry I totally laughed… no way, how is that even possible?! Okay I just went to your site. I think you are a ruler – apparently it’s the most common body type. You have a beautiful shape!!!!
xo
This is bizarre, the other half of my comment was cut off. Sorry if this shows up twice :
I’ve always been somewhere in between – too small to be curvy and too big to be considered a petit curvy.
I think this is a great tool and very helpful for figuring out your body type.
When I was in high school I would always try to wear the latest trend regardless if it worked for my body type…but I learnt my lesson and now I dress to suit my body type.
xo, Jackie
http://www.stylemydreams.wordpress.com
I just replied to your other comment! I guess it must be the hardest when you are in between but I stand behind what I wrote before, you always look amazing!
xo
great information!!! I want to believe I’m pear shaped (where does that end up in the diagram above? maybe in the inverted triangle?!).
Animated Confessions
Yup, inverted triangle. I’m going to do a post about how to dress each body type shortly!
xo
I always worry about my body shape and trying to find outfits that fit my pear shape (before I did the test I would have said I was more hourglass lol) and done feature the parts that I am not really happy with.
I’m working on follow up posts that deal with how to dress each body type! Stay tuned.
xo
Very interesting. Took the quize and I’m pear shaped. Never knew that. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure! I was totally surprised that I am a ruler shape….
xo
Caroline, which is your favourite body shape? What’s wrong with the ruler shape? 🙂
I don’t really have a favourite I think it’s all about the fashion choices. I’m a ruler, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Each shape has some challenges to it.
xo
Yes, I do agree with you. Be happy with your body, it’s so special and unique. 🙂
Agreed! I know I’ve struggled a lot in the past and I’m trying desperately to love myself everyday.
xo