Understanding your body type is the foundation of creating a flattering wardrobe. When clothes are selected to complement your natural proportions, they can enhance your best features, create balance, and boost your confidence. This guide will help you identify your body type and learn key styling principles to make the most of your unique shape.
Identifying Your Body Type
Body types are typically categorized into five main silhouettes, though many people are a combination of types. Focus on your overall proportions rather than size—body types exist at every weight.
Rectangle (Straight/Athletic): Your shoulders, waist, and hips are approximately the same width, creating a straight silhouette. You may have an athletic build with less defined curves.
Hourglass: Your shoulders and hips are similar in width with a significantly smaller, defined waist, creating curved proportions.
Pear/Triangle: Your hips are wider than your shoulders, with a defined waist. You likely carry weight in your lower body, particularly hips, thighs, and buttocks.
Inverted Triangle: Your shoulders or bust are wider than your hips, often with an athletic upper body and slender legs.
Apple/Oval: You carry weight around your midsection, with slender legs and arms. Your waist is less defined than your bust and upper body.
Universal Flattering Principles
Before diving into specific body types, these principles apply to everyone:
- Proper fit is the most important factor—clothes that are too tight or too loose rarely flatter anyone
- Strategic use of color and pattern can direct attention to your favorite features
- Quality fabrics that drape well look better on all body types
- Proper undergarments create the foundation for well-fitting clothes
Styling Tips by Body Type
Rectangle Body Type
Your goal: Create the illusion of curves and definition at the waist
- Do: Wear tops with details at the bust (ruffles, embellishments), peplum styles, wrap dresses, belted garments, full or A-line skirts
- Try: Layering to add dimension, statement belts to define the waist, jackets that nip in at the waist
- Avoid: Shapeless, boxy silhouettes that hide your figure completely
Hourglass Body Type
Your goal: Maintain balanced proportions while highlighting your defined waist
- Do: Wear fitted or semi-fitted styles that follow your curves, wrap dresses/tops, high-waisted bottoms, V-necklines
- Try: Belt dresses and tunics to showcase your waist, fitted jackets that end at the hip
- Avoid: Boxy, oversized garments, styles with no waist definition, overly clingy fabrics
Pear/Triangle Body Type
Your goal: Balance your narrower upper body with your wider lower body
- Do: Wear tops with details/volume (boat necks, statement shoulders, ruffles), A-line skirts, dark-colored bottoms, boot-cut or wide-leg pants
- Try: Statement necklaces to draw attention upward, jackets that end at the waist
- Avoid: Skinny pants with fitted tops, tapered bottoms, large pockets or details on hip area
Inverted Triangle Body Type
Your goal: Balance your broader shoulders/bust with your narrower lower body
- Do: Wear A-line skirts, wide-leg pants, details at the hip area, V-necks and scoop necks
- Try: Statement bottoms with simple tops, dark colors on top and lighter colors below
- Avoid: Boat necks, off-shoulder styles, halter tops, overly padded shoulders
Apple/Oval Body Type
Your goal: Create definition and draw attention to your best features
- Do: Wear empire waist styles, A-line dresses, tops that skim over the midsection, open necklines, straight-leg or boot-cut pants
- Try: Layering with open jackets or cardigans to create vertical lines, monochromatic dressing for a streamlined look
- Avoid: Clingy fabrics around the midsection, horizontal stripes at the waist, tight belts
Beyond Body Types
While understanding your body type provides a useful framework, remember that these are guidelines, not rules. Personal style is about expressing yourself and wearing what makes you feel confident. Don't be afraid to break "rules" if a particular style speaks to you.
Additionally, consider your vertical proportions (length of torso vs. legs), as this can further refine your understanding of what styles work best for you.
The most important aspect of dressing well is wearing clothes that fit properly. When in doubt, a good tailor can be your best style ally, adjusting clothes to perfectly suit your unique shape.