Understanding the 6 Body Shapes
Let’s talk today about the 6 Body Shapes. There are some body shapes we share, even if our proportions and scale differ.
Any scale of person (petite, standard, plus) can be any body shape.
I’ve worked with ladies who just recognised three body shapes, straight, curvy and full figure. I prefer to expand on that a little and feel the following covers most of us.
In order, the six body shapes are Triangle (often called a Pear), Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Hourglass, Diamond and Oval (often called an apple shape).
Typically a Pear/Triangle body shape will have shoulders which are visibly narrower than hips.
An Inverted Triangle body shape will have shoulders which are visibly wider than the hips.
A Rectangle body shape is usually proportionate, in that hips and shoulders are equal width with no obvious waist.
An Hourglass body shape has a defined waist, hips and shoulders are equal in width.
A Diamond body shape tends to carry any weight about their middle but is a more angular shape than an Oval might.
An Oval/Apple body shape tends to carry any weight in the upper body, usually with a higher waist.
Knowing which body shape is closest to your body, will allow you to highlight your bests best and minimize the bits you’d rather no one noticed. There are lots of simple tips you can use.
Many people will be a combination of body types. I’m a pear or triangle shape but have a little belly padding which has raised my waistline so it is similar to an apple or oval shape. I wear tops that are fitted in the back with shaping to show off my waist curve at the back but straight at the front to allow some ease for a curvy tummy. I wear bootcut trousers to balance my wider hips and skim my curves. If I wear a skinny jean that would make my hips and legs look much wider.