Knowing your body shape can help you find clothes that make you feel confident and amazing!

It’s about understanding what styles flatter your unique figure, not about changing your body. Remember that all bodies are beautiful, and fashion should be fun!

There are eight primary body shapes: hourglass, bottom hourglass, top hourglass, spoon, triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, and apple. In this blog post, we’ll explore each body shape and help you identify yours. We also offer essential styling tips tailored to each shape.

Why Knowing Your Shape Matters

Knowing your body shape helps you pick the perfect “frame” to highlight your best features and make you feel amazing. Below you will see Jordi Renee’s women’s body shape chart that gives a visual representation. When you dress for your body shape, you can:

• Boost your confidence: Wearing clothes that flatter your figure can make you feel more comfortable and self-assured. It’s like having a secret weapon that makes you feel ready to take on the world!
• Feel super comfy: Clothes that fit well and flow with your body shape are simply more comfortable to wear. No more tugging, pulling, or feeling restricted!
• Look your best: Dressing for your body shape is like finding the perfect puzzle piece. When your clothes fit just right, they create a balanced and harmonious look that enhances your natural beauty.

Once you understand your body, you know what looks good on you. You can express your unique style with confidence.

Common Body Shapes

When looking at a women’s body shape chart, it’s important to remember that body shapes are a spectrum. Most women don’t fit perfectly into one category. Instead of striving for an idealized shape, focus on balance and proportion. The goal is to create a balanced silhouette that makes you feel good in your own skin. The best style is one that makes you feel confident and comfortable. It allows you to embrace your individuality and express yourself authentically.

Hourglass Body Shape

The hourglass body shape is defined by a balanced silhouette. The bust and hips are roughly the same size. This is complemented by a significantly smaller waist. This creates a naturally curvy figure with a well-defined waistline.

Styling Tips

• Emphasize your waist with a belt or fitted clothing.
• Opt for wrap dresses and peplum tops to highlight your curves.
• Choose high-waisted pants to accentuate your silhouette.

Bottom Hourglass Body Shape

The bottom hourglass is a variation of the classic hourglass shape. The main difference lies in the hip measurement being wider than the bust. This creates a beautifully balanced silhouette with a focus on the lower body curves.

Styling Tips:

• Balance your proportions by wearing structured tops and off-the-shoulder styles.
• A-line skirts and flared pants can enhance your figure.
• Experiment with bold prints on top to draw attention upward.

Top Hourglass Body Shape

The top hourglass is another lovely variation of the hourglass body shape. It is characterized by a bust that’s larger than the hips. It still maintains a defined waist. This creates a balanced silhouette with an emphasis on the upper body curves.

Styling Tips:

• Choose tops with details (ruffles, patterns) to balance your silhouette.
• A-line skirts can create harmony between your upper and lower body.
• Avoid overly baggy clothing that can hide your waist.

Spoon Body Shape

Similar to the bottom hourglass, the spoon shape has wider hips than bust and a defined waist. However, with a spoon body shape, the curve outward starts closer to the hip area, creating a “shelf” appearance. This differs from the bottom hourglass. Here, the curve starts higher, around the waist. This leads to a more gradual and rounded hip.

Styling Tips:

• Highlight your waist with fitted tops and dresses.
• Opt for straight-leg or bootcut jeans to balance your proportions.
• Layer with structured jackets to define your upper body.

Triangle Body Shape

The triangle body shape, also known as the “pear shape”, has wider hips than the bust. It also has a less defined waist. This creates a beautiful silhouette with the focus on the lower body.

Styling Tips:

• Wear tops with embellishments or patterns to draw attention upward.
• A-line skirts can enhance your lower half while balancing your shape.
• Darker colors on the bottom and lighter on top can create a more proportionate look.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

The inverted triangle body shape is sometimes called the “athletic” shape. It is characterized by broader shoulders and bust compared to the hips. It also has a less defined waist. This creates a strong and athletic silhouette with the focus on the upper body.

Styling Tips:

• Choose V-neck or scoop neck tops to elongate your figure.
• Opt for wide-leg pants to create balance with your upper body.
• Avoid overly structured tops that can add bulk to your shoulders.

Rectangle Body Shape

The rectangle body shape is often described as “straight.” It is characterized by a balanced silhouette where the bust, waist, and hips are relatively similar in size. This creates a streamlined look with less emphasis on curves.

Styling Tips:

• Create the illusion of curves with ruffled tops and peplum styles.
• Layer with belts to define your waist.
• Experiment with patterns and textures to create dimension.

Apple Body Shape

The apple body shape has a fuller upper body with a larger bust. The waist is less defined. The hips are narrower in comparison. This creates a rounded silhouette with a focus on the midsection.

Styling Tips:

• Opt for flowing fabrics that skim over the midsection.
• Look for empire waist dresses to create a flattering silhouette.
• Choose straight or bootcut jeans to elongate your legs.

How to Determine Your Shape

How to Use a Women’s Body Shape Chart:

1. Experiment with clothing: Try different styles and silhouettes to see what flatters your figure best.
2. Identify your measurements: Take measurements of your bust, waist, and hips.
3. Compare to the chart: Look at the chart and find the shape that most closely matches your proportions.
4. Learn about your shape: Read descriptions of the characteristics and styling tips for your shape.

Measurements

Before diving into the specifics of each body type, it’s essential to measure yourself accurately. Here’s a simple calculation to determine your body shape:

1. Measure your bust: Measure around the fullest part of your bust.
2. Measure your waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button.
3. Measure your hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips.

Analysis

Once you have these three measurements, compare them to identify your body type. You can use the graph below to easily determine your shape.

• Apple Body Shape: Bust is wider than hips, with a less defined waist (bust > hips, waist not defined).
• Hourglass Body Shape: Bust and hips are roughly the same size, with a smaller waist (bust ≈ hips > waist).
• Bottom Hourglass Body Shape: Hips are wider than bust, with a defined waist (hips > bust > waist).
• Top Hourglass Body Shape: Bust is wider than hips, with a defined waist (bust > hips > waist).
• Spoon Body Shape: Hips are noticeably wider than bust, with a defined waist (hips > bust = waist).
• Triangle Body Shape: Hips are wider than bust, with less definition in the waist (hips > bust).
• Inverted Triangle Body Shape: Bust is wider than hips, with less definition in the waist (bust > hips).
• Rectangle Body Shape: Bust and hips are similar in size. There is little definition in the waist (bust ≈ hips ≈ waist).

Understanding your body type is the first step to choosing styles that enhance your natural shape. Measure yourself accurately to use with the women’s body shape chart. Apply the provided styling tips for each body type. This will help you create a wardrobe that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Remember, fashion is about embracing who you are and celebrating your unique shape!