The body types below describe women’s bodies, not a girl who has not gone through puberty. Although it is sometimes possible to determine body type prior to maturity, it is only after growing a bust, hips, and so on that it will become evident. Measure the sizes of your bust, waist, and hip. Depending on the size of each part (in inches), you can determine which shape your body is to find clothes that properly fit. [2] X Research source There is no “best” or “worst” body type. A certain type may be fashionable in your particular locale, at this period in time, but this does not mean your body type is “bad”. All body types have pros and cons. Knowing your body type is about dressing to look your best. Even model’s bodies fall into one of these categories.
Slim limbs, specifically the arms, but wide shoulders are usually a strong characteristic of this body type. Weight is concentrated around your midsection and chest, giving the appearance of a bigger bust and protruding stomach, at times. If you naturally have a smaller bust, then weight can gather around your midriff. Just below the midsection, your waistline can have little definition, thus giving rise to the “top-heavy” description of this body type. Though your top may be on the heavier side, your legs should be slimmer.
You’ll notice if this is your body quite quickly, as your lower body: hips, thighs, and sometimes your behind are more noticeable. Shoulders are narrower, sloping, and not as broad. Usually described as the most “curvaceous” body. It’s a simple one to notice just by looking at your legs as they are sometimes noticeably wider, more muscular, and fuller compared to the rest of your body.
You’ll notice if this is your body quite quickly, as your lower body: hips, thighs, and sometimes your behind are more noticeable. Shoulders are narrower, sloping, and not as broad. Usually described as the most “curvaceous” body. It’s a simple one to notice just by looking at your legs as they are sometimes noticeably wider, more muscular, and fuller compared to the rest of your body.
Unlike the prior two body types; the best way to determine for a rectangular type is to measure. Upon measuring, you’ll notice that your waist is one to eight inches smaller than your bust. Standing straight up, you should not notice any significant curves around the waist area. Your rib cage will define most of your shape, as there will be no waist definition to add curves. Despite being rectangular, you may still have a curvy bottom (similar to a pear bottom), or a wide chest with a little bit of extra weight around the midriff.
The defining characteristic of hourglass figure is a significantly defined waist with more or less proportional top and bottom. Hourglass shapes tend to be “curvy” both on top and on the bottom. You can still have an hourglass body even when: slightly fleshy upper arms, wider looking shoulders, or a slightly fuller bottom.
You cannot “Spot Reduce”. Toning a certain body part is possible–you can do core exercises to help flatten abdominal muscles. But your body will not do it in just one place. On women, the change is most dramatic around your chest, hips, and posterior, whether you want it to be or not. You cannot “Spot Increase”. Muscle tone can be increased, and can cosmetically make a difference. Doing chest exercises or using skin creams will not make your bust larger. While chest exercises firm and tone up the bust line, this will not actually increase breast tissue. Certain body types have a predisposition to gain or lose weight in certain areas. For example, a woman with an hourglass figure will tend to gain or lose weight in the bust and hips, and not the waist. But a woman with an apple shape will tend to gain in the hips, and not so much in the bust–even if it is the same amount of body weight. Cardio and resistance training are most commonly used to alter body types. By knowing if you retain fat more or lose it quicker, you can create an exercise plan to cater to your bodily needs. [3] X Research source Remember that clothes are meant to flatter your body, so take care when choosing garments. Even a model with an “ideal” body type will not look good in everything. When a designer is putting together a photoshoot or runway show, they pick the model that best shows off the clothes. . . models are not interchangeable. What is the ideal body type changes through history. In America during the Victorian period, the “Hourglass” was perfection, and required women to don corsets to get that look. In the 1920s, the ideal woman’s body was the boyish “Rectangular” type requiring women to wear girdles and flattening larger chests. [4] X Research source Different cultures and subcultures see different body types as ideal. An African-American woman in America may be praised for a shapely, round posterior. However, the same quality in a woman in Japan may not be.
Follow your bodyline and keep details on the top and lower third of your body. With this body type, it is easy to wear shirts, blouses or dresses with slight V-necks without looking too fancy or over the top. Draw attention away from your waist and shoulders/arms (wear long sleeves), and draw attention to your bust and neck (e. g. v-necks). Choose flared pants over straight-leg or skinny pants, and to help balance out wide shoulders and/or a heavy upper body. Wear bottoms just below your hipbone to draw attention away from your midriff. Avoid dresses and belts that pinch at your waist. This will most likely accentuate curves that you may not wish to show off. Wear tops that drape over any curves if you wish. Enhancing a feature that is further away or you can cover it with dark colors.
If you’re a pear body type, there are things you can do to make your hips and butt look slimmer—or, on the flip side, you can make your butt look bigger! Balance your top with your bottom. Try to wear tops that accentuate your shoulders a bit more. Avoid pants or tights that narrow your legs. Wearing a bra that adds to or enhances your bust should be considered. Wear straight-leg or slightly flared pants with heels. Skinny pants that hug your ankles can make your lower body take on the appearance of an upside-down triangle. Flared pants can make your legs look very thick, perhaps bow-legged, in comparison to your upper body.
If you have this body type, you can “pinch” in your waist to exaggerate curves. For example, add a belt to your dress. Go for ruffles and frills to add texture, volume, and femininity to your figure. For instance, a dress with a lot of embellishment at the bust will often give some “weight” there that makes that area look a bit bigger. Steer clear of menswear clothing. For example, dressing in baggy jeans and track clothes will make you look like “one of the boys”, but not a potential girlfriend. Instead, opt for the skinny jeans that are made for your body type, and wear track clothing made for women at your workout session. Stock up on miniskirts and bright tights to make the most of your great legs. They will also add more shape to a straight body. Use shapewear. A rectangular body type benefits from shaping undergarments. For example, a bra that adds a cup size will balance out your angular features without much effort at all.
Use your waist as the focal point when dressing. This means to wear snug clothes and accessories around the thinnest part of your waist. Directing attention here will make your curves stand out even more. Dress to flatter your beautiful curves by following your body’s outline. Tailored clothing is usually more flattering. Shapeless or drape-y clothing tends to over-focus on the bust and make hourglass shapes look heavy or pregnant. Balance your top and bottom while accentuating your waist. Draw attention to your waist with belts and dresses that pinch at the midsection. Women with curves can end up revealing too much bust. If a neckline is too deep, or is inappropriate leave those clothes on the rack. Shape your bust. If you have an hourglass shape, you probably have plenty of bust; your main concern should be to wear a supportive bra so that your chest looks perky, not droopy and saggy. Embrace V-neck dresses and tops. While many necklines work well for well-endowed women, V-necks are typically quite flattering. Just be sure you do not show more cleavage than appropriate to the situation.
